Practical and Legal:

1.  If Father Vince witnesses our marriage will it be legal in the eyes of the state?

 I have civil authority to perform wedding ceremonies and your marriage will be legal in the eyes of the state. My faculties (authority) come from the International Council of Community Churches .

 2.  Will you perform an outdoor ceremony?

 Yes, I will witness the ceremony in the location of your choice.

 3.  How long does the typical ceremony last?

The typical ceremony runs 25-30 minutes depending on how the couple chooses to personalize it. This is your ceremony, and you may create it as you wish; my role is to assist with ideas and concrete suggestions.  There is room for readings as well as other symbolic acts, such as the lighting of a unity candle, the sharing of a cup of wine, or any appropriate action you would like. In addition, you may include people who are special to you in roles such as a reading, music, or giving a blessing or reflection during the ceremony.

4.  Is Father Vince available for a rehearsal?

I have found that the staff at most reception halls is helpful in guiding each couple through a rehearsal.  I arrive no less than 30 minutes prior to the ceremony, and will coordinate with you and your party and other wedding professionals (especially musicians and photographers) involved in your ceremony. I am also available by telephone to speak with anyone else involved in the ceremony.

 5.  Who is responsible for obtaining the marriage license?

The couple is.  Please bring the license to the ceremony.

It is my responsibility to complete the marriage license documentation and to obtain appropriate signatures on the wedding day. I will then return the signed documents to the municipality in which the ceremony is performed. You may request your marriage certificate from the appropriate County Clerk, depending upon in which State you reside.

For New York State residents, refer to: http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/vr/married.htm

For New Jersey residents, refer to: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage.htm

My fee and distinctive services:

6.  What is the fee for Father Vince to officiate at our wedding ceremony and what services does this include? 

The fee for my services, as outlined herein, is inclusive of counseling services and preparation of your customized wedding ceremony. These services may vary based on the needs and desires of the couple. Please contact me directly for fee information.

 

Some officiants provide a "cookie-cutter" ceremony. I spend a significant amount of time with each couple prior to the celebration getting to know you both. We can then work together to craft a ceremony that reflects your unique relationship and beliefs.

 

As I am a also an accredited social worker, I will use our time together to support and counsel you both as you enter your married life. This is not a “test” to see if you are suited to one another.  Rather, i t is an opportunity for the two of you to sit down in a safe place and talk about the foundations of a life-long friendship and marriage. I also provide you with a workbook of resources for designing your ceremony, as well as materials I've compiled for building and maintaining a healthy relationship.

7.  What do those letters after your name mean?

The M.Div. is a Master of Divinity, a four-year graduate degree required of professional ministers; I attended the Franciscan School of Theology in Rensselaer, NY.  The LCSW represents that I am a licensed, certified social worker, trained to provide psychotherapeutic and related social work services; I earned my Masters in Social Work at Syracuse University. The CT is Certified Thanatologist; I have received this academic certification for working with issues of death, dying, bereavement and other issues pertinent to end-of-life care. I currently work as Director of Spiritual Care and Bereavement Services for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York HospiceCare. In addition, I am a guest lecturer on end-of-life care at Columbia University, CUNY, NY Presbyterian School of Nursing, and the Pediatric Center of NY Foundling Hospital.

 

When one or both parties are Roman Catholics:

8.  One of us is (or both of us are) divorced and we do not wish to use the annulment process. Our priest has told us that we cannot be married in the church. Can you help us?

Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, many other denominations teach that second marriages not only occur but also may be a source of blessing for the couple.  This is not to say that a marriage bond should be taken lightly.  However, there are circumstances in which partners in a relationship come to realize that what they had hoped for and expected was not a possibility. Whatever the reasons, I believe that individuals coming into another marriage should not be judged or feel as if they are “living in sin.”  They should have the opportunity to celebrate their spirituality and be nourished by the strength of the Gospel. Divorced men and women seeking the Sacrament of Marriage are welcomed as God’s people seeking happiness and an opportunity for new life.