Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wing, and only character endures.
- Horace Greeley
Special prayer for Michael Jackson and his family by @RevLaurieSue http://bit.ly/c5D3O pls RT and use #pray4MJ to spread the word.
Let us take a moment to remember Michael Jackson, his family and the fans who love him. Join us in a moment of prayer for MJ.
By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
Dear God, Divine Spirit of love and compassion,
Please grace us with your loving presence,
As we take a moment to remember Michael Jackson
I like to think of myself as a fairly openminded wedding officiant but I am glad I was not called for the gig of officiating the first wedding in weightlessness.
But it could be a great way to eliminate wedding stress and cut down on the guest list: Get married in zero gravity aboard Zero Gravity Corp.'s modified Boeing 727-200 aircraft. That's what Broklyn, NY residents Noah Fulmor and Erin Finnegan did yesterday.
The first wedding in weightlessness was performed by video game entrepreneur and astronauts son, Richard Garriott, who was ordained by a California church so he could perform this wedding.
Well, bet no one is too surprised that the handsome Father Alberto Cutie has taken a wife.
He got hitched in a civil service in Florda.
Word is the (recently) former Catholic Priest has been planning the switch of faiths for two years so he could wed his beloved. Getting caught with his hand down her bathing suit on the beach just sort of moved things along.
Congratulations to the happy couple! God bless.
By Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway
With all the hullabaloo about the very handsome Father Alberto Cutie, the popular Catholic priest who got caught in a passionate embrace with an attractive woman on a beach, I have been pondering these burning questions:
Are good-looking priests less likely to remain celibate? Is it hard for them to do so? Do we sympathize with their plight more, say, than average looking or unattractive clergy people who have taken a vow of celibacy? Are we secretly cheering on the cute ones in collars to surrender to the kind of unbridled romance we loved so much in The Thornbirds?
I mean, have you had a look at this controversial Priest?
Although his name is pronounced Father “koo-tee-ay”, he is indeed Father Cutie! He has the whole package going on. They call him Father Oprah, for dispensing advice on life and relationships and he has:
* Good looks
* Charisma
* A job in TV
* A direct line to God
He became famous as the host of a Telemundo talk show and infamous for breaking his vow of celibacy. But, let's be honest, could we truly expect an attractive, camera-ready, TV star priest like this to not walk the path of human passion? In Miami?
Was it really that shocking that he would be cavorting on a local beach with a sexy woman? Or did it seem natural?
According to him, he had never broken his vows prior to falling in love with the woman who was his “downfall” from the Catholic Church. But he did admit in a recent CBS Morning Show interview that celibacy has been hard.
Father Cutie literally got caught with his hands down the bathing suit of his beloved, and he owned up to it. He just came out and said, yes, I did it, but admitted, "I have struggled with celibacy."
After the photos of his romantic romp on the beach were revealed, the Catholic Church relieved him of his duties. Was he punished and booted out, or did he find a graceful way to slide behind a new pulpiit?
As of now he is switching teams – and has begun the process of becoming and Episcopal. He even did his first sermon and began ministering in a new church. This is a faith that will let him date, marry and, perhaps, frolic on the beach if he chooses.
It seems he has chosen love over chastity, and that he did not have to choose love over God. He insists the woman he was with is someone he cares deeply for. I buy that. But one wonders - why would a priest who is a public figure, a known celebrity, expose himself to getting caught?
Maybe he wanted to be caught? Maybe this was a way to become unchained from his vows of chastity and to free himself of the guilt and confusion of love that equals sin?
Leaving the Catholic Church for another faith and pulpit allows him to serve God and maintain the career he has built -- while enjoying the earthly pleasures of love and partnership. Can we really fault him for wanting that; would God really punish him for having that?
I believe he is a man of faith. But there may come a point when career opportunities will outweigh his worries about scandal and sin. Maybe this will turn out to be the best career move ever, when Hollywood comes a calling with a movie deal and he gets a reality show contract to chart the course of his courtship and wedding planning. (I am making up the wedding, but you know what I mean).
I understand the value of celibacy -- during certain times. Life is messy and celibacy may make us clearer channels for God. But for a lifetime?
Must we really force clergy people into romantic isolation in order to serve God? Is it necessary to separate God from romantic love, and sex -- for a lifetime? After all, priests deserve soul mates too.
Have you seen "Boyfriends With Benefits"?
This new video about health insurance as a chick magnet seems to be part of a new trend in times of financial crisis - practicality when it comes to love.
My friend Carrie Sloan wrote a terrific story about preparing for her wedding in two days, based on a very practical decision to marry sooner than later.
She had just been laid off from her job as an editor and was given three days of health insurance coverage. She and her beloved, Adam Lisberg, were already engaged and decided to move thier fall marriage to that Friday so that Carrie could hop onto his health insurance plan at the NY Daily News, where he is a City Hall Reporter.
Carrie e-mailed me to see if I could possibly officiate her wedding - two days before it was to take place. It just so happend I had a 4 pm Ceremony in Central Park so I told her I could marry her at 5:30 PM and that it would be my honor. I was truly touched to be part of it.
I have to say, it was a beautiful ceremony. It took place at The Pool, in Central Park, at 100th Street and Central Park West. Carrie and Adam are two beautiful lights, and together, they shine brighter. It was clear by the way they looked at each other and their comfort with one another that they were very much in love. They radiated love!
They said their "I dos" and exchanged candy rings (no time to get real ones) before parents (who flew in from long distances to attend the wedding) and friends who surrounded them in a circle of love. Even the ducks were stopping by to watch. A great sense of joy and playfulness prevailed.
They will do it again in the fall, in a ceremony officiated by the groom's step dad. This time, the wedding rings will be made of gold. Mazel Tov Carrie and Adam!
Photo of Rev. Laurie Sue with newlyweds Carrie and Adam and their pooch by Desiree Navarro.
Read Carrie's account of her rushed, yet wonderful, nuptials. She prooves it is indeed possible to marry well without spending a year planning!
From Wedlok.com
Wondering where to get married? Looking for the perfect place to get hitched? Hoping to exchange wedding vows in a heavenly locale?
From the Grand Canyon to the Central Park Conservatory Gardens, Disney to Las Vegas, find out about the most popular places to say "I do."
Photo credit: Central Park Conservatory Garden by Lensgirl.
Fans of The King should be positively giddy by the prospect of marrying in Graceland. The chapel is located steps from the Presley home and fifty people can fit inside ...
An old Jewish legend tells us that when two certain souls are created in heaven, an angel cries out, “this man is made for this woman!”
It is said this if these people meet on earth and recognize each other for who they truly are, they will fall in love and become as one, working together in unison.
Then no hardship can altar the strength of their enduring love. Everything they do shall succeed.
- From Joining Hands and Hearts
Love is a Place
Love is a place,
Nothing to give
Nothing to get,
Love is a place of being,
And if I am in this place,
And you are in this place,
Now we can say,
I am in love with you.
- Robert Petteway & Cynthia
from Looking for Love
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