Celebration of the Wedding


Chutinthara
and
Jason


The Foundry
Long Island City, New York


October 1, 2006


Prelude - Seating of the Guests

Attendant’s Processional

Bride’s Processional

Welcome –
Fr. Rich – Good Afternoon.

I’d like to welcome you to this graced day in Tina and Jason’s life. Each of you is here because you are special – in some way, your love and friendship has contributed to making Tina or Jason, or maybe both of them, the people who they are. In some way, each of you has helped bring them to this moment. And because you’re special, they wanted you to be here to celebrate this great, life-changing moment in their lives. Thanks for being here.

Not all the special people in Tina and Jason’s life could be here, though – some are separated from us by space, and others by time. But in a deeply spiritual way, those special people are with us too. In this space that we share – which is made sacred by their love, I’d ask you to remember these other, very special people and in particular, please remember Tina’s dad, Soontorn.

Now, let us pray…
Gathering Prayer –

Fr. Rich: Gracious and ever-living God, you have created us male and female in your image; Look lovingly upon Jason and Tina who come to you for your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises they make to each other today.

Amen.

First Reading from The Buddha Read by Marixie

Buddhism is a path of transformation of one’s inner potential. It is a path dedicated to serving others, helping them awaken their potential. Marriage is the vehicle to practice serving others. It is a practice ground. Love is wishing others happiness. Marriage is the equal commitment to the happiness of your partner, toward their awakening. Our inner potential is developed through taking on challenges, not just through joy. We need people in order to practice compassion

Since marriage is dedicated toward the happiness of all living beings, those gathered here are the representatives of all living beings.

 Unlimited Friendliness

This is what should be done by the man and woman who are wise, who seek the good, and know the meaning of the place of peace.

Let them be fervent, upright and sincere, without conceit of self, easily contented and joyous, free of cares. Let them not be submerged by the things of the world. Let them not take upon themselves the burden of worldly goods. Let their senses be controlled. Let them be wise but not puffed up. And let them not desire great possessions, even for their families. Let them do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove.

May all beings be happy and at their ease. May they be joyous and live in safety. All beings whether weak or strong – omitting none – in high, middle or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or invisible, near or far away, born or to be born, may all things be a happy and at their ease.

Let none deceive another or despise any being in any state. Let none, by anger or ill will, wish harm to another.

Even as a mother watches over and protects her only child, so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things. Radiating friendliness over the entire world, above, below, and all around without limit. So let them cultivate a boundless good will toward the entire world, unlimited, free from ill will or enmity.
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 read by Mrs. Celeste Buzzeo

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.

But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

 This is the word of the Lord


Reflection Richard Hasselbach


Exchange of Vows

Fr. Rich: Jason and Tina, you have come here today, in the presence of your friends and family, to declare your love for each other before God, and to begin your life together as a married couple. Before you unite yourselves as husband and wife, is there anything you would like to say to each other?

Jason: Tina, In our years together, you've stood by my side, you've carried me through my toughest times. You've shown me true commitment and trust. When things seemed crazy, you were my balance. In moments of anxiety, you've kept me calm. You've loved me generously despite how difficult I can sometimes be. You've made me laugh. You are my strength, my comfort and my happiness. Life is easy with you, and you are easy to love. I look forward to sharing life with you, waking to each new day together and returning home when the day is over. I thank God for bring us together.

 Tina: Jason, We have both changed in many ways in the last 4 years. In that time you have been my friend, my companion and more importantly you have been a listener and an unfailing and patient supporter through all the moments of doubts, insecurities and weakness that from time to time plague us. Through your actions I have learned about faith, and generosity. Because only you would notice that I gave you the green half of a banana, call me out on it and yet still love me despite of it. And only you will always be the last one out of every plane despite my mad dash to always be the first. When I never thought it possible, you have waited for me to learn to trust and love again. Nothing brings me greater happiness and strength than knowing that we will walk the uncertain road of life together, side by side.

Fr. Rich: Since it is your intention to unite yourself as husband and wife, I invite you to exchange your marriage vows. (Please repeat after me).

Jason: I Jason take you Tina to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, love you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
Tina: I Tina, take you Jason, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, love you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
Blessing and Exchange of Rings:
Fr. Rich: Lord, bless these rings, and make them signs of love and enduring faithfulness:

Jason: Tina, I give you this ring as a reminder of how precious your love is to me, and of my promise to love you forever.

Tina: Jason, I give you this ring as a reminder of how precious your love is to me, and of my promise to love you forever.

Fr. Rich: Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold Jason and Tina in the vows they make to each other today?

All: We will.

Thai Water Ceremony

Fr. Rich: According to Thai tradition, when a couple marries they hold their hands together, and guests come up to them, say a prayer for the couple, and pour sacred water over the couples joined hands in a gesture of blessing. I will invite everyone to join in a common blessing of the couple, then go up to them as they kneel together, pour water over their hands, then return to your seats for the conclusion of the celebraton.
Guests Blessing (By All, led by Father Rich)

May your marriage be blessed, with joy that gives meaning to your days and memories to your years. And with love that keeps you together in a perfect union of hearts and lives.


Guests come and pour water, then return to their seats

Pronouncement of Marriage

Fr. Rich: Tina and Jason, in the presence of these witnesses you have spoken the words and performed the rites that unite your lives. By the power of your love and the pledge you have made you are now husband and wife in the sight of God and all people. I ask you and all who are gathered here to pray in silence, seeking God’s blessing upon your marriage and your home.

Those whom God has joined, no one must divide.

Final Blessing

Father Rich - May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s presence shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God’s presence be with you and give you peace.

Our celebration is over, go in peace, and continue to celebrate.


Recessional --