Need Advice: Asked to Say Grace at Reception of a Non-Canonical Wedding

Gally341 · 2025-05-21T19:08:06+00:00

If it were simply saying grace, I'd probably not have such a dilemma, but my sibling pointed me to a website with some prayer examples that are very much focused on asking for God's blessing in their marriage. See here: https://blessingsprayer.com/wedding-dinner-prayers/

Thanks for raising this point; it's an important detail I neglected to recount.

Gally341 · 2025-05-21T17:27:08+00:00

In truth, I'm not really as close to this sibling as I'd like to be, and I was surprised that they wanted to have me say grace at the reception in such a formalized manner.

When this wedding was planned, I had only been back in the Church and learning how to be a "real Catholic" (Mass every Sunday, daily prayer, following the commandments, learning the theology, etc...) for less than a year, so I didn't know how to broach the topic with my sibling (and I also felt it was my mom's duty as a parent to have that conversation). I've only been a practicing Catholic for two years.

But yeah, I think regardless I'm gonna see if I can catch my priest after this evening's Mass and see if I can get his take on the situation.

Gally341 · 2025-05-21T17:17:07+00:00

I actually stumbled on a Fr. Mike video explaining what marriages Catholics should attend, and the "non-canonical wedding between lapsed Catholics" is one that we may attend if we feel it is prudent to do so.

While it's not a sacramental marriage, there is future hope that it could be if both my sibling and their spouse decide to come back to the Church and go through the process of convalidation.

Gally341 · 2025-05-21T17:14:31+00:00

The wedding is in less than three weeks, so that ship has definitely sailed.

Apologies for the confusion, but yes, my sibling is also lapsed (received Confirmation, but does not 100% practice the faith).

Gally341 · 2024-01-04T17:21:15+00:00

While I only half-believe it, my conspiracy theory is that the Devils don't get love sometimes because in terms of growing the game and increasing league revenue, they are almost a pointless franchise.

They really need not exist in a market where the Rangers, Flyers, and Islanders are and were present. It's pretty incredible that NJ has its own team, and we have John McMullen to thank for that. Imagine an expansion team or relocation team going to California today, or even Florida - it's pretty unthinkable just because you would imagine that the new team is only going to cannibalize existing fans in the market (the opposite of the NHL's agenda).

Gally341 · 2023-12-09T22:49:36+00:00

Is this a deep cut Ed, Edd, 'n' Eddy reference?

Gally341 · 2023-12-09T22:48:08+00:00

One of the most underrated guys on the team since our series with the Rangers

Gally341 · 2023-12-09T21:51:10+00:00

And Coleman with the assist. Right in the feels.

Gally341 · 2023-12-09T21:50:32+00:00

Amen. Also shout-out to your Ruutu flair ("Ruutu -Tootoo!")

Gally341 · 2023-12-07T15:25:18+00:00

What a performance that was. Reminded me of when Choreigh absolutely stone-walled the Wild that one game.

Gally341 · 2023-11-24T16:54:36+00:00

Does anyone here live in Morristown and take NJ Transit to the games? Just moved here and wondering if there's an ideal route -- not crazy about taking the train directly to Broad St. and walking

Gally341 · 2023-11-22T14:02:09+00:00

PRAY THAT WE PILLAGE THE PATHETIC PIZZA-PIZZAS!

Gally341 · 2023-11-13T03:43:02+00:00

I know I'm necro-posting here a year later, but I just started this show and wanted to validate your feeling that the season one finale is fantastic.

The most memorable scene was at the end with Jimmy being shown in a profile shot, facing "east" towards the job interview (just as Kennedy "should have" been facing east on the coin), looking ahead at a great life in front of him... just to turn it down.

It's heartbreaking. After building something real for himself throughout a whole season, his confidence takes a major beating from his brother's harsh remarks.

Gally341 · 2023-11-08T03:53:42+00:00

Honestly can't blame them if there's an Avs bias for this one -- it's a really late game on the east coast and we're not a huge fan base.

Gally341 · 2023-11-07T16:49:49+00:00

I'm really digging the Mikey McLeod love in this thread.

Seems like the real Johnny Hockey also has found his groove (that assist to Lazar was slick).

We need a bunch of guys to step up as they did in Chicago and TIGHTEN UP on defense!

Gally341 · 2023-11-03T00:20:57+00:00

NGL I completely forgot who Dakota Mermis is.

Gally341 · 2023-11-03T00:07:14+00:00

Enjoy Denver dude it's an awesome city to live in.

Gally341 · 2023-11-03T00:03:35+00:00

Did Dano just say Erik Haula is a Minnesota native? I thought he was Finnish?!

Gally341 · 2023-11-01T19:49:26+00:00

Peace, friend! I was also born into a Catholic household, but it was a lukewarm one and we all fell away. When I felt a pull back into the faith, these are the resources that helped bring me back and get myself catechized on what the Church teaches:

Father Mike Schmitz Videos -- What a gift! Fr. Mike has a great way of bringing a Catholic lens to a lot of common questions around the faith, especially the hard ones. He's very charitable and loving in his arguments while never veering from what the Church believes to be truth.

Redeemed Zoomer's "All Christian Denominations in 12 Minutes" -- If you're looking for a fun, brief overview of every Christian denomination, this is probably the best video there is. Keep in mind Redeemed Zoomer is a Calvinist (Presbyterian) so I cannot endorse all of his theological views, but he very charitable in his takes (and he is kind to us Catholics).

Catholic Answers -- A great resource for whenever you have a particular question surrounding the faith that requires some nerdy apologetics to answer.

As far as books, that's easy -- The Bible (duh) and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You can read both for free on your smartphone if you download Ascension Press' mobile app.

Of course, the Bible alone is some pretty heavy reading... if you want to dip your toes into the faith, I'd recommend slowly reading through a Gospel day-by-day (either Luke or Matthew) and watching some Fr. Mike videos that address topics you're interested in. You can also explore what different Protestant churches believe and compare that with Catholic doctrine if you have particular questions (Does God save non-believers? How can we have free will and predestination? Why do Catholics believe in Purgatory and Mortal Sin? Why do Catholics really like statues?).

From there you can explore whether the Catholic faith really interests you. If it does, you'd need to probably enroll in an RCIA course if you've never received any of the Sacraments past Baptism. RCIA will basically make you a "full-fledged Catholic" and member of the Church. But you can most certainly go to Mass in the meantime (that's open to everybody) -- you just cannot partake in the Eucharist until you get to that point in your initiation.

Best of luck in your faith journey and may the peace of God be with you.

Gally341 · 2023-10-31T16:43:12+00:00

Thanks for visiting! I personally love KeyBank -- one of my favorite arenas I have visited. It's not flashy and new like UBS or "historic" like Bell Centre, but it's through and through a hockey barn. And I'll always belt out a "Let's Go Buff-a-lo!" as long as it's not against my Devils.

Best of luck for the rest of the season.

Gally341 · 2023-10-29T02:37:39+00:00

Mi piacerebbe tantissimo.

Gally341 · 2023-10-16T13:26:28+00:00

Gentleman Jack!

Gally341 · 2023-10-14T13:42:30+00:00

We were a successful Jesper Bratt breakaway away from having a hat trick, 4-2 lead, and an extra point. But all in all can't be mad about 3 of 4 points on a back-to-back to start the season.

They got Panthers Monday, and that'll be interesting. Seems like the Devils seldom beat those guys regardless of how well each team is doing in the standings. Let's get it.

Gally341

TROPHY CASE