2 minute read
Wedding Committee Helps Engaged Couples Make the Most of Their Very Special Day
“I take you to be my husband/ wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life.”
These are the vows the bride and groom make to each other as part of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Here at St. John Before the Latin Gate, the preparations for this sacrament begin when the engaged couple meets with Fr. John or Fr. Carlos. Next, a bride or groom will call Sharon Janda or Renae Elmenhorst, who make up the Wedding Committee. They are available for brides, grooms, the wedding party, and the family on the big day.
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First, Sharon and Renae help the bride and groom decide on church decor, some of which our parish has on hand. Most importantly, they are there on the wedding day to make sure everything runs smoothly. They also meet the florist and ensure that all the rooms and the sanctuary are ready. The two also clean up after the wedding has concluded, so the parish is ready for the next Mass and confessions.
(From left) Renae Elmenhorst and Sharon Janda
“There’s no fee at all for what we do,” Sharon says. “We are an outreach of the Women’s Association.”
As Sharon points out, she and Renae are just carrying on the legacy for the women who came before them in this ministry.
“They really had their hearts in the right place,” Sharon says. “We are happy to carry this on.”
Having begun working with this ministry about five years ago, it’s always important to Sharon that everyone who is a part of the wedding feels welcome.
“My favorite part of the day is when the bride arrives,” she says. “She’s so beautiful and ready for the big day. She’s ready to be married.”
Sharon says she truly enjoys all the excitement of a wedding and feels so blessed to be part of it. Given all of the weddings for which Sharon and Renae have provided assistance, they are able to anticipate some of the needs the bride may have. There are usually two or three weddings per year at our parish. Sharon and Renae also sometimes help with coordinating the church’s decorations for Quinceañeras.
One of the last wedding day tasks for Sharon and Renae is to cue the bride to walk down the aisle and fluff her dress. However, they often stay and watch the ceremony and Mass, as well.
“A lot of women comment how they appreciated us making sure they looked good before they went down the aisle,” Sharon says. “We are there to help.”
Overall, Sharon and Renae are there to make the ceremony runs smoothly and to make sure everyone in the wedding feels taken care of and relaxed.
“We just want to be there to support them in the sacrament,” Sharon says. “We want brides and grooms to be able to focus more on the sacrament and not worry.”
