Over 70 Long Island Couples To Be Honored At Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Over 70 Long Island Couples To Be Honored At Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass


ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, May 20, 2005- The Most Reverend William Murphy, Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, will be the principal celebrant of a Mass honoring 77 couples who will celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 at St Lawrence The Martyr Church, Sayville. Sponsored by the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Office of Laity and Family, the Mass will honor couples who are celebrating 50 years of married life, as well as those who have been married for over 50 years but have not participated in this event. Each couple will renew their wedding vows during the Mass and will receive a certificate marking the occasion. “The vows these couples spoke before the Lord on that special day, faithfully lived for so many years, gives all of us hope in the reality of unconditional and everlasting love,” said Bishop William F. Murphy. “This occasion is also looked upon by other married couples, young and old, as a shining example of what God intends the sacrament of marriage to be.” “The golden wedding anniversary celebration is a wonderful way to honor couples who have been through the trials and tribulations of life,” said Sister Lauren Hanley, CSJ, director, Office of Laity and Family. About the Golden Wedding Celebration Throughout the year, couples married 50 years or more - who have not already been honored by the Bishop - are invited to receive a special blessing and certificate from one of the Bishops of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, following a Mass at various churches in Nassau and Suffolk County. To register, contact your parish. # # # About The Diocese of Rockville Centre The Diocese of Rockville Centre was formed in 1957 and covers 1,222 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3.3 million). There are 134 parishes in 115 towns. Last year over 20,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 20,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,137 students in Catholic kindergarten, 23,825 in primary or elementary school, 12,628 in secondary school and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 76 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese. Catholic Health Services of Long Island consists of five hospitals, three nursing homes, two home-care agencies, two senior housing complexes, a community-based home for those with special needs and a hospice. Last year, Catholic Charities assisted more than 80,000 individuals who are poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged on Long Island. For more information, visit www.drvc.org For more information: Sean P. Dolan sdolan@drvc.org 516-678-5800, ext. 625

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