Marriage

To engaged couples:

Congratulations! Holy Spirit Parish at Geist is so excited for you as you begin this journey towards the Sacrament of Marriage! Here you will find some necessary information for learning to live out the vocation of marriage and preparing for your wedding day.

To Begin Marriage Preparation:
•    The first step is to make an appointment for an initial interview with a priest. Typically this is around 30 minutes.
•    Please contact Kim Murphy at 317-849-9245 to get started.

Reserving a Date:
Couples MUST complete an initial interview with a priest before they can set a date on the Holy Spirit calendar. Our office can inform you if the date you are interested in is open.

Wedding Times:
Wedding times are:

Fridays at 6:00 p.m.

Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.

Rehearsals are held the evening before the wedding. Questions about dates and times will be answered during your initial interview.

Marriage Preparation:

Catholics believe that marriage is a sacrament in which the couple and God enter into a lifelong, exclusive, life-giving covenant relationship. Marriage preparation provides an opportunity for the couple to reflect on their intent to enter into such a relationship and how they will live it.
We recommend that couples begin Marriage Preparation 12 months before the wedding date, but they must begin AT LEAST 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING DATE.  

The marriage preparation process at Holy Spirit includes:
•    Initial interview with a priest to review the marriage prep process
•    Take and debrief the PREPARE AND ENRICH inventory
•    Attend the ONE IN CHRIST Marriage Seminar (see below)
•    Complete a training program for Natural Family Planning (One In Christ will help get you started)
•    Attend a liturgy for blessing engaged couples and the Holy Spirit wedding workshop
•    Complete the required paperwork with your priest

Parish Registration:
Couples who wish to be married at Holy Spirit may schedule a wedding date if either one of them or one of their parents has been registered at Holy Spirit for at least 6 months.
Those who are new to the area may register and begin marriage preparation immediately.
Registered parishioners who are planning to be married at a different parish may be able to complete their marriage preparation at Holy Spirit.

Marriage at Another Parish

If you are planning to celebrate your wedding at another parish, but are a currently a parishioner at Holy Spirit and would like to do your marriage preparation at Holy Spirit we will be happy to work with you! Please schedule an appointment soon to begin the process.

Couples Who Live Outside the Parish of Holy Spirit

If you are planning to be married at Holy Spirit but you live elsewhere (especially if you live in a different diocese), you must complete marriage preparation at a parish near your residence. You should still call and schedule your initial interview at Holy Spirit to get your wedding on the calendar, but the majority of your preparation will take place where you live. NOTE: Other parishes and dioceses may have different requirements for marriage preparation.

ONE IN CHRIST Marriage Seminar

To prepare to receive the beautiful Sacrament of Matrimony, couples are asked to attend a retreat/seminar experience together. At Holy Spirit, the preferred retreat is One In Christ (oicindy.com). NOTE: COUPLES SHOULD REGISTER FOR ONE IN CHRIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to ensure that they complete the required formation. The retreat consists of a Saturday and Sunday (not overnight), and a following Saturday; it consists of witness talks, practical advice, and spiritual reflection. One in Christ also facilitates training in Natural Family Planning as part of the follow-up experience. Once the couple has completed the entire One in Christ program, a certificate will be sent to the priest overseeing preparation.
For more information about ONE IN CHRIST, see their website: ONE IN CHRIST INDY

Engagement Blessing and Wedding Workshops

Engaged couples are encouraged to include the parish in their marriage preparation by participating in an engagement blessing. This short ceremony, held immediately after the 11am Mass the same weekend as the wedding workshops, is an opportunity for you and your future spouse to publicly state your intent to prepare for and enter the sacrament of marriage. Family members are welcome and encouraged to participate.
To assist couples in planning their wedding celebration, Holy Spirit hosts three wedding workshops each year. Couples planning to marry at Holy Spirit are required to attend one of these workshops. Parents and family members of the bride and groom are welcome and encouraged to attend the wedding workshop.

Upcoming Engagement Blessing and Wedding Workshop Dates (please RSVP by contacting Kim at the Parish Office):  12pm-1pm

January 29, 2023  
April 30, 2023  
September 24, 2023  

Church fees 2023:

Church: $75
Wedding Coordinator: $300
Organist/Pianist: $250
Cantor: $200
Priest/Deacon: Your discretion

If you have questions, please contact Kim Murphy in the Main Chruch Office at 317-849-9245