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Even if you’ve been previously married.
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Even if you are a same gender couple desiring to be married.
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Even if you want your wedding at a special location.
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Even if you both don’t share a Catholic tradition.
The priests of St. Teresa of Ávila, an Ecumenical Catholic Community, are deeply concerned over the number of people who are leaving the Catholic faith tradition because of problems with marriage disciplines. Our priests are here to help you resolve some of these problems and make your wedding all that you want it to be.
Want a Catholic Wedding, But…
There are many circumstances that prevent couples from celebrating a Catholic marriage ceremony. These circumstances might include:
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Divorce: A previous marriage with no church annulment.
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A desire to enter into a same-gender sacramental relationship.
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Arrangements for a ceremony in a location other than a parish church.
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A desire for “neutral ground” in the case of interfaith couples.
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The incompatibility of other Roman Catholic Church restrictions with your particular needs.
Because St. Teresa of Ávila is an Ecumenical Catholic faith community that is independent of the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church, we enjoy more flexible marriage canons and less restrictive wedding guidelines than most Roman Catholic parishes. St. Teresa’s offers an alternative for couples who would otherwise be compelled to settle for a ceremony that would not be in accord with their Catholic faith tradition.
Although independent of the Roman Catholic Church, the priests of St. Teresa of Ávila have been ordained to the same sacramental priesthood considered valid by the Roman Catholic Church and, of course, legal in Arizona.
Celebrate at the Location of Your Choice
The priests of St. Teresa’s are permitted to celebrate your wedding at locations other than in our parish church. Some of the possibilities may include:
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A church or wedding chapel
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A garden, home, or hotel
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In a park or resort
Arrangements with St. Teresa of Ávila Are Simple to Make
Call and make an appointment to visit us. Of course, you are always welcome to join us for Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m.
Interfaith Ceremonies
To respond to special interfaith needs, the priests of St. Teresa’s will officiate jointly with clergy of other denominations.
Our Parish Church
St. Teresa of Ávila is a member community of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC), the national ecclesial body representing independent Catholic faith communities. It is conveniently located at 12861 N. 8th Avenue in Phoenix, Arizona. We share space on the campus of Shadow Rock United Church of Christ. The use of either the beautiful sanctuary, which has a seating capacity of about 250 or the chapel, which seats 30 for private ceremonies, includes candles and dressing room accommodations.
Participating Clergy
All of the priests and deacons that participate in this ministry are validly ordained Catholic clergy. For further information or an appointment, please e-mail us at revkate@stavila.org.