Pope Francis, a Jesuit with a Franciscan heart, in 2013 stated: “May the church be the place of God’s mercy and love, where everyone can feel themselves welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the good life of the Gospel. And in order to make others feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged, the church must have open doors so that all might enter. And we must go out of those doors and proclaim the Gospel.” We are a Catholic faith community that seeks to live the Gospel through the celebration of Franciscan Spirituality in the context of our 21st century life. We welcome you to join us as we seek to deepen our experience of God’s love Here at Sacred Heart, we celebrate the wedding ceremony using the Roman Rite and in the native vernacular of the couple (e.g.: English, Spanish) with the priest facing the people. The Roman Rite does allow for the customs of the Arras and the Lazo/Veil to be celebrated. A Latin Mass is not permitted in this parish. Due to time constraints, we are no longer able to accommodate any other Catholic Rites. This would include the customs from the various Eastern Rites, such as Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Maronite Church, Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Syriac Catholic Church, Armenian Catholic Church, etc., among others. To ensure that you are aware of and have approved all preparations and changes, all arrangements are to be made by you, the bride and groom, personally. The staff and clergy will only deal with the couple in planning your wedding. It is important that those individuals making an adult commitment also handle the details of their wedding personally. This document, Planning your Catholic Wedding at Sacred Heart Church, offers some helpful information for your wedding preparation with a priest/deacon here at Sacred Heart Parish. See the steps below. If you already are parishioners of Sacred Heart, but are seeking to be married at another church, click here for Wedding Preparation for Parishioners Getting Married at Another Church. Destination weddings are very popular in Florida. However, our church is not a destination wedding venue. Rather, this is our spiritual home, a sacred place where many generations have celebrated the sacraments, beginning with baptism, and ending with a funeral. For that reason, the life and needs of our parish come first. Our church is a favorite place for celebrating Holy Matrimony. We are pleased to share it. Unfortunately, limitations of time, resources, and personnel prevent us from honoring every request. Because of the volume of requests, we employ an application system and appreciate your participation. Here is how an engaged couple may apply for a reservation: During your meeting(s) with the priest or deacon, you will be informed about the necessary paperwork that is requires. Part of the requirements would be the FOCCUS Survey and participating in the Journey to Matrimony program. The Sacred Heart Wedding Coordinator will send the couple a link to complete the online Preliminary Assessment of Readiness for Marriage (FOCCUS Survey). Once completed the priest/deacon will review it with the couple’ Journey to Matrimony is a twelve-hour, one-day program intended for couples when the bride and groom are both marrying for the first time. The program is usually offered the third Saturday of most months. This comprehensive experience uses various presentation methods with the goal of enriching and enhancing the remainder of the couple’s engagement. It is our hope that Journey to Matrimony will provide a firm foundation on which couples like you can build a future as you prepare to enter the Sacrament of Marriage and spend a lifetime together. For more information, click here. By choosing to celebrate your wedding in the Catholic Church, you acknowledge that the liturgical celebration of marriage transcends individual desires; it is an act of the entire Church community. This solemn occasion is steeped in holiness. The Church’s rituals allow both the bride and groom’s faith to be expressed while guiding those present towards the Lord. A Catholic wedding emphasizes what God is doing through you within a community of faith. While you have the freedom to make choices regarding various elements of the Rite (such as Scripture passages and blessings), we will strictly adhere to the Church’s liturgical norms, customs, and teachings. Furthermore, due to practical limitations regarding space, time, and personnel, we kindly ask that you respect the specific policies in place at Sacred Heart Church. To plan the music selections, please contact our Director of Music, Philip Jakob, at least five months before your wedding. Click here for more information about wedding music. Our Wedding Managers provide many important, vital functions before, during, and after the wedding. They serve to help the bride and groom, and are responsible for implementing the policies and customs of our parish. Our Wedding Managers will consult with the priest/deacon, conduct the rehearsal, give directions for the procession and placement of the wedding party, and ensure that the altar furnishings, candles, and lights are properly set. Due to the unique nature of Catholic liturgy, a professional wedding planner will not function in the role of Sacred Heart’s Wedding Managers at either the rehearsal or the wedding ceremony.Step 1: Confirming Sacred Heart Church for Your Wedding
Step 2: Meet with Your Priest or Deacon to Begin Marriage Preparation
Step 3: Planning Your Wedding
Step 4: Wedding Rehearsal and Wedding Ceremony
Sacred Heart Parish Wedding Checklist and Timeline
Sacred Heart Wedding Ceremonial Planner (Form M107)
Jennifer Williams
Wedding Coordinator
813-229-1595 Ext. 220
M – F | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact Via Email
Planning Your Catholic Wedding at Sacred HeartPrep. for Parishioners Getting Married at Another ChurchFAQs for WeddingsWedding MusicWedding Mass Readings
