A Mass for Marriage Jubilarians was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Oct. 16.
“Married love, as Jesus teaches, is a sign of the love he has for his bride, the church,” said Bishop Burbidge. “And so, every time we look at a married couple we should be able to say, ‘Do you see how they love one another?’ Well, that’s the way Christ loves us. That’s why the church teaches that married love, like the Lord’s, must be faithful and fruitful and forever. “Dear Jubilarians, you are that sign. And so when we look at you, we actually see the love of God.”
Nearly 200 couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage attended, representing a total of 7,575 years of marriage. The first Mass for marriage jubilarians was celebrated by Bishop Thomas J. Welsh in 1978 and honored 53 couples.
In attendance were golden jubilarians Joseph and Geraldine Beres, the parents of Father Kevin J. Beres, pastor of St. Peter Church in Washington. Deacon Tim Slaytor of Sacred Heart Church in Manassas and his wife, Stephanie, celebrated 25 years, and his parents, Michael and Jane Slaytor, celebrated 50 years. Deacon Paul and Stephanie Konold of St. Theresa Church in Ashburn celebrated 50 years.
“You have to keep working at (marriage), you still have to grow as individuals,” said Ronald Chanderbhan, who is a parishioner of the cathedral along with his wife, Jean, in a diocesan video. The couple celebrated 50 years. “No life is without problems, learn how to solve them. Every problem has a solution.”
