A couple smiles while renewing their wedding vows during the Sept. 20, 2026 Marriage Celebration Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Marriage: Something to celebrate
Diocese hosts couples marking milestone anniversaries
BY RACHEL HALL, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
On Sunday, Sept. 20, 68 couples gathered at St. Stephen Cathedral for the annual Marriage Celebration Mass with Bishop William F. Medley. Among them were John and Patsy Clayton of St. Stephen Cathedral, who were recognized as the longest-married couple in attendance this year, having been married for 69 years.
Bishop Medley noted in his homily that the couples present represented more than 3,000 cumulative years of marriage. He spoke of marriage as extravagant in its love and forgiveness, saying that through the accumulation of ordinary moments, lived in love and faithfulness, a couple can build something extraordinary.
The Mass was hosted by the Diocese of Owensboro’s Office of Marriage and Family Life, which provides a wide range of Catholic programs and initiatives to help marriages and families thrive throughout western Kentucky. These include marriage preparation, marriage and family enrichment, counseling services, natural family planning and fertility awareness instruction, along with the Clean Heart Initiative. Most recently, in collaboration with the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, the office began a podcast and article series titled “Building a Family of Faith,” offering practical guidance for families seeking to strengthen their spiritual lives together. (The debut article can be found on page 13 of this issue, and the podcast can be found on all podcast platforms.)
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, diocesan marriage and family life director, Danny May, not only hosted the day but also commemorated 25 years of marriage with his wife, Kelly.
“This event is one of our favorites of the year in the Office of Marriage and Family Life, and it was just a little extra special this year getting to celebrate this milestone with Kelly and other couples throughout the diocese,” he said.
To connect or learn more, call (270) 683-1545, email director Danny May at [email protected] or administrative assistant Sara Lewis at [email protected], or visit owensborodiocese.org/office-of-marriage-family-life.
A family attends the Sept. 20, 2026 Marriage Celebration Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral, which is an annual Mass noting specific milestone anniversaries within the Diocese of Owensboro. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Heather Greene, the Diocese of Owensboro’s director of music, is seen with her husband, Ron, on Sept. 20, 2026 at the annual Marriage Celebration Mass. Greene directed the music for the Mass while also celebrating a milestone anniversary with her husband. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Those celebrating milestone anniversaries are seen after the Sept. 20, 2026 Marriage Celebration Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Monica and Russell Rhodes hold hands while attending the Sept. 20, 2026 Marriage Celebration Mass at St. Stephen Cathedral. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Originally printed in the October 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
