Can I get an *Amen*? :)

I FINALLY found a Priest to co-officiate at my wedding!! A Roman Catholic Priest who is still with the Church - YAY!! This was, without a doubt, the biggest wedding planning challenge thus far but so worth it. My FI and I truly believe our ceremony is the most important part of our wedding and we`ve found a wonderful Priest who seems genuinely interested in what our ceremony means to us. Next project...finding a Rabbi! The one our Priest referred is booked...sigh, but, he promised to help us find one who cares just as much! Thanks to everyone who gave me referrals, I think I called every one of them over the past 6 weeks.

*Amen*!! :) - Congrats Kathi! Good Luck on the next quest *NM*

Kathi

Congrats! I'm glad to hear it worked out for you. Where did you find a Catholic Priest who was still in the church to marry you? We are thinking about having our ceremony at the Carlyle, but want it to be preformed by a Catholic Priest(we are both Catholic), and count as a sacrament. I have heard of an Catholic organization that preforms marriages, but I'm not to sure about the legistics. Thanks!

Heather....My saga (long).....

Heather - Since you`re both Catholic, you won`t be able to get married outside of the Church and have your marriage recognized - except in *emergency* cases. The Catholic organization you have heard of is more than likely ordained priests who have left the Church and either work independently or have started their own *New Catholic* Churches. I spoke with at least FIVE Priests who were not exactly forthcoming about the fact that my marriage wouldn`t be recognized since they`re not what the Church would call *legitimate* - they`re more like businessmen. It was so discouraging for us - every time we thought we found *the* Priest, he skirted his way around the question 'pardon me, Father, but are you an ordained ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST and ARE YOU STILL WITH THE CHURCH?' Ugh. I`m getting dispensation from the Church to marry a non-Catholic (my FI is Jewish ) and to marry outside of the Church which will mean my marriage is recognized as a sacrament. We are still required to attend Interfaith Pre-Cana - next Saturday! Anyway, after all the time and effort, our Priest is Father Steven Camp from St. William the Abbot. He was referred to me by Father Peter Dugandzig from St. Mary`s, who was referred to me by Msgr. Lisante (who would have performed my ceremony if I could have changed it to 12:30 instead of 11:30). Msgr. was referred to me by Father *Tony* Stanganelli from Holy Spririt (who actually wrote a letter to the Bishop to get permission to perform my ceremony by allowing the Deacon to say mass that morning!). My advice to brides-to-be in my position (Catholic/Jewish) - get married on a Saturday night or Sunday night when the parish Priests will be available! Good luck!

Kathi

WOW! That was some story, talk about having to 'know somebody'. It sounds like it all worked out for you two.We were actually thinking of doing the ceremony there because we are getting married on a Friday night, and thought it would be easier for our guests. But lately I have really wanted to have the ceremony in a Catholic church. The one problem is that we can't agree on a church-it's a long story, but basically I don't like his childhood parish, and want to get married in the other Catholic church in his town where the rest of his family belongs. We need to figure this out soon! Thanks for your help.

Can I get an *Amen*? :)

Hi Kathi, Not sure if I gave you this information previously or not but I am also having a priest and rabbi (FI catholic, I'm Jewish) for our wedding. The rabbi we are using is Rabbi Swerdlow and his number is 631-754-8019. He is a really nice man from what I can tell. Hope this helps.

Can I get an *Amen*? :)

My fiance and I found a Catholic Order who can marry us outside the church and it is still a valid & legitimate Catholic Sacrament. It's recognized by the Catholic Church, your kids can be Baptized in a Catholic Church, etc. Someone on this board referred them to me. :)

Melissa

Was it Chevliers de Notre Dame in St. James? Have you met w/ them yet? If so could you give me a little of what they told you? I visited their web site, but was not sure if they were legitimate or not. Thanks for your help!

Heather

Yes, it is them. I spoke with the main priest. I haven't met with him yet. We will be meeting him June 4th or 5th. He sent me a brochure and a bunch of information. They are recognized by Vatican authorities. They guarantee the validity of the Sacraments. It's really hard to explain, you'd have to talk to him yourself. After we meet with him, I'll let you know what happens and what he says. We'll understand more after we speak to him in person.

Melissa

Please let me know. We are very curious about them, and would love some feedback! Thanks a bunch, and good luck!

Heather - I'll definitely keep you posted!!! :o) *NM*