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- CATHOLIC - INTERFAITH personalized, creative or traditional IN ANY SUITABLE SETTING
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Vows - My Beloved is Mine - Marriage of the Elderly - A Blessing
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Celebrating the Love of
Heather LeAnn Kennedy and Timothy Wayne Rantz
June 21, 2002 Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe NV
Prelude Music Processional Welcome, Opening Address and Prayer A Reading from The Prophet, On Marriage Rite of Marriage: Vows, I do’s, Rings The Apache Blessing Declaration and Introduction Recessional USHERS: George Busteed and Alex Marrone + SOUND TECHNICIAN: Nicholas Marrone THE CEREMONY 1) Prelude Music: + Bob Marley, Satisfy My Soul #12 + Indigo Girls, Get Out The Map #2 + James Taylor, How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You #9 + Shania Twain, You’ve Got A Way #16 + Alison Krauss, Now That I’ve Found You 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 [please see below] 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, the Heather’s family, then Heather and Tim.
A WEDDING HOMILY
TO Celebrate
THE Love
OF
KAREN COELHO
AND ALAN VIEGAS
December
4, 1993
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)
"MY BELOVED IS MINE AND I AM HIS."
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THE EUCHARIST AND NUPTIAL RITES CELEBRATING LOVE
MAIDA RUAZA AND BRIAN EDWARD MALBY
August 21, 2005 Lion’s Gate Chapel - McClellan CA
PROCESSIONAL INTRODUCTORY RITE 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
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for more info please go to FEEDBACK
& http://www.wrmosb.org/faq.html|
So then, what makes our wedding
vows unique?
Monday, August 15, 2005 4:21 PM: Dear Father Coelho, I don't know if you remember me. It has been three years since you presided over our wedding and we have not had much correspondence but I enjoy the mailings that the Robed Monks have sent to us. ... I'm writing you because when we had questions about our nuptials ... You knew exactly how to help us. We still receive comments about our lively minister at the wedding! We did enjoy so enjoy you! All my Love, Sara Schieron (previously Vizcarrondo)
Graceful
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