JACKSON – The Diocese of Jackson celebrated the anniversaries of married couples from around the diocese with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. According to World Marriage Day history, the idea of celebrating marriage began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1981, when couples encouraged the Mayor, the Governor and the Bishop to proclaim St. Valentine’s Day as “We Believe in Marriage Day.” The event was so successful, the idea was presented to and was adopted by Worldwide Marriage Encounter’s National Leadership.
By 1982, 43 Governors officially proclaimed the day, and celebrations spread to U.S. military bases in several foreign countries. In 1983, the name was changed to “World Marriage Day,” designated to be celebrated each year in February. In 1993, St. Pope John Paul II imparted his Apostolic blessings on World Marriage Day. World Marriage Day celebrations continue to grow and spread to more countries and faith expressions every year.
To honor couples in 2023, the Office of Family Ministry on behalf of the Diocese of Jackson asked parishes to submit the names of couples celebrating their 60th, 50th, 25th or any significant anniversary. This year, 36 couples from throughout the diocese submitted their names in celebration of their anniversaries.
At the World Marriage Day celebration at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, couples received an anniversary certificate blessed and signed by Bishop Kopacz.
Please join us in celebrating the anniversaries of the following couples:
71 Years
Al & Bea Katool
St. Richard, Jackson
62 Years
Henry & Corinne Anderson
Holy Family, Jackson
60 Years
James & Gloria Culver
St. Paul, Flowood
Jody & Judy Hill
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
John & Mary Kraft
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Jimmy & Mary Frances Lang
St. Joseph, Greenville
John & Luise Lauzon
Holy Spirit, Hernando
Millard & Mary Lynn Powers
St. Joseph, Greenville
53 Years
Gary & Marie McCall
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
50 Years
Ron & Jo Ann Brumfield
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
Dennis & Gina Conner
St. Patrick, Meridian
Dr. James & Naomi Cook
St. Paul, Vicksburg
Joseph & Nancy Harben
Immaculate Conception, Raymond
Ed and Corley Marsalis
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
James & Kathy Mathews
St. Paul, Flowood
James & Roxanne McIngvale
Holy Spirit, Hernando
Manny & Melanie Mitchell
St. Patrick, Meridian
Jerry & Linda Perez
Sacred Heart, Canton
Ken & Carolyn Pribyla
St. Francis of Assisi, Madison
Leslie & Sharon Southwick
St. Richard, Jackson
John & Cathy Stone
St. Patrick, Meridian
44 Years
Ned & Debbye Garner
Christ the King, Jackson
31 Years
Dan & Rosa Buzzarde
St. Peter, Grenada
30 Years
Tommy & Traci Avalon
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
27 Years
Pete & Janys Canizaro
St. Paul, Flowood
26 Years
Aracely & Reynaldo Acosta
St. James, Tupelo
Leonel & Cristina Blanco
St. James, Tupelo
Mario & Conny Villasenor
St. Therese, Jackson
25 Years
Eddie & Renee Borne
St. Paul, Flowood
Lawrence & Patti Greene
St. Joseph, Gluckstadt
Denzil & Gina Lobo
Christ the King, Jackson
James & Katrina Maier
St. Mary Basilica, Natchez
Burkie & Debora McGee
St. Jude, Pearl
Sean & Heidi Summers
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
Ron & Laura Tarbutton
Cathedral of St. Peter, Jackson
21 Years
Lee & Ashley McCall
Holy Cross, Philadelphia
