LAKE CHARLES – The Most Reverend Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, honored 51 couples marking marriage milestones during 2009 at a Liturgy on Sunday, June 7, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The annual event is sponsored by the Office of Family Life of the Diocese.
Bishop Provost spoke to the couples about Jesus’ instruction on how to pray. “Jesus said we must begin prayer with addressing God as “Father”, the Bishop said. “Jesus was trying to tell us that God was a Father to us. The word in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, is “Abba”, a word that literally means “Daddy.” Our relationship to Him is intimate and childlike, one of total dependence on God. As parents watch for the day when their child speaks its first word, God waits for us to call him ‘Abba’”.
A reception was held for the couples and their families and friends in Ave Maria Hall of the Cathedral Office Building. The Bishop greeted each couple and presented them a special certificate honoring their lifelong commitment to Christian marriage.
Four of the couples celebrate 65 years of Christian marriage this year. They are Nelson and Verna Anne Bourgeois, Cherris and Mary Lois Dupree, Mr. and Mrs. Harold E. Rhodriguez, and Joseph Ray and Vina Richard.
Marking their 60th wedding anniversary are Bobby and Jean Fortenberry, while Rick and Barbara Arnold celebrate their 55th year of marriage.
Golden Jubilee couples are George and Louella Andrews, Bennett and Patricia Augustine, Clifton and Evelyn Avery, Robert and Rosalie Babineaux, George and Ruth Bouquet, Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Ray Breaux, Ronald and Dolores Cart, Olin D. and Ruth A. Chester, Richard and Linda Dahlen, Mr. and Mrs. Hilary Daigle, Mr. and Mrs. Claude M Duplechian, LeRoy and Mary Fontenot, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert J Gaillard, Norris and Joyce Gobert, Sedrick and Judith Gregory, and Hilbert and Mary Guillory.
Also, Joseph and Marlene Guillory, Dale and Sandra Hotard, Mr. and Mrs. Willis Hunsicker, Levander and Elizabeth Hursey, Harold and Maureen Jacobson, Walter and Julia Joubert Jr., Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy LaPoint, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Laurent, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Legnion, James and Barbara LeGros, Leonard and Ruby Malone, Charles and Jessie Petee, Alvin A. and Wanda B. Richard, Leroy and Carolyn Slack, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Stratton, and Donald and Arlene Waguespack.
Couples celebrating their 25th anniversary of Christian marriage were Douglas and Michelle Casteel, Mr. and Mrs. James deLaunay, James Ray and Maurine Granger, Dr. Hardin J and Hemrietta Guidry, Keith and Monica Guidry, Kevin and Lisa Lambert, Ronald and Jennifer Legnion, Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Mueller, Garland and Marie Prejean Jr., Phillip and Stephanie Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J Singer, John and Barbara Small, and Jon and Alyson Yokubaitis.