Sacraments of Vocation

Holy Orders

Diaconate

For those men seeking information concerning the discernment and preparation process for the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Diaconal Order, you can begin at the website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: www.rcda.org; Click on Offices; click on Deacons and under Initial and Ongoing Formation, Formation for Deacons.

Priesthood

For those men seeking information concerning the discernment and preparation process for the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Presbyteral Order, you can begin at the website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: www.rcda.org; Click on Offices; and under Initial and Ongoing Formation, click on Vocations.

Vowed Life

Though not entered into by way of a Sacrament, the vowed life of brothers and sisters (nuns) is another important witness within the Catholic tradition. For those women and men seeking information on vowed religious life, you can begin at the website of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany: www.rcda.org; Click on Offices; click on Vocations and the Vicar for Religious.

Marriage

Couples should make an appointment with the parish priest at least 6 months to a year prior to the proposed date. Please do not make any other arrangements until this contact has been made. Below is an excerpt from the guidelines for marriage and marriage preparation at Saint Stanislaus.

Marriage Guildines

Your marriage is an occasion of great hope and joy for the Church, your families and friends. The information provided is to help you in your preparation to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. It includes the marriage preparation process as offered here through the parish, documents you will need to obtain and information for the wedding ceremony. We look forward to working with you as you make this step in the Christian community.

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE: If either of you have been married before under any circumstances, religious, civil or common law; if you have been previously married in the Catholic Church and the marriage was not annulled, no date can be set until there is a determination of your freedom to enter into a sacramental marriage.

1. THE MARRIAGE PREPARATION PROCESS
   1. You will be asked to meet with the priest witnessing your marriage a certain number of times before the wedding. These meetings will give you the opportunity to explore the Catholic Christian concept of marriage,to reflect more seriously on this important step in your life and to fill out necessary forms.
   2. You will be asked to meet 3-4 times with a Sponsor Couple from the parish. These are couples living out Christian married life and have been prepared to explore various aspects of married life with you.
   3. You will be asked to participate in one of the following marriage preparation processes that are offered through the diocese. Available dates will be given you by the priest.
      • The Engaged Encounter Weekend begins Friday evening at 7:00pm and runs through Sunday afternoon until 4:00pm. This weekend retreat is designed for couples of all ages who are engaged or contemplating engagement. The comprehensive workbook and presentations are designed to accommodate concerns of all couples especially older couples, couples who have been married before, who are interfaith or intercultural, who are bringing a child into the marriage, or who are living together. The weekend costs $250.00 per couple ($50.00 deposit required) and is held at The Dominican Spiritual Life Center, 1945 Union St., Niskayuna, 12309. For reservations call the Office of Family Life at 518-453-6677.
      • Strengthening Relationships is a program consisting of two consecutive evenings of three hours offered 5 times a year. These sessions offer strategies to couples to grow deeper in their relationship. It includes the use of the Myers Briggs Personality test and discussions on communications, sexuality and intimacy and spirituality. The cost is $90.00 per couple and is held at The Pastoral Center of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, 40 North Main Avenue, Albany, New York, 12203 To register, call: Counseling for the Laity at 518-453-6625.
      • Pre Cana I is the one-day program held in Albany and Glenville. This is our basic marriage preparation for couples entering their first marriage. Topics include: sacrament/spirituality, sex/intimacy, communications/conflict, values/expectations, finances, personality differences, children, career, addiction/abuse, family of origin. Due to time limitations, not every topic can be covered fully, but the team couples are encouraged to offer each topic for discussion. The session is 8:30 am – 4:30 pm and costs $50 per couple. For reservations call the Office of Family Life at 518-453-6677.
      • Pre Cana II begins Friday evening and continues Saturday. This program is for couples, one or both of whom have been married before, or if one of them has a child from a previous relationship. This program offers a two-hour feedback session on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and covers the areas of family of origin, intimacy, blending families, family systems and sacrament. The sessions run: Friday, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM at The Pastoral Center , 40 N. Main Ave. , Albany , New York 12203. The cost is $80.00 per couple ($40.00 deposit required.). For reservations call the Office of Family Life at 518-453-6677.
   4. We also ask that you make the Sunday Eucharist a part of your preparation and Catholic Christian life. It is from the Lord's Table that you will be able to grow in faith and it is from this Table that your married life together will be strengthened and sustained.
2. DOCUMENTATION YOU WILL NEED
   1. A Baptismal certificate dated within six months of the proposed date of the marraige, if you are a Roman Catholic. Christians of other Churches need only obtain a copy of their certificate. You need to call the Church of your baptism and request this be sent to you or directly to St. Stanislaus.
   2. A Marriage license from the State of New York obtained by you prior to the wedding date. You are expected to bring the license to the wedding rehearsal. There will not be a rehearsal without the marriage license.
   3. If you were married previously and the marriage was annulled you will need to bring in a copy of the Decree of Nullity.

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