On November 20, Saint Benedict will be hosting a Milestone Wedding Anniversary Celebration at the 4pm Saturday Mass. Some of the couples celebrating their anniversaries (20 years, 25 years, etc.) have shared some stories from their marriages so that we can partake in the celebration of their milestones.

Can you tell me a little bit about how you two met?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: They met in 1983, while working at Historic Properties. "One day I asked Rosemary to go to my Dal Grad formal," John says. "We were having lunch and my mouth was still frozen post-dentist visit, where she agreed (possibility out of pity) to go.”
BEV & GORDON: "We met in 1969 on a double-date. Our first kiss was at the Drive- In in Lower Sackville."
GERRI & BARRY: Met in high school in Toronto in 1954. “We were both 16 years old.” They ‘went steady’ for 5 years.
ANN & MERLIN: Started dating after they attended prom together. Shortly after, Merlin began working with the Canadian Weather Service, where he was posted to the high Arctic. They dated long-distance for seven years before getting married.
BEV & DARRELL: Darrell would visit Yarmouth occasionally and a friend of his would use a high school yearbook to choose a date for Darrell. Bev was ‘just another’ one of those dates, except she had the distinction of being the last of those dates.

When and where were you married?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: “We were married September 6th, 1986, at the former St. Lawrence Church, one of the founding parishes of Saint Benedict.”
BEV & GORDON: “We exchanged our vows March 6, 1971, at Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica, one day before Lent started.” GERRI & BARRY: “We were married January 28, 1961 at St. Helen’s Catholic Church in Toronto. Gerri went to St. Helen’s Separate Catholic School and lived on St. Helen’s Street.”
ANN & MERLIN: Married at St. Alexis Church in Rollo Bay, PEI, on September 30, 1961.
BEV & DARRELL: Originally married July 23, 1966.

Do you have a favorite moment that stands out from your wedding day?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: The best part of the day was the Mass. John had recently become Catholic through RCIA, which made receiving the Eucharist possible for both Rosemary and John.
BEV & GORDON: “It all went by quickly. We had a one-night honeymoon, went to Sunday Mass in the morning, and went to work on Monday.”
GERRI & BARRY: “Having Barry’s grandfather and parents in our wedding party. They were ALSO married on January 28 years before. The holy water was frozen in the fonts!”
ANN & MERLIN: “Six unexpected friends and relatives from New Hampshire and Toronto were at the church when we arrived the morning of our wedding.”

What role does faith play in your marriage?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: “Before Alpha, we were diligent in doing our duty to the church, but not really engaged in our faith. Alpha and the Holy Spirit changed that forever. In our journey since, we encountered the Marriage Course, which taught us to bring God into our relationship as a couple. God keeps us balanced and true to each other.”
BEV & GORDON: “Our marriage blossomed by sharing in the Christopher Leadership course Cursillo. Alpha and Life Groups are very important to us, and together we have served in many ministries at our parishes. A few years ago, we took the Marriage Course, that was terrific!”
ANN & MERLIN: “A strong prayer life has always been the foundation of our marriage. Praying together strengthens the marriage bond and releases grace from the source of living water. We tried to make our home a domestic church by praying the Rosary daily.”
BEV & DARRELL: “After we were married, we stopped attending church altogether for six years.” Bev felt a call to return to the Catholic Church, and Darrell decided to attend so he could be a good role model for their daughter. However, after Saint Benedict Parish was established, there was a shift in their faith, and Darrell became to Catholic in 2012.

Do you have any anniversary traditions?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: “We make a point of taking a weekend by ourselves every year. When we remember, we have ‘bubbly’ in the same two champagne glasses we originally used to ‘toast’ our marriage that first day.” BEV & GORDON: Their anniversaries are celebrated with weekends away and dinners at restaurants, as well as always attending Mass in thanksgiving.
GERRI & BARRY: “We celebrate with our sister and brother-in-law, who were also married on January 28.”
ANN & MERLIN: “On our anniversary this year we went to Mass, spent an hour in the Adoration Chapel, ordered Chinese food, and said the Rosary after supper.”

Milestone anniversaries are a big achievement. Any insight on what it takes to make a marriage last?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: “We always choose us. We work at our relationship every day, just like our faith, because not working at it lets stuff get between us. We feel very blessed to have had 35 years and four children together.”
BEV & GORDON: “Our marriage has thrived on compromise, patience, cooperation, communication, hugs and kisses for each other and our family, and saying ‘I love you’ every day. Respect is a must!”
ANN & MERLIN: “Marriage is not 50/50, it is giving 100% of yourself. It is putting your partner first always with respect and consideration.”
BEV & DARRELL: When Darrell joined the Catholic Church, he was given a framed version of Colossians 3:12. They both feel that this scripture is key to keeping a relationship flourishing for a very long time: “Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

After all these years, you must have learnt some ‘tricks of the trade’, any advice you would like to share?

ROSEMARY & JOHN: “If we argue, we work hard to never let it get personal... And we never go to sleep angry. We are intentional about us.”
BEV & GORDON: “Jesus said, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Along the highway of life, there are many bumps and potholes (some very deep ones), but prayer, faith, love, respect, and good works help smooth that road along the way.”
GERRI & BARRY: “After 60 years experience: love, respect, patience, forgiveness and, again, love!”
ANN & MERLIN: “Keep the lines of communication open. Learn to express your wants, needs and desires in a loving manner. Listening without judging is an important skill. Be kind to each other. Talk to each other. Recognize that each person is different.”
BEV & DARRELL: “Remember to follow St. Peter's advice from 1 Peter 4:8: ‘Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.’”

Congratulations to all the couples celebrating their anniversaries! As a parish, we will keep you in our prayers, and thank you for being an example of God’s love to one another.