Marriages

Dear Fiancés
Congratulations on your recent engagement! It is our prayerful wish that the Holy Spirit will bless and guide you during this important time of your life. Your decision to begin a lifetime commitment to each other is a graced moment. May the Lord bless your decision and bring your plans and desires to fulfillment. In its sacramental ministry, the Catholic Church is at the service of the Lord's mission and of its members. You have decided to consecrate your love in the sacrament of matrimony. Our goal is to support you in that decision and to bring you, as a consecrated married couple, to participate in the life of your faith community. This is the reason why we, like you, take seriously the preparation of marriage. It is a sacrament which is a moment of grace for the members of the Church, both you who celebrate it as well as for the entire community who shares your joy. Our Cathedral church is unique in that it is at the service of all the members of our diocesan parishes as well as the members of the Cathedral parish. As a result, you may celebrate your marriage here in the Cathedral if you are a member of the Cathedral parish or of one of the parishes of Ottawa. In addition, we welcome visiting priests and deacons to bless marriages. If you intend to invite a priest or a deacon to bless your marriage, we would ask you to indicate his full contact information (name, complete address and phone number... etc.)

Notice
If either of you has been previously married - religiously or civilly - you must receive a written authorization of our diocesan Chancery Office before a date can be set for your marriage at the Cathedral. If this situation concerns either of you, you should contact the Chancery Office at (613) 738-5025 and receive this written authorization before meeting the Rector of the Cathedral. To celebrate a marriage in the Catholic Church, at least one of the fiancés must be a baptized Catholic. It is strongly suggested that baptized Catholics be confirmed before their marriage. If you have not been baptized and/or confirmed, we'll be happy to discuss the possibility of a preparation for baptism and/or confirmation at the Cathedral. Please do not hesitate to raise the question during our first meeting. Please note that completion of an authorized marriage preparation course is mandatory. Your marriage date is accepted on the condition that you will fulfill all requirements for marriage preparation which includes completion of an authorized preparation course before your marriage date. Failure to complete all requirements may lead to the cancellation of your marriage date.

In general, marriages will becelebrated on Saturdays, beginning at 12:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. or at 3 p.m. or at 6:30 p.m. Other days and times may be considered.

For the necessary application form to register for marriage at the Cathedral, please contact the office at info@notredameottawa.com, or by phone at (613) 241-7496 (between opening hours) or by fax at (613) 241-1627. Please provide your full name, address, phone number and email address where available.

News and Events

NOTRE DAME PARISH Press Release The Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica and St. Hyacinth Parish wish to inform you of the Memorial Service for the deceased children of the Ambassador of Poland Mr. Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz and his wife, Katarzyna. Their daughter Maria and son Michal as well as their niece Sylwia died in a tragic car accident during their holidays in Poland on August 9, 2010. The Memorial service will be held Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica. Refreshments will be served after the service. Anniversary of the Dedication of Notre Dame Cathedral On September 4 &5, at our Saturday and Sunday offices, we will celebrate the 157th anniversary of the dedication of Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica (1853). The importance of the cathedral church in the liturgical life of the diocese flows from the role of the Bishop as the high priest of the Lord's flock. Every parish community is related to the Bishop, and therefore the anniversary of the cathedral church's dedication as a place of worship is celebrated throughout the diocese. Annual Annual Bazaar – Saturday and Sunday, November 6th & 7th, 2010 Our annual bazaar will take place as usual on the first week-end in November. Please keep us in mind if you are moving, cleaning house or cottage. We will happily take all kinds of kitchen and household items, books, “treasures”, knick-knack, etc., except clothing. You may bring the items to the office. Please call ahead (613) 241-7496. We really appreciate your continued support.

CATHOLIC CHURCH Brother André’s canonization: celebrations in Montréal at St. Joseph’s Oratory on Oct. 16-17 and at the Olympic Stadium on Sat., Oct. 30. For more info, call Monique Lasnier at (613) 738-5025, ext. 243 or visit http://www.saint-joseph.org. Reminder: Brother André’s canonization’s official celebration, in Roma, on October 17th, at St Peter's Basilica; people who wish to organize a trip departing from Ottawa are invited to contact the Centre Regina Pacis of Montréal about the possibility of joining the trip to Rome which will be from Oct. 13 to 21, 2010 (Tivoli, Assisi and 5 days in Rome); Cost: $2,140/pers. More info: 1 (877) 322-1331 or http://www.centrereginapacis.org.