Seeing so many married couples together renewing their love and dedication to each other and to their vocation of marriage was like a little glimpse of heaven.

That was our reaction after attending the celebration of the feast of Sts. Anne & Joachim at the Santa Rosa Church, Arima on July 26.

Married couples from all over Arima and environs gathered at 7.00 p.m. for the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by parish priest Msgr Christian Pereira.

This year’s celebration was packed with couples of all ages from the newly married to those who were married for 60–plus years.  It was wonderful to see.

At  the  appropriate  time  during the Mass, couples were asked  to  face  their  spouse, hold hands and look into each others’ eyes, while marriage  vows  were  renewed.

Msgr Pereira presents a certificate of appreciation to Franklyn and Vicki Pollidore

The lucky couple who drew the winning number cuts the cake

Vicki and I were one of five couples presented with Certificates of Appreciation during the Mass for work done in our local communities.

The others were Kurt and Merlene Wellington, Vincent and Roslyn Martinez, Lionel and Illtida Nicholas and Sheldon and Karen Oudan.

After  the  celebration  of  Mass  there  was  a  reception in the festively decorated “El Patio de Santa Rosa”,  hosted by the parish priest. 

The reception was another high point in the celebrations.    There was cutting of the huge wedding cake by the couple who drew the winning number.

This was followed by a toast to the couples and dancing, yes dancing! And food too - what celebration will be complete without it.

To  Vicki  and  me  celebrating  marriage  in  this  way  reminds  us  of  the happiness and joy marriage was meant to be. We firmly believe that couples should embrace every opportunity to celebrate the uniqueness of their Sacrament and strive to live God’s plan for their marriage.

As members of Teams of Our Lady we believe that married love does not “just happen”; like any art, it is an ongoing process that a couple must work at because marriage is a pathway to love, happiness and holiness.

Saints Anne  and Joachim  provide  us  with  an  example  of  what  family life should be –  persons in communion with each other seeking the glory of God in their relationship of loving commitment and service.

We pray that through the intersession of Sts Anne and Joachim God will strengthen us in our vocation to love, happiness and holiness through our marriage.

Saints Anne and Joachim were the parents of the Blessed Virgin, Mary. Tradition teaches that Joachim and Anne, a devout married couple lived out their call to married life in simplicity, holiness and total fidelity to God and to each other.

They were especially chosen by God to be the parents of Mary Most Holy, and the grandparents of Jesus Christ our saviour.