A Lesson in Hope

A Lesson in Hope by Jennifer Bartnik

A month ago, I was forced to make the hardest calls I’ve made since joining the parish staff a decade ago. I was calling brides with wedding dates in late April and early May and with a few words, ripping apart all their plans. There were no good choices: postpone your wedding until at least August or strip down your wedding party and guests to no more than 10, including the couple and the priest. These calls were difficult and there were a lot of tears…and not just from the brides. 

In the midst of all this, a couple who had completed marriage preparation at St. Thomas More, but who were due to be married on May 2 in Minnesota, called. Their request was simple: can we be married now, here? Then just a few days later, we were looking at the unknown of stay-at-home orders and even tiny weddings seemed in peril. 

But still, here was a chance to find happiness now in the middle of the crazy. So, we did it! Fr. Chris agreed to preside, my counterpart at the Diocese processed the paperwork off an email scan, their sponsor couple agreed to be their witnesses (and came bearing a bouquet and boutonniere!), Sarah Franco provided the music and Sergio Escobar came through to meet their special request to livestream so their parents and friends could see them exchange their vows. There in the St. John Fisher Chapel was beauty, simplicity, faith, hope and love. It was so moving to be a part of…to offer hope and the certainty of a Sacrament. 

But there in the chapel wasn’t where the impact ended. When I returned to my office, I found out that our staff had watched the wedding and that already just an hour later, 700 views of the livestream had been registered. That night when I was home and it was quiet, I watched the livestream, which at that time had over 1200 views! These were not just family and friends…but our parishioners and those beyond who didn’t know this young couple…all tuning in to see love and hope in action. Friends, family and strangers left comments with prayers, congratulations and compliments. 

In the two days following this wedding, we held two more tiny weddings and each one was filled with love, hope and faith. We did good work during those very uncertain days of late March, and I couldn’t be prouder of my parish, my friends who I am so lucky to call co-workers, and these couples who bravely stared down uncertainty and conquered it.