Registration of Couples in the Communities of La Brea, Sobo and Vance River Communities commenced two weeks before the actual Feast Day at all Masses and continued on the day itself and is an ongoing process. A data base of all couples in the Parish is being prepared so that contact can be maintained and each couple can be contacted on the anniversary of their marriage. The community will be asked to pray for them on these special occasions in general and at all masses in the parish.
 Members of both choirs, youth ministry, the hospitality committee, parish council and others from the three communities gathered at the Sacred Heart Church to participate in the celebration of the Feast of Anne and Joachim which will be remembered by couples and other attendees as a beautiful, spirit filled, rewarding, inspiring and successful occasion.
The high point of the celebration, the Holy Mass with the Parish Priest Fr. Dwight Merrick saw couples doing the Mass Readings, special prepared Prayers of the Faithful, Presentation of the Gifts. Father Merrick delivered a very challenging, practical and inspiring Homily. Couples were urged to take time to understand the differences in each other in terms of gender, attributes and needs and to respect each other at all times.
The Renewal of Marriage Vows, always a special moment at this celebration, was done after a moment of silence after receiving Holy Communion. A moment of nostalgia was added to the ceremony when members of the Youth Ministry asked all couples to stand. Husbands were given a White Rose (synthetic/plastic to last as against live) symbolizing purity, innocence, new beginnings, peace, respect and loyalty and wives were given a Prayer Card, a reminder of the significance of the Husband as the Spiritual Head of the home. Couples were instructed to exchange the items in what can be described as a tender, intimate moment for the couple. Couples were encouraged to keep the rose and prayer card in a prominent area at home as a reminder of their commitment to each other.
The celebration continued after Mass as members of the congregation were treated with cake and ice cream courtesy the Parish Council and facilitated by the Hospitality Committee of the Parish ably assisted by the Youth Ministry. Couples moved to the Presbytery for toasting and reminiscing. A countdown of Couples’ years of marriage from youngest (started at 17) to eldest (52 years) was interrupted with a toast and special sharing by many couples in each group as to their formal preparation or non – preparation (especially older couples where none existed) and also their experiences and encouragement to all present. This exercise was truly a very touching, encouraging and rewarding experience to all. Couples expressed their satisfaction and appreciation with the proceedings and their expectations for future programs. The Family Life Group’s coordinator thanked the couples and all others for making this year’s celebration a memorable one and vowed to maintain contact and to ensure that other events will be communicated in short order.
The Family Life Committee wishes to thank the Parish Priest Fr. Dwight Merrick, the Parish Council, Hospitality Committee, Youth Ministry, Choirs, members of the Sacred Heart La Brea, Sobo and St. Joseph Vance River Communities and most importantly the Couples for making the Feast of Anne and Joachim 2025 a very a special, memorable and historic occasion.