PORTLAND and AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine — Several Maine parishes are planning events in commemoration of World Marriage Day, which is Sunday, Feb. 10.
World Marriage Day began in 1981 and is always held on the second Sunday of February. In 1993, Pope Saint John Paul II imparted his apostolic blessing on the day, which is a celebration of Christian marriage that honors husband and wife as the foundation of the family. It also salutes the faithfulness, sacrifice and joy that are part of daily living for husbands and wives and their generous love that gives rise to new life.
Bishop Robert P. Deeley will celebrate a World Marriage Day Mass in Augusta, and several Aroostook County parishes are planning their own celebrations.
“Marriage is a vocation. The family, husband and father, mother and wife, and their children, the fruit of their love, is the domestic Church,” said Bishop Deeley. “It is the first place in which children learn of love and come to know that God is love. Christian marriage is a gift to be cherished and nurtured and is the heart of our communities. Living out that vocation is, all by itself, a way of showing forth the Gospel of Jesus.”
In Presque Isle, the Parish of the Precious Blood (based in Caribou) invites couples to a World Marriage Day dinner on Friday, Feb. 8, at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center. A 5:30 p.m. social hour will be followed by a buffet dinner at 6 p.m. To reserve tickets, call (207) 498-2536 or (207) 768-3671.
St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent invites married couples to the fourth annual “Married Couples’ Night Out” on Friday, February 8. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m. and entertainment featuring Maine humorist Gary Crocker. The event will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall on 372 Frenchville Road in Fort Kent. Tickets are $55 per couple (you may also reserve a table of 8 for $200). To reserve tickets, call (207) 834-5656.
In Houlton, the Knights of Columbus Council 1873 will hold their annual Celebration of Marriage Dinner on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. in St. Anthony’s Hall on 112 Military Street in Houlton. The cost is $20 per person. Reservations are required; registration sheets are at the back of St. Mary of the Visitation Church. Babysitting will be provided in the parish center with pizza, drinks and a movie. For more information, call Paul Klein at (207) 521-1874.
St. Benedict Church in Benedicta will host its annual Valentine Dinner on World Marriage Day (Sunday, February 10) at the church, 1063 Benedicta Road. Couples and singles welcome. Appetizers will be served at 4 p.m., with dinner to follow at 5 p.m. In advance, tickets are $15 per couple and $8 per person. At the door, admission is $20 per couple and $10 per person. For advance tickets, call (207) 365-4294 or (207) 365-4254.
And in Frenchville, the Christian Life Center will host a “Couples Night Out” for married couples on Friday, Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening will include a dinner, a special blessing and prayer, and a movie and popcorn. The cost is $50 per couple. To attend, call (207) 728-7531 to register.
The Diocese of Portland’s website features a special section dedicated to World Marriage Day. To view the section, which includes a variety of resources, visit www.portlanddiocese.org/world-marriage-day.
