Dear Friends,
Congratulations! Your wedding will be an incredibly special occasion for both of you – an event which marks the beginning of a new relationship, which will last for the rest of your lives. It is also an occasion of joy for the Church and, in particular, for Blessed Sacrament Parish. In faith we are united as one; therefore, your wedding is not merely a personal celebration for you and those close to you but also, a celebration of the entire Church.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the exchange of vows between a man and a woman is not a private moment, but a public act of believers in the presence of God’s Church. The readings and music you select, and the various ways in which you choose to involve your family and guests, will make your wedding all the more memorable and meaningful. Since you are preparing to celebrate a Sacrament of the Church, we encourage you to use this time before your wedding not only to take care of practical details, but also to deepen your love for each other and renew your relationship with God through personal prayer, regular participation at Mass and the Sacrament of Confession.
To be considered a registered member of Blessed Sacrament Church, you need to have registered with the Church no less than twenty-four months prior to the date of your marriage and be a member in good standing, i.e., attending weekly Sunday Mass in our Parish and be a financial supporter.
An occasion of such great significance requires careful preparation. The following pages are a compilation of most of the things which you need to be aware of in planning your Wedding. Please read and re-read them carefully and make use of the checklist on the last page.
You can always call on us as the days pass to answer any questions or to assist you with any aspect of your wedding. Your own attention to the various items in this booklet will help ensure that your wedding is as beautiful, joyful and prayerful as we all want it to be.
The Clergy of Blessed Sacrament
Introduction:
The purpose of these pages is to provide you with a summary of requirements and procedures, of the Roman Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of New York, and particular polices of Blessed Sacrament Church, regarding your wedding. Please read through them carefully and refer to them often as you finalize your plans. If there are any questions, or if you find that some aspect of your wedding is not covered here, please feel free to contact us. Our number can be found on page one of this booklet.
Timing and Scheduling:
Before you schedule your date and time you will be meeting with the Pastor to go over this booklet and then you will take time to make a decision of whether you desire to have your Wedding here at Blessed Sacrament. A monetary deposit is required to ensure that your date and time is reserved. Once your decision is made and your deposit is given please record the date and time below.
Your Wedding has been scheduled for:
(Day)___________________
(Date)__________________
(Time)__________________
This Day, Date, and Time will be reserved for you unless we should hear otherwise, or if you fail to abide by the requirements of the Roman Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of New York, or the policies of Blessed Sacrament Church. If there is a need to make a change in the date or time of your wedding please contact us immediately. Do not finalize any new plans until the priest or deacon who is working with you confirms that the new day and time are available.
In order to accommodate as many couples as possible and, so as to not interfere with our regular scheduled Masses, Sacraments and other ceremonies, we have established set times on weekends where weddings may be scheduled.
Saturdays: 10:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm
Sundays: 3:00pm only
Weekdays: Time to be arranged with the priest or deacon
Please note that on First Fridays of the month there can be no scheduled Wedding before 5:30pm
Church Certificates and Documents needed for Marriage:
1. Certificate of Baptism
A new copy of your Baptismal Certificate dated no earlier than six months prior to your wedding date. An old copy, which you may already have, is not acceptable under Church law for this purpose. Please contact your Church of Baptism and request a new Certificate of Baptism. If you were Baptized here at Blessed Sacrament Church please inform the Priest or Deacon celebrating your Wedding so that record can be obtained.
It is helpful for a non-Catholic who has been baptized in a Christian denomination to present a Baptismal Certificate as well. Unlike the requirements for Catholics, though, an old Certificate will suffice. We will make a copy and return the original to you. If the non-Catholic is unable to obtain such a Certificate please let us know.
2. First Communion and Confirmation Certificates
You may obtain new copies of these Certificates or make copies of the ones you already have. Once again, you do not need these Certificates if these Sacraments were received in Blessed Sacrament Church.
Please inform us immediately if you have not received one or both of these Sacraments so that we can assist you in preparing for them either before or after your Wedding.
3. Letter of Permission
If either of you is not a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish at this time, you must obtain a Letter of Permission from your present Parish for your marriage to take place here. Please note that your present residence determines your Parish. Even if you once lived here for many years, or other family members still reside here, your Parish is where you now reside, whether or not you attend Mass in that Church.
When are all the Certificates, Documents and Letters needed by:
All of the necessary Church documents, certificates, and letters must be obtained no later than three months prior to the date of your Wedding. At that time please call the priest or deacon, who is working with you, for an appointment.
My Wedding is scheduled for:____________
Three months prior the date is:___________
I need to contact the priest/deacon by this date.
Marriage to a non-Catholic:
If one of you is a non-Catholic, permission must be obtained from the Archdiocese of New York in order for the marriage to take place. We will apply for this permission for you after completing the necessary form. The Roman Catholic Bride or Groom is required by Church law to make a solemn, signed promise stating that he/she will do all in his/her power to have any children baptized and raised as Roman Catholics. The non-Catholic is made aware of this promise made by the Catholic. This is not meant as something negative toward another religion. However, the Catholic Church is not neutral about passing on the Faith to our children so, obviously this is a serious matter for the couple to discuss.
Non-Catholic Christians and/or non-Catholics must inform us of this fact so that a proper Dispensation may be obtained from the Archdiocese of New York. This is necessary for the validity of your marriage. Please note that either Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church or Reception into the Roman Catholic Church, as an adult in a formal ceremony, is what determines that a person is a Roman Catholic. If you are not a Roman Catholic according to this definition, you must inform us immediately. It is presumed from our initial interview and it is also absolutely necessary that at least one of you is a Roman Catholic according to the description we have given. If a Roman Catholic leaves the Roman Catholic Church and joins another religion we need to be informed of this fact immediately.
A Letter of Freedom must be obtained from the party who is not a Roman Catholic. The purpose of this Letter is to have someone (family member or lifetime friend) testify on your behalf that you have never been married before civilly or in a Church. Please inform the priest or deacon celebrating your wedding so he can give you the letter to be filled out and notarized.
Previous Marriages:
If you have not already done so, it is absolutely necessary for the validity of your planned marriage that you discuss with us any previous marriages that either of you have had. This includes all ceremonies, no matter where they took place, both civil and religious. There can be no wedding if a prior marriage has not been resolved according to Church law.
Are you a relative of the person you are going to marry:
Please inform us right away if you are related to one another by blood or marriage (e.g. cousins, in-laws, etc.).
Interfaith Marriages:
An interfaith marriage is conducted in the same way even if one of you is not a Roman Catholic. The non-Catholic party may wish to have his/her minister or rabbi participate in the ceremony here at Blessed Sacrament. This is acceptable but must be prepared carefully beforehand so that the regulations of both faiths can be followed without misunderstanding or confusion. The non-Catholic minister or rabbi may read a prayer or invoke a blessing but may not be the official church witness or “co-witness” for the actual exchange of vows in a Roman Catholic Church. If you plan to ask a minister or rabbi to participate in your wedding please inform us right away so that the proper arrangements can be made.
Permission may be given for your wedding to take place in the Church or Synagogue of the non-Catholic party. In this case, either the priest or the minister/rabbi may be the official witness for the exchange of vows. It is, however, never permitted for both the priest and the minister or rabbi to act in this capacity together.
In the case of a Roman Catholic/Jewish wedding only, permission may be obtained for the wedding to take place in a suitable setting in a reception hall. The wedding must take place in a room that is separate from where the reception will be held and it cannot take place outdoors. This is a special situation requiring special preparation well in advance.
According to Church law, it is never permitted to have a second ceremony in another church, synagogue or reception hall either before or after you wedding in the Catholic Church.
Banns of Marriage:
The Banns of Marriage are no longer required to be published in the Church bulletin. While some Roman Catholic Churches still do publish the Banns we do not do so here at Blessed Sacrament.
Marriage Preparation Programs:
The Archdiocese of New York requires that every couple getting married within the Archdiocese attend a Marriage Preparation Program. Attendance at these sessions is mandatory. Once you have made your arrangements to be married here at Blessed Sacrament you will receive a Pre-Cana Booklet outlining the different programs that are available. You should make your selection and date preferences as soon as possible and mail the form (or register online) to the address listed on the registration sheet. Once you have finished the required classes you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Archdiocese, which must then be given to the priest/deacon preparing you for marriage. There is many times a wait of several months for most of the sessions so it is necessary to make your plans, and register for the classes, well in advance of your wedding date. If you have questions there is a website listed in the booklet, and on the registration form, that can help you.
At the Marriage Preparation Program you will be given a booklet entitled, “Partners in Life and Love.” This booklet details the choices to me made by the two of you regarding prayers, readings and other options for your Wedding. Please plan your choices carefully and indicate them on the sheet, which is located in the back of the booklet. We will be happy to give you any assistance you need in filling out the plan sheet. If for some reason you did not receive the booklet at the Marriage Preparation Program, just let us know and we will provide one for you.
To have a Wedding Mass or a Wedding Ceremony:
Roman Catholics are encouraged to be married during a Mass. However, there are many misunderstandings about whether to have one or the other. A Wedding (Nuptial) Mass is not “bigger” or “better” than a Wedding Ceremony. The Mass is the most sacred, central worship of our Roman Catholic Faith. If you do not attend Mass regularly then it may be inappropriate to have your Wedding during a Mass. Please discuss this with the priest officiating at your Wedding. As your Wedding date approaches a decision will have to be made. We hope that you will either continue regular Mass attendance or, if you have not been doing so, that you will begin attending Mass every Sunday. Your own honesty and integrity in this matter are very important.
A Wedding Ceremony, which is not a Mass, is still a beautiful and dignified celebration of marriage. Whether this is your preference or, if we decide that a Mass would not be appropriate for the reasons stated above, you will not be disappointed with a Wedding Ceremony.
If one of you is a non-Catholic Christian, it is strongly suggested that your marriage be at a Ceremony and not at a Mass. There is no need to have people wondering why either the Bride or Groom is not receiving Holy Communion. Also, we do not want members of the non-Catholic Christian’s family to feel as though they are being left out. In many Protestant denominations the receiving of Communion is interchangeable according to which Church they are attending at that moment. In the Roman Catholic Church only Roman Catholics are able to receive Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. A Wedding is a time to show unity not division.
If one of you has not been baptized then the Church does not allow a Wedding Mass to be celebrated but rather a Wedding Ceremony must take place.
The Booklet that you received at the Marriage Preparation Classes, Partners in Life and Love”, is designed for a Wedding Mass. If you are having a Wedding Ceremony only the following items need to be selected, and indicated on the planning sheet: 1) Opening Prayer, 2) Old Testament Reading, 3) Responsorial Psalm, 4) New Testament Reading, 5) Gospel (the priest might want to select the one he wants – please ask him before you pick one), 6) Exchange of Consent and Vows, 7) Blessing of Rings, 8) Prayer of the Faithful, 9) Nuptial Blessing, and 10) Final Blessing.
The Celebrant for the Wedding:
At the time you made the arrangements for your Wedding, you met with the Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church. You are free to select any of the priests or deacons to officiate at your Wedding. If you do not select one then one will be assigned to you. You are also most welcome to have a visiting priest or deacon (who is a relative or friend of the family) celebrate your Wedding. Once the Wedding is arranged, and the deposit given to reserve the date and time, you must arrange to meet with the priest or deacon who will celebrate your Wedding. If the priest or deacon is from outside the Parish you must inform us of this fact immediately so that the proper permissions can be obtained for that person to officiate at the Wedding. You cannot presume that permission is automatically given, it is not. The visiting priest or deacon must contact the Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church as soon as possible and discuss the Wedding with him.
If a visiting priest or deacon is going to officiate at your Wedding they are to be asked if they will prepare you for marriage or are we to do so here at Blessed Sacrament. It is desirable that the visiting priest or deacon conduct the rehearsal. As much as possible, you want to avoid uncertainty and confusion at your wedding. Make sure that the visiting priest or deacon can attend your rehearsal when you schedule it. If the visiting priest or deacon is unable to come to the rehearsal please let us know as soon as possible to that we can make appropriate plans according to our other commitments.
The Sacrament of Confession:
The Sacrament of Confession (Penance) is an important occasion of grace for all Roman Catholics and should be availed of frequently. This is particularly true at the most important moments of our lives, of which marriage is certainly one. You may speak with any priest here at Blessed Sacrament about the Sacrament of Confession or you may inquire about the times of the Sacrament of Confession in any other Parish. Confession is an opportunity for renewing our relationship with Jesus and His Church. Please remember that it is necessary to be in a State of Grace for a person to properly receive the Sacrament of Marriage.
The night of your rehearsal is not an opportune time for you, or the members of your Wedding party, to avail themselves of this beautiful Sacrament.
The Reception of Holy Communion:
Remember, Holy Communion is only distributed during a Nuptial Mass. In order to receive Holy Communion worthily in the Roman Catholic Church, the Church teaches that: the person receiving Holy Communion must be a practicing Roman Catholic who is in a State of Grace (having recently gone to the Sacrament of Confession). A Roman Catholic who has fallen away from the practice of the Faith or who has joined another religion cannot receive Holy Communion. Also, non-Catholics may not receive Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. The reception of Holy Communion shows an agreement of unity with the Roman Catholic Church in regard to Her beliefs, teachings and practices. A person who is not a Roman Catholic does not share in this unity of beliefs, teachings and practices.
Music at the Wedding:
Music is a very important part of your Wedding. The Church gives guidelines for this, stressing that not all music, even if it is popular, is suitable for use in the Church. You are asked to remember that a Roman Catholic Wedding is not just “your Wedding” but rather the public celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage by the entire Church. All of the music played at the Wedding should reflect the dignity and reverence of the Sacrament of Marriage. Music from secular sources, Broadway musicals or popular songs dealing with love and marriage would be more effectively used at your reception.
Our church organist would be happy to discuss the music for your wedding. Should you desire to bring in your own organist, singer, or other musician, please discuss this with us well in advance of your Wedding. Normally we provide these for you. Since our Organist\Music Director is a paid professional, a visiting organist, singer or other musician is only able to play one selection for your wedding.
Readers at the Wedding:
You may select family members or friends to proclaim the Scripture readings at the Wedding. It is strongly recommended that those you choose have some experience in public speaking so that they will be heard properly and be easily understood. Only a Roman Catholic may read at a Nuptial Mass. Any Baptized Christian may read at a Wedding Ceremony. In either case, the person should be someone who actively lives out his/her Christian Faith so as not to trivialize God’s Holy Word. Readers should be present at the rehearsal in order to be properly instructed in this important role. If you are having readers, please indicate their names on the form that you will find in the back of the book, “Partners in Life and Love”, that you were given at Pre-Cana.
Altar Servers at the Wedding:
We do not have a large number of altar servers in our Parish and, although somewhat helpful, their presence is certainly not necessary at a Wedding. If you have family members or friends whom you wish to have as Altar Servers, please let us know. You are welcome to have them but, otherwise, there is no real need.
The members of the Wedding Party:
The Roman Catholic Church requires that there be two witnesses to your Wedding. They must be old enough to sign a legal document, without their parents countersigning it. The witnesses of the Wedding (Best Man, Maid/Matron of Honor) need not be Roman Catholic to fulfill this role. Of course, if they are not Roman Catholic or if they are non-practicing Roman Catholics they cannot receive Holy Communion at a Nuptial Mass. The same would be true for the other members of the Wedding party. The Best Man and the Maid/Matron of Honor will be seated in the Sanctuary, in front of the Altar, with the Bride and Groom. The Bridesmaids, Ushers, and other attendants, will be seated in the first pew on either side of the Church.
In selecting gowns for the Wedding, please consider the respect, which is appropriate for a Church Wedding. While the style is up to you, dress should be sensibly modest so as not to be offensive to the Priest\Deacon and to those attending the Wedding.
Flower Girls and Ring Bearers:
We discourage you from including young children in the bridal party as flower girls and ring bearers. Young children are composed and well-behaved under normal circumstances often become upset, confused or disruptive with the excitement and fanfare of a wedding. This is particularly true of children under the age of 8 years of age. If you do have small children in the wedding party, they must sit in a pew near the front with an adult companion. A ring bearer may only carry artificial rings on the pillow. Either the best man or the groom should show the rings to the priest or deacon before the start of the wedding. This will ensure that the rings have not been forgotten and also the celebrant will familiarize himself with the rings so as to make sure the correct ring is given to the Bride and Groom.
Flowers, Aisle Runners and other Decorations:
We realize that flowers and other decorations are very expensive. It is not a necessity to order flowers for the Church Wedding. If you do, two regular size baskets are more than adequate.
Flower arches, trees, bushes, candles or other oversize or unusual arrangements are not allowed. Only regular sized baskets are permitted. We ask that your florist call the Rectory to find out what time the flowers could be delivered since there might be another scheduled event taking place in the Church prior to your wedding.
Balloons inside the Church are strictly forbidden. They are thoroughly inappropriate for the sacred surroundings inside the Church.
The Church does not provide an aisle runner for your wedding. You may obtain the white runner from your Florist or Limousine Company. The length of the aisle at Blessed Sacrament is 125 feet. Two of the ushers are chosen to pull the runner down the aisle after the Bride’s mother has been seated and the procession is about to begin. Remember, having an aisle runner is an option. You do not have to have one at all. We have found that runners made of heavy paper, plastic, or felt – the ones most commonly used – easily become wrinkled and twisted, causing people to trip. While it is up to you, you may consider that, all in all, it is better not to have a runner.
Photography and Videotaping:
Pictures and videotape are important reminders of the beautiful wedding that you hope to have. Unfortunately there have been many instances where those taking the pictures, or video recording, distract the Bride and Groom and the guests. We hear any number of times that guests were blocked in their viewing the wedding by the constant and distracting movement of those taking the pictures. We have seen where at times it seems that the Bride and Groom are working for the photographer and videographer rather than the other way around.
Here at Blessed Sacrament we have some hard and fast requirements that your photographer and videographer need to know. It is your responsibility to make sure they know the rules. It would be unfortunate if the priest or deacon needs to stop in the middle of the wedding to admonish a photographer or videographer. Don’t let that happen to you.
1. Photographers and videographers are not permitted at any time in the Sanctuary area around the Altar.
2. We should never be hearing the constant sound of pictures being taken during the wedding.
3. Photographers and videographers should not be moving around throughout the Wedding.
4. While the actual Wedding is taking place there is to be no picture taking of the congregation or anyone receiving Holy Communion.
5. Floodlights are permitted only at the Procession and Recessional.The Church is totally lit by LED’s.
Rice and Confetti/Garbage/Smoking/Drinking:
We recognize that the throwing of rice at a wedding cannot be controlled completely but we do ask your cooperation. Rice poses a serious hazard for walking, particularly for older people (including your own guests) and it is difficult to clean up. People have been injured, especially in the eyes, by rice carelessly thrown. We ask you to be attentive to these concerns and to do your best to discourage the throwing of rice at your wedding. In particular, we ask you not to provide your guests with boxes or bundles of rice.
The use of confetti is not allowed at all in the area of the Church. It is almost impossible to remove. Also, flower petals pose a serious walking hazard and are not to be thrown.
It should not have to be said, but we must remind you that the lobby of the Church, and the Church itself, is not a place for garbage. Water bottles, tissues, and other used items are not to be left behind in the Church or lobby.
Alcoholic beverages must not be consumed by the Wedding Party before the Rehearsal or the Wedding itself. It is impossible to rehearse a group, or worse to celebrate your Wedding, when some of those involved are “drunk” or “high”. More than anything else, this is an indication of the lack of maturity and good judgment of the person involved. It could also impact the ability of the Priest or Deacon to conduct the Wedding.
This section can be summed up by reminding you that you are not “renting” the Church building for your Wedding. Rather, it is a Sacred House of Worship, to which you have come in faith to praise the Lord and exchange your solemn vows of marriage. The dignity of the place and occasion should be reflected in the actions of all present.
Timing and Changes:
Please be on time for your appointments with the priest/deacon who will be guiding you through your wedding preparations. It is also important that the rehearsal start on time. If some in the Wedding Party are late we will still begin on time and they can catch up with what they have missed later. It is not a tradition for the Bride or others to be late so that the Wedding starts late.
Where this crazy nation began nobody seems to know. Late arrival of the Wedding Party through negligence inconveniences a great many people: your guests, the priest/deacon, the musicians, and may interfere with a Church service scheduled to follow your Wedding.
Ushers, best man and the groom should arrive no later than 30 minutes before the start of the Wedding. The Bride and her attendants should arrive no later than 15 minutes before the scheduled start. It takes at least that long for the Bride to exit the limousines, have pictures taken and enter the Church. Everyone is more relaxed and happy when they are not rushed.
Please advise us immediately of any changes in your wedding plans, particularly if there is going to be a postponement, cancellation or a change in time. The date and time have been reserved for you, please be considerate of others.
Rehearsal:
When you meet with the priest/deacon to complete the necessary paperwork, please be prepared to set a date and time for your Rehearsal. It is best to do so within several days of the wedding. The most important thing is for most, if not all, the members of your Wedding Party to be present. This would include the readers and all others who have some role in your Wedding Mass or Ceremony. The Rehearsal is not the time to have others present who don’t have a part in the Wedding Mass or Ceremony. Many times they are a distraction to the Wedding Party and the priest/deacon who is conducting the rehearsal and to be quite honest with you: frankly, they are “in the way”. Also, the person who conducts the rehearsal is the priest/deacon who will be officiating at your Wedding. No interference from members of the Wedding Party, parents of the Bride and Groom, Wedding coordinators or any other person will be tolerated at the Rehearsal or at the Wedding. God forbid we need to stop the rehearsal or the Wedding and have to ask a person to leave. We are celebrating a Sacrament of the Church and must constantly be aware of this fact.
It is necessary for the Rehearsal to begin on time. We suggest that you give the members of the Wedding Party an earlier arrival time to be sure that everyone is present and ready at the appointed hour.
As with the Wedding itself, please do not finalize a date and time for the rehearsal until it has been confirmed with the priest/deacon. Events such as choir rehearsal, Masses, Prayer Services, and rehearsals for other weddings may already have been scheduled for the time of your first choice. We will do our best to accommodate your needs to the extent possible.
Booklets:
A booklet or personalized program for your Wedding involves a great deal of work, is often expensive, and is quite unnecessary. Should you decide to have one, please consult with us at the earliest stage of its development. We would need to discuss the content and format to be sure the booklet matches the actual Wedding Mass or Ceremony.
Offerings:
A deposit of $500 is necessary to reserve a date in the Church calendar. This deposit will be applied to your total Offering based on the schedule found below. The balance of the Offering will be due two months prior to the scheduled date of your Wedding. Should you cancel your wedding after handing in your deposit or offering, it will be returned to you minus $250 of the Deposit which is non-refundable.
In order to be considered a registered parishioner, for the purposes of having your Wedding Mass or Ceremony here at Blessed Sacrament, you must be formally registered as a member of the Parish at least two years before the scheduled date of the Wedding.
As an adult who is seeking to have your Wedding here at Blessed Sacrament you cannot use the fact that your parents have been members of the Parish for many years or that you went to one of the Schools years ago. As an adult you have the responsibility of being a registered member of the Parish yourself.
The Offering to Blessed Sacrament Church for a registered and contributing member of the Parish attending weekly Mass is $1,000.
The Offering to Blessed Sacrament Church for a registered member of the Parish who is not contributing on the envelope system and/or does not attend Mass weekly is $1,250.
The Offering to Blessed Sacrament Church for a non-registered member of the Parish is $1,500.
Please make the check payable to Blessed Sacrament Church.
Directions:
Please remember to provide your guests with directions to the Church, just as you do for the place of your reception.
From Long Island:
Take Whitestone or Throgs Neck Bridge. Take 95 New England Thruway to EXIT 16 (New Rochelle – North Avenue). Follow signs to North Avenue, make left onto North Avenue. Follow to end. Make right onto Pelham Road. Go two lights to Centre Avenue and make a right. Travel approximately six (6) blocks. Blessed Sacrament will be on your left.
From George Washington Bridge:
Take Cross Bronx Expressway to 95 New England Thruway. Follow directions as above.
From Manhattan:
From East Side take FDR Drive to Bruckner Expressway, to 95 New England Thruway. Follow top directions.
Hutchinson River Parkway – coming from the South:
Exit 8 (Sanford Blvd) bare right onto Blvd to traffic light. At Pelham border the road becomes Colonial Avenue. Continue straight to New Rochelle where the road becomes Kings Highway. At bottom of hill make a right onto Route 1 (Main Street). At 5 th light turn right onto Centre Avenue. Church is on the right.
Hutchinson River Parkway – coming from the North:
Exit 9 bear right at exit and go to traffic light. Make a left onto Colonial Avenue. Continue straight to New Rochelle where road becomes King’s Highway. At bottom of hill make a left onto Route 1 (Main Street). At 5 th light make right onto Centre Avenue. Church is on the right.
From Yonkers or Upper Westchester:
Saw Mill Parkway South to Cross County Parkway East to Hutchinson River Parkway South to Exit 8 (Pelham Manor – Mount Vernon). At light make a right. After turn go to second light and make a right onto Pelhamdale Avenue. Take to end. At light make a left on Pelham Road. Go six (6) lights to Centre Avenue and make a left. Go approximately six (6) blocks, the Church is on the left.
From Connecticut:
95 New England Thruway to Exit 16 (New Rochelle – North Avenue). Bear left around circle, the road splits and bear to the right to light. Make left on North Avenue and go to the end. Right onto Pelham Road. Two lights to Centre Avenue, make right. Go approximately six (6) blocks. Church is on your left.
Checklist for Your Wedding at Blessed Sacrament
Name of Bride:_________________________
Name of Groom:________________________
Date and time of Wedding:______________________
Date and time of Rehearsal:_____________________
Please check off the items that you have completed and or decided:
Bride Groom
New Certificate of Baptism: _____ _____
Copy (or new) Certificate of First Communion: _____ _____
Copy (or new) Certificate of Confirmation: _____ _____
Letter of Permission (if needed): _____ _____
Letter of Freedom (if needed): _____ _____
Date of appointment with priest/deacon:________________________
Must be scheduled three months prior to your Wedding date
Yes No
Have attended Pre-Cana Classes: _____ _____
Must present Pre-Cana certificates
Have decided if a Mass or Ceremony: _____ _____
Have met with the Director of Music: _____ _____
Have told photographer/videographer the rules: _____ _____
Have told the florist the rules: _____ _____
Have informed Wedding Party of the rules: _____ _____
Have given the balance of Church Offering: _____ _____
To be given two months prior to the Wedding