Our Gift Philosophy
Expectations
We are very aware as a couple that we have been abundantly blessed in many ways. We consider the friendship, love, and support we have received from you as gifts. We consider your presence at our wedding-- physical or spiritual-- to be a gift (particularly for those who have to make an extra effort to travel).
While we understand that some will want to offer additional gifts, we want to make it clear that we don't expect them. Please do not feel that you have to give us a gift other than your presence or well wishes.
Alternative Gifts
We recognize that some of you may desire to gift us with a more particular present. If this is the case, we invite you to consider sharing something of your unique "time, talent, or treasure" with us, especially since we are already blessed with all of the material necessities we need-- and more. Some of the most meaningful gifts we have received in our lives have been of this type (the photos on this site are just one example-- thanks, Katie!).
Some of our friends who have heard that we are not setting up a wedding gift registry tell us with a hint of panic in their voices that they don't know what they might give us that is unique. In response to them, we have come up with some ideas of presents that don't fit the usual panorama of kitchen cutlery and chinaware.
Mostly, we encourage you to consider offering creative or "alternative" gifts that are a reflection of your own spirit or giftedness. Let us know if you have any questions or want to bounce ideas off of us.
Gift Ideas
Our Return
God has gifted us in many ways, just one of which is the ability to gather many friends to celebrate our wedding together. We also want to remember individuals who are not as fortunate, as well as non-profit groups working for a better world. We have made a commitment to match every dollar spent on our wedding and reception with donations to organizations working for justice.
The following list includes some of the organizations we support. We invite you to also support these groups.
Call To Action: Birthed out of the Catholic Church's Second Vatican Council and a conference called by the U.S. Catholic bishops, this independent organization promotes the role of lay people in the world and within the Church. It advocates reform within the Church in a number of areas, as well as promoting peace and justice.
East Bay Habitat For Humanity: East Bay Habitat has been building affordable housing in Oakland and surrounding cities since 1988. With some other members of his parish, Paul helped build some of the homes in one of its Oakland projects. Particularly in the Bay Area, which has very limited affordable housing, this group is doing meaningful work.
GreenAction: A community-based group working for environmental justice, often working to reduce toxic pollution in poor neighborhoods that have little political clout. In 2001, they helped close a medical waste incinerator with toxic emissions in Oakland close to Alameda. They are campaigning against a Pacific Gas & Electric power plant in San Francisco's Hunter's Point neighborhood, and are putting pressure on Alameda Power & Telecom to ensure that it doesn't open a polluting incinerator in the East Bay, among many other campaigns.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps: Northwest: Ann was a Jesuit Volunteer in Woodburn, Oregon for two years and later served on the staff for two years overseeing volunteers in Western Oregon and Washington. Jesuit volunteers work with the poor and marginalized at non-profit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest serving populations such as the homeless, addicted, mentally ill, immigrants, and disadvantaged youth.
Pax Christi USA: The national Catholic peace movement, this organization has been expanding its vision to address root causes of violence in our society and worldwide. Their most recent focus has been on racism. This group also has a commitment to reaching out to young adults, and Paul coordinated a young adult retreat for them in Oakland last year.
We are very aware as a couple that we have been abundantly blessed in many ways. We consider the friendship, love, and support we have received from you as gifts. We consider your presence at our wedding-- physical or spiritual-- to be a gift (particularly for those who have to make an extra effort to travel).
While we understand that some will want to offer additional gifts, we want to make it clear that we don't expect them. Please do not feel that you have to give us a gift other than your presence or well wishes.
Alternative Gifts
We recognize that some of you may desire to gift us with a more particular present. If this is the case, we invite you to consider sharing something of your unique "time, talent, or treasure" with us, especially since we are already blessed with all of the material necessities we need-- and more. Some of the most meaningful gifts we have received in our lives have been of this type (the photos on this site are just one example-- thanks, Katie!).
Some of our friends who have heard that we are not setting up a wedding gift registry tell us with a hint of panic in their voices that they don't know what they might give us that is unique. In response to them, we have come up with some ideas of presents that don't fit the usual panorama of kitchen cutlery and chinaware.
Mostly, we encourage you to consider offering creative or "alternative" gifts that are a reflection of your own spirit or giftedness. Let us know if you have any questions or want to bounce ideas off of us.
Gift Ideas
- Offer to help us with wedding day activities. For example, making flower arrangements, decorating the reception hall, making cupcakes or dessert (instead of a wedding cake), etc.
- Sew or quilt something for our home
- Paint a picture, make a piece of pottery, write a poem, do some arts or crafts work
- Offer to give us lessons in an activity you enjoy: ballroom dancing, yoga, massage, etc.
- Give us an I.O.U. for working with us in our yard and garden during the summer or share with us your seeds, seedlings, or fruits of your harvest
- Offer your skills at house repairs and projects
- Have us over for a nice dinner sometime
- Give gift certificates or coupons for local bookstores, gardening centers, or restaurants
- Make a donation to one of our favorite non-profit organizations (see below)
Our Return
God has gifted us in many ways, just one of which is the ability to gather many friends to celebrate our wedding together. We also want to remember individuals who are not as fortunate, as well as non-profit groups working for a better world. We have made a commitment to match every dollar spent on our wedding and reception with donations to organizations working for justice.
The following list includes some of the organizations we support. We invite you to also support these groups.
Call To Action: Birthed out of the Catholic Church's Second Vatican Council and a conference called by the U.S. Catholic bishops, this independent organization promotes the role of lay people in the world and within the Church. It advocates reform within the Church in a number of areas, as well as promoting peace and justice.
East Bay Habitat For Humanity: East Bay Habitat has been building affordable housing in Oakland and surrounding cities since 1988. With some other members of his parish, Paul helped build some of the homes in one of its Oakland projects. Particularly in the Bay Area, which has very limited affordable housing, this group is doing meaningful work.
GreenAction: A community-based group working for environmental justice, often working to reduce toxic pollution in poor neighborhoods that have little political clout. In 2001, they helped close a medical waste incinerator with toxic emissions in Oakland close to Alameda. They are campaigning against a Pacific Gas & Electric power plant in San Francisco's Hunter's Point neighborhood, and are putting pressure on Alameda Power & Telecom to ensure that it doesn't open a polluting incinerator in the East Bay, among many other campaigns.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps: Northwest: Ann was a Jesuit Volunteer in Woodburn, Oregon for two years and later served on the staff for two years overseeing volunteers in Western Oregon and Washington. Jesuit volunteers work with the poor and marginalized at non-profit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest serving populations such as the homeless, addicted, mentally ill, immigrants, and disadvantaged youth.
Pax Christi USA: The national Catholic peace movement, this organization has been expanding its vision to address root causes of violence in our society and worldwide. Their most recent focus has been on racism. This group also has a commitment to reaching out to young adults, and Paul coordinated a young adult retreat for them in Oakland last year.