The recent Celebration of Marriage Mass and Luncheon, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family Life, was filled with love and shared memories. Sixty-one couples celebrated 25, 40, 50, and over 50 years of married love with Bishop Scott Bullock and their families.

The Terra Sancta Retreat Center provided a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and its team served a delicious luncheon for 160 attendees. It was a joy to see so many families gathered, sharing stories of decades of married love.

It was particularly inspiring to see couples who have celebrated truly remarkable milestones, with some marking over 60 years of marriage! The longest-married couple, Robert and Marjore Church from Blessed Sacrament shared an astounding 73 years together this year!

The celebration featured various door prizes donated by sponsors, including Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation, Real Presence Radio, and the Elks Theatre. A couple from Spearfish won the award for the most descendants. During a tense moment, two families tied with 39 descendants each! However, Don and Phyllis Sargent received the prize after realizing they had 40 descendants, including their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Congratulations to all couples who celebrated with us! If you were not able to make the celebration but are celebrating 50 years this year (married in 1975!), please send us your photo to be featured in next month’s West River Catholic!