For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person.  It is also a public statement about God:  the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

For a valid marriage, no matter who he or she marries, a Catholic must marry in the Catholic Church before a Priest or Deacon and at least two witnesses, unless he or she receives a dispensation from the Church.  The bride or groom must be a parishioner of St. Mary's.

Please contact Father Plummer at the parish office at least 6 months in advance for information about scheduling a wedding and to arrange monthly preparation classes.

As Catholics, we are bound to observe the Rite of Marriage as prescribed in the Roman Ritual, and to observe additional diocesan and parish policies.   Weddings typically do not take place in Lent. 

• Weddings are typically done on Saturdays, starting no later than 1:00 p.m., in either the Main Church or in Our Lady's Chapel.
• Weddings typically do not take place in Lent.
• Musical arrangements must be made by contacting our Music Director, Dr. Eran Lupu at (301) 292-0527 #106 or [email protected].

WEDDING OFFERINGS:

MUSIC 

Organist Contact Information:  

Dr. Eran Lupu [email protected]  or (301) 292-0527 #106. Dr. Lupu has the right of first refusal at St. Mary's Church and must be paid even if you bring in your own organist. Cantor:  Amy Statz Dollan

Music selections
Below please find a list of music selections. Please note that any of the songs/hymns listed can be used as Processional, Communion/Meditation, and Recessional if it is so wished. A hymn can also be used for the Offertory instead of a vocal solo. Please limit your choices to the selections below or to music available in the Ignatius Pew Missal. For copyright reasons, we cannot accommodate requests for songs which are not in public domain and not available in the Ignatius Pew Missal.

Organist
As is customary, St. Mary’s Music Director/Organist has the right of first refusal. A visiting organist is allowed only if our organist asks to be released from a specific event. In that case, our music director/organist will provide a replacement organist. If the music director/organist has waved his right and a family wishes to engage a specific visiting organist, it will have to obtain the consent of our music director/organist.

Cantor
Ordinarily, our cantor sings for all weddings. If a family member wishes to sing at a wedding, this is allowed as long as the singing is limited to specific hymns/songs. Our cantor will still sing the ordinary and propers of the Mass. At St. Mary’s we sing the ordinary of the Mass and some of the propers in Latin. We use three different plainchant settings rotating on a seasonal basis. Familiarity with all this repertoire is required to be able to navigate through a Mass and lead the congregation successfully. Our cantor is fully equipped to do so.

Wedding Music Selections:

Processionals:

Bridal Chorus (Traditional/Richard Wagner)

Trumpet Voluntary in D (Prince of Denmark's March/Jermiah Clarke)

Trumpet Tune and Air (Henry Purcell)

"Allegro Moderato" from Water Music Suite (G.F. Handel)

Introduction of Organ Sonata III in A (Opus 65/Felix Mendelssohn)

Rigaudon (Andre Campra)

Cannon in D (Pachelbel)

Recessionals:

Wedding March (Traditional/Felix Mendelssohn)

"Allegro Maestoso" from Water Music Suite (G.F. Handel)

"The Rejoicing" from Royal Fireworks Suite (G.F. Handel)

Rondeau (Joseph Mouret)

Some of the pieces cited under Processional can serve as recessional (particularly Campra Rigaudon, Mendelssohn, Introduction of Organ Sonata III)

Vocal Solo Selections:

Ave Maria (Franz Schubert)

Ave Maria (J.S. Bach/Charles Gounod)

Let the Bright Seraphim (G.F. Handel)

"Alleluia" from Exultate jubilate (W.A. Mozart)

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J.S. Bach)

My Heart Be Ever Faithful (J.S. Bach)

Ave Maris Stella (Grieg)

O Perfect Love [Hymn]

Responsorial Psalms (we use settings from the Iganatius Pew Missal)

Blessed Are Those Who Fear The Lord (Ps: 128) 

May The Lord Bless Us All the Days of Our Lives (Ps: 128) 

The Earth Is Full of the Goodness of the Lord (Ps. 33) 

The Lord is Kind and Merciful (PM 103) 

Communion Songs:

Panis angelicus (Solo/Cesar Franck)

Panis angelicus [Latin Hymn]

Ave verum corpus (Solo/W.A. Mozart)

Ave verum corpus (chant)

Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether [Hymn]

Mass Ordinary:  see St. Mary's Piscataway The Order of Mass booklet

Places to Rent a Room Near St. Mary's Church:

• St. Mary's Church of Piscataway, Clinton, MD  (301) 292-0527
• Knights of Columbus, Accokeek  (301) 292-5896
• Accokeek Firehouse, Accokeek (301) 283-4456
• St. Joseph's, Pomfret (301) 870-3041
• Middletown Hall, Waldorf (301) 932-8100
• Port Tobacco Courthouse, Port Tobacco (301) 934-4313
• American Legion, Waldorf (301) 932-5071
• Colony South, Clinton (301) 856-4500
• Jaycees, Waldorf (301) 645-4546