Dearly Beloved

This weekend we were back in Pittsburgh for a wedding. The oldest daughter of my own matron of honor (over 30 years ago) was married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Oakland. Not every church building can be a cathedral. Some are smaller and simpler, like my former church in Pittsburgh; I am sure that when it was built over 50 years ago, it was what the congregation could afford at the time and it probably embraced the architectural trend of the Sixties, but the feelings it evokes are more along the lines of God as friend…familiar, comforting.

There’s just something about a cathedral that puts you squarely in the presence of the majestic, awesome God. Soaring ceilings, long aisles, pulpits that rise above the congregation causing you to crane your head upward and focus your eyes on the cross. The beautiful pipe organ (no, Bill, it will not fit on the boat) is part of the grandeur. It’s easy to get lost in the crowd in a cathedral but more importantly, it’s a place to lose your “self” and let God fill you up.

The reception was held at the Edgeworth Country Club, where our friends Cathy and Charlie Kelly have been members since they moved back to The Burgh in 1987, and where I’ve enjoyed quite a few Kelly daughters' birthday parties and plays.

We were honored to be seated at the same table with the bride’s parents and grandparents and the Jesuit priest who conducted yesterday’s wedding ceremony and that of Cathy and Charlie 32 years ago.


















Caitlin and Bobby also made the New York Times! How about that! The photo used in the article was taken by Cathy last year upon Caitlin's engagement in Naples, Florida.

Sisters Courtney and Erin were co-maids of honor.