Peter & Shannon
Wedding Party
Branan Thompson
Matron of Honor
"Hi, I'm Branan. Rhymes with Shannon." Branan introduced herself to people this way even BEFORE she met Shannon, but with Shannon by her side, it makes even more sense. The two of them met at the Archdiocese of Baltimore New Youth Ministers Orientation in 2018, and after co-leading a week-long middle school summer camp trip to Georgia in 2019 and being roommates for the entirety of the Covid-19 pandemic, they have been inseparable ever since. Shannon introduced Branan to her husband Robert, and while Branan did NOT return the favor, Shannon could not be more excited to have such an incredible friend by her side on her wedding day. #fakewivesforever
Matthew D'Agostino
Best Man
Matthew is Peter's oldest friend. The two met at a homeschool co-op shortly after Peter moved to Maryland. They became fast friends, and while their paths drifted apart throughout high school and college, they maintained a friendship, making it a point to hang out during breaks from school. Over time their friendship has grown, where they now are part of a friend group that goes camping every year, rock climbing on occasion, and Matthew has become an integral part of the Bible study Peter leads on a bi-weekly basis. Peter had the honor of serving as a groomsman in Matthew's wedding to his wonderful bride, Emily, in 2020, and that was followed by one of the greatest joys of Peter's life thus far when they asked him to be the godfather of their first daughter, Josephine. Peter is now deeply honored to have his oldest friend serving as the Best Man at his own wedding.
Christina Betta
Bridesmaid
Shannon and Christina met in 2019 through a Blessed is She study at the Baltimore Basilica. Christina is the fearless leader of a women's group that started through the Basilica during the pandemic and is still going strong, and the weekly meetings have been a source of comfort and strength for Shannon. Shannon can always count on Christina for a listening ear and someone to pray with and for her. They sit in the same pew at Sunday Mass (#churchladies), so that's how you know the friendship is real.
Jacob Gindhart
Groomsman
Peter and Jacob met as fellow seminarians, albeit for different dioceses. Peter's first impression of Jacob was that he is a wild mountain man from Pennsylvania, and while this is absolutely true, it is also true that Jacob has a great heart for the Lord and His Church. Jacob and Peter spent two years together in seminary, sharing lots of challenges and laughter. But most importantly, their friendship was one of "Iron Sharpening Iron" as they both strove for holiness and virtue. Jacob and Peter were anchors for each other doing Exodus 90 in the semester that Peter discerned out of seminary. It was less than a year later that Jacob likewise discerned that the Lord was not calling him to priesthood. And while Jacob ultimately beat Peter to the altar (Jacob married his lovely bride, Courtney, in December 2024), Peter could not be more honored to have such a faithful friend serving as a groomsman.
Olivia Baker
Bridesmaid
Olivia and Shannon met in 2022 while working at NDP, and they became fast friends. Rarely did a lunch pass without Ms. Baker sitting in Ms. O'Toole's office, and you knew the tea was about to spill when she walked into the office and closed the door behind her. Sometimes they wonder what they even have in common anyway, but they always have so much fun together and could talk for hours. When Shannon was having a crisis over her vocation, Olivia reassured her that God definitely had someone out there for her and that she just had to wait - and she was right :). They may not work together anymore, but they'll forever be #workbesties. (Shannon and Peter would also like to thank Olivia for freezing her butt off to take their amazing engagement photos back in November and for designing their save-the-dates.)
Andrew Berta
Groomsman
Peter and Andrew met as fresh new missionaries with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) in summer of 2016. They served as teammates at MIT their first year (while Andrew was finishing as a student there) and housemates in the 'Boston Mish House' their second year as Andrew served as a missionary at Boston University. Peter and Andrew, along with another Boston missionary, Matt, had a crazy first year of missionary life, sharing in lots of joys, challenges, and adventures. These three men also helped each other navigate the 'joys' and trials of the customary first year "dating fast" in FOCUS. There's an old phrase that is applicable here (as it is with all of Peter's groomsmen): "Friendships are forged in the fires of adversity." Peter and Andrew's friendship was forged through some unique challenges and some amazing joys in those two years spent in Boston. The two have stayed in touch over the years, despite a long distance apart, and Peter had the joy and honor of serving as a groomsman in Andrew's wedding to his lovely bride, Ariana, in April of 2021. Peter is now honored to have Andrew serving as one of the groomsmen in his own wedding.
Kelly Brice
Bridesmaid
Kelly and Shannon also met back in 2022 while working at NDP, and let's just say they bonded quickly over some shared... difficulties. Kelly was always there whenever Shannon needed to rant about theological issues - because who else would listen to her?? Kelly managed to convince her middle school students that she and Olivia are cousins, and somehow Shannon got roped into this, too (maybe it's because sometimes they accidentally all wore matching outfits to work?). Shannon is the proud godmother of Kelly's firstborn son, Ignatius. While they don't work together anymore, Shannon's groupchat with Kelly and Olivia is still titled #workbesties.
Chase Werfel
Groomsman
Peter met Chase at a Catholic young adult group in Harford County, MD, shortly after leaving seminary in 2022. Once it became apparent that Chase was the member of the young adult group who lived closest to Peter, he quickly became, in his own words "Peter's Chauffeur." All of this time in the car gave them plenty of opportunity for meaningful conversation and growth in friendship. Chase, a recent convert to the Catholic faith, had lots of questions, and Peter, of course, was always willing to offer his thoughts in answer to such questions. The two became fast friends, bonding over such things as traditions in the Church, dissatisfaction with the secular world, and a renewal of community and masculinity in the world. Memorably, they attended the Catholic Men's Fellowship of Maryland Conference together in spring of 2023 where Curtis Martin (Founder/CEO of FOCUS) gave a talk. Chase was struck by this talk and shared with Peter on the car ride later that he would consider becoming a missionary. Peter encouraged him to be open and apply, and as they say, the rest is history. Chase is now finishing his second (and last) year as a FOCUS missionary at Towson University, and this proximity to Peter's new digs has allowed him to be a regular part of Peter's Bible study. Peter is honored to have Chase serving as a groomsman for his wedding.