Marriage Masses celebrate God’s plan for family life

The Archdiocese’s annual Marriage Masses, which were held in Launceston and Hobart in February, recognised the milestones of couples who have faithfully lived the gift of the sacrament of Marriage.

Speaking during his homily at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on February 16, Archbishop Julian said the Masses celebrate God’s plan for marriage and family life.

“Marriage is profoundly linked to the love of God and redeeming work of Jesus Christ,” Archbishop Julian said.

“We thank God for the many ways in which His grace and favour has helped and guided these couples in the years of their marriage.”

Celebrating a significant marriage milestone at the Launceston Mass were Barry and Maureen Symonds, of Riverside, who said their faith has given them strength during the 65 years of their married life.

The parents of three children, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Mr and Mrs Symonds were married at St Finn Barr’s Church, Invermay in 1955.

“We attend Mass every Sunday night [and the] rosary every Monday night at the Church of the Apostles,” says Mr Symonds who commented that faith has always had a great influence on their marriage.

Three other couples at the Launceston Mass commemorated the 60th anniversary of their marriage, while Arnold and Ruby Markham, of West Hobart, attended the Hobart Mass to celebrate 66 years of marriage – the longest milestone of the attending couples.  

For Giles and Julie Nielsen, 65 and 66 respectively, of Glenorchy, renewing their wedding vows at the Marriage Mass was a chance to celebrate a family tradition – the couple were married at St Mary’s Cathedral on December 30, 1978 and the parents of Mrs Nielsen were also married in the Cathedral in 1950.

Mrs Nielsen, an active parishioner of Glenorchy Parish, said marriage is “a journey with many highs and lows”, but with God’s help “you learn to live with each other’s faults and good parts”.

“We met through a Young Christian Workers group who put on an evening at the Bellerive Regatta Pavilion.  A friend introduced us to each other and here we are 41 years, and two children, and two grandchildren later,” Mrs Nielsen said.

“Today confirms what we have been doing for 41 years,” she said

 “With God’s grace, we are still together – we must be doing something right.”

Top Image: Archbishop Julian with couples at St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart. Photo: Ben Hine.