Annual Marriage Day Mass: Marriage the foundation of stable and healthy community, says Bishop Sproxton
Couples stand during the 2018 Annual Marriage Day Mas to receive a blessing from Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton to commemorate their anniversary. Photo: Ron Tan.
Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton has once again encouraged Perth married couples celebrating an anniversary milestone to come forward for the Annual Marriage Day Mass.
The annual Marriage Day Mass will be celebrated next weekend, Saturday 20 August at 10am.
Speaking about the sacrament of Marriage, Bishop Sproxton said when a young couple plans for the Sacrament of Marriage, their hopes are that the love they have come to know in themselves and from their partner, will flourish and grow to greater heights and depths.
Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton speaks during the 2018 Annual Marriage Day Mass. In inviting the Perth Catholic community to the Mass for 2022, Bishop Sproxton said when a young couple plans for the Sacrament of Marriage, their hopes are that the love they have come to know in themselves and from their partner, will flourish and grow to greater heights and depths. Photo: Ron Tan.
“Their love, they hope, will be so strong that not even death will extinguish it,” Bishop Sproxton said.
“St Paul liked to describe the power and necessity of love in terms of being clothed completely.
“St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians conveys this image well. The Christian life is about putting on the qualities of our Master: sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
“Over these, we add tolerance and forgiveness. What keeps these together and completes them is love, that great love for the other that does not expect a return,” Bishop Don explained.
Stephen and Sharon Dennis show their certificate commemorating 50 years of marriage following the 2018 Marriage Day Mass. Photo: Feby Plando
Marriage, continued Bishop Sproxton, is as ancient as human society and it has always been the foundation of stable and healthy community.
“Celebrating the gift of marriage and family seems obvious.
“There can be little wonder that Jesus recognised the importance of the human institution of marriage, the communion of a man and woman, and that it has been elevated to the status of a Sacrament,” he said.
Tharcisse and Matrie Macumi celebrated 40 years of marriage in 2018. Photo: Feby Plando.
Director, Centre for Life Marriage and Family, Derek Boylen, said the celebration is a vital occasion for the Perth Catholic community in which to participate, especially after two years of COVID lockdowns.
“I am sure so many married couples celebrated their anniversaries silently, or not at all, and so we welcome this opportunity to give thanks for to God for all he has done in blessing our marriages, our families and our lives,” Mr Boylen said.
“The past two years have been important in showing us why we need to remain united with God, despite all the difficulties we face – with our children, our work, our health as some examples – and the annual Marriage Day Mass is a key opportunity to remember all we have experienced, and to heal, give thanks and continue,” he said.
The Mass will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, who will offer a blessing to all married couples in attendance.
Commemorative certificates will also be offered to people celebrating 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 or even 70 years of marriage.
Marina and Hubert Sariel show their certificate commemorating 50 years of marriage following the 2017 Marriage Day Mass. Photo: Ron Tan.
Couples wishing to register for a milestone anniversary certificate (25, 30, 40, 50, 60 or more years of marriage) can do so by going to: https://bit.ly/marriagemass2022.
Registrations Close Tuesday 16 August.