Patience and love
CHARLOTTE — Larry and Carolyn Keith of Charlotte have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at two different St. Patrick’s cathedrals this year – first in July in New York City and then on Sunday, when they joined couples from around the Diocese of Charlotte at St. Patrick Cathedral for the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass.
The Mass offered by Bishop Peter Jugis gave couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage a chance to renew their commitment to each other and receive a special blessing for the future of their marriages.
The event drew couples of all ages, many with children and others with family members and friends. Couples held hands and looked into each others’ eyes often during the Mass.
“We honor you for the witness of your love for each other and your faithfulness to the marriage covenant,” Bishop Jugis told couples during his homily. “The readings today are a reflection of the fact that men and women were created for one another, and that God was the author of marriage. It was part of His plan from the beginning. Whoever remains in love remains in God, and the love of men and women in marriage is the image of God’s love for all of us.”
The readings for the liturgy celebrated the unique nature of marriage. They included Genesis 2:18-24, which describes the creation of a woman as a partner for Adam and the verse, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” The second reading, from Corinthians, includes a description of the special nature of love and the famous verse “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
The Gospel from John told the story of Jesus attending the wedding feast at Cana, when Jesus — with His mother Mary and His disciples in attendance – turned water into wine so the celebration could continue.
Bishop Jugis said the celebration of milestone anniversaries is important because it honors the fact that the couples “have made a special place for the Lord in your married lives.”
“God is present in your marriages, working miracles of love and mercy, holiness and goodness,” he said.
After his homily, Bishop Jugis led the couples in a special Renewal of Commitment.
“Help us, we pray, to remain faithful in our love for one another, so that we may be true witnesses to the covenant You have made with humankind,” the couples prayed to God together.
After the Mass, the couples waited in line for a chance to have a photo made with the bishop and then attend a special reception. As they waited, many laughed and joked with other couples.
The Keiths, members of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte, experienced a special way to continue their celebration of 50 years together, their actual anniversary being July 28. The couple was originally married in Garden City, N.Y., and have four children and six grandchildren.
The key to their long and happy marriage?
“Patience, patience, patience,” Larry Keith said, his wife nodding in agreement. “And everything in that verse that was read at Mass today from 1 Corinthians is true. That Scripture was read at our marriage and is perfect advice if you can live it.”
“For a successful marriage, you need to be willing to bend with what the times bring you,” Carolyn Keith added.
Chris and Lynn Frank, members of Sacred Heart Parish in Salisbury, said the Mass was a great way to observe their 25th anniversary. Lynn Frank said the event was doubly special because both the second reading and the Gospel were the same ones featured at their wedding 25 years ago in Indiana. They now have four sons aged 14 to 22.
“This was a beautiful Mass,” Chris Frank said. “And a great way to reflect on our marriage.”
— Christina Lee Knaus. Photos by Troy Hull
