Couples who have been married in a civil ceremony, or in a non-Catholic church, without permission, are not sacramentally married. In order to have their marriage validated in the Church, couples in these unions must participate fully in the marriage preparation process instructed by the Diocese of Phoenix.
The recommended process includes the taking of a communications instrument (FOCCUS OR REFOCCUS), participating in a marriage encounter weekend, attending an introductory class on Natural Family Planning (if age appropriate), furnishing all required documents, and meeting with a priest or deacon for sacramental preparation. The recommended time frame for this process is six months.
Additionally, if either party has had a previous marriage of any kind, which has not been annulled, that must be done before any marriage validation can take place.
For more information, or to sign up for the validation of your marriage, please contact David Runyan via email or at the parish office, 480-899-1990.