By Dorothy  K. LaMantia | Correspondent       

In loving one another, married couples are “bringing Christ into the world,” Msgr. Sam Sirianni told husbands and wives gathered for a World Marriage Day  Mass and celebration Feb. 9 in St. Robert Bellarmine Parish, Freehold.

Focusing his homily on the sanctity of everyday life, Msgr. Sirianni, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine and host of the gathering, stirred the hearts of the more than 100 couples who braved snowy roads and frigid temperatures to attend the annual event.

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Sponsored by the diocesan Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life, the seventh annual gathering to honor married couples of the diocese included a reception in the parish center, transformed by candlelight, flowers and deejay. Couples enjoyed champagne punch and a buffet-style dinner, then spent the evening mingling, catching up with old acquaintances, and filling up the dance floor.

This year’s Mass and dinner-dance was a departure from the talk and luncheon format of previous years. Having it in a parish hall allowed the organizers to keep costs down and make it more affordable for couples.

Guests expressed appreciation for the changes.  “My husband, Michael, and I attended World Marriage Day when it was a luncheon, which was nice,” said Darlene Mihalow, a member of St. Raphael-Holy Angels Church, Hamilton. “But the dinner dance was so much more festive.  The music was diverse — from the ’40s, ‘50s, onto the present. We had a nice time.”

John and Jean Juchniewicz of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson, agreed: “The dance floor and the music made it romantic. We’ll be back next year for sure with an entourage [of friends].”

Deacon Rolf Friedmann of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish commented, “No one left early, and people had a good time. My wife Judy said it was like a wedding reception.”

“It was a great opportunity to bring friends together and celebrate with other married couples,” said Terry and Adam Ginther from St. Denis, Manasquan,  who attended with couples they befriended years ago at St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood.  “It was an affordable evening out to share our stories.”

“It was nice that there was time to socialize…to see others and  relax and enjoy,” said Deacon Frank Golazeski  of Incarnation-St. James Parish, Ewing Township,  “That’s what community is all about.”

Deacon Golazeski and his wife, Kathleen, accompanied by their son Daniel and their daughter Katie and their spouses, felt especially blessed. “It is a special blessing,” said Deacon Golazeski, “to share time with married children to sit back and enjoy what our little family has grown into.”

Christine and Walter Ganz were gratified their home parish hosted the party.  “St. Robert is our home parish so it was very rewarding to see so many couples from the diocese come to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage.”