My soon-to-be Godson and his beautiful wife.
On Saturday,
I was invited to witness the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for three of my students
from RCIA during our parish’s community weddings. Two students were from last year and one
from this year (who will also will be my godson at Easter Vigil). I was so excited to be part of their special
day and for the blessing of seeing their ongoing conversion. Last year I had a timid woman, who came with
a lot of hurt and was dealing with a recent loss of a friend. We became friends during the course of the
class and I remember asking her about considering marriage by the church (since
she was already civilly wedded) and she was a bit apprehensive about how her husband
would feel. To our surprise this year
her husband appeared on day one of RCIA to prepare to receive his sacraments
and during the class God moved him and on Saturday both of my students joined
in holy matrimony! Last year I also had
a man in the course in a similar situation- and through the course I saw how
God was changing him into a better version of himself. He was living with his partner of years and
they have four children together. In his
case he was unsure how his lady would feel about getting married; yet, on
Saturday the couple looked stunningly happy.
RCIA is about leading our students to have an encounter with God and from
that encounter to propel them into an ongoing conversion. Thus, to witness this special moment in the lives
of my students testified to the great work the Holy Spirit is doing through our
ministry (smile).
Three of the seven couples getting hitched!
Sacramentals: el lazo, las arras, & bouquet for Mother Mary.
The entrance, the vows, the blessing, presenting bouquet to Mary.
Our parish’s
community wedding joined seven couples in holy matrimony this weekend. It was new to me to see so many couples at
once celebrate the sacrament and I kept thinking how awesome my faith is and
our church. I have heard in my circles
(from people that are quite ignorant about Catholicism) that the fees charged
by the church for weddings are outrageous.
The mentality is that because God is generous the church shouldn’t ever
ask for money. Yet, because God is
generous we need to be generous too.
God never asks for something that He isn’t already. We give monetary donations to the church to
help sustain it and the church offers many ways to lessen financial burdens. Community weddings are a way to help couples
with financial woes.
What God has joined...
Couple Two: My Student from last year and his beautiful bride.
Money should never
be an object when it comes to celebrating sacraments. It still saddens me that some feel so
offended when it comes to giving money to the church, people spend tons of
money on weddings; yet, on the Eucharistic celebration they feel entitled to
have it free of charge. I understand
their argument that all things God related should be free, but we have to
understand that our money is supporting parish maintenance and our priests. No one (not the priests) is keeping the money
and growing rich from it. In fact, every
parish at least once a year does a breakdown for the community of how the money
taken in is spent. Any who that’s my
rant on parish finances (smile). My
point is that money shouldn’t be an impediment for getting married by the
church.
What I wore.
Jessica
Simpson Tights: Retails: $13 TJ Max on Sale: $2
Miss Sixty
Purple Suede Pumps: Retail: $129 Thrifted:
$14.99
Japelle bu
Shilton International Vintage 80’s Clutch: Yard Sale: $1
Betsey
Johnson Ring: Gift
Betsey
Johnson Multi Layered Black Beads Bracelet: Retails: 24.99 Yard Sale: $1.00
Vintage
Earrings: Yard Sale: $1.00
Flower
Statement Necklace: Retail: $9.99 Yard Sale: $2
Ellen Tracy
Polka-dot Cardigan: Retail: $29.99 Thrifted: $5.99
Mossimo Fit
& Flare Dress: Retail: $29.99 Thrifted: $8.99
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