Congratulations!

You've decided to get married! We are delighted that your relationship has progressed to the point that you are ready to make a lifetime commitment. Here you will find information concerning the marriage rites at Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church. We hope this information answers most of your questions. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to e-mail or telephone us.

The priests and community at Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church are committed to helping make your special day something to remember. We will do whatever we can to provide quality and helpful services to you during this process.

Although celebrating marriages are very important to us, please keep in mind that the facilities of Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church are used for our different ministries and events. It is a good idea to plan your ceremony well in advance to ensure the building and the clergy are available. Also, we are pleased to celebrate your marriage in another location of your choice.

Again, congratulations on your decision. Let us be among the first to wish you joy as you take this next step on your life together.

Sacrament of Marriage

Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church celebrates the Sacrament of Marriage for any couple ready to embrace each other in spousal commitment and enduring faithfulness to reflect the love of Christ for the Body of Christ, the Church. All of the marriages that we celebrate are sacraments that have deep religious significance and we consider them to be marriages that are blessed by a loving and caring God and supported by our Catholic community. Some of these marriages (those between a woman and a man) are recognized by the State of Florida and have legal rights (such as joint filing of income tax and property ownership). Currently, same gender marriages are not accorded equal recognition by the State of Florida or the federal government, but that does not preclude us from treating them with equal respect and dignity as the law of Christ demands. We celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage for all people and it is our hope that one day our government will equally recognize all marriages.

Marriage is . . .

• Marriage is a Catholic sacrament of celebration and commitment.
• Marriage is a spiritual joining of two persons and their lives.
• Marriage is a covenant whereby public vows and promises are made and those in attendance may pledge their support.

Marriage is not . . .

• Marriage is not a quick fix for a broken relationship. If your relationship is already in trouble, marriage is not appropriate. Since you will be asked to make a significant commitment, you will need to be certain that this is a healthy, mature relationship that is intended to last. We expect you to have been in a relationship for a period of one year or more before beginning the process of seeking to be married at Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church.

Marriage Process

1. Review this information thoroughly.
2. Complete the Marriage Forms and return them to:
   
   

   Marriage
   Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church
   1141 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
   Clearwater, FL 33756-1040
   

3. Within one week of our receiving your completed forms, arrangements will be made for one of our priests to officiate at your ceremony. The priest will contact you to discuss date availability.
4. Do not print or mail invitations before your date is confirmed with Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church. Your date is not confirmed until Holy Spirit Ecumenical Catholic Church has received your signed Marriage Forms and $200 non-refundable deposit*. Please, make this payable to the priest presiding at your marriage rite.
5. Your officiating priest will schedule a meeting (or more, if necessary) with you to discuss details of your marriage ceremony .

Click here to get Forms

Marriage Fee Schedule*

Community members of Holy Spirit, please, contact that parish for your particular fee schedule. Those who are not members of the community, your fee schedule is:

Clergy Honorarium - $400 (50% due with your Marriage Forms, the balance due at the rehearsal). Please, make your check payable to the priest presiding at your marriage rite.

Ceremony Musician Honorarium - $150 (Includes piano or organ prelude, music accompaniment during the service, and one rehearsal with the vocalist(s). Special custom arrangements using other instruments, transposing the music in another key, or special vocal parts must be negotiated separately.)

Church facility use - $400

Hall facility use - $400

*Deposits are non-refundable. Thirty (30) days notice must be given for the balance to be refunded, irregardless of circumstance.