ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK, November 4, 2004 – The Most Reverend John C. Dunne, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, will be the principal celebrant of a Mass honoring 67 couples from Suffolk County who will celebrate their golden wedding anniversaries.

Held November 7 at Christ the King church in Commack and sponsored by the Diocese of Rockville Centre’s Office of Laity and Family, the 3:00 p.m. 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 The Most Reverend William F. Murphy, S.T.D., L.H.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. “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
On four Sundays 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.

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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 1.5 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 3 million). There are 134 parishes in 119 towns. Last year over 21,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 21,000 first communions and 5,000 marriages took place in the diocese. There are 2,622 students in kindergarten, 26,738 in primary or elementary school, 11,979 in secondary school and 9,310 in higher institutions. There are 77 Catholic elementary schools, high schools and colleges/universities 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. These facilities served over 743,000 people last year. 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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