Blessings and Bliss – 5,000 years of combined matrimony

GREENSBURG – 5,000 combined years of matrimony was celebrated at Christ Our Shepherd Center on February 13^th, as the Office of Faith, Family and Discipleship celebrated World Marriage Week with  ‘Blessings and Bliss’.  The event, which gathered together more than 150 couples from across the Diocese, was organized by Andrea Pritts, as part of her project for the “Enlighten!” Adult Formation Program.  

Couples gathered for Mass at Saint Joseph Chapel, celebrated by Bishop Larry J. Kulick.  Father Daniel E. Carr, Director of Ministry Formation and Pastor at Saint Regis Parish in Trafford, delivered the homily.

During his homily, Father Carr remembered a story of an example of  authentic love and how those in the Sacrament of Matrimony are to cherish  joy over difficulties.

Father Carr remembered when he was in seminary and was home visiting his grandparents.  He knew his grandmother was not well.  During Father Carr’s visit, his grandfather shared  the struggles that he faced as the caretaker of Father Carr’s  grandmother.

“And then something changed in his eyes, and he smiled, and he said, ‘boy, is she worth it’,”  Father Carr said.  “What I saw in his eyes was amid suffering there was the joy of authentic love that comes after years and years of life spent together,” Father Carr remembered.  

After Bishop Kulick blessed all of the couples in attendance, a candlelight presentation of flowers was made before the statues of the Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph.  Following the Mass, couples were invited to gather for fellowship and for a champagne toast and cookies.