Francis Cholar and Bascelicia Thora Boisson were married on February 5, 1956 – more than four years after they had met while teaching at Paramin RC School. Praise God that they were able to celebrate their golden anniversary this year.

Their special day began with Holy Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Paramin attended by their children, 16 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and very close friends -- some of whom came from abroad especially for the occasion, including the chief celebrant, Fr Ronald Yee Mon, who flew in from Louisiana .

There's a saying that a house full of children is a house full of love, food and laughter. Francis and Thora had nine children (four boys and five girls). But even before having children of their own, they informally adopted their nephew within the first year of their marriage.

Fr Ronald Yee Mon and Francis and Thora Boisson

Francis provided for his family on a teacher's salary. He stayed in that noble profession for 42 years, the majority of which were spent at Paramin RC and then as principal of San Souci RC.

He was at Maraval Boys' RC when he retired in 1986, by which time his had become a household name in the Paramin/Maraval community.

Thora resigned from her job as a teacher and became a housewife and mother -- and a bit of an economist. She kept a kitchen garden, reared poultry and was a seamstress to friends and relatives. As her children grew older, she got involved in community work and is currently the public relations officer of the St Vincent de Paul Paramin Conference.

Francis and Thora, by their fine example, taught us (their children) how to economise and give generously to their community.

Our parents taught us to have faith and trust in the Lord. Even in times of despair they always kept their belief and often said, “the Lord knows best”. They had to endure the loss of two of their sons - Victor, as an infant in 1963, and Damian John, as an adult in 2001.

Exactly one month before their golden anniversary, they experienced another great loss, this time of their grandson Jamel, who they had raised like a son.

Not only did they renew their matrimonial vows at the Mass, they also received a Papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI, which was read to them by the parish priest, Fr Alan Mohammed OP, and presented to them by Fr Ron Yee Mon.

They were also presented with gifts from the parish community, as well as with a beautiful commemorative plaque from the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

We ask God to continue to bless our parents, Francis and Thora, and wish them many more years together in good health and happiness.