Weddings
Here’s a brief guide to getting married in the Catholic Church. Please consult with one of the priests in our parish for further details.
Church Requirements
So where do we start?
At least three months before the planned date of marriage, contact the priest in your local parish where each of you presently live to let him know of your intention to marry and make an appointment to meet him. This may not be the same priest who will celebrate your wedding with you. Book the church in which you hope to get married.
What Paperwork Do I Need to Start Gathering
A new baptismal certificate issued within six months of the proposed date of marriage from the parish of Baptism
Indication of Confirmation (separate certificate if not recorded on baptismal certificate)
Proof of Freedom to Marry
This can be established through your prenuptial enquiry form.
Marriage Preparation Certificate – See your officiating priest. Once you have all these documents, you will then complete a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form with your priest.
What is a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Form?
As part of the pastoral care of the Church for you as an engaged person you will each complete a Pre-Nuptial Enquiry form with your local priest. The form records when you were received into the Church at Baptism and then Confirmed. It also indicates that you are free to marry and helps identify any special permission that you might need. It also affirms that as a mature adult you understand the nature of marriage and accept the duties and responsibilities of married life. The individually completed forms of the bride and groom are sent to the parish priest of the Church where the wedding is taking place and after the wedding the forms are kept in the parish archive there.
What happens if my situation is particular?
If your situation is particular such as a Catholic marrying somebody from another Christian religious tradition or marrying somebody who is not baptised you should immediately consult with your priest informing him of the special situation.
Civil Requirements – For Marriages in Northern Ireland
The Civil requirements are separate to the Church requirements and need to be fulfilled by all couples intending to get married in Northern Ireland.
- At least three months before the planned date of marriage, you must approach the local registrar in the district in which the marriage is going to take place to obtain a Notice of Marriage Form (one for each party)
- Bring at least one of the Notice of Marriage Forms to the local registrar.
- One of the parties must collect the Marriage Schedule (the document to be signed on the day of the marriage) from the local registrar’s office. The schedule cannot be issued more than fourteen days before the marriage and the registrar will advise the couple when the marriage schedule can be collected.
- Bring the Marriage Schedule to the priest of the parish where the marriage is to take place in advance of the wedding. No marriage can take place without this schedule.
- Return the signed Marriage Schedule to the local registrar within three days after the wedding.
(Adapted from www.accord.ie. Image from http://www.stnicholasrestored.co.uk/getting-married/)
Gift Aid
You can help our parish at no extra cost to you by using Gift Aid – (Read More)
Safeguarding
The Archdiocese of Armagh upholds the right of everyone to be treated with dignity and respect and to be safeguarded from harm or the risk of harm. (Read More)
Local Schools
(Click on the name for more info)
Holy Trinity College
Cookstown
Principal – Mrs Isabel Russell
028 8676 2420
Holy Trinity Primary School
Cookstown
Principal – Miss Sheila Devlin
028 8676 3151
Gaelscoil Eoghain
Chorr Chríochach
Príomhoide – Mrs Catherine Uí Dhoibhlin
028 8676 4121
Sacred Heart Primary School
Rock
Principal – Mr Eunan McGinn
028 8775 8510
Cookstown Parish Contacts:
Sharon Hamlin – Secretary
Tel: (028) 8676 3490 or 8676 3370
Email:Cookstownparish@gmail.com
Parish office is open during the following hours (Closed on bank holidays):
Monday – Friday 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Please note Week day Anniversaries Mass times will be celebrated at the 10 am Mass.
Weekend Anniversaries – Please select time of Mass, Month’s Mind and First Anniversary Masses will be celebrated in line with the normal mass schedule.
Funerals
The death of a family member or loved one brings a sense of grief, loss and change to all our lives. There is need for support during this time of sadness. Our parish team are there to support people who are bereaved.
When the funeral undertaker is contacted by a family regarding the funeral arrangements, they will inform the priests of the parish. The parish priest and a member of the parish team will visit the family to discuss preparations for the Funeral Mass. Funeral Masses are celebrated at a time of the families choosing as we feel as this is a very important time for families (in consultation with cemetery authorities times). The parish has prepared a funeral book which contains readings and prayers to be used at the Mass. This book is given to the family at the first visit by one of the team who can support the family with preparing the funeral Mass.
After the Mass the priest will accompany the family to the graveside and lead the family in the final prayers for the deceased.
Contact can be made with the parish office (028 8676 3490 / 028 8676 3370) to make the necessary arrangements for month’s minds and anniversaries.
Parish Office:
The Parish Office provides for the following services:
Baptisms: Booking your child’s baptism
Baptism and Confirmation Certificates £5 per certificate
Other Useful Links
(Click name for more info)
Catholicireland.net – An online source of information & inspiration.
Catholicbishops.ie – A Wealth of information for the Irish Catholic.
Useful Links
Contact Us
Open Monday to Friday: 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Tel: 028 8676 3490
Tel: 028 8676 3370
Email: cookstownparish@gmail.com
Priests of the Parish
Fr Brian Slater