MORE than 70 couples from throughout Brisbane archdiocese made a special trip to St Stephen’s Cathedral on October 3 for the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass.
A spokesperson from the Cathedral Office said more than 300 people including couples, their families and friends attended the Mass, held to celebrate those married for 50 years or more.
“We had one couple who was celebrating 62 years of marriage, four celebrating their diamond anniversaries (60 years) and about 55 celebrating their golden wedding anniversaries,” the spokesperson said.
“The remaining couples fell in between 50 and 62 years of marriage.”
Jim and Denise Childs, of Bellbowrie, were one of the 55 couples celebrating their golden anniversaries having been married on May 1, 1965.
Denise said the couple specifically chose the Feast of St Joseph the Worker for their wedding day.
“Also Jim was a teacher so we needed a date in school holidays,” she said.
She said many family members also attended the anniversary Mass.
“We have six children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild and around 12 to 15 of them were there with us,” Denise said.
Those family members would have included the twins the couple lost during one pregnancy – Peter and Francis.
Denise said the reality of marriage was quite different to what young people saw on television or read about in magazines.
“There are great moments of tears and great moments of joy but if you always see the presence of Christ in the other you can’t go wrong,” she said.
When it came to words of advice for a long marriage for the youth of today Jim and Denise had a similar message.
“There’s three in the marriage – me, Denise and God,” Jim said.
“And God comes first and it determines all our behaviour and how you treat the other.”
Denise agreed, saying couples should always keep “the Lord” in their lives.
“Always work with the Lord in your life and never blame one another – you don’t have to always agree on things but never blame each other for things.”
Bishop Brian Finnigan celebrated this year’s Golden Anniversary Mass, which featured the Brothers James Singers.
The Cathedral Coffee Shop catered with refreshments after the Mass.
– Robin Williams
