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www.celtic-connection.com
FEBRUARY 2000
Ranh InijMveb Celtic
— / —
Beautiful Celtic foiotuwfc Designs m sifm iint) dofd rmd& Bracelets, ilattices, aifliiifo, etc.
Celtic Wedding j
Check out my on-line catalogue!
www. celticj ewellerystore. com
Barbara M. Designs Phone / Fax (604) 252-9648 Vancouver, BC
IRISH FAMCY STOR
A Celtic Marriage was seen as the union of two complementary forces - masculine and feminine to create new life and harmony. Unbroken lines of a Celtic knot symbolize eternal love and life.
The Claddagh themes of "love, loyalty and friendship" create an enduring expression of all that is important to couples on their wedding day
The Wedding Band m Collection
is carefully handcrafted by our skilled goldsmiths, using only the
finest auality gold. ^ ^ ^Pt^f^ We also have a good selection of Celtic Pendants, earrings and bracelets
#110-3866 Bayview Street, Richmond B.C. V7E 4R7 Tel: (604) 272-1101 or Fax: (604) 263-8328
An Irish Blessing On Your Wedding Day
The Peace of God be with you. The Peace of Christ be with you. The Peace of the Spirit be with you.
And with your offspring.
For this day that we have now For this hour, for all eternity, Until the end of time Until the last day of our lives.
A Scottish Wedding With a Difference
The first wedding to take place at Cambuskenneth Abbey, Stirling, in 600 years took place there in February. The happy couple had met at an agricultural show when farmer Andrew Rennie not only met his wife to be for the first time — but also bought a bull. So a special guest of honour at the wedding ceremony was "Heritage Rebel" — the bull. — Scottie's Scottish Snippets
MAYO'S
HIGH PRIEST OF LOVE
Long before the advent of computer dating, a County Mayo priest relished playing Cupid.
In response to falling rates of marriage in the late 1960s, the Reverend Michael Keane set up the Marriage Introduction Bureau at Knock and latest figures from the bureau suggest the service remains as popular as ever.
Since its establishment, the bureau has dealt with nearly 30,000 inquiries and been responsible for arranging 740 marriages. It is still coordinated by Reverend Keane, who believes its ethos is as relevant today as it was 32 years ago.
"When we first started we didn't believe that we'd last this long, but if you think about it there are many more barriers to meeting people these days," he said. The reverend cites cars, television and most of the trappings of modern life as undermining the sacrament of marriage, and he maintains that this is most pointed in rural areas.
"The bureau was set up in the west of Ireland because that's where the decline in marriage is most noticeable," he said. "There was a definite imbalance between the sexes, because many women have moved away while the men remained and farmed the land."
Although Reverend Keane remains modest about his role as a modern day Cupid, he admits to a certain satisfaction in bringing two strangers together. "You get some wonderful letters from couples saying how happy they are with each other," he said.
Vavcovveri's * r Best
Kept
VocaXed in Stanley potik
Open lor lunch on Fridays!
Wedding Receptions • Conventions • Meetings Book yonr next event with ns Special rates available for Rugby Members Clubhouse (604) 681-0640 • Fax (604)681-0664
Scottish Cultural Centre
Looking for just the right place to celebrate a Wedding, an Anniversary, or a Special Occasion? Need a large, medium or small roon to host a seminar or training session? Want a location easy to find and close to the Airport? The Scottish Cultural Centre is equipped to meet your needs with rooms to host from 40 to 400, a large commercial kitchen and a bar. You are invited to visit the Centre, view the facilities and discover our competitive rates.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CENTRE
Feb 12 - B.C. Pipers knockout competitions call - 522-9697 Feb 18 - From 8-11 p.m. Scottish Ceilidh Dancing
■ #5 - live music and refreshments
Feb 19 - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Back to Basics Workshop
■ 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Dance in the evening - call Mary Anderson 241-9724
Feb 26 Moray Nairn & Banff, Annual Clootie Dumpling
Competition ■ Ent Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra Call 980-0960
Mar 4 - The Gaelic Society monthly Ceilidh & Dance
■ call 224-4173 or 939-3968
For further events and information call The Scottish Cultural Centre
The Scottish Cultural Centre 8886 Hudson St. (at 73rd) in Vancouver CALL US AT (604) 263-9911 OR FAX (604) 263-9510