"marriage is not a penance"

Today during Mass, all the married couples were invited to go into the center aisle and renew their vows of commitment to each other. It was brief but very nice.

Some children carried heart-shaped signs with words and phrases important to remember in maintaining good relationships.  Nancy, who's very artistic, was in charge of this part of it.

a wedding "cake"

There was a "bride", dressed in a real, miniature wedding gown, complete with veil. And she had a  "groom", of course.

You may wonder why this wasn't celebrated next Sunday,  St. Valentine's Day.  Well, Father said that we needed to do it before Lent begins (this Wednesday), because, he said, "marriage is not a penance".  That drew a laugh.