Catholic - Jewish Ceremony
by Rev. Linda Barkwell

The Welcome:
Welcome friends and family…to the marriage celebration of ________ and ________.

________ and ________ have asked us to be a part . . . of this celebration of their love for each other . . . and it is with great joy and reverence that we all take part. They seek to continue to commitment . . . which does not begin today . . . but which began in wonder some time ago . . . when they found love in each other.

There are many stages and kinds of commitment among persons in our culture . . . but this one is the deepest, and the most sacred . . . because it comes from the clear choice of two people.

It is said that love is the communication of the good life. When we find a person who communicates the good life to us . . . and whose answering resonance tells us that we have been sharing something significant together . . . then we may make the decision to continue sharing permanently.

________ and ________ have found much to share . . . and much that enriches their lives together

The Huppah:

We are here at a time of happiness . . . to celebrate ________ and ________’s love . . . and the commitment they have made to marriage.
They stand under a huppah. It represents the promise . . . of the home they will create together. Its four sides are open . . . symbolizing the importance of community . . . and participation in each other’s lives.
The members of their families . . . are the walls and corners of their symbolic home; they are the foundation . . . upon which the structure of their lives rest. The roof also includes a tallis (tahlis) . . . which belongs to Groom. It symbolizes the importance of what is beyond ourselves . . . and the presence, in our hearts of those whom we love . . . who cannot rejoice with us today.

The Acknowledgement of Loves Ones Who Have Died:
(Family members come forward to light candles)

The bride and groom would like to acknowledge the presence of _______ paternal grandparents . . . ________ and ________ . . . who are here with us today. ________ and ________will you please stand. We are so grateful for your presence. You may be seated.

We also honor _______’s grandmother, Adele Stein . . . who is currently a resident at ________ Nursing Home in _________.

And we now pay tribute to dear, dear grandparents . . . and beloved animal companions of ______ and ______ . . . who are not here with us today in body . . . but who we trust will be rejoicing with us in spirit.

Candles are now being lit in memory of loved ones who have passed on:

_____’s grandparents ________ and ________
_______’s ________ and _______
And his grandfather ________
_______’s animal companions
________, a chocolate lab
________, a golden retriever/lab mix

As well as ________’s animal companions
_______ a German Shepherd

These loving spirits touched ________ and ________ in countless ways . . . and helped to make them the individuals they are today. Let us now remember these special souls . . . and the departed souls of others dear to us, with a moment of silence.

(Pause)

The Sign of Peace Peace Be With You

Will the guests please rise . . .

Let us offer each other a sign of peace from the Catholic tradition. Guests should turn to those seated near them . . . to introduce themselves . . . and to offer words of peace.

The typical greeting is to shake hands and say,
“ Peace be with you.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Response: And also with you.

(2 minutes to greet each other)

Thank you. You may be seated.

Marriage Blessing and Acknowledgement of Different Traditions:

Marriage is a sacred event. ______ and ______ present a relationship . . . that has been challenged by time and personal change. Their love has prevailed by virtue . . . of its strengths. Yet marriage adds a new dimension, which they approach with enthusiasm and deepening love.

Today, ________ and ________ start a new life together, different from the togetherness they have shared so far. They will be merging their different individual lives . . . their different families . . . and their different traditions . . to join each other as one.

Minister’s Comments about Groom

I’d like to say a few words about the Bride and Groom.

______, you have shared with me . . . that when you first met ________ . . . you were brought together by your mutual love of animals. You met almost daily at the local dog park . . . and were drawn to her genuine compassion . . . towards pets and people. Over time, you found that she had become a big part of your life . . . and that your life had improved a lot. She became “family” . . . someone you can’t imagine life without . . . and you take care of each other.

Your greatest hopes for your marriage revolve around happiness:
• obtaining the things you want
• being happy together
• and just being a contented family . . . raising children . . . focusing on what is important . . . and not getting caught up in the things that aren’t

The challenges you foresee include:
• being able to successfully deal with the little annoyances in life . . . by learning patience and making a real effort to keep things in perspective
• accomplishing your goals . . . through focus and effort
• when you see a disagreement coming . . . developing the ability to step back and evaluate it, hopefully reducing its significance
• and by taking things day by day . . . one thing at a time.

Minister’s Comments about Bride

________, you have shared with me . . . that you were drawn to ________ by the affinity and compassion you share for animals. ______’s dog, Walt, a rottweiler . . . was very independent . . . yet very sweet . . . and so was Allan. You have found that ______ is just a great equalizer for you. He really grounds you . . . and gives your lives stability. He provides you with a comfortable familiarity . . . where you feel at home and can just be yourself. There are no pretensions and no judgments . . . and your feelings can be freely expressed.

Your greatest hopes are to:
• to be able to find a happy balance between the work and family life
• to have children . . . and provide a loving, secure and safe environment for them
• to create a home that is a personal, private refuge
. . . where everyone can have their own space, be themselves and relax
• and to be able to go through your daily routine smiling . . . because you have chosen it . . . and you like where you are in your life.

The challenges you foresee include:
• learning to be good, involved parents . . . by seeking guidance from your own parents
• and developing good skills in the area of financial discipline . . . one of Alan’s strengths.

May you be blessed in your journey together.

Reading I: An excerpt from George Eliot

“What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined…to strengthen each other…and to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories.”

Readings II: The Telephone

‘When I was just as far as I could walk
From here today,
There was an hour
All still
When leaning with my head against a flower
I heard you talk.
Don’t say I didn’t, for I heard you say—
You spoke from that flower on the window sill—
Do you remember what it was you said?’

‘First tell me what is was you thought you heard.’

‘Having found the flower and driven a bee away,
I leaned on my head
And holding by the stalk,
I listened and I thought I caught the word—
What was it? Did you call me by my name?
Or did you say—
Someone said “Come” – I heard it as I bowed.’

‘I may have thought as much, but not aloud.’

“Well, so I came.’

Readings The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

The Exchange of Vows

We will now have the exchange of vows.
(Hold microphone in front of groom and bride during exchange of vows)

Groom then Bride, will you please repeat after me . . .

I promise to love you . . .
to respect you . . .
to laugh with you . . .
and to soothe your tears.
I promise to share my life
openly and honestly with you . . .
and to encourage and nurture your growth.
Together, we continue this journey . . .
of exploration, trust, and communication.
I promise to savor each day . . .
reveling in our loving relationship . . .
and in our pursuit of happiness.

The Exchange of Rings

These rings in their unbroken wholeness . . . are tokens of your union and your love. They are symbols of the enduring trust and affection . . . that you bring to one another. May they ever remind you . . . that your lives are to be bound together by devotion and faithfulness.

Repeat Groom then Bride: I give this ring
As a symbol of my commitment to you
And our partnership in life.
You have my heart always.

The Unity Candle

In the wedding ceremony .candlelight symbolizes the commitment of love . . . these two people are declaring today.

Before you, you see three special candles. The two smaller candles . . . symbolize the lives of _______ and ______. Until today . . . both have let their light shine as individuals in their respective communities. (Couples light individual candles).

Yet, in marriage . . . they are united in so close a bond that they become one. The lighting of the large center candle from the smaller candles . . . symbolizes this new reality. In this way they are saying that henceforth . . . their light must shine together for each other . . . for their families . . . and for the community.

The smaller candles remain lit as well . . . representing the continuation of their own unique individuality.

The Seven Wedding Blessings (All join in)

Minister: Will the guests please rise.
Join me in blessing _______ and ________ . . . with the Seven Wedding Blessings from the Jewish tradition . . . found in your program.

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 human kind.

May you act with compassion to those less fortunate and with responsibility to the communities of which you are a part.

May you appreciate and compliment 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.

Minister: you may be seated.

The Blessing Over the Wine

Minister:
Ba-ruch a-tah A-do-nai, E-lo-hay-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, bo-ray p’ree ha-ga-fen.

The Pronouncement & Kiss

In the presence of these witnesses . . . you have spoken the words and performed the rites that unite your lives.

________ and ________ . . . you are now husband and wife in the sight of God . . . your family and friends . . . and your community.

________ you may kiss your bride.

The Benediction & Presentation

Benediction An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the Lord hold you always in the hollow of his hand.

Presentation
It is now my privilege to present you . . .

_________ and ________ ______________.

The Breaking of the Glass:

We conclude the ceremony with the breaking of the glass which is a joyous tradition. The fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer:

“As this glass shatters . . . so may your marriage break.”

As _______breaks the glass . . . I invite everyone to shout Mazel Tov! which means congratulations and good luck.