This year’s Thanksgiving Mass for Marriage will be celebrated virtually from St Chad’s Cathedral on Sunday (1 Nov).

Although the celebration cannot accommodate large numbers due to the pandemic, over 100 couples from across the Archdiocese are set to join online.

The 12noon Mass will be celebrated by Bishop David Evans for all married couples - especially those celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2020.

Many have contributed photographs from their wedding day, which can be seen in a commemorative video below.

Lianne Pap, Diocesan Marriage and Family Life Co-ordinator, has organised the event. Her own parents, John and Margaret Burnip, featured in the above photo, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The video features couples celebrating anniversaries of five years right through to 60.

Huge congratulations to Peter and Evelyn Billson, parishioners at Our Lady and St Brigid, Northfield; Jim and Barbara Tomlinson, parishioners at Olton Friary, Solihull; and Jack and Beryl Warburton, parishioners at St Mary of the Angels in Aldridge. These three couples are all celebrating 60 years (Diamond) of marriage.

The video ends with a photograph of Mr and Mrs-to-be Salvatore Ippedico and Lucia Dicuonzo, whose wedding has been postponed this year.

The couple, parishioners at St George and St Teresa in Dorridge, will now get married next year.

The longest married couple to contact Lianne were William and Margaret Henson, married 73 years.

During Sunday’s Mass there will be the Renewal of Commitment for couples to say at home.

Our warmest congratulations to all who are celebrating milestone marriages this year.