"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body." (Genesis 2:24)

The matrimonial covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, is by its nature ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring; this covenant between baptized persons has been raised by Christ the Lord to the dignity of a sacrament." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1601)

To prepare to celebrate the sacrament of marriage, please contact Deacon Francisco at the parish office. Typically, the program for marriage preparation last one year. For more information, please contact Deacon Francisco at the parish office, 940-686-2088, or email, [email protected].

To facilitate starting marriage preparation, please provide your information using this form:

Marriage Prep Intake
(English)Formulario para Preparación
 (Español)

Baptized Catholics are required to be married in a Catholic church by a Catholic priest or deacon. For those married outside of the Church, there is a process to "validate" their marriage so that they may complete the sacraments of initiation, receive communion at Mass, and serve as godparents and confirmation sponsors. For more information, please contact Deacon Francisco at the parish office, 940-686-2088, or email, [email protected].

To facilitate starting the validation process, please provide your information using this form:

Validation Intake
(English)Formulario para Validación
 (Español)

What is an "annulment?"

A declaration of nullity, commonly called an annulment, is a statement by the Church that a union that appeared to be a marriage was not, in fact, the binding union Christ called marriage. Following the teaching of Christ, the Catholic Church believes that a valid, sacramental (i.e., between two baptized persons), consummated marriage can be dissolved only by death. A Church declaration of nullity does not deny that the spouses had a wedding ceremony with real civil effects or that they loved each other. It does not deny that there was a real union between the spouses. It does say that that union, however real, lacked something essential to the kind of union Christ called marriage.

How long does the annulment process take?

It depends on the type of case you have and on the Tribunal’s caseload at any given time. You can assist the process by cooperating fully and promptly with the requests of the Tribunal and its liaison at St Thomas. This includes providing necessary documents, addresses for the respondent (ex-spouse) and your witnesses, and your own testimony promptly.

What is the first step to an annulment?

Please contact Deacon Francisco at the parish office, 940-686-2088, or email, [email protected].

"A 'major' wedding anniversary is a fitting occasion for a special remembrance of the sacrament of marriage" (Book of Blessings, I.1.III.90). At St Thomas, we invite our married couples to celebrate their major anniversaries (1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, etc) by receiving a blessing during a Sunday Mass in the presence of their family. Please call the parish office to schedule an anniversary blessing in advance so that we can ensure the Mass you would like is available and so we can reserve a pew for your family.

An anniversary blessing is also available for "minor" wedding anniversaries during weekday Masses or after Sunday Masses.