Congratulations on your engagement to be married! MUSIC is important to a successful church wedding, and we hope this provides you with the information you need to make appropriate decisions.
With your decision to marry in the Catholic Church, we ask that your music reflect the love of God for us. The love of husband and wife is reflected in Christ’s love for His Church. Therefore, your music selections should be liturgical or scriptural. All music with text must in some way express the SACRAMENTAL nature of marriage, not just the natural love aspect of marriage. The text should be taken from the BIBLE or PRAYERS. Secular love songs from the radio or movies are not acceptable for use in church; the proper place for “your song” is at your reception.
The organists for the various churches are as follows (all phone numbers listed below are in area code 207):
St. Joseph & St. Brendan Churches contact Helene Fortier (229-7192)
Most Holy Trinity conact Jamie Rozek: Jamie.Rozek@portlanddiocese.org
St. Margaret Contact Edna Smith (May-Sept; 934-9019)
St. Philip contact Aline MacDonald (282-6635)
Once you have finalized the place and date of your wedding, please call the appropriate organist to make an appointment to discuss and choose the music. The Musician will also inform you of his/her fee. This fee is not included in the church stipend. Any extra singer or instrumentalist also charges separate fees. All fees are payable in advance. You must make arrangements for fees and payments with the individual musicians.
If you wish to use an organist other than the one appointed at a particular church, your musician of choice MUST BE APPROVED by Helene Fortier, Music Director for Good Shepherd Parish. Other musicians you would choose must be competent and experienced in Catholic liturgies. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Helene Fortier at 229-7192.
For a wedding with EUCHARIST (MASS), you need to choose:
ENTRANCE OF MOTHERS: Instrumental or Sung
ENTRANCE OF BRIDAL PARTY: Usually instrumental
ENTRANCE OF BRIDE: Instrumental, usually organ
Psalm; Gospel acclamation,
Offertory, Communion: Sung
RECESSIONAL: Instrumental; usually organ
The ENTRANCE OF BRIDE and RECESSIONAL are usually instrumental. The Organ is most appropriate for this; you may choose to add a trumpet or other instrument.
The PSALM can be sung or recited with an antiphon. It is not appropriate to include other songs at this time. The other songs must be liturgical, reflective of God’s love for us. A good place to find suggestions is in the Hymnal found in the pews. As you start to think of your wedding plans, listen to the hymns sung at weekend liturgies.