Pre-Cana Seminar and Canonical Interview

Done with our Pre-Cana Seminar and Canonical Interview. 

Experience: At first we are both nervous, what are they going to ask us. Especially that I am not a religious type of catholic. I seldom go to church even on Sundays, have confession, receive communion... but dont take me wrong, I believe in God and I think I have a strong personal faith with Him. :) (ahh this is not the time for me to discuss my faith or my opinion about the church hehehehe) 

So, first we are scheduled for a Canonical Interview. In Sta. Rita de Cascia Parish Church in Philam Subd, QC their Canonical Interview is scheduled on a weekday. 2 person interview us, a female personnel of the church and a parish priest. It was an informal....hummm...semi-informal interview. My advice, review the Holy Sacraments, and why we need to take it. ;) Before the interview we are asked to answer question/s about our belief, opinion about marriage, our partner, the church, etc. individually. Then the female personnel (sorry I forgot her name) asked our answers and see if we are compatible w/ each other. hehehehe.....

Then, the parish priest, he is very nice and calm, he is an Indian so we are having difficulty understanding his English. But we enjoy our conversation with him, it was an informal talk. Most of our talk is about, of course how we should put God as a center of our relationship and family, how we should handle conflicts/problems as a married couple. 

It took about 2hours, then we are off to have a relaxing day. hehehehe 

Then after 5 days, we are scheduled for our Pre-Cana Seminar, together with 4 more couples conducted by an Attorney. It is a 3hrs seminar. It is almost the same with the Canonical Interview, he talked about married life, how we should handle conflicts with money, family, in-laws, children, sex... yes SEX! hehehehe and a lot more. 

wheewww... we are so happy that the requirements needed for the church are DONE! now, we are off for our Family Planning seminar in QC City Hall by Tuesday (June 19)

For these, we advice you to bring the following:

1. pens for each. 

2. water, candies or even snack. Especially for the Seminar, you might get hungry during the seminar. or better yet, eat before you go for the seminar / interview. 

3. Draft Missalette. Since you are already in your parish, you might as well have your missalette checked by the church personnel. 

Birth, Baptismal, Confirmation Certificate, CENOMAR and more...

WHHEEWWW!!!

One set backs in having a church wedding are their required documents. Aside from number of seminars and interview you still have to get the following Documents. Lucky, Grace (of M Events, my coordinator) is very helpful with us. My fiance and I are too busy with work especially now that their company is undergoing system upgrades and he need to work overtime for the migration and as for me, my projects are pilling up.

So Grace is so willingly to take the task of going to church and city hall to submit our documents and set schedules for our meetings. All she needs are these documents and everything will be ok.

1. Certificate of Authorization (2copies) w/ photocopy of IDs (bride and groom) - this is to authorize my coordinator to do all the transactions for the Banns (required by church). 
2. Baptismal Certificate w/ "For Marriage Purposes" note (1 copy) - tip: bring your old / photocopied baptismal certificate so they (staff in the church office) can look for your record easily.  Cost: Php 100  *depends on the parish
3. Confirmation Certificate w/ "For Marriage Purposes" note (1 copy)  - again it is better to bring your old / photocopied certificate for the staff's reference. Here, my fiance had a minor problem w/ his Confirmation Certificate, the parish has no record of the DATE of confirmation. Grace, told me that it is ok as long as the spelling of your name and your parents name is correct and it has the dry seal/stamp and signature of the parish head. Cost: Php 100 *depends on the parish
4. Birth Certificate from NSO (2 copies) - tip: it is much cheaper if you will get this in the office of NSO than doing it online. You just have to be there early to get your copy in the afternoon, if you arrive late you can get your copy the next day. Cost: Php 140 each
5. Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) from NSO (2 copies) - again this is also cheaper if you will get it in the office. But this time, this will be release after 3 working days. Cost: Php 240 each
6. Permission to Marry Outside the Parish letter (1 copy) - this is only for the bride. Cost: Php 100
7. Missalette (Draft copy) - Have your missalette approved by the parish (where you will be marry) before printing it. Important details you need to confirm w/ your parish:
• If the parish allow for you to create your own wedding vows. 
• If the 2nd reading is needed in the ceremony.

And make 3 copy of all these docs 1 for you and 2 for your coordinator. So that's all Grace need for her to complete our requirements in the church and state.
All we need to do is attend those seminars and interview and we are done! haay!!!

Shucks malapit na!!! and I am still not done printing our invitation....huhuhu....