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[Picture of a Wedding in San Bruno, CA.]
WEDDING CELEBRATIONS
personalized, creative or traditional IN ANY SUITABLE SETTING
NUPTIAL RITUALS & SACRAMENTS - A GENERIC CEREMONY - A CATHOLIC CEREMONY - AN INTERFAITH CEREMONY
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
PERSPECTIVES
NUPTIAL RITUALS & SACRAMENTS - A GENERIC CEREMONY - A CATHOLIC CEREMONY - AN INTERFAITH CEREMONY
Celebrating
Heather Kennedy
Sand Harbor
Lake Tahoe,
NV
1) Prelude Music
INITIAL RITES
2) Processional: Kanon
in D, Johann Pachebel
3) Welcome, Opening
Address and Prayer: Fr. Ariosto
READINGS OR LITURGY OF
THE WORD
4) A Reading from The
Prophet, On Marriage: Rich Rantz
"You were born together,
and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together
when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be
together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces
in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the
heavens dance between you.
Love one another but
make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a
moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup
but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your
bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together
and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a
lute are alone
though thy quiver with
the same music.
Give your hearts, but
not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of
Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet
not too near together:
For the pillars of the
temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the
cypress grow not in each other’s shadow."
5) Fr. Ariosto - HOMILY
THE RITE OF MARRIAGE
6) Vows:
Tim/Heather, "you are my
best friend and the one I want to share my life with.
I will love you forever,
and under all circumstances.
I will be here to listen
to you, laugh with you, and to hold you.
I promise to be your
friend, your love, and your partner forever."
7) I do’s:
Fr. Ariosto - Will you,
Tim, have Heather to be your wife, to love, honor, and cherish her so long as
you both shall live?
Tim - I DO!
Fr. Ariosto - Will you,
Heather, have Tim to be your husband, to love, honor, and cherish him so long as
you both shall live?
Heather - I DO!
8) Rings:
Fr. Ariosto - Please
place the ring on the finger and repeat these words after me:
Tim - With this ring, as
a token of my faith and symbol of my love, I take you as my wife.
Heather - With this
ring, as a token of my faith and symbol of my love, I take you as my husband.
Fr. Ariosto - The ring
is just a symbol of your marriage, symbolic of the fact that you have this day
pledged yourselves in marriage, and as the ring is a perfect circle without end,
it is the wish and hope of all that your marriage will be perfect and will be
without end.
prayers and blessings
9) The Apache Prayer:
Fr. Ariosto - "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter to the other.
Now you
will feel no cold, for each of you will be a companion to the other.
Now you will feel no
loneliness, for each of you will be a companion to the other.
Now you are two bodies,
but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling
place, to enter the days of your life together.
And may your days be
good, and long upon the earth."
CONCLUDING RITES
10) Declaration and
Introduction:
Fr. Ariosto - For as
much as Heather and Tim have consented together in wedlock and have witnessed
the same before these witnesses and thereto have pledged their truth, each to
the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by the authority
vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss the
bride.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Heather and Tim Rantz!
11) Recessional: Shania
Twain, You’re Still The One #10
12) The Bride and Groom
walk out and walk back for pictures.
Tim’s family photos
first, then Heather’s family, then Heather and Tim.
NUPTIAL RITUALS & SACRAMENTS - A GENERIC CEREMONY - A CATHOLIC CEREMONY - AN INTERFAITH CEREMONY
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
THE EUCHARIST
CELEBRATING
THE LOVE
MAIDA RUAZA AND
Lion’s Gate Chapel
McClellan, CA
PROCESSIONAL
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Lita: Let us all rejoice
today with BRIAN and MAIDA. In this celebration of love we are about to share,
let us pray that they may start their new journey together with the blessings of
God.
All please stand to
begin the celebration.
Fr. Coelho: In the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen
Fr. Coelho: The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Fr. Coelho: My dear
parents, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness the beginning
of a new life of togetherness for BRIAN and MAIDA. Let us unite our hearts and
minds with them as we pray that joy and peace be theirs and remain with them all
the days of their lives. Let us thank God for bringing them together and let us
pray that He will bless and consecrate their life together in marriage.
PENITENTIAL RITE
GLORIA
OPENING PRAYER
Fr. Coelho: Let us
pray.
Father, thank you for
the gift of love that exists between BRIAN and MAIDA. Hear our prayers for them.
With faith in You and in each other, they pledge their love today. May their
lives always bear witness to the reality of that love. We ask You this through
our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Lita: Please be seated
as we listen to the Word of God.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
First Reading
Grace: A reading
from the Book of Ruth
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
HOMILY
RITE OF MARRIAGE
Lighting of the Candles
Lita: Please remain
seated. May we ask BRIAN C. and MICHELLE to light the candles. These burning
candles symbolize the life that BRIAN and MAIDA will live together. Father, you
are the light of the world. Bless them, so that they may be light to each other,
and together, light to their children and friends.
Fr. Coelho: My dear
BRIAN and MAIDA, you are here today to seal your love with an eternal bond
before the Church. I assure you of the prayers of our community that God may
pour His abundant blessings on your love and help you carry out duties of the
marital state. And you, dear brothers and sisters, may I ask you now to help
them in your prayers and accept them as a new couple in our Christian community.
And now, be reminded that it is not Fr. Coelho that will solemnize this marriage
but you, BRIAN and MAIDA, for you will be the ones to express this love in the
Sacrament.
Exchange of Consent
Fr. Coelho: BRIAN and
MAIDA, since you wish to contract Holy Matrimony, Please join your right hands
and express your intentions before God and His Church.
Fr. Coelho: MAIDA, do
you take BRIAN to be your lawful husband according to the rites of our Holy
Mother the Church?
MAIDA: Yes, Father.
Fr. Coelho: Do you give
yourself to him as his wife?
MAIDA: Yes, Father.
Fr. Coelho: BRIAN, do
you take MAIDA to be your lawful wife according to the rites of our Holy Mother
the Church?
BRIAN: Yes, Father.
Fr. Coelho: Do you give
yourself to her as her husband?
BRIAN: Yes, Father.
Vows
BRIAN: MAIDA, today, I
offer myself to you as your husband. Allow me to stay with you for the rest of
my years. As your best friend, your confidant, as your lifelong companion. I
will celebrate the wonders of life with you, laughing and loving, and will
remain by your side, holding your hand whenever the days seem dark and bleak. I
will honor you as my partner and equal in all things and help you our future
children in an atmosphere surrounded by love and respect. I love you. I always
have and I always will. I'm looking forward to a life with you, filled with joy
and laughter and the occasional tear. I'm ready to love you all the days of my
life. Now and forever, I promise to love you to the best of my abilities, to my
dying day. Accept me as your husband and partner for life.
MAIDA: BRIAN, today I
offer myself to you as your wife. Accept me as your best friend and partner for
all the remaining days of my life. I will rejoice with you in the face of life's
glorious blessings and support you in the face of its greatest challenges. I
will honor you as the head of our family and help you raise our future children
in an environment of love and respect. Together, we will laugh and cry, listen
and learn, give and forgive, live and prosper as two hearts and souls united in
love. Accept me as your wife and partner for life.
BRIAN and MAIDA: Grant
us Father your guidance and strength to be one from this day forward. Knowing
that we live in Your love, we will face the challenges and triumphs that lie
ahead. We place ourselves and our lives in Your loving hands.
Fr. Coelho: And I, by
the authority of the Church, calling on all those present here as witnesses,
confirm and bless the bond of marriage which you have contracted. In the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Lighting of the Nuptial
Candle
Lita: BRIAN and MAIDA
will now light the nuptial candle.
(BRIAN and MAIDA
separately light their respective candles, then extinguish the light of the
wedding candles. Together, they light the unity candle). The lighting of just
one candle took place before all of us. BRIAN and MAIDA entered the Church as
two separate individuals. In the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, they have now been
joined by God and have become one flesh, one individual as it were. The flame is
a symbol of God’s presence. From Him alone can be obtained abiding light and
warmth, wisdom and love, hope and life, now and forever.
Blessing of the Rings
and Arrhae
Lita: May we now ask
SEAN and CHIQUI, ZACH and ZEFF to please come forward.
Fr. Coelho: Bless O Lord
these rings so that your children, BRIAN and MAIDA who wear them, may remain
faithful and loyal to each other, abide in your peace and favor, and live
together until their lives end. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Fr. Coelho: Now give
these rings to each other.
BRIAN: MAIDA, wear this
ring as a sign of my lifelong love and fidelity to you. In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
MAIDA: BRIAN, wear this
ring as a sign of my lifelong love and fidelity to you. In the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Coelho: We shall now
bless your arrhae, which symbolizes the responsibilities of married life. We
pray that you will live up to them, in God's will, throughout your journey
together.
Bless O Lord your
children, BRIAN and MAIDA, with sufficiency of material possession which they
may use to attain eternal life, through Christ our Lord.
BRIAN: MAIDA, I give you
this arrhae as a pledge of my total dedication to you and constant concern for
your welfare, and those of our future children. In the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
MAIDA: BRIAN, I accept
your pledge. Likewise, I pledge my dedication to you and constant concern for
you and for our future children. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Coelho: Brothers and
sisters in Christ, we have just witnessed the solemn union of BRIAN and MAIDA.
Let us now welcome them into their new life as husband and wife.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
OFFERTORY PROCESSION 
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERING
PREFACE
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER 2
...
Lita: Please stand.
COMMUNION RITE
Fr. Coelho: Let us pray
with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us.
All: (The Lord's Prayer)
NUPTIAL BLESSING
Fr. Coelho: My
dear friends, let us turn to the Lord and pray that He will bless with His
grace, BRIAN and MAIDA, who have come to His altar at the beginning of their
married life. May they always be united in love for each other as they share in
the Body and Blood of Christ.
Father, give your
blessings to MAIDA, your daughter. Give her the grace of love and peace. May she
be a good wife and mother, faithful in love, generous and kind. May her husband
put his trust in her and recognize that she is his equal, an heir with him to
the life of grace.
Father, give your
blessings to BRIAN, your son. Give him the gift of love and peace. May he be a
good husband and father, faithful in love, generous and kind. May he always
honor and love his wife, as Christ loves His bride, the Church.
Father, keep BRIAN and
MAIDA always true to your commandments. May they praise you in their happiness
and turn to you in their trials. May they be welcome at Your joyful feast in
heaven.
All these we ask,
through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
All: Amen.
The Gift Of Peace
Fr. Coelho: Lord Jesus
Christ, You said to Your apostles, "I leave you peace. My peace I give you." May
we, who break bread together in this joyous occasion, grow in Your peace and
love. As you commanded, may we live together in the peace and unity of Your
Kingdom, where You live forever and ever.
All: Amen.
Fr. Coelho: The peace of
the Lord be with you always.
Invitation to Communion
Lita: Please kneel.
Fr. Coelho: This is the
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called
to His supper.
All: Lord, I am not
worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Fr. Coelho: May the Body
and Blood of Christ bring us to everlasting life.
Removal of the Cord and
Veil
Lita: May we now ask
HYON and LISA to remove the cord.
May we now ask BRIAN S
and TIARA to remove the veil.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Fr. Coelho: Let us pray.
Lita: Please rise.
Fr. Coelho: Lord, in
Your love you have given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and with
you. As you have made BRIAN and MAIDA one in this Sacrament of Marriage, so now
we make them one in We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
FINAL BLESSINGS
Fr. Coelho: BRIAN and
MAIDA, now that you have received the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony, we pray that
you remain loving and faithful to each other. MAIDA, love your husband and be a
good wife. Persevere in faith, love and holiness. BRIAN, love your wife as
Christ loves His Church and live with her in union with the Lord.
Fr. Coelho: And may
Almighty God bless you all, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Fr. Coelho: Let us go in
peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Fr. Coelho: BRIAN and
MAIDA, you have pledged love, fidelity and welfare to each other and offered
yourselves together in marriage to God. So before God and His community, I
pronounce you are now husband and wife.
All: Thanks be to God.
Lita: May we request
everyone to be seated until called for the wedding photos with the bride and
groom.
RECESSIONAL
NUPTIAL RITUALS & SACRAMENTS - A GENERIC CEREMONY - A CATHOLIC CEREMONY - AN INTERFAITH CEREMONY
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
Celebrating
Zahie El Kouri
The Ventana Inn
Big Sur,
CA
INITIAL RITES
Procession
Rabbi Heyman: Welcome
and Opening Blessings
Welcome family and
friends….We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of John Greenman
and Zahie El Kouri. John and Zahie, you have come to this ceremony to ask God’s
blessing upon your marriage. Therefore, I welcome you with these ancient words:
Barukh Ha-ba Beshem
Adonai: Blessed be you who have come here in dedication to all that is loving,
good, and sacred.
Bairakhukhem Mi-bet
Adonai: I bless you and welcome you in joy.
Adonai Yevarekh et
He-hattan v’Kallah: May the Source of all life sustain you….
Fr. Coelho : Opening
Prayer & Acknowledgement of Differences
Rabbi Heyman :
Remembering those who are not present
We take this moment to
recognize the joy of John's grandmother, Edna Flaxman, who could not travel to
be here today. While we are here to celebrate this joyous moment… the
celebration is not complete without…. In our thoughts are those who cannot be
here….departed family members who are very much in our hearts…. John & Zahie
would like to take a moment to honor and remember each of them.
Fr. Coelho : An exchange
of the sign of peace
READINGS OR LITURGY OF
THE WORD
Reading 1 :
Reading 2 : "The Mad
Scene"
Reading 3: "Song of
Songs" 2:13-14,16
Reading 4: "Letter to
the Corinthians"
Rabbi Heyman : Remarks
Fr. Coelho : Homily
the Rite of Marriage
Fr. Coelho : The Lord's
Prayer
[Pater Noster sung in
Latin]
Rabbi Heyman : Birkat
Erusin
The First Cup of Wine
Two cups are before you.
Only one is reserved for the two of you alone. You will share the first cup with
those who have been partners in your lives thus far, the ones who have helped…..
We are grateful to you, Source of All, for the loving care and teaching of
parents, the ties of heart and mind and memory that link brothers and sisters….
Baruch Ata Adonai
Elohenu Melech HaOlam Borei P’pree Hagafen. Blessed be the Eternal One, Our God,
who creates the fruit of the vine.
Fr. Coelho : Consent,
Vows and Blessing with Holy Water
I, John, choose you,
Zahie, as my wife. I pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the truth
to you in love; I promise to honor and tenderly care for you in sickness and in
health, in joy and in sorrow. I pledge to you my respect and love.
I, Zahie, choose you,
John, as my husband. I pledge to share my life openly with you, to speak the
truth to you in love; I promise to honor and tenderly care for you in sickness
and in health, in joy and in sorrow. I pledge to you my respect and love.
Rabbi Heyman : Exchange
of Rings
Fashioned without
beginning or end, these rings represent the enduring love you have pledged one
another. They are symbols of the continuity of your love. In keeping with the
declaration….
As you, John, place this
ring upon the finger of your bride, speak to her these words:
With this ring, I join
my life with yours. I offer it as a symbol of my everlasting love.
You are my beloved and
you are my friend.
And you, Zahie, place
this ring upon the finger of your groom and speak to him these words:
With this ring, I join
my life with your. I offer it as a symbol of my everlasting love. You are my
beloved and you are my friend.
Rabbi Heyman : The
Second Cup of Wine
This cup of wine is
symbolic of the cup of life.
As you share this cup
of wine, so you undertake to share all that the future….
Baruch Atah Adonai
Elohenu Melech ha-olam Boray p’ree ha-gafen. Blessed be the Eternal One, Our
God, who creates the fruit of the vine.
As together you have
partaken from this cup of wine, so may you in perfect union ….
PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS
Rabbi Heyman : The Seven
Blessings
In the Jewish tradition,
brides and grooms are blessed with seven wedding blessings.
May you be generous and
giving with each other
May your sense of humor
and playful spirit always continue to enliven your relationship
May you always respect
the diversity of humankind
May you at with
compassion to those less fortunate and with responsibility to the communities of
which you are a part
May you appreciate and
complement each other’s differences
May you always share
yourselves openly with your friends and family
May your home be a haven
of blessing and peace
Rabbi Heyman : Silent
Meditation
And now I ask you and
all your dear ones to bow your heads in reverence. Silently let us pray that….
concluding RITES
Fr. Coelho :
Pronouncement & Closing Prayer
Rabbi Heyman & Fr.
Coelho: Final Benedictions [alternating in Hebrew and English]
Y’va-reche-cha
Adonai v’yish-me-recha: May the blessings of God rest upon you.
Yah-err Adonai panav
ay-lecha vee-chu-necha: May God’s peace abide with you.
Yisa Adnai Panav
Eylecha v’yah-sem lecha shalom: May God’s presence illuminate your hearts,
now and forever more.
Rabbi Heyman : Breaking
of the Glass
When you break this
glass….We recognize the end of your previous lives and the start …. opening
yourselves to the blessings of the future …..
Once the glass is
broken, I invite everyone to shout words of congratulations In the language of
your choice. "Mazal tov!" which means "Good Luck" and "Much happiness." In
Italian, this is Auguri. In Arabic, Mabrook.
The glass is broken.
Fr. Coelho : You may
Kiss.
Recession
NUPTIAL RITUALS & SACRAMENTS - A GENERIC CEREMONY - A CATHOLIC CEREMONY - AN INTERFAITH CEREMONY
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
A WEDDING HOMILY
To Celebrate
St. Michael's RC Church
Taleigao, Goa INDIA
MY DEAR DELIGHTFUL
PEOPLE:
Alan and Karen, Your
Dear Families, Friends and Well Wishers Assembled in this Sacred Church of St.
Michael at Taleiganv on this Fourth Day of December (1993) When Heaven and Earth
Witness the Harmonious Blending of Your Dreams for Each Other Through this
Supreme Sacrament of Love: Matrimony!
As I stand in front of
you and look into the blank mirror of oblivion the following episode flashes on
the screen of my consciousness. It is about a man who was forced to deplane
while in mid-air. His parachute landed him on the branches of a huge tree. As he
lay perched on its leafy branches he saw a ghostly figure dressed in white
approaching him on a bicycle. Holding on to dear life he mastered enough
strength and said "Excuse me Sir, can you tell me where am I?" The mysterious
person quickly responded: "Certainly! Thanks be to God. You are stuck on the
branches of a mango tree, about ten feet from the ground". The helpless prisoner
of the tree angrily retorted: "You must be a clergyman, because what you say is
absolutely true but altogether useless, irrelevant and impractical!"
As a member of the Roman
Catholic Clergy today, I am aware of my inadequacy in matters related to
matrimony. Unlike the clergyman in the story, I hope my statements during this
six-minute-homily are not only true and thought provoking but also useful,
relevant and practical.
MY DEAR KAREN,
As I look into your face
and travel beyond the veneer of superficiality piercing that unprecedented
radiance, which emanates from your heart and glows through your eyes right now,
I can hear your question: "Ti Ariosto, can you tell me where I am?" Certainly,
KAREN! You are lost in the WONDER OF LOVE, and the name of this "wonder of love"
is ALAN, a name that spells HAPPINESS !
Your penchant for
literature, I am confident, will awaken the poet in you to discover the beauty
of life beyond those limitations and adversities which are unavoidable along the
path to enlightened happiness. Permit me to share with you a vignette from Fr.
Anthony de Mello’s last book of insights and story meditations entitled, One
Minute Nonsense (1992).
"If you search for God
you search for ideas- and miss the reality," said the (Spiritual) Master. He
then told of the monk who complained about the cell he had been given. "I want
the cell from where I could contemplate the stars. In the one I have a stupid
tree blocks out the view." Now it was while grazing at that particular tree that
enlightenment had come to the previous occupant of the cell." - You may verify
with your MOTHER about the veracity of this truth.
MY DEAR ALAN,
As I look deep into the
intimacy of that cell, which is your heart, and attune myself to those
vibrations, which emerge on the surface of your body and of other bodies at the
periphery of your life, I can sense the question: "Father, can you tell me where
I am? ALAN, I am at a loss! for the name of the game is SURRENDER, "for in
losing" says Christ "you find" that which you seek, KAREN!
Your professional
career, I realize, requires that you travel. You travel not only to
organizations where your managerial skills and talents are profitably utilized,
but also into conflicting situations where you are called to face new
challenges. The path to enlightened happiness is the Supreme Challenge and to
date there is no single organizational theory which has the monopoly over this
adventure called MARRIED LIFE!
Permit me to conclude
this musing with yet another Minute Of Nonsense. "Why do you travel so little?"
a reporter asked (The Spiritual Master). "To look into the face of just one
person or thing every day of the year and never fail to find something new in it
– that is a greater adventure by far than any that travel can offer," said the
(Prophetic-Mystic in the) Master. May the prophet and mystic in you always find
your greatest adventure reflected in the radiant face of your beloved bride and
wife KAREN.
MY DEAR ALAN AND KAREN,
As you embark on THE
ADVENTURE OF MARRIED LIFE today, may the WORD OF GOD be a lamp on YOUR PATH TO
LOVE AND HAPPINESS. May the prophetic and mystical radiance of God shine on your
faces, on the faces of your children and of all those near and dear to you. May
you discover and live the most appropriate messages in the readings which you
chose for the Eucharistic Liturgy of this your Nuptial Celebration.
May you realize the
ongoing integration of the blending of polarities, your male and female
dimensions, for "the Creator from the beginning made them male and female;"
(Gospel Reading, Mt. 19:3-6)
May the everlasting
aspect of love, which "is always patient and kind," delight you "in the Truth;"
(Second Reading, 1Cor,12:31-13:8a) and
May you experience the
beauty and sweetness of "a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love
is as strong as Death" (First Reading, Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a)
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
PERSPECTIVES
A WEDDING HOMILY:
To Celebrate the Love of
IDA CAMBESI AND
St. John's Parish Church
Hayward, CA
Dear Parishioners of St.
John’s,
Members and Friends of
the Dowling and Cambesi Families,
During this homily I’d
like to dwell on this sentence from the Gospel of the day which reads, "AND THOU
HAST MADE THEM EQUAL UNTO US".
Three years ago a
bi-racial and ecumenical couple, that met in cyberspace, walked into my office
wanting to get married. The only question I asked them was, if Jesus were here
today, would He bless your marriage? The bride-to-be paused, then very slowly
responded, "He would give me a long sermon, and, then, bless our marriage." I
quickly responded, "If Jesus would bless your marriage, then, who am I to
withhold a blessing? Go home, listen to the sermon and put your house in order."
Dear Friends, let us realize that it is Christ who hast made them equal unto us.
My dear sisters and
brothers assembled in this holy edifice to celebrate the Sacramental Union of
Ida and George, I do not want to give you a long sermon, but I want us to ponder
on the following question, "If Jesus were here today, what would He tells us?"
This is how I would re-phrase my question, How hast He made them equal unto us.
I have been privileged
to officiate at hundreds of wedding ceremonies in ancient shrines, beautiful
churches, awesome gardens, remote forests and serene beaches. I have prepared
bi-racial and interfaith couples, young and old couples, but to this day I have
not married a couple whose combined age is over 170, and I ask myself "Why did
Jesus choose me for this privileged event?" How hast He made me equal unto them?
An estimated sixty
billion people have preceded us in the journey through human life. It has been
reported that on October 12, 1999, the six billionth child was born on our
planet. Statistics reveal that there are more women than men. Hence, today there
are over three billion women and about three billion men. I wonder how of all
these billions of partners to choose from Ida and George have chosen each other?
Have you ever wondered about the magic that brings two people together to share
life and intimacy? Demographics reveal that the elderly population over 80 is on
the increase. Have you considered that the elderly, too, have that magic ability
to share life and intimacy? How hast He made us equal unto Ida and George?
Ida and George, let me
conclude this homily with a message that I share with all couples in love. May
your silence be comfortable. May you experience the height of intimacy in that
silence. May you experience the depth of communication in that silence. May you
experience God’s Holy Spirit of Love in that silence. If you do this your
marriage will indeed be a happy one. And you’ll feel Nearer to God
-incidentally, that’s the Communion Hymn the Bride chose for today. I wish you a
VERY HAPPY MARRIAGE. May your silence be comfortable because He hast made you
equal and you’ve been chosen to receive the prize: LOVE without end.
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
PERSPECTIVES
A WEDDING TOAST: May your silence be comfortable
To Celebrate the Love of
MARUSHKA REBELLO AND ROHAN COELHO
at Quinta Valadares
Verna, Goa, India
"May your silence be
comfortable. In that silence, may you experience the height of intimacy, the
depth of communication and the powerful presence of God’s Spirit of Love that
gives and forgives. If you do this, dearest Marushka and Rohan, your marriage
will indeed be happy and a lasting one, and all near and dear to you, especially
your children, will be happy.
I wish you
HAPPINESS AS A MARRIED COUPLE! VIVA!
It is indeed a great pleasure for me and for my wife Vivian to join the 1500
invitees and guests at Quinta Valadares. I
feel privileged to have the honor of raising
the toast to your wellbeing and wish you both a lifetime of happiness.
♥
FRIENDSHIP WITH CHRIST
Many years ago a religion teacher at Loyola High School in Margao asked an
eight-year old Rohan: "What do you do at Christmas time?" Rohan addressed the
class: "Well teacher, my sister Nadine and I go to midnight mass and we sing
carols; then we come home very late. All excited, we go to bed and wait for
Father Christmas to come with all our toys. "Very nice Rohan," retorted the
teacher.
A few years later in nearby Fatima High School in Margao another religion
teacher asked the same question to young Marushka who replied with: "Well,
teacher, me and my sister Nadia also go to church with Mom and Dad. We love
singing carols and we get home ever so late. We hardly sleep, waiting for Santa
Claus to bring our presents." "Well said Marushka," declared the teacher.
Realizing there was a Hindu girl in the class and not wanting to leave her out
of the discussion, the teacher asked, "Now, Shakuntala, what do you do at
Christmas?" Shakuntala said, "Well, it's the same thing every year. Dad comes
home from the office. We all pile into the Mercedes; then we drive to Dad's toy
factory. When we get inside, we look at all the empty shelves and begin to sing:
"What a friend we have in Jesus." Then we all fly to the Maldives for a week of
fun.
Well Marushka and Rohan, this Christmas you do not
have to wait for Santa's toys. Like
Shakuntala
and her family you, too, can sing "What a friend we have in Jesus" and fly into
each others' arms in a warm embrace of love that will last a lifetime.
♥
faith,
hope and love
as lived by you and your families
Dearest Marushka and Rohan,
Your friendship with Jesus, I know, pre-dates your friendship to each other. I
remember the day when Rohan was baptised and the Eucharistic Celebration on his
First Holy Communion Day in the Navelim Parish Church. I presume that there were
similar celebrations for Marushka. As I go down memory lane and travel along the
stepping stones of your friendship I consider myself privileged to have the
opportunity to share about the faith, hope and love as lived by you and your
families.
The Bride's late father
was the popular musician JOSÉ JAIME REBELO, better known as James Rebelo. He was
part of various musical performances with leading bands and performing artistes
in Goa and New Delhi. Jaime was an ace Drummer and Percussionist, who was loved
by everyone who knew him. He was very passionate about his village of Seraulim
and about Goa. He expressed this passion in his promoting Goan and Konkani
music. He also ran a popular Garden Restaurant called "The Picket Fence" at
Seraulim, where Marushka grew up. The moving spirit behind Jaime was his
beautiful wife VERA, who has brought up Marushka and her younger sister Nadia to
be who they are today. Jaime and Vera descend from the Illustrious Families of
Santa Catarina Coutinho e Rebelo from Seraulim and Betalbatim.
The Groom's Family are
descendants of Tipu Santu Naik-Sardessai, today known as the Coelhos of Aquem,
and of the Canas of Betalabtim. My wife Vivian describes Rohan's family as
"loving, big hearted, always willing to help anyone in need, including dogs."
ROSARITO's and NIMMI's commitment to Youth and Families for Christ is both
noteworthy and praiseworthy. I agree with my wife Vivian who describes Rohan as
"a very gentle soul, possessed of no malice and eager to please all." A graduate
in Fine Arts, Rohan possesses a vision for cars that led him to start, manage,
edit and publish Goa's premier and only car magazine - AUTOBUZZ GOA.
Marushka, I remember my
first meeting with you in Rohan's open four-wheeler one night in Sarzora. I
agree with my sister-in-law Nimmi, now your mother-in-law, when she describes
you as "loving, affectionate, down-to-earth and patient." Endowed with these
qualities your path to marital bliss is guaranteed.
♥
PEARLS OF WISDOM
to
grow and glow as a married couple
Well Marushka and Rohan,
as you set out on your new journey to grow
and glow as a married couple, I would like to share with you a few pearls of
wisdom I was privileged to learn from and share with Rohan's grandparents on
their
Golden Wedding Day in Navelim in 1981,
with his parents on their
Silver Wedding Day in Aquem in 2006
and with your cousins from Panaji, Sarzora and Ecoxim on their wedding days.
I would like to share with you the message I gave to Karen and Alan during the homily in St. Michael's Church in Taleiganv twenty years ago: "As you embark on the adventure of married life today, may the Word of God be a lamp on your path to Love and Happiness. May the prophetic and mystical radiance of God shine on your faces, on the faces of your children, and of all those near and dear to you. May you discover and live the most appropriate messages in the readings which you chose for the Eucharistic Liturgy of your Nuptial Celebration."
I hope the message I shared with Blinston and Leandra in Verna six years ago is still valid. "May you learn that the reality of committed love for a married couple has three rings. It begins with the engagement RING, develops with the wedding RING and matures through suffeRING. As you take the driver's seat and drive though life may you learn to use these three precious RINGS appropriately: 1. engage all your individual strengths and qualifications to realize your personal goals and purpose in life; 2. blend your intellectual, emotional and spiritual resources to create a new family, may all your troubles be little ones; and 3. do not shun suffering, accept it as you would accept your shadow."
A toast I made aboard a cruise vessel on the river
Mandovi
almost eighteen years ago to
Leo, a Peruvian Bride from Japan, and her groom Karl went like this: "Arriba,
Abajo, Al Centro, Va dentro!" [January 18, 1996] Rohan and Marushka , May you
stay centered on the deeper reality inside each one of you as your experiences
move you up and down and along the highs and lows on the spectrum of emotions.
May you always choose to awaken, balance and center delight in the Light of
Christ.
♥
May
Your silence be comfortable
By way of conclusion, I would
like to thank the Almighty and Ever-loving Triune God for each of you, and
request your families, especially Marushka's Dad and all the ancestors who are
smiling from heaven, and all your friends particularly those assembled here on
this hallowed night to raise the same prayerful toast I have shared with over a
thousand couples throughout the world.
May your silence be
comfortable. In that silence, may you experience the height of intimacy, the
depth of communication and the powerful presence of God’s Spirit of Love that
gives and forgives. If you do this, dearest Marushka and Rohan, your marriage
will indeed be happy and a lasting one, and all near and dear to you, especially
your children, will be happy.
I wish you
HAPPINESS AS A MARRIED COUPLE! VIVA!
HOMILIES & A TOAST:
PERSPECTIVES
Dearest Fr. Coelho, In the two or so months Mark and I have spent writing the vows, the issue that I frequently came up against was the notion that we repeatedly make vows to each other. We renew, exchange and enact our vows on a daily basis. Every action we take is part of a vow or a promise spoken or unspoken. In so many ways we are, and have been, married. So then, what makes our wedding vows unique? What seemed to me to make these vows different were the presence of our family and friends. I don't mean that the vows are more relevant because we are being watched, rather that our wedding vows are not solely between us. This made me feel as though, what was of the most pressing importance was the universality of our vow. We are, in effect, vowing to be better people to each other and therefore, better people in our community. This idea was strongly aided by the discussion we had with you at our meeting, about the nature of spirituality. Mark feels that there is an intensity between those vowing (the bride and groom) that is partially present with the crowd. Either they identify with us or they feel our union. I feel that, no matter how they experience this intensity/intention, they are part of our union. It is as though we are simultaneously marrying our family/extended family (friends) and thus making a community. I feel this ceremony will be unique in that, never before have these exact people been in a room together. Many have never met, many feel they are there to bear witness or simply view the proceedings. I feel, though they will be spectators, they will be more than passengers. It's a very exciting thing to share your greatest love. p.s. I wrote this all without crying! I've gotten a little better:) Thank you so much and God Bless. We really can't wait!! xoxo Sara Soon-to-be-Schieron [Vizcarrondo-Schieron @ San Jose, CA.]
A VIDEO CLIP: Here's a short Video clip from our wedding
Hi Fr. Ariosto, Hope all is well with you. We are doing great. We just received our wedding video and we couldn't be any happier. Watching it just reminded us of how much you were able to keep me (don't know about Matt) calm and relaxed.... Just wanted to thank you again for everything you did for us. Here's a short Video clip from our wedding that our videographer put together. Have a wonderful day. Dubravka Frost [Maric-Frost @ Sacramento CA.]
Father Ariosto, Thank you for officiating our wedding. It was such a special day for both of us and the ceremony was beautiful. Thank you for incorporating all the rituals into the ceremony. Also, we really appreciated the pre-marriage counseling at your place. You are such a warm and welcoming person. Thank you for being such an important part of our wedding. We will always remember you. With much love, Anahi & Ben [Torres-Arreola @ Hillsborough, CA.]
A FAMILY IS GRATEFUL: "It means a lot that you have been a part of our spiritual lives."
Fr. Coelho, Thank you for being such an important part of James' [Baptism] day, as you were for Tony and I, and then again for Rose. It means a lot that you have been a part of our spiritual lives. Peace, love and much joy to you. Tony, Tina, Rose and James. [The Ghanem Family @ San Mateo, CA.]
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