Married couples who took part in a special Marriage Blessing Mass at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary said it was a meaningful and memorable event for them.
“It was a wonderful evening, reliving the wedding day,” said Mr Stephen Chye Tong, who has been married to his wife, Frances, for 21 years.
He said the renewal of marriage vows during the July 6 Mass, which was part of the church’s 160th anniversary celebrations, “brought back important and romantic memories”.
The couple was one of about 170 couples who took part in the celebration together with family members.
Two giant wedding rings were suspended over the church’s entrance as 22 couples, most of whom became Catholics only after they got married, walked down the aisle at the start of Mass.
The Mass, celebrated by Fr Henry Siew and Fr Peter Paul, saw the couples renewing their marriage vows. Towards the end of Mass, several young people shared how their parents have played positive and loving roles in their lives.
The longest married couple that evening was Thomas and Rosa Soh who have been married for 53 years.
“This was cause for celebration for everyone,” said Mr Soh. “I was born in Khang Khar village [an area in Hougang] and have been Nativity’s parishioner for many years.”
Ms Endora Teresa Teo, who has been married to Mr Mark Daniel Alexander for 10 years, said: “It was certainly a privilege for us to be selected to walk down the aisle at the entrance procession … for all to witness the love of our Lord.”
She share that their seven-year-old son and both mothers-in-law joined them for the celebration.
The Marriage Blessing Mass was just one of several activities organised to mark the church’s milestone anniversary.
The parish released gold-plated souvenir coins earlier this year and also held a walkathon and golf tournament. A commemorative book is also being planned.
