Gifts, Irish Traditions & Dinner

Please no gifts.  No gift can ever replace the value of you being at our wedding.

We have been together for 29 years; we don't need anything. 

Instead of a gift, Nancy and Dan have chosen organizations that mean something to them.

Nancy selected the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) as a way to honor Packy. For every $1.00 donated to NPCF, 89¢ is directed toward pediatric cancer research. 

In September 2005, Nancy’s grandson Packy (Patrick) Stowell (4 yrs. old) was diagnosed with Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (AT/RT). AT/RTs can form anywhere in the Central Nervous System. They often occur in the brain and can spread to the spinal cord. The likely chance of survival was less than 5% when Packy was diagnosis. 

Sadly, Packy lost his battle in July 2006. With research, today the survival rate is about 48%. 

If you would like to donate in memory of Packy, please follow this link, https://nationalpcf.org/donate/

Once you input the donation amount and press continue, then select "Dedicate my donation" and then "In memory of" and input Packy (Patrick) Stowell. 

Dan selected the Knights of Columbus Council 8155.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal service organization founded in 1882 by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut. The organization was established to provide financial aid and support to Catholic families, particularly immigrants facing hardship. The Knights of Columbus is known for its charitable activities, including support for the church, community service, and fundraising for various causes such as disaster relief, education, and health initiatives.

The organization is structured into local councils, which operate in parishes and communities worldwide. The Knights of Columbus also offers life insurance and financial products to its members, reinforcing its mission to protect and support Catholic families. The group promotes Catholic values, patriotism, and community service through various programs and activities.

Dan is a member of the St. James Knights of Columbus Council 8155. 

Thank you for your generosity.

Irish wedding traditions date back centuries, Irish and Irish Catholic wedding traditions are things that were historically done in Irish weddings because of superstitions or rumored omens. Nancy & Dan will incorporate some of these traditions in their wedding.

Shamrock

The shamrock and Irish culture are so intertwined thanks to Ireland’s patron saint, St. Patrick. Legends attest to St. Patrick using the three petals of the shamrock to illustrate the mysteries of the Holy Trinity to the Celtic pagans. Each leaf represented the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The shamrock of Ireland has three leaves, not four as many people believe. The number three had significance in Ireland long before St. Patrick began to convert the masses. According to Blarney.com, the number three was believed to have magical properties and was a recurring theme in Celtic folklore. Because the Celts were familiar with the shamrock, it became easy to convert their knowledge of the shamrock to the magic of the trinity. The three leaves are also said to stand for faith, hope and love.

Four Leaf Clover

The four-leaf clover has always been considered a symbol of good luck in the Irish culture. According to the legend, the leaves of a four-leaf clover represent hope, faith, love, and a fourth for good luck. A common belief during the Middle Ages was if someone carried a four-leaf clover, they would have the ability to see fairies.  

Here are other things sometimes believed about a four-leaf clover: 

• It is a charm that will protect against evil 
• It will ward off evil, witchcraft, and bad omens 
• Good fortune in any ventures they attempt 
• The luck of the clover only works if it is kept out of sight and never passed to someone else 

Chances of finding a four-leaf clover are 1 in 10,000. The odds skyrocket to 1 in 1,000,000 for a five-leaf clover. Always be on the lookout for a four-leaf clover because you can never have enough good luck! 

Handfasting

Handfasting is a symbolic act that takes place during a wedding ceremony, where the hands of the happy couple are bound together with ribbon or cord, to represent their commitment to each other. Their hands are wrapped together in an expression of their love, with words, poetry or music accompanying the ritual.

It is a wedding ritual that is said to date back over 2,000 years and has Celtic roots. Handfasting is also known as a hand tying or hand binding ceremony and is becoming popular again in modern weddings as a beautiful symbolic moment during the ceremony.

The Celtic Knot

Not only at Irish weddings, but also at those celebrating the cultures of Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Isle of Man, and Brittany, Celtic knot motifs may be threaded throughout the decor. From a triangular Trinity Knot to a Celtic Cross, Sailor's Knot and Dara Knot, there are a variety of styles that would look great emblazoned on a wedding ring or other jewelry.

Horseshoe

In addition to Celtic knots, the horseshoe is another icon that's commonly incorporated into Irish weddings. A horseshoe was often given to a bride for good luck (and sometimes still is). It was tied into the bride's bouquet and hung right away at home to ensure good luck.. Irish brides once carried a real horseshoe down the aisle, open side up, so the luck would never run out. 

Wedding Bells

The sound of ringing bells is traditionally said to keep evil spirits away, restore harmony and to give couples a reminder of their wedding vows. Ringing a bell is thought to ward off evil spirits. Another belief is that bells chase the discord away in a marriage, which is why the church bells may ring after a wedding, or tiny bells might be given to guests to ring as the couple makes their way down the aisle as official spouses. Presenting a bell to the newlyweds is also a traditional wedding gift. You may even see the Bells of Ireland flowers included in the bride's bouquet because, in the language of flowers, they represent luck to them.