Marriage & Family Life: Wisdom Passed On

July 18, 2017

A couple weekends ago, my wife, Kara, and I visited Minnesota for her grandparent’s 65th wedding anniversary.

Kara’s parents hosted a party for the family and the day was filled with photo albums, grandkids and great-grandkids, and even live polka music!

Sixty five years is quite the accomplishment, and it was powerful to see the house absolutely overflowing with family, all the fruit of a love born in 1952.

As a relatively newly married man, I’m always thankful to see and learn from couples who are further along the path. In all the important areas of our lives, we seek out mentors who can encourage us, challenge us and give us advice as we face the unknown.

We do this in work, in sports and in our hobbies. And especially in today’s world, when marriage is often misunderstood and undervalued, I think it’s important to seek out those pillars of family life. To hear about their struggles, to learn the secrets of their success, and to ask for advice when we need it.

If you’re reading this and you are further along, help us youngsters out! I worry that at times a false sense of privacy keeps us from building authentic community. I know I’m speaking for my generation when I say we long for guidance and wisdom, and help along the way.

That’s why I always look forward to our diocesan anniversary celebrations, when we gather as a diocese to honor those couples who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. These Masses are open to everyone in the diocese, and they are a powerful way to build the relationships that are central to family life.

This year our two anniversary Masses are Sunday, Aug. 20 at St. Augustin Parish in Des Moines during the 10 a.m. Mass, and Sunday, Sept. 3 at St. Mary Parish in Guthrie Center during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. I encourage all our families to join us, but especially if you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary (5-year increments and 50+) RSVP with me at astorey@dmdiocese.org or at 515-237-5056 to receive reserved seating and a special anniversary blessing!