Brothers James and Liam Tomlinson both came to the Marriage Mass to celebrate big milestones with their wives. Pictured: Liam and Mary Tomlinson (celebrating 60 years), Bishop Timothy Menezes, Barbara and James Tomlinson (celebrating 65 years)

On Saturday, 3rd May at 12:00 noon, St. Chad’s Cathedral filled with heartfelt joy and reflection during the annual Mass for Marriage. The Mass, an annual event in the Archdiocese, celebrated both enduring unions and new beginnings, drawing couples from across the Archdiocese to honour their lifelong bond and to express their commitments before God.

This year’s Mass was celebrated by Bishop Timothy Menezes, whose homily reflected on the transformative journey of married life. He opened by noting that the familiar refrain, “You’ve changed,” isn’t meant as a critique but as a recognition of the evolution couples experience over time—from their hopeful wedding day to the enduring commitment that deepens with every anniversary.

Bishop Tim encouraged those celebrating their milestones to recall how God’s goodness has accompanied and enriched every stage of their relationships. Much like the disciples who experienced unexpected twists, couples learn to navigate life’s challenges with faith and resilience.

Read full homily

The commemorative booklet listed 50 couples celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2025, alongside three couples preparing to be joined in holy matrimony later this year and one couple who recently celebrated their union.

Couples renewed their commitments, saying together:
Blessed are you, Lord,
for in the good and the bad times of our life you have stood lovingly by our side. 
Help us, we pray, to remain faithful in our love for one another, 
so that we may be true witnesses to the covenant you have made with humankind. 

Bishop Timothy Menezes' Homily: Marriage Mass

“You’ve changed!” 
“You’ve changed!”

I wonder whether you recognise these words to be spoken by people within a marriage.
Or maybe words spoken by Jesus to his apostles?
Or words in the minds of the apostles when they meet the Risen Jesus?

In celebrating this Mass of Thanksgiving for Marriage, the accumulation of years of commitment and dedication, and the blessings that have flowed through the lives of of each couple, it is fair to suggest that in every case: you’ve changed.
So, not quite the phrase ‘You’ve changed’ as a criticism, but as a statement of fact.

On your wedding day, you looked to the future, trusting in the goodness of God, wherever that might lead.
On a significant anniversary of marriage, is it understandable to reflect on that goodness of God which has not only accompanied you through the years, but who blessed you on your wedding day and has blessed you with his faithfulness every day of your married life.

At such moments, you recall the wedding day itself, and those who were significant on that day and, in a particular way, those who have been part of your journey and who are now with God. We remember them in a special way at this Mass.

And there is a richness about this celebration because it spans those who are preparing for marriage this year, and those who have been married recently, and those who have been married for as many as 65 years.

And I would love to introduce a couple preparing for marriage, to a couple who have lived married life for 65 years.
I wonder whether the couple soon to be married would consider 65 years of marriage as incredible or unthinkable.
And I wonder what advice the couple married for 65 years would give to those about to get married. Hopefully not: Don’t do it! But real words of reassurance and hope, and an acknowledgement that this partnership can withstand every bump in the road and every storm.

For so many people here today, you rejoice in the blessings of children and grandchildren; of friends you knew before you got married and of friends that you have made along the way.

Wedding anniversaries are a moment of thanksgiving for what you have achieved together and with the support of others. In almost every case, I am sure, you reflect on what might be called Plan B: not always life as you thought it would turn out, but the marriage that God has given you. We might think of this as the unexpected blessings of married life, trusting in God, seeking his will for your life and, to employ the theme of this Jubilee Year in the Church, being Pilgrims of Hope.

In my priestly ministry, I have always considered it a great privilege to help prepare couples for marriage. I have really enjoyed those encounters and conversations. One couple even sent me a postcard from their honeymoon!

But I can tell you, that the support given to couples before marriage, and the organisations who support couples during married life are so important. And it is something that no married person ever feels equipped to do, for fear of setting themselves us as a model of married life.

May I appeal to you today to take an interest in the organisations that support engaged couples and who provide marriage preparation and ongoing support for marriage. Seek their support yourselves or consider giving something back by way of your time or simply sharing your experience of married life, which will always be of benefit to others.

I don’t want to bring the mood of the day down by saying that you will all know of the sadness of the breakdown of marriage: sometimes in your own families and among your friends. I mention that simply to appreciate the grace of God which has sustained you and which is never taken for granted.

We celebrate today the Feast of Ss Philip & James, Apostles of Jesus. 

Just as the vocation to marriage and the vocation to priesthood can complement each other and, in supporting marriage and family life, we also nurture the possible vocations of the future, especially much needed vocations to the priesthood - yes, from families like yours - we also find helpful comparisons between married life which is both an adventure and a rollercoaster, and the life of the Apostles of Jesus: taken away from their chosen trade and built a life and companionship of trust with this prophetic preacher; and then his Passion and Death, the joy of his Resurrection and then the bewilderment at his Ascension. The Apostles certainly know what it is to experience the highs and lows, the unexpected twists and turns and ultimately the fulfilment of following Christ and keeping him close.

As during these early days of Eastertide, our eyes are opened to the presence of the Risen Jesus, bringing light out of darkness and hope out of despair, may your married life - at whatever stage - call you anew each day to accept the Belovedness of God for you, and as the Risen Christ points the way for us to see the Father, may you find fulfilment each day, and over many years, in your principal purpose: to lead each other to Heaven.

Photo Gallery Marriage Mass 2025