If you plan to marry in Summerhill parish we are happy firstly to congratulate you and to wish you well and to let you know that we will do everything we can to help you in planning your day and your future life.   We pray God's blessing on your future. You and the person you are getting married to can be involved in planning your marriage ceremony. It is important to remember that you are getting married according to Church law - the law of God  - your marriage is also recognised by civil society and by the State.  Certain documentation have to be assembled and signed as follows:

The parish requires  you to undertake a premarriage course. You can book your premarriage course by contacting www.accord.ie and booking on line.  It is recommended that you book your premarriage course at least 6 months prior to the date you plan to marry on.  You are required to give 3 months notice to the parish of your intention to marry.  If  the bride was born outside the parish of Summerhill the bride is required to get permission from her home parish.   There is a charge for the use of the church if you are not from Summerhill Parish. The Bride should arrange to complete the couple's marriage documents there and forward them to Fr. Gavin at Summerhill Parochial House.

The State requires under Civil Law - the Family Law Act of 1995 - to give 3 months notice of their intention to marry.  for further information contact The Registrar, Births, Deaths & Marriages, The Enterprise Centre Centre, Trim Road, Navan.  Co.  Meath.  phone no: 046 9023209.

 If you have not given 3 months notice of your intention to marry you must;

1.  Meet a civil registrar at lease 3 months before the wedding to give notice of their intenion to marry.

2.  Receive the registration for ( MRF) from the civil registrar some days before the ceremony.

3.  Bring the MRF to the solemniser - that is the priest - ask the celebrant to check that he is on the recognised list of Solemniser.

4.  Make the verbal declaration of no civil impediment  at the beginning of the marriage ceremony.

5.  Return  the signed MRF to any civil registrar not later than 1 month after the wedding.

 NOTE:  Flowers provided for the wedding on the altar and surrounds are normally left in the church for the clebration of Sunday Masses.

It is important that the legal side of getting married are attended to.  Those who are getting married have a greater responsibility in this area than previously.

 However the church is concerned with the celebration of a religous ceremony and the preist wishes to help those in this area in particularly.  Getting married in chruch presupposes faith in God, in Jesus Christ and in the church.  It presupposes faith in the presence of God in the ceremony, the Mass and the Holy Eucharist.

There are 2 alternative marriage ceremonies.

a.  The marriage ceremony which includes Mass and Holy Communion.

b.  The marriage ceremony without Mass.

The celebration of Mass and the reception of Holy Communion requires faith in the presence of Jesus in the Mass and Holy Communion.  It presupposes people are trying to live the Christian way, that they attend Mass  at weekends and that they pray regularly. 

Getting married is a milestone in one's life - it is a good time to evaluate one's faith and relationship with God.

Useful internet sites.

www.gettingmarried.ie

www.accord.ie

A wothwhile book to guide you as you plan your marriage is "A Wedding of our own" by Padraig McCarthy.

It is available from Veritas Book stores in Blanchardstown or Abbey Street, Dublin - opposite wynn's hotel