Matrimony
Marriage in the Midst of the Community
Thank you for looking into the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Joseph Parish. Marriage forms a basic building block of society wherein two people commit to each other, in good times and in bad, and so live out the Christian vocation of love.
As a sacrament, matrimony occurs within the community of believers and we are blessed here at St. Joseph to witness weddings throughout the year but particularly in the spring, summer, and autumn. It is our joy and responsibility to respond to those seeking this sacrament, whether they are registered members of the parish or Catholics who live within our parish's geographic boundaries (on the north is Lake Washington Canal, to the east is Lake Washington Blvd., to the south is E. Madison St and E Denny Way, and the western boundary is 14th Ave E.).
"Three complementary relationships lie at the heart of the sacrament of marriage: 1) the marital relationship, the joining of the bride and groom; 2) the reliance on God shared by bride and groom; and 3) the bonds between the community gathered and the wedding couple" (A Marriage Sourcebook, edited by Baker, Gibley, and Gibley).
The connection between the couple and the community must not to be overlooked as the grace that flows from the strengthening of their love, through the sacrament and their continued, recurrent commitment to one other, radiates outwards and is a significant source of blessing for the entire parish.
As an aid to helping your own planning and situating your desire for this sacrament within the life of the parish, here are some guidelines to bear in mind.
- We ask that those seeking to be married be active members of the parish for at least 6 months prior to any planning or scheduling conversations.
- Wedding fees are set for registered, active parishioners and include costs for the space, the musicians, and the celebrant. If you are not registered, active parishioners and we are able to host the event, we will ask that you cover actual costs (please see the F.A.Q. page).
- The Catholic sacrament of matrimony occurs within the church itself and not at any offsite location.
If you are ready to begin the conversation about the sacrament of matrimony, please email Deacon Steve at stevew@ or call him at (206) 965-1646.
See F.A.Q. for some commonly asked questions regarding the Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Joseph.