Latest news with #Kulick
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Groom Secretly Spent Months Learning ASL to Sign Wedding Vows, Surprising Bride's Deaf Parents (Exclusive)
"Learning ASL was important so that our future family could grow up connected, inclusive, and understood," Zachary tells PEOPLENEED TO KNOW Zachary Swain spent months secretly learning American Sign Language (ASL) to surprise his bride's deaf parents by signing his wedding vows After the ceremony, the groom presented his new in-laws with his ASL certificate "Learning ASL was important — not just so I could communicate with Paul and Gina, but so that our future family could grow up connected, inclusive, and understood. It's a moment I'll carry with me forever," Zachary tells PEOPLEA groom secretly learned American Sign Language (ASL) for months before his wedding so that his bride's deaf parents could be included in his vows. Zachary and Hallie Swain's wedding ceremony on May 17 at StoneWood Farms in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was emotional in more ways than one. The bride's deaf parents, Paul and Gina Kulick, were in for a sweet surprise when the groom suddenly began signing his wedding vows. 'My parents were completely surprised when Zach signed his vows. It truly touched them," Hallie tells PEOPLE. "It showed them that he sees them, that he's thinking of them — not just as my family, but as part of his now too. That moment meant more than words can say." As soon as Zachary began his vows, Hallie — who was born hearing — had to "hold back tears." Although she already knew about Zachary's plan to sign his vows, seeing him actually do it, and with "such care," was "overwhelmingly emotional." "Every word felt like it came straight from his heart. It wasn't just romantic, it was personal and intentional," Hallie shares. "What made it even more special was that my parents had no idea he was going to sign. It was a true reflection of not just his love toward me, but of respect and connection to my family. That moment captured exactly who Zach is, and it reminded me why I chose him, and why I'll keep choosing him for the rest of my life." Hallie's brother helped Zachary along the way with any questions he had while preparing his vows. After the ceremony, Zachary gifted Paul and Gina his official ASL certificate. The trio happily embraced and signed together. "It was an incredibly special moment," Zachary says. "The vows were a heartfelt surprise, but what made it even more meaningful was revealing that I had spent months learning American Sign Language at the Dallas Deaf Action Center. It was my way of showing not only my commitment to Hallie, but also to the future we're building together." He continues, "Learning ASL was important — not just so I could communicate with Paul and Gina, but so that our future family could grow up connected, inclusive, and understood. It's a moment I'll carry with me forever." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The couple's videographer, Rylee Rohner of Films by Ry, recorded the "genuine, unscripted" wedding moments and shared the videos to Instagram and TikTok, where the "personal and unforgettable" clips rapidly received millions of views and likes. "This was one of those moments I knew would touch everyone who saw it. Watching Hallie's parents react with so much emotion and joy was incredibly moving," Rohner tells PEOPLE. "This is exactly the kind of moment I hope to capture in every film — one that feels timeless, intentional, and full of heart. Zach and Hallie's love story was already so special, but the way they honored Hallie's parents through this moment took it to a level that was so unique." Although Rohner has attended and filmed countless weddings, she's "truly never seen anything like this before," and will cherish the special day forever. "It's been amazing to see how the video has inspired and moved so many others," Rohner says. "It's a reminder of how powerful love and intentionality can be." She adds: "Being part of this celebration was more than just documenting a wedding — it was about preserving a legacy of love, inclusion, and intentionality." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Retired Diocese of Greensburg bishop dies after ‘cardiac incident'
A retired bishop who led the Diocese of Greensburg for just over a decade has died. He was 86. Bishop Larry Kulick shared on social media Saturday that Bishop Emeritus Lawrence E. Brandt suffered a 'cardiac incident' earlier in the week and underwent 'extensive' surgery, after which he was in critical condition. Bishop Brandt died on Sunday morning. The Diocese of Greensburg says Bishop Brandt led them through a series of 'major changes' between 2004 and 2015 as its fourth bishop. He's known for bolstering finances and addressing the declining number of Catholics, among several other initiatives. Bishop Kulick remembered Bishop Brandt as the man who asked him to study Canon Law, then later to assist him as an Episcopal Master of Ceremonies and Vicar General. 'He was incredibly disciplined, but that only fostered his spirituality and his ability to leave the Diocese in good order, both spiritually and financially,' Bishop Kulick said. Bishop Emeritus Ed Malesic remembered his predecessor fondly. 'When I was announced to be the next Bishop of Greensburg in 2015, Bishop Brandt was among the first to welcome me, and he did so with great warmth,' Bishop Malesic said in a Facebook post. 'He guided me along the way in a role that was very new to me and offered me wise advice when I asked for it. Bishop Brandt was a man of deep conviction and faith. He will be remembered by me as a man of courage and grace, always the gentleman.' Bishop Kulick pointed out that Bishop Brandt died on the Solemnity of Pentecost. 'It is fitting that the Lord called him on the day that we celebrate the birth of the Church,' he said. Recently retired Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik extended his condolences after learning of Bishop Brandt's death. 'I first came to know Bishop Brandt when he was the chancellor of the diocese of Erie, long before he became the Bishop of Greensburg,' his statement reads in part. 'During the nearly 30 years we have worked together, I came to know him as a man who truly loved Christ and His Body, the Church. May God quickly take him to the place prepared for him in heaven.' Funeral arrangements for Bishop Emeritus Brandt will be announced at a later date. Click here to read his full biography. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Catholic Diocese of Greensburg mourns the passing of Pope Francis, holds mass
The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg hosted a special mass on Monday to mourn the death of Pope Francis while celebrating his remarkable life. Easter Monday is typically a day of rest and reflection at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, but, just one day after Easter, the pews were full of families looking to find community in each other. Front and center at the mass was a framed picture of Pope Francis with a black bow fastened beneath. The world woke up on Easter Monday to the news of the Pope's passing. 'It was kind of stunning, we knew that he had not been well, but you saw him on TV yesterday,' Steve D'Agostino said. 'Just a feeling of emptiness.' Steve D'Agostino is in town visiting family for Easter, and he was looking forward to celebrating his grandson's birthday on Monday. Bishop Larry Kulick led the service. He was appointed by Pope Francis in 2020 and just traveled to Rome last month. While he was there for a pilgrimage, he, along with 3,000 other people, had a chance to see the Pope greet a crowd from the balcony of his hospital room. Bishop Kulick said it was his gift to the world. 'It has been an opportunity emotionally for us to process this,' Bishop Kulick said. 'It was wonderful to see the people coming out. It was a real sense on consolation and strength.' Nat Pantalone and his wife Melanie met Pope Francis in 2015, a month after he was elected. The Pope blessed them on their 25th wedding anniversary. The Pantalones said he was humble and comforting. 'Just like we're talking now - we were so relaxed, I was a nervous wreck to meet him, but he was just so relaxed,' Nat Pantalone said. 'The one thing he asked was for us to pray for him, which we were just in awe of that,' Melanie Pantalone added. Bishop Kulick said so many people were shocked because they had just seen Pope Francis on TV, Easter Sunday, praying for people around the world. 'We didn't even understand how much of a cross he was carrying physically, but he was there,' Bishop Kulick added. The faithful say they found comfort in the Pope's celebration of the Easter season in his final hours. 'He may have known what was going on and was going to hold off until the next day,' D'Agostino said. 'A sad day for sure but an uplifting one.' Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
CBS News
14-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
St. Patrick's Church in Armstrong County is the oldest standing Catholic church west of the Alleghenies
While St. Patrick's Day is a loud celebration of Irish heritage around the country each year, the church that bears the saint's name near Worthington, Pennsylvania, sits in contrast with a quiet pride and reverence to the region's Irish and Catholic past. Sean Marrow, a local high school history teacher, is the foremost authority on the legacy of the oldest standing Catholic church west of the Alleghenies. He says that it took the 30-some Irish families living in the area two years to build the one-room church, and that when it was opened in 1806, it not only served as their house of worship but as a gathering place for Irish Catholics from miles around. "There were four people that were actually tasked with the construction of the church," said Marrow. "And they went out in four different directions to raise funds to build the church and buy the land. The largest donation that was made was $2, which is about $50 today. And those same four people, when they got back, were each in charge of one of the walls. So, they had a day that they went out and got as many people as they could and they built a wall. That's where this church came from." Normally, when one goes to a modern-day Catholic church, you get to see the Stations of the Cross very ornately displayed on the walls, but inside this rustic church, the Stations of the Cross are simply black painted crosses on the log walls that are numbered with Roman numerals one through 14. Of course, as the community grew, so did the need for a bigger church. Another St. Patrick's was built in 1840, but only stood for some 30 years before burning down. Then in 1876, yet another St. Patrick's was built, only to be destroyed in a windstorm in 1904. Eventually another permanent St. Patrick's Church was built in 1930, but still, the old log church from 1806 remained. Bishop Larry Kulick, the head of the Diocese of Greensburg, oversees this chapel. He says that the Irish immigrants who constructed this church were acting much as their patron saint did in bringing their faith and religion to this new world and spreading it in the community. Bishop Kulick also says that this church is a great reminder that faith and religion can not only be found in the great churches and cathedrals of the Pittsburgh area, but it can be experienced in the elegance and simplicity of a small one-room building. "While it is harkening back to a time long ago, there is still in it a sense of longevity and legacy," said Bishop Kulick. "I think that would be the word. When we think about Saint Patrick and the legacy that he has given to the Christian church, when we think about this building, we think about what we have inherited as a gift of faith. I would say that that, to me, is one of the most inspiring things." The old log church is open on the weekends, May through September, and there are even a few Masses that are held on Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July. Bishop Kulick says that all are welcome to not only pray but to come in and learn about the past. "This reminds us of the legacy that we've been blessed to receive," said Bishop Kulick. "And in a sense of stewardship how we must then not only take care of it in the moment but pass it on for the next generation." Old Saint Patrick's Church is located at 300 Street Patrick's Road, Worthington, Pa. 16262, at the intersection of Rattigan Rd (T362) and St. Patrick's Rd (T324).
