- October 24, 2026
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19:5-7, American Standard Version (ASV)
FROM THIS DAY FORWARD…
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
I, N take you N, for my lawful wife (husband) to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE AT ST. JOSEPH’S PARISH
PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE
Your marriage is one of the most important events in your life. The following guidelines are to aid you in your marriage preparations and also give you the requirements of the Church and the Parish for your wedding celebration. Your parish priests will be most happy to help you in any way. Please feel free to discuss any questions, problems, or concerns with them.
MARRIAGE POLICY AT ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH
Church Law dictates that the normal place for marriage is the parish of the bride or groom. Consequently, St. Joseph’s restricts weddings to:
parishioners who live within the parish boundaries;
registered parishioners who live outside the boundaries and attend Mass at St. Joseph’s Church every Sunday.
BOOKING DATES FOR MARRIAGE
The couple must contact the parish at least one year in advance of the proposed date of marriage. Pick up a Marriage Package from the Office during posted office hours.
TIMES FOR MARRIAGE
Weddings are scheduled on Saturdays at 12:00pm and 2:00pm. They may be scheduled from Monday to Friday at times which do not conflict with other parish activities. Weddings are not allowed on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation (that is: January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and December 25, the Solemnity of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ) in the Archdiocese of Toronto (promulgated since 1971).
MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
Every couple that is to be married within the Catholic Church is required to complete a Marriage Preparation Course. We offer the Marriage Preparation Course in July here in our parish. You may also contact the following to see if their schedule works best for you:
Catholic Family Services
Catholic Pastoral Centre
1155 Yonge St., Suite 200,
Toronto, ON M4T 1W2
416-921-1163
www.cfstoronto.com
St. Barnabas Catholic Church
10 Washburn Way
Scarborough, ON M1B 1H3
416-298-0989
www.stbarnabasto.ca
PRIEST FOR MARRIAGE
The priest with whom the arrangements are made at St. Joseph’s Church will normally preside at the wedding. Visiting priests are always welcome to concelebrate. A priest close relative of the couple may officiate the wedding with proper permission from the Toronto Archdiocese and delegation from one of the parish priests.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
BAPTISM CERTIFICATE:
Every Catholic being married must obtain a current certificate of Baptism, that is, one that has been issued 6 months before the wedding date. Please contact the Parish of Baptism directly in order to request this document. A non-Catholic person, if Baptized, should also obtain proof of Baptism (it does not need to be issued 6 months before the wedding date). If the mailing address of the Parish of Baptism is not printed on the Certificate, please provide this address to the priest since we are required to notify that church when you are married.
CONFIRMATION CERTIFICATE:
The details of this might be present on the Baptismal Certificate, if not please bring your certificate of confirmation.
MARRIAGE LICENSE:
The couple must obtain a Marriage License prior to the wedding date. The license may be obtained at any town license office no earlier than three months prior to the wedding date. Please bring it to the parish office no later than one month prior to the wedding date.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION CERTIFICATE:
Proof of completion of the marriage preparation course is required.
PREVIOUS MARRIAGE:
- If a previous marriage existed, the following documents are required:
An authentic certificate or satisfactory proof of death of spouse - An official declaration of nullity (annulment) from the proper Catholic Marriage Tribunal. If your marriage took place in a Non-Catholic setting, please bring both the marriage and divorce certificates.
NO DATE FOR MARRIAGE CAN BE GIVEN UNTIL THE FREEDOM TO MARRY HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AND APPROVED BY THE ARCHBISHOP’S OFFICE.
PARENTAL CONSULTATION:
Parents (or guardians) must be consulted if one of the persons to be married is under 21 years of age.
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
It is earnestly recommended that the couple prepare themselves for marriage spiritually through prayer, spiritual meditation, regular participation at Sunday Mass and reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession).
Weekend Mass Times
- Saturday: 5:00pm
- Sunday: 9:00am; 11:00am; 7:00pm
Confession Times
- Friday: 9:30 am – 10:30 am
- Saturday: 4:00 – 4:45 pm or by appointment during office hours.
INTERFAITH MARRIAGES
Marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic, or an unbaptized person, is normally celebrated with an “Interfaith Ceremony”, that is, without Mass. This allows both parties to participate fully in the Marriage Rites along with their family and friends.
PLANNING THE LITURGY
A wedding is the beginning of sacramental married life. The couple is encouraged to make their marriage celebration personal by planning the ceremony with the presiding priest/deacon.
SCRIPTURE:
The couple may choose the scripture readings to be proclaimed at their wedding from a selection provided by the Church. You are asked to choose one reading each from both the Old and New Testament as well as from the Gospel and the Psalms; then choose your General Intercessions according to the model presented.
LECTORS:
The couple may choose a mature person to proclaim the first and second readings from scripture. The reader(s) must be a baptized Christian able to proclaim the readings clearly and devoutly. Rehearsal will be provided to enhance proclamation.
ALTAR SERVERS:
The parish will provide 2 Altar Servers for a wedding celebration at the couple’s request. We ask you to make a donation of $10 to each of the servers. Please bring the money to the rehearsal.
MUSIC:
All music used at a wedding must be Sacred Music. The use of contemporary music will not be permitted at the wedding ceremony.
It is the responsibility of the couple to contact our parish organist (and cantor) in order to reserve their service. Their stipend is $175 per person. Visiting musicians must have the Pastor’s prior approval.
Parish Organist:
- Gerard Johnston 647-979-1061
Cantor:
- Larry Tozer 647-262-6371
Organist and Cantor:
- Madhu Pinto 647-746-3387
Guitarist:
- Isis Rebello 416-528-4185
FLOWERS:
Flowers for the couple are the sole responsibility of the couple. Florists may deliver flowers one hour prior to the ceremony, or contact the parish office at (416) 282-0370. We encourage you to leave your floral arrangements in the church after the wedding. Flowers and bows on the pews cannot be held by any type of tape, glue or other adhesive substance. Candelabras cannot be lit as they present a fire hazard.
NO FLOWERS ARE PERMITTED IN THE CHRUCH DURING THE SEASON OF LENT.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
The couple makes their own arrangements for their photographer. Please consult the Guidelines for Photography and show them to your photographer and /or videographer.
REHEARSAL:
Rehearsal times (scheduled one week before the wedding date) are arranged with the Wedding Coordinator, Ingrid Stalteri: 416-569-3475. Everyone involved in the wedding ceremony is expected to attend.
PROMPTNESS:
Common courtesy and consideration for others demand that the wedding couple arrive at a good time for the REHEARSAL and the WEDDING itself. If a wedding begins late, it will be shortened accordingly.
The Bride and her attendants are expected to arrive at the church no later than 15 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.
FURTHER DETAILS
6 MONTH APPOINTMENT:
After having completed your Marriage Prep Course and obtained your Baptismal Certificate(s), and no sooner than 6 months before the wedding date, contact the Parish Office to schedule your second interview with the presiding priest. This interview will include liturgy selection, music choices, set-up, and rehearsal date.
PARISH HALL:
Should you need information regarding renting St. Joseph’s Church Hall, please speak with the Facilities Manager, Marla Tanuan: 416-282-0370
PARKING:
Please try to vacate the parking lot as soon as possible as another wedding/Mass might be following yours.
RESTRICTIONS:
The use of confetti or rice is prohibited both in the church and on church property. Smoking or Vaping is absolutely prohibited on church property.
OFFERING:
It is customary to give an offering to the parish on the occasion of a wedding. The amount of $500.00 will serve to cover the use of the church, administrative staff and paperwork, maintenance and priest fees. Please bring this payment to the rehearsal.
CHANGE OF NAME:
The Bride might choose to change her name to that of her husband’s. Should she choose to do so, it is her responsibility to make the appropriate arrangements.
FINALLY
Please use this time of engagement wisely, so as to not focus on the wedding date but on the days and years after the wedding. We hope this period of planning will deepen your relationship with each other, and enable you to give yourselves completely to each other in the Sacrament of Marriage.
Remember there is only one wedding day but there will be a thousand days of marriage. May God bless you and help you to know your vocation in life!
ANY PHOTOGRAPHER WHO IGNORES THE ABOVE GUIDELINES WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE CHURCH BY A MEMBER OF THE PARISH STAFF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VALUED COOPERATION.
Photographers and video operators should speak to the priest at least 15 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.
All extra lighting, whether hand-held or stationary is forbidden.
No equipment should be set up in the church without consultation with the priest.
Photographers and videographers are restricted to an area off to the side. They may not enter the sanctuary at any time.
Clothing appropriate to the occasion and the place should be worn.
GENERAL RULES
Photographers and video operators should speak to the priest at least 15 minutes before the ceremony is scheduled to begin.
All extra lighting, whether hand-held or stationary is forbidden.
No equipment should be set up in the church without consultation with the priest.
Photographers and videographers are restricted to an area off to the side. They may not enter the sanctuary at any time.
Clothing appropriate to the occasion and the place should be worn.
STILL & FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographs may be taken at the following time only:
The Entrance Procession
The Exchange of Vows and Rings
The Signing of the Registers
The Final Procession
At all other times, photographers should remain out of sight.
Photographs may be taken WITHOUT FLASH from the back of the church at any time.
VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY
Video cameras should be set up on the TRIPOD and are restricted to a place outside the sanctuary area. See the priest for instructions.
The use of all artificial lighting is FORBIDDEN.
Pre-Marriage Course: A Pre-Marriage Course is required by the Church. It is also a most useful part of the serious preparation for the sacrament. When you have completed this course please bring your certificate to the office for inclusion in your file. Proof of completion of the marriage preparation course is required.
Interfaith Marriages: Marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic, or an unbaptized person, is normally celebrated with an “Interfaith Ceremony”, that is without Mass. This allows both parties to participate fully in the Marriage Rites along with their family and friends.
PARISH OFFICE
It is vital that you confirm names, date and time of your wedding with the Parish Office.
- Parish Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
- Telephone number is 416-282-0370
- Fax is 416-282-9378.
- Email address is stjosephsSC@archtoronto.org.
If you have further questions, please call, we wish to be of help. With very best wishes and God’s blessing on your wedding day and throughout your lives.