Resource Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. Suite #290 San Jose, CA 95112-5876 ph: 408-286-8505 fx: 408-287-8748

For Immediate Release Contact: Barb Roy 408-286-8505 barb@rpinet.com www.rpinet.com

Book involves couples in preparing the wedding homily

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 21, 2002 — Preparing for a wedding? Here’s a book that will guide engaged couples and homilists through the process of selecting appropriate readings and preparing the homily.

“The wedding homily interprets God’s word for the couple and the community,” writes author Paul Turner in the introduction to Preparing the Wedding Homily: A Guide for Preachers and Couples.

“The homily is one element of a complex ceremony involving many words, gestures, music decorations, ministers, families, friends, and fashions,” Turner adds.

Written for both the engaged couple and the presider who is officiating at the ceremony, the book is a practical guide containing Scripture readings as outlined in the Rite of Marriage and explanations about which readings might be most appropriate for a particular couple.

For example, Romans 8:31b–35, 37–39 “will set the couple’s love in a broader context,” Turner writes. “If they have overcome obstacles to come to this wedding day … if they know the challenges that lie ahead, this reading will comfort them with the assurance that Christ will be there, too.”

Turner encourages all three — bride, groom and preacher — to work together in preparing the wedding homily by having discussions about their personal lives and about God. “Together you will approach this wedding as a special spiritual moment,” Turner writes. “In the homily, you can share the fruits of your conversation with all who attend the ceremony.”

The engaged couple is led by discussion questions designed to “discern how the hand of God has guided them to this point in their lives.” Discussion questions also help the couple develop the theme for the wedding homily.

 “One of the book’s most valuable aspects is the catechesis on the readings from the wedding lectionary. … In clear and straightforward language, Father Turner … makes sense of the complexity of the lectionary choices, offering a rationale and possible criteria for each,” says Sheila McLaughlin, director of the Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Center for Theology and Ministry at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

“Clarity, honesty, humor and substance characterize this gem,” McLaughlin adds.

Preparing the Wedding Homily, to be released by Resource Publications, Inc., in Spring 2003, is part of the Celebrating the Sacraments series.

Preparing the Wedding Homily
Paper, $11.95
88 pages, 5 ½" x 8 ½"
ISBN: 0-89390-569-0
Spring 2003

To order PREPARING THE WEDDING HOMILY, call Resource Publications Inc., at 888-273-7782. For interviews, speaking engagements and writing assignments, call 408-286-8505 or send e-mail to Barb@rpinet.com.
 

Resource Publications, Inc. strives to help people reach their fullest potential on both personal and professional levels, primarily by providing leadership resources for use by leaders in ministry and education. Current ministry resources include Ministry & Liturgy magazine, Liturgical Catechesis magazine, Celebrating the Lectionary, The Catholic Wedding Answer Book (also by Paul Turner), and many other books and music collections. Visit the RPI website at www.rpinet.com.