MARRIED couples have been acknowledged as the “salt and light of parish life, preserving Catholic values and lighting the way for those who come after them”.
Burleigh Heads parish priest Fr Ken Howell made the comment in his homily at a World Marriage Day Mass, one of several celebrated throughout the archdiocese, on Sunday, February 9.
After the homily, Fr Howell led the couples through their renewal of marriage vows.
At the end of Mass those couples celebrating special anniversaries were acknowledged whether it was five years or 60.
Noteworthy anniversaries were John and Iris Morgan’s 60th, and Claude and Maureen Hayson’s celebration of 67 years of marriage.
It was the Gold Coast’s fifth year of marking World Marriage Day while Redcliffe parish had its first.
In Maroochydore, a congregation of more than 300 gathered at Stella Maris for the 2pm Mass.
Event organisers Giles and Roslyn Mamet said Fr Geoff Barron’s homily had gone “to the hearts of all present”.
“Fr Geoff again referred to the Portland Vase,” Mr Mamet said.
“It was a priceless vase made in the first century and later copied by Wedgwood.
“The original is priceless but the copies are still worth considerable sums.
“Fr Geoff used the analogy to impress that the original represented Christ and the Church and the we, married couples, are the Wedgwood copies.”
All three Masses were followed by fellowship over lunch or cups of tea, and couples were able to mingle and reminisce about their journey in marriage.
Mr Mamet said planning would start soon for next year’s celebrations “when hopefully many more parishes will also mark World Marriage Day in a significant manner.”
