MARRIAGE CEREMONY PREPARATION
Pre-Marriage Checklist
This checklist will assist couples preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral.
1. MARRIAGE PAPERS
Please contact the Priest blessing your Marriage to arrange an appointment to finalise all Marriage papers.
Important: Marriage papers must be completed at least one month before the Marriage date.
N.B. If you have been previously married in a Civil or Church Ceremony, your (new) marriage cannot be blessed in a Catholic Church without an Annulment from the Catholic Church Tribunal, and you must notify your Priest ASAP. .
2. CERTIFICATES REQUIRED
| Baptism Certificate | Obtained from the Church of Baptism within 6 months of the wedding |
| Birth Certificate | Full Birth Certificate if born in Australia |
| Photo ID | Australian Photo ID, Driver Licence or Passport |
| Overseas Documentation | Current Overseas Passport or Overseas Birth Certificate with serial number |
| Single Status Certificate | From Registry of Births, Deaths \& Marriages. Tel: 13 77 88 www.bdm.nsw.gov.au |
| Marriage Preparation Course | Certificate of attendance for the Maronite Marriage Preparation Course |
| Permission Letter from your parish | To get married outside the parish (if applicable). |
3. SINGERS / ORGANISTS
You need a Singer/Organist familiar with the Maronite Ceremony. Please see the list of recommended people below:
English
| John Paul Abikhattar - Singer | 0410 648 674 |
| Rebecca Mansour - Singer & Organist | 0452 626 720 |
| Leslie Maroun - Organist | 0434 111 686 |
| Emma Essey - Singer & Organist | 0414 431 140 |
| Briget Lahood - Singer | 0410 721 415 |
| Antonia Khalil - Singer | 0431 316 300 |
| Rita Michael - Singer | 0423 728 402 |
| Amanda Mouawad - Singer | 0402 672 313 |
| Glenda Marie Khoury - Singer | 0418 480 699 |
| Monica Albayeh - Singer | 0450 651 424 |
| Ray & Lana Saya | 0423 564 062 |
| Elizabeth Issa - Singer | 0415 340 476 |
| Lisa Khouri - Singer | 0434 732 733 |
| Sarah Hamad - Singer | 0401 243 433 |
| Jennifer & Angela Younes - Organist & Violinist | 0466 906 190 |
| Priscilla Marie - Singer | 0481 771 977 |
| Maryanne Takchi - Singer | 0402 704 274 |
| Gabrielle El-Kazzi - 2 Singers, Organist & Violinist | 0451 066 899 |
| Elias Eltarraf - Singer | 0412 435 598 |
| Joyce Ayoub - Singer | 0490 817 527 |
| Helena Wehbe - Singer | 0409 362 959 |
| Marianne Sassine - Singer, Organist and Violinist | 0426 589 057 |
| Louie Ayoub - Organist | 0412 844 524 |
Arabic & English
| Jessy Harfouche - Singer & Organist | 0424 123 133 |
| Michael Nouh - Singer & Organist | 0479 148 793 |
| Sister Marlene - Singer & Organist | 9635 6600 |
| Ghady & Lara - Singer & Organist | 0404 311 233 |
| Sister Lena - Singer | 9789 6560 |
| Fr Sam’s Choir | 0417 171 737 |
| Thea Boutros - Singer | 0426 130 140 |
| Claudette Milan & Charbel Elias - Singer & Organist / Strings | 0414 456 330 |
| Dominic Azzi - Violinist | 0452 230 930 |
4. MUSIC GUIDELINES
Music must follow Diocesan Liturgical Guidelines. Secular songs are only permitted during the Registry Signing after the Final Blessing and must be approved by the Priest.
5. CEREMONY PRACTICE
You need to organise with your church and celebrant a time for the rehearsal. Readers and all members of the Bridal
Party should attend the practice.
6. DRESS
Out of respect for the dignity of the Sacrament of your Marriage, we ask that the bride, bridesmaids and readers dress
in a way appropriately respectful for the Church.
7. FLOWERS, ALTAR \& PEWS
(Couple to contact Florists)
For safety and liturgical reasons:
- No candles, alternatively you can bring an Icon to be blessed.
- No tulle or other material is allowed on aisle floor or from seat to seat blocking off access to the aisles.
- No free-standing vases or decorations to be placed in the centre aisle blocking off access to the aisle.
- No confetti, rice, petals, sweets or other items to be thrown in the Church or outside at any time.
Generally, altar flowers are left on and for the Altar of God after the ceremony – unless arranged otherwise with the
Priest and Church secretary.
8. BOOKLETS
Contact your parish for a copy. Completed booklets must be provided to your Priest for proofreading before printing.
9. POWERPOINT
As an alternative to the use of booklets, you can ask your Priest to organise a person to operate the Church PowerPoint
(for a small donation).
10. LETTER OF PERMISSION
If you require permission to marry outside your parish, contact your parish priest.
- St Maroun’s, Redfern: 9318 2148
- St Joseph’s, Croydon: 9744 8514
- St Charbel’s, Punchbowl: 9740 0998
- St John the Beloved, Mt Druitt: 9625 8985
- St George’s, Thornleigh: 9481 7388
- St Rafqa’s, Leppington: 9606 9214
- OLOL, Harris Park: 9689 2899
- St Raymond’s, Auburn: 9643 0345
- Hills Parochial District: 9894 9250
11. VEHICLES
Motorbikes and noisy vehicles are prohibited from entering the parish premises at Our Lady of Lebanon CoCathedral. It is strongly requested that NO noisy motorbikes or vehicles be used for escorts or wedding cars out of respect to the Church and the neighbours.
12. DONATIONS
For the upkeep of your Church, it is appropriate to offer a donation to the Church and a donation to the Priest(s) in
appreciation for celebrating your Marriage. Some churches have a recommended donation/ booking fee for the Church.
Please speak to your church for further information
13. MARRIAGE PREPARATION SESSIONS
As your decision to marry is one of the most important public and permanent decisions you will make in your life, your
Maronite Catholic Church in Australia requires you to participate in the Marriage Preparation Program: "Forever and Always One" This program is a compulsory part of your marriage preparation and should be completed at least 6 months before
your marriage date.
The four sessions of the Maronite marriage preparation program are as follows:
- Session I – Marriage: A Divine Gift
- Session II – Two Become One
- Session III – The Power of Communication
- Session IV – Building a Strong Marriage
You are required to book into the Program through the website: www.maronite.org.au/marriage-preparation or by contacting the Maronite Chancery on 8831 0000 from Monday to Friday 10:00am to 5:00pm.
We wish you every blessing as you prepare for the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage.