World marriage day 2018

SENTUL: The Parish of St. Joseph, Sentul witnessed a double celebration on World Marriage Day – Renewal of Marriage Vows and Installation of the newly formed Family Life Ministry.

Couples, many of whom came donned in the wedding finery, walked down the aisle at the start of Mass with the youngest couples leading the procession.

Fr. George Packiasamy, in his homily, advised that newly married couples should be helped “to enrich and deepen their conscious and free decision to have, hold and love one another for life” (Amoris Laetitia 217). He also urged couples to hold on to the romantic love that brought them together in the first place. Couples were invited to the front to exchange their marriage vows and Father concluded the short ceremony by sprinkling holy water on all couples. Truly, showers of blessing! Father George also invited the newly formed committee to the front and introduced them to the Parish.

After Mass, couples adjourned to the community hall where breakfast was served. The youth of the parish then led in an ice-breaking session – a game of musical chairs with a twist which saw wives scrambling to sit on their husbands’ laps. Fun and laughter filled the hall during this and the games that followed.

Three couples shared their couple journey where they encouraged all to persevere, not give up during times of trial and to be proud that the Church is ever present to offer support for all.

The highlight of this event was the cake cutting ceremony by the oldest couple – Maria and James Fernandez , married for 63 years. This was followed by a video presentation of couples’ shots taken on their wedding day. A brief session ensued offering practical suggestions on how to affirm one’s spouse.

The Prayer Group then led couples through a time of Praise and Worship offering God Glory and Praise which wrapped up this memorable and momentous occasion for all who attended!.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful…[Colossians 3:12-17]

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online