July 2, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ,

One of the trends in Catholic life in recent years is the steep decline of people who marry in the church. The “Current Reality Report” from the Partners in the Gospel plan indicates that in the last 10 years, there has been a 19% drop in the number of Catholics who celebrate the sacrament of marriage. We don’t have to look any further than our own parish to observe that decline. In the four years I have served as your pastor, there have been 4 weddings at St. Bridget’s and 2 parishioners who married in the chapel at Villa Academy across the street. This year 2023, we have one wedding scheduled at St. Bridget’s and that is for a couple who are not parishioners. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly had some influence on these numbers, but I think you see the reason for concern about this declining practice in our sacramental life.

I am not interested here in analyzing the reason for these trends but rather to encourage couples in our community to celebrate their union as spouses in Christ within the sacrament of marriage. That goes for couples planning to marry for the first time. There is a preparation process for this that focuses not on the wedding day but on the life of marriage. We also have quite a few couples who have already married but did so outside of the church. I am glad to help you with a convalidation or blessing of your marriage. Finally, there are couples one or both of whom were married before and need an annulment in order to marry in the church. This is a daunting prospect for many folks, so I am glad to help you understand the church’s practice and to start the process.

Blessings to all couples in our parish who strive to live within the beauty and goodness of marriage to each other! That goes for people who may be inactive in the church for whatever reason. Please let me know if I can be of any support in your vocation.

Blessings of peace,

Fr. William Heric, Pastor