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Steven and Cui Goldman enjoy their wedding reception with family and friends including the Russo family.
Steven and Cui Goldman enjoy their wedding reception with family and friends including the Russo family.
Couple includes ‘extra-special’ guests at wedding
WANTAGH — Amidst the hustle and bustle of planning for their wedding last fall, Steven and Cui Goldman attended Mass at their parish, St. Frances de Chantal, here. It was Inclusion Awareness Sunday, a day set aside by the diocese to remind parishes to welcome and include everyone, including those with physical or mental disabilities.
“I was very moved,” recalled Steven Goldman. “It was very meaningful to see people with disabilities participating in Mass.” Already concerned about falling into the trap of getting so caught up in the wedding celebration that they could “lose the spiritual aspect” of their marriage, Goldman saw an opportunity.
“I thought these people with disabilities needed more recognition and I decided to invite some of them to our wedding and reception,” he said. His fiancée, who was born in China and is also known as Vivian, quickly agreed.
A volunteer catechist at his parish, he turned to his pastor, Father Greg Cappuccino, for help with his plan to take inclusion awareness to heart. Father Cappuccino put Goldman in touch with Mary Anne Russo, a fellow parishioner and the diocesan coordinator for ministry with persons with special needs.
“They were already familiar with three altar servers at St. Frances who have Down syndrome,” she recalled, “and I was able to contact some residents from an AHRC home in Wantagh, who, as well as my three children, all adults with Down syndrome, were able to attend the wedding.”
Father Cappuccino, who was also a guest at the wedding, reported “Everyone, including all our extra-special people, had a great time.”
Inviting strangers who quickly became friends to the ceremony and reception, “really says something about Steve and Cui and who they are as a couple. In my 38 years as a priest, I have never seen this before, but it is just the way he and she are,” said Father Cappuccino. “They are a wonderful couple who want to make a difference.”
At a time when television shows rate ceremonies and receptions by their opulence, the Goldman’s goal was that everyone have fun. “I wanted to make it a joyous occasion,” said Steven, who said that the fun-loving attitude of his new-found friends added to the festive atmosphere.
“All my guests were special,” he noted. “I’m glad everyone had a good time. It was a wonderful day for both Cui and me.”
Russo said that she was moved by the couple’s generous invitation. “I advocate for inclusion all over the diocese, and this is a real response to that call for inclusion. The couple just wanted these adults to attend and have a good time.”
Goldman didn’t want recognition for his kindness, but wouldn’t mind being an example. “I’d hope to set a tone for all people to appreciate those who are less included,” he said.
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