At the start of Marriage Week UK, Archbishop Vincent Nichols has praised marriage and family as the “bedrock of society”:
The President of the Bishops’ Conference said, “I welcome the launch of Marriage Week UK since it provides the opportunity for us to focus on this important and vital relationship within our society. Marriage and family is the bedrock of society. This week offers couples the opportunity also to celebrate their marriages and strengthen their love.”
To mark Marriage Week UK, 7-14 February 2011, dioceses across England and Wales have planned the following events:
A Mass in thanksgiving for the Sacrament of Marriage
Diocese of Shrewsbury
Saturday 12 February at 2pm
St Columba’s Parish Church, Chester.
Contact: Clara Donnelly, Marriage and Family Life Ministry Coordinator
Tel: 0151 691 2811
Email: cc.donn@talktalk.net
A Mass in Celebration of Marriage
Celebrated by Bishop Malcolm McMahon
Diocese of Nottingham
Sunday, 13 February at 3pm
St. Barnabas Cathedral
Contact: Rev. John Sherrington, Chair,
Marriage and Family Life Commission,
Tel: 0115 9268288
Email: family.nottingham@btinternet.com
A Mass in Celebration of Marriage
Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle
Monday, 14 February at 7pm
Parish of Our Blessed Lady Immaculate, Washington
Contact: Rev Deacon Peter Lavery, Diocesan Coordinator for Marriage & Family Life Ministry.
Tel: 0191 4102530
Email: laveryp@hotmail.com
A Mass in Celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage
Archdiocese of Cardiff
Saturday, 19 February at 11am
St Helen’s Church, Caerphilly
Contact: Ansti Corellis, Diocesan Family Life Commission
Tel: 02920 486995
Email: anstic2002@yahoo.co.uk
A Mass in Celebration of Marriage at Clifton Cathedral
Bishop Declan Lang presiding
Diocese of Clifton
Saturday, 19 February at 12 noon
Clifton Cathedral, Bristol
Contact: Anne-Marie Sparrow, Diocesan Coordinator of Marriage and Family Life Ministry
Email: annemarie.sparrow@cliftondiocese.com
Annual celebration of Marriage and Family Life with a Commissioning and Blessing of Marriage and Family Life Local Pastoral Area representatives
Archdiocese of Liverpool
Sunday, 20 February 2.30 – 4.30pm
St Mary’s, Lowe House, St Helens
Contact: Maureen O’Brien, Assistant Coordinator for Faith Formation
Email: m.o’brien@rcaol.co.uk
Marriage Week UK celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of marriage as the basis for family life in the UK. It has been held since 1997 and spans the week including Valentine’s Day.
marriage-week.org.uk
Speakers at today’s launch in the House of Commons include:
Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP – Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Susanna Abse – Chief Executive, Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
Anastasia de Waal – Director of Family and Education, Civitas
Richard Kane – Founder of Marriage Week
