Evidently weddings at wineries are a big deal in Napa Valley, and there’s some controversy over having Catholic weddings there. One local priest has been criticizing his bishop for not allowing outdoor winery weddings. It looks like the bishop should take a closer look at the priest’s other practices.
Fr. Patrick Stephenson of Holy Family Catholic Church in American Canyon ... said that Daniel Walsh, bishop of the Diocese of Santa Rosa, forbids outdoor weddings. Stephenson commented, “What cathedral is more beautiful than our Napa Valley?”
He performed about 10 weddings last year. He elaborated on what makes his weddings unique, saying, “I ask the parents for their blessing on the couple. ... I give wine to the bride who toasts her parents, then her husband. The bridegroom does the same.” Stephenson said that the wine is fitting, since it’s in wine country.
This doesn’t sound like a Catholic wedding to me. I love it when priests think they know better than the Church about symbolism and worship and appropriateness. What Stephenson seems to be celebrating is people and fads, not Christ. The Catholic wedding is supposed to be an image of Christ, the Bridegroom, being united to His Bride, the Church.
At the least the wine toasts during the ceremony are a confusion of signs, muddying the understanding of the Precious Blood as the one cup of sacrifice.
To be charitable, there is one point in the Father’s favor: in the previous paragraph, he said that while he approves of outdoor weddings, he cannot perform them because he was told not to. Which is, at least, more obedient than some.
I concur with your other analysis, though: I too had a frisson at the image. I can only hope it’s not during the actual mass…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 02:00 PM
Mass? You MUST be joking! Most of the couples who get married IN the church don’t want a Mass—it takes too long and cuts down on the time they can enjoy themselves at the reception! I sure hope this jackass priest doesn’t attempt Mass outdoors!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 03:33 PM
I think most ‘tourist’ buisnesses get a certain ‘stipend’ from the wineries. Maybe the priest is from a poor parish. Give him a break!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 07:47 PM
Weddings in wineries have become very fashionable. It’s like the unity candle fad that came out in the 80s or the three day weekend wedding that became all the rage five years ago.
I think we (laity and clergy) need to remind our young people that marriage is a sacrament. Have an extravanza at the reception but tone down the actual wedding to something dignified and holy.
Give you a break! Catholics can’t get married outside-that’s a protestant or pagan thing.
They just can’t wait to get to the hooch, that’s all. If there’s a rush on to get to the booze, then they’d ought not to have a mass, but rather just the ceremony.
Sounds like a bad deal to me. Instant gratification of a sort.
Actually, getting married outside, under a canopy is also a Jewish thing…..
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/28/05 at 10:10 AM
Geez, I have no problem with this whatsoever.
My first cousin was married in the Church this year, in a beautiful ceremony outdoors in Aspen. Rather that beautiful setting than some of the miserable architecture the church has given us. Once the church buildings are sold to pay off the lavender mafias problems, doing things outside may become the norm.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/28/05 at 10:53 AM
“Once the church buildings are sold to pay off the lavender mafias problems, doing things outside may become the norm.”
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Speaking of liturgical abuse
Evidently weddings at wineries are a big deal in Napa Valley, and there’s some controversy over having Catholic weddings there. One local priest has been criticizing his bishop for not allowing outdoor winery weddings. It looks like the bishop should take a closer look at the priest’s other practices.
This doesn’t sound like a Catholic wedding to me. I love it when priests think they know better than the Church about symbolism and worship and appropriateness. What Stephenson seems to be celebrating is people and fads, not Christ. The Catholic wedding is supposed to be an image of Christ, the Bridegroom, being united to His Bride, the Church.
At the least the wine toasts during the ceremony are a confusion of signs, muddying the understanding of the Precious Blood as the one cup of sacrifice.
Technorati Tags: Catholic, Mass, liturgical abuse, weddings
COMMENTS
To be charitable, there is one point in the Father’s favor: in the previous paragraph, he said that while he approves of outdoor weddings, he cannot perform them because he was told not to. Which is, at least, more obedient than some.
I concur with your other analysis, though: I too had a frisson at the image. I can only hope it’s not during the actual mass…
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 02:00 PM
Mass? You MUST be joking! Most of the couples who get married IN the church don’t want a Mass—it takes too long and cuts down on the time they can enjoy themselves at the reception! I sure hope this jackass priest doesn’t attempt Mass outdoors!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 03:33 PM
I think most ‘tourist’ buisnesses get a certain ‘stipend’ from the wineries. Maybe the priest is from a poor parish. Give him a break!
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/27/05 at 07:47 PM
Weddings in wineries have become very fashionable. It’s like the unity candle fad that came out in the 80s or the three day weekend wedding that became all the rage five years ago.
I think we (laity and clergy) need to remind our young people that marriage is a sacrament. Have an extravanza at the reception but tone down the actual wedding to something dignified and holy.
Posted by dymphna on 12/27/05 at 08:06 PM
Give you a break! Catholics can’t get married outside-that’s a protestant or pagan thing.
They just can’t wait to get to the hooch, that’s all. If there’s a rush on to get to the booze, then they’d ought not to have a mass, but rather just the ceremony.
Sounds like a bad deal to me. Instant gratification of a sort.
Posted by michigancatholic on 12/27/05 at 11:28 PM
Actually, getting married outside, under a canopy is also a Jewish thing…..
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/28/05 at 10:10 AM
Geez, I have no problem with this whatsoever.
My first cousin was married in the Church this year, in a beautiful ceremony outdoors in Aspen. Rather that beautiful setting than some of the miserable architecture the church has given us. Once the church buildings are sold to pay off the lavender mafias problems, doing things outside may become the norm.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 12/28/05 at 10:53 AM
“Once the church buildings are sold to pay off the lavender mafias problems, doing things outside may become the norm.”
Ouch!
Posted by Lynne on 12/28/05 at 06:43 PM
Comments are being moderated. After you submit your comment it could take up to a couple hours, but usually only a few minutes, before it will appear. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, you may contact Domenico Bettinelli.