September 30, 2011
Golden Jubilee Celebration is Oct. 2 at Good Shepherd
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
Bishop Charles C. Thompson will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Golden Jubilee Celebration on Oct. 2 at Good Shepherd Church in Evansville.
The annual celebration includes Mass at 1 p.m. CDT and a reception for all couples in the Diocese of Evansville who have been married 50 years or more.
“We are expecting approximately 900 people at the Mass, with nearly 350 couples along with their family and friends,” said Emily Snipes, coordinator of Family Life Services at Catholic Charities. This includes 60 couples who are celebrating their golden wedding anniversaries in 2011.
This will be the first time that George and Rose Mary Kaiser of Vincennes will be guests. They were married Nov. 18, 1961, and are parishioners at St. John the Baptist Church in Vincennes.
Rose Mary Kaiser said they are “very much” looking forward to attending.
Father Gary Kaiser, pastor at Precious Blood Church, Jasper, is their son. He said, “I am delighted this year to join in the celebration. Sure, it is special for me since Mom and Dad will be attending and recognizing their 50 years of marriage.
“In today’s world the Sacrament of Marriage doesn’t get the respect it deserves. We are so blessed that our diocese honors those who achieve this great milestone.
“When we offer blessings for those celebrating an anniversary at the parish level the event unites and brings families together. Marriages should lift up and support the family.
“We all know that there are many challenges and temptations in the world. Achieving 50 years of marriage takes effort from both the husband and wife while the presence of God is recognized as a part of their union.”
He said that “one of my home bound parishioners said it is a lot of work,” telling him, “I hope you tell the young people it is not fifty-fifty. Often it is 0/100 but other times you get 100 and the spouse is serving or loving you.”
Father Kaiser added, “I am always amazed at the wisdom that comes from the older generation. Their perspective on life is so insightful. We can learn so much from all these women and men from our diocese who have loved, worked, served and were married for 50 or more years.
“I am so thankful we are bringing people from across the diocese who celebrate 50 plus years and we honor them while honoring the Sacrament of Marriage. God bless all married couples and may they have the grace to share many years together.”
Snipes said, “The Golden Jubilee is a beautiful Mass that not only highlights those celebrating 50 plus years of marriage, but honors those who have took and upheld vows to both each other and Christ.
“Each of us is called to a vocation and life with Christ. For these married couples, they are living out sacrificial love through the sacrament of marriage. Their love influences everyone they come into contact with and strengthens our society. We are blessed to have such witnesses of Christ’s love in our diocese.”