I just wanted to report on the big day we had yesterday (Oct. 9 2004) for JoAnne's and Anthony wedding. The weather was perfect, about 70 degrees. JoAnne and Anthony both being member of St. Matthew's Church and have many friends, and of course, my family alone make a large group. All of our kids and kids in law were there, Twelve of our grandchildren and two great grandchildren came. Only two grandkids and one great grandchild were missing. It was great having my sister Agnes and niece's Marlene and Kathy here for the occasion. They came from Minnesota for a 4-day visit. Also my niece Anne and her son Walter, from Philadelphia. Our son Tom was on a three month job in Bremerton, Washington, but was able to get four days off to attend. There were many out of town guest who were able to make is to the wedding and reception.
Thanks for coming. For you who live out of town, and were unable
to make it, I wish you were able to be there. We had a great party.
A friend of the family Fr. Jim Parke held the service with the permission of our Pastor. We got to know Fr. Parke when JoAnne was a student at Virginia Wesleyan College. She often attended Mass at the College. He still holds Mass each Sunday at Wewleyan, a Methodist College, for the convenience of the Catholic students. Anne and I attended a few times. We attended when the Methodist Minister and Fr. Parke held a joint Ash Wednesday service one year. It was the Methodist Minister who putthe ashes on my forhead. Interesting, not?
Fr. Parke conducted a beautiful service. The Choir from Old Dominion University campus ministry did the music (our daughter Geri is the campus minister at Old Dominion). Fr. Parke holds Mass there every third Sunday evening, rotating with other local priests. Some of the comments we heard about the wedding: " It was the most beautiful wedding they had ever attended." " The service was the most moving and inspiring wedding service they had seen." All positive comments were made regarding the wedding and reception, no cpmplaints.
The reception was held at the Oceana Officers Club, and the club did an outstanding job. I must give a lot of credit to JoAnne and Anthony (most parents do a lot of planning for weddings) for doing all the planning. Anne and I did nothing on the wedding plans. At their age (JoAnne 46 Anthony 48) they did it all. At our age of 78, we should not be planning wedding for our kids. It is the first marriage for both of them, The only thing I might say is it cost Anne and me more than we might have spent twenty five years ago.
