They were married on the 10th of June 1939 at St Patrick’s Church, Kilbirnie.
"I,Vincent, take you, Marie, to be my wife." "I, Marie, take you, Vincent, to be my husband." Father Michael Griffin declared: “What God has joined, people must not divide.” Then family, friends and fellow parishioners responded with an AMEN so full of faith and hope that Marie and Vincent lived as husband and wife for nearly 60 years, till death they did part.
They loved each other and both worked very hard. Vincent said to his sons: “Your father will never be a wealthy man. Do you know why? Because he always pays his bills, that’s why.” In old age, Vincent could barely see, and had to ask his sons: “Where is the line on the cheque for me to write my signature?” One after another the bills were dealt with, and last the bill for SKY TV. “I shouldn’t really be paying this bill, but it’s for your mother and her tennis, otherwise I wouldn’t bother.”
The mother once pondered with one of her sons how he knew he wanted to be a priest. He gave a response he has long since forgotten. What he has remembered is what she said about her decision to marry Vincent: “I was going out with him when one day I heard a voice inside me say: ‘Marry that man.’ ”Vincent, I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer."
Each promised to live this way, and both believed it would bring them the choicest blessing. I testify that it did do for them as Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.Blessed are you who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh.”
"Marie, I will love you and honour you all the days of my life." In that moment was Vincent beginning to be all the prophet promised for the man of faith, as the prophet Jeremiah said: "Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, he is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream:it fears not the heat when it comes; its leaves stay green;in the year of drought it shows no distress,but still bears fruit."
Four sons and one very special daughter were the fruit of those vows that day in 1939. Dear parishioners, there is no greater love than this. And yes, it still can happen when someone asks: “I am a Catholic, and I want to get married. What should I do?” This morning I present a response to this question. It is in a pamphlet to be handed out after Mass, the first edition of my own information brochure on marriage in the Catholic Church. I hope it will be read by the very old, the very young, and all between, being people in my care, and I dedicate it to my parents, husband Vincent and wife Marie.
