Gathering with their family on Boxing Day 2016, Bob and Mary Garrett celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with a special Mass presided over by the recently retired Fr Peter Rees at West Wallsend Church. Fr Peter gave a wonderful sermon and reflected on the love that Bob and Mary have for one another and how they have persevered in a world which doesn’t love itself enough.
So much pressure is placed on relationships and marriage and it is wonderful to see and be a product of the example set by Bob and Mary. As Father Peter said, “The strongest unit in society is the family” and what a family they have created. There are 13 children, 29 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren, all of whom understand what it is to love and respect others, thanks to the lessons, values and standards that Bob and Mary imparted to their own children.
The importance of family is reaffirmed by our Pope through his namesake, St Francis of Assisi. “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words.” As Father Peter eloquently rephrased, “Who we are preaches the Gospel” and that is so true of Bob and Mary.
Happy Anniversary, Nan and Grandad.
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