Marriage

Sacraments » Marriage

Marriage Preparation

Couples who want to be married at Roncalli Newman Parish are asked to participate in our preparation program.  It is our sincere effort to help your relationship grow by deepening your readiness for marriage.  As this will be one of the most important decisions of your life, a responsible choice for marriage can only be made after a good hard look at its demands, your abilities, and the insights your Catholic heritage brings to matters of love, married friendship, the blessings of children, and your calling to heal the world.  Most couples find that beginning this preparation nine to twelve months in advance of the wedding is preferable.

A bride and groom standing at an altar during a wedding ceremony in a church, with priests and guests present.

Where to Beign

As you begin the exciting journey toward marriage, the Church is here to walk with you every step of the way. At Roncalli Newman Parish, we view your wedding not just as a joyful occasion, but as a sacred commitment rooted in faith. Preparing for the Sacrament of Matrimony involves spiritual reflection, personal growth, and careful planning—and we're honored to support you through it all.

Below is a simplified outline of the steps you'll take to prepare for your wedding day:

  • Start by reaching out to our Pastor, Fr. Billy Dodge, or our Deacon, Dcn. Dave Belland, to request a wedding at Roncalli Newman Parish. They’ll want to get to know you, guide you through the preparation process, and begin the necessary paperwork.
    No wedding date will be scheduled until this meeting takes place.
    To schedule, contact Fr. Dodge directly or call Sandy in the parish office at 608-860-6001.
    Also, be sure to download and print the Celebrating the Sacrament of Matrimony at Roncalli Newman Catholic Church document and bring it with you to the meeting.

  • You'll need:

    • A recent Certificate of Baptism for each of you (from the church of baptism)

    • A valid Marriage License

  • FOCCUS (Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study) is an online tool that helps couples explore important areas of married life. Fr. Dodge will set you up with login access, and a trained parish couple will guide you through a series of review sessions. For more information about FOCCUS, please visit their website.

    Don't worry—this is not a test! It’s a way to reflect honestly and intentionally on your relationship.

  • You’ll select readings and prayers with the priest, and work with our music coordinator, Mary Blaha-DeBoer (text: 608-780-5780), to choose appropriate music. This should be done well in advance of your wedding date.

    Refer to the Wedding Ceremony section for more details.

  • As part of your preparation, you’ll participate in a diocesan marriage retreat. A list of available retreats can be found on the Diocese of La Crosse Marriage Preparation page.

  • Fr. Dodge will take time with you to talk about your spiritual lives and offer insights on building a Christ-centered marriage. These conversations are an important part of preparing not only for your wedding, but for your life together.

  • You'll receive instruction in NFP as part of your preparation. This practice is grounded in the Church’s teaching on love, openness to life, and mutual respect in marriage. Refer to the Diocese NFP page for more information.

The Wedding Ceremony

Planning your wedding is an exciting and sacred journey, especially when you're preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage within the Church. Your wedding liturgy is more than just a ceremony—it's a beautiful act of prayer, rooted in your faith and shared with your loved ones. To help you prepare for this important moment, we've outlined some key steps—the "A-B-Cs" of planning your wedding liturgy—so you can approach the process with clarity, reverence, and joy.

Person playing a wooden Boston upright piano with sheet music on the stand

A. Your wedding is a prayer.

Your wedding liturgy is first and foremost an act of worship. As you begin your life together, you have chosen to do so in the context of prayer—what a beautiful and powerful witness! Your loved ones will see God's hand in your relationship and give thanks for the gift you are to each other. The music and readings you choose should reflect the sacredness of this moment.

Keep this guiding principle in mind: the model for your wedding liturgy is our regular Sunday worship.

B. Plan your liturgy with care.

Where to begin?
Work together with the priest or deacon (for readings and liturgical structure) and the music coordinator (for music choices). They’ll guide you through the marriage preparation process. To schedule this meeting, call the parish office at 608-860-6001.

Once you’ve met with clergy, your next step is to connect with Mary Blaha-DeBoer, Director of Music & Liturgy, who will assist you in selecting music that is both meaningful and liturgically appropriate for your wedding. During your meeting with the music coordinator, you’ll use the Wedding Music Worksheet as a helpful guide. It includes suggestions to get you started, but you are absolutely encouraged to bring your own ideas as well—after all, this is your special day!

C. Hire musicians early & be prepared.

If you're arranging for parish musicians, please do so several months in advance—see the pay scale listed below. If you have talented friends or family who will be offering their gifts, what a blessing! Be sure to thank them sincerely—perhaps with a card and a small token of appreciation like a box of chocolates.
Regardless of who is performing, please have payment (if applicable) ready on the piano before the liturgy begins.

Please listen to the wedding music selections below before your appointment. If you have other songs or pieces you'd like to include in your wedding, bring those titles with you to your meeting with the wedding music coordinator!

Additional Resources