I need church information...

Does anybody know of any nice churches in Suffolk County for my fiance and I to get married? Preferably a Catholic Church. Of course we wouldn't be members, we would also need a priest who isn't completely against us living together since we are, and we would like to bring our own priest. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I need church information...

I was in the same situation. Neither my family nor I are members anywhere, and my fiance and I are living together. I met with 3 different churches- Holy Cross in Nesconset, St. Joseph`s in Ronkonkoma, and St. Thomas More in Hauppauge. They were all really nice and understood our situation. We`re getting married at St. Thomas More because they had the date that we wanted open and they do a 11:00 ceremony. Good Luck.

I need church information...

I already e-mailed you about how wonderful Father Bill is at Parish of the Holy Cross. You should also try your Mother's parish since it would be very easy for them to allow you to get married there.

Jeng...

St. Thomas More is the one church we started talking to yesterday. They are open for our date, and they will let us bring our own priest. What does the church look like? I'm in North Carolina, so I've never seen it. Before the church will let us get married there, he wants to speak and meet with my fiance and I. I get nervous speaking to priests.

michele31...

Does the Parish of the Holy Cross have a website? Other info? Where exactly are they located? Thanks! Oh, my mom is going to the Hamlet with a Digital Camera to take a bunch of pictures of the place this afternoon. I finally found the pictures you posted. I just didn't go far enough into the pages. It looks nice, I just wish I could see it in person before I decide to switch or not. Thanks again!

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Melissa

I was not nervous about speaking to Father Bill or any other Priest because of this: You are not speaking with God him or herself (depends on what you believe). They cannot hurt you in anyway. A Priest is just a man who loves God and wants to serve him. Even if a Priest were to tell you that living together is wrong, so what? That is his opinion. God did not go to him and specially ask him to yell at you. Father Bill is a wonderful man and I am glad to have met him and talked with him. He knew Scott and I lived together and did not even mention it. Maybe if I had asked him a question about it he would have told me what the offical position of the Church is but I don't know if he would even agree with it. He knows my sister is gay and didn't even flitch when I told him. He believes that anyone who wants to enter his Church should be able to do and feel the same Love as anyone else. The Church is on Old Nichols Road (5-6 minutes from the Hamlet). It is a new Church, only 5 years old. There is no stained glass but instead huge glass windows. And the Church is located on top of a hill, surrounded by trees. There is also a nice courtyard before you enter the Church. It is not the wealthiest parish on LI so if you want a huge, grand Church this is not for you. I didn't care about what the Church looked like, I cared about wanting to feel like I belonged in the Church more. Scott and I go to mass twice a month, sometimes more. It's really because of Father Bill. He uses humor, real stories to prove his points, and the mass is very casual. He gets off the alter when he gives his sermon and talks in the aisle instead. That to me shows that he does not consider himself above the rest of us. he doesn't really wear the fancy robes either. He is just a regular man who happens to Love the Church.

Jeng...

St. Thomas More has been remodeled kind of recently, and is very pretty. The pews are in a half circle compared to the older churches where they go straight back. There isn`t much outside the church as far as grounds though. They were the most flexible to work with. Deacon Bob will be marrying us. He can only do the ceremony with no mass, because he isn`t a priest. He was recommended to me by a friend, and is very nice. I was also very nervous about meeting with a priest, but each time it went well. I agree with Michele, Father Bill is down to earth and not intimidating at all. I spoke with him first, but they did not have the date open. Also, at Holy Cross I was told that if you don`t have family that are members, your parents have to live in their district in order to get married there. They also require the Diocese paperwork before they will give you or hold your date. Since you`re out of Town this might be important. I would describe Holy Cross as modern looking. St. Joseph`s in Ronkonkoma is more of a traditional looking church. The grounds there are very pretty. They have a lot of gardens. I spoke with Father Peter who was also very nice. They were flexible. They did not have our date available, and they do a 10:30 ceremony (we were looking for an 11:00) But they were willing to hold the date for us. Good luck. Feel free to ask away...

not my church...

Im not Catholic, but there is a church in the town I grew up which is on the water and has a beautiful location...I think it is on the fairly liberal side... Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, in Centerport. good luck