I had a meeting at church this evening about the planning of our parish’s 25th Anniversary Party which is going to be held on September 26 and 27. Our planning committee is paying homage to the pioneers of our parish by looking back at the opening celebrations that were held at St. Patrick Parish a quarter-century ago and using some of the same elements that were used then and incorporating them into our upcoming celebration. For instance, the banquet that was held back in 1984 to celebrate the opening of the new parish featured flambéed hip of beef with oven-roasted potatoes plus various salads, vegetables, and desserts. For our 25th Anniversary banquet, we will be serving flambéed hip of beef with the addition of turkey and stuffing (or dressing, if you prefer!). Everything old is new again!
As another part of the 25th Anniversary Party, we are inviting all the priests that served at our parish over the past 25 years. We want to honor our spiritual leaders and celebrate their contributions to our parish. By having our priests return to the fold (so to speak), we will have an opportunity to thank them for helping us grow as a Catholic Christian community. Such guidance is priceless.
We also have church members getting in touch with former members so that our former parishioners can join in on the fun and reminiscing. It will be a time to remember our roots and look back at the changes that have we have gone through over the years. I have found that the friends I have made at my church have become as close as family. They have been there for my husband I through good and bad times but mostly we have a lot of fun together!
By honoring our past, we make a connection with the future. You can include remembrances from the past in your wedding as well. One idea that is really special at weddings is taking elements from your parents' wedding day and using them in your own wedding. For example, you could find out what flower the Mother-of-the-Bride and the Mother-of-the-Groom had in their bouquets and use the same flowers in your bridal bouquet. That would be a very touching gesture! Find out what readings your parents had at their ceremony and use the same readings at your ceremony. Or how about carrying a lace handkerchief that your grandmother gave your mother on her wedding day? You would be honoring two special ladies with one special touch!
Ask your parents if they have any special memorabilia or mementos from their wedding that you could borrow for your special day. Chances are that these treasures will inspire your parents to share with you their memories from years gone by. Who knows, you may even hear a story you haven’t heard before!
If you would like to celebrate your parents’ special memories while creating special memories of your own but you find that you are having difficulty figuring out how to mix ideas from the past with current trends, then give me a call. We can sit down and talk about what is the best way to combine the past and the present into a beautiful and meaningful creation! You can reach me at (306) 244-8482 or email me at info@vivaweddingsandevents.com or vivaweddings@hotmail.com. Remember, the first meeting is priceless (because it is free!).
Thought for the day…
Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do. Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s be the Church.
- Bridget Willard
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