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Celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary this year?
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July 6, 2023By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
Celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary this year? The Archdiocese of Mobile wants to celebrate with you.
Couples celebrating their first, 10th, 25th, 40th, 50th as well anything longer than 50th wedding anniversary this year are invited to attend one of four special milestone wedding anniversary Masses throughout the archdiocese this September. It’s a new initiative organized by the archdiocese’s Office of Evangelization and Family Life. Couples will renew their vows during the Mass and a reception will follow.
“I just think it will be great to get these couples together and really celebrate their marriage,” said Office of Evangelization and Family Life Associate Director Janet Masline.
Those celebrating a milestone anniversary and seeking to attend one of the Masses in either Auburn, Eufaula, Foley or Mobile are asked to register at mobarch.org/milestone-anniversary by Aug. 27. Family members – including children – are also encouraged to attend and support their loved ones.
Those registered will receive a congratulatory certificate at Mass or in the mail if they’re unable to attend Mass.
While the archdiocese is organizing these Masses for the first time, parishes will often recognize married couples celebrating anniversaries in some way – often with a blessing and renewal of marriage vows during Sunday Mass. Masline said it’s beautiful to witness that.
“I find it heartwarming to see those couples going up who have been married for two or three years and then you have couples who have been married 65 years,” Masline said. “It’s just beautiful to see and I’m looking forward to doing this on a diocesan basis.”
Masline added she felt it was important to include those celebrating one-year anniversaries. Newly married couples can also witness and be inspired by those who’ve been married for much longer periods.
“(One year) is a milestone. You made it through that first year together, you learned a whole lot in that first year,” she said. “ The graces you received from your sacramental marriage have helped you through and you can see other successful marriages.”
Info box
Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebrations
Sept. 2 – St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Auburn
Sept. 16 – Holy Redeemer Parish, Eufaula
Sept. 23 – St. Margaret of Scotland Parish, Foley
Sept. 23 – St. Mary Parish, Mobile
All Masses at 10 a.m. with reception to follow
To register: mobarch.org/milestone-anniversary
