Rev. Jim Rooney

“What you are is God’s gift to you; What you make of it, it’s your gift to God.”

This is the reflection I have on my Ordination Card. It sums up my belief in life and relationship with God, family and friends.

We all need the time and space to hear that inner voice to allow us to be who we are called to be. I believe we can only know this reality by allowing ourselves to touch and be touched in all of life’s experiences and then having the time and space to hold on to them; to cherish and sometimes to let go.

My home, Beacon Hermitage is situated in the beautiful Hudson Valley with Mount Beacon as its backdrop.

Come and allow the spirit of our creator to touch your mind, body and spirit. I invite you to join me in “this little piece of heaven.” I would like to share with you in your journey as you seek renewal and recommitment to life and community.

I am an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic Tradition and registered civil marriage celebrant based in Beacon, with a wide experience of performing different kinds of ceremonies including: weddings, funerals, memorials, baby naming days, same sex weddings, commitment ceremonies, anniversaries and special occasions.

My training and experience have given me a deep knowledge of the role of officiant and celebrant in the community and the important place of ritual and ceremony in our lives. We will create a beautiful Order of Service that expresses your deepest feelings and most powerful emotions – whether they be feelings of love, joy, optimism, grief or acceptance.

We know how necessary it is for all of us to acknowledge the major milestones in our lives with ceremonies that are meaningful and special. I will help facilitate so as to help you create and shape these ceremonies.

It can seem so daunting on where to begin but I will personalize a ceremony to your requirements and I will share with you my broad collection of ideas, poetry, readings, music and rituals, if you don’t know where to start.

As a priest and chaplain I really love what I do, and you can be sure that I will help you to develop the ceremony you want, because I will always put your needs and wishes first!