- The Catholic party registered in the parish must contact Bill Szolek-Van Valkenburgh at (317) 241-6314 ext. 121 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at least six months in advance of the anticipated wedding date. (If you are to be married at another Catholic Church outside of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, then nine months in advance of the anticipated wedding date). No confirmed date or time will be scheduled on the parish calendar until the initial interview has taken place. Non-registered couples wishing to be married must register and be actively involved in the community for a minimum of two months before instruction may begin.
- Parish registration is a sign that an individual wishes to belong to the larger parish family. A baptized Catholic registered at St. Christopher has a legal (canonical) right to request consideration for a Catholic ceremony. The Catholic must be registered in the parish for two months before beginning marriage preparations. To state that one attends Saint Christopher “frequently” while not a registered member of the parish is not sufficient grounds to be married at Saint Christopher. A member of Saint Christopher Parish is a Catholic who:
A. Declares him/herself a member by registering at the parish office, or;
B) one who belongs to a registered family and is still a dependent, living with his/her family.
- In asking to be married in the Church the couple must show some signs that they understand the meaning of marriage and its responsibilities. Catholics fulfill their responsibilities by participation in the life of the parish family, especially by regular celebration at Sunday Eucharist and by reception of Communion.
- Another sign of Christian responsibility is the active participation in parish and/or community activities, which provide for the spiritual and material needs of others. Regular participation in Sunday Eucharist and in a ministry of the parish would be the very minimum as well as contributing to the support of the parish according to his/her means.
- There are cases where the couple is separated by great distances and cannot take the marriage instructions together. Arrangements should be made for individual instructions in the parishes where each has residence. A person in the military should contact the Catholic chaplain.
- In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Catholic weddings may not take place outside of a church building (e.g., private homes, gardens, or hotels).
- The wedding of two Catholics ordinarily takes place in the parish of the bride or groom. A Catholic of Saint Christopher Parish who wishes to be married outside his/her parish church may do so with the written permission of the pastor. The marriage preparation procedure must be in accordance with the marriage preparation policies of St. Christopher Parish and the other Catholic parish.
- Prior Marriage: If either party has previously been married, he/she must be shown to be free of that prior bond of marriage before a new marriage can be entered in the Catholic Church. A civil divorce, of itself, is not an indicator that one is free to marry in the Catholic Church.
- Because of the possibility of a funeral being celebrated on Saturday morning, no wedding can be scheduled before 11:00 a.m. Likewise, because of Saturday afternoon confessions and the Saturday evening Eucharist, a wedding with Eucharist cannot be scheduled later than 2:30 p.m. If the ceremony is a Scripture service, the latest a wedding can be scheduled is 3:00 p.m.
- Rehearsals are held the evening before the scheduled wedding at 5:00 p.m. Though less time may suffice, it is wise to allow one hour for rehearsal. The priest will have additional comments on rehearsal evenings and will appreciate being able to start on time.
