April 6, 2025

Celebration of marriage event puts focus on sacrament

REGIONAL
Story by Carolee McGrath

Couples gathered for Mass, dinner and dance at St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow, Saturday, March 29.

LUDLOW – Fifty-four couples from across the Diocese of Springfield attended the Celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage event, Saturday, March 29 at St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow. The evening began with the 4 p.m. Mass where Monsignor Homer Gosselin did a special blessing. The couples then gathered in parish center for a dinner and dance.

“We think it’s important to celebrate marriage because it’s a sacrament in our church. Unfortunately, in today’s society, marriage is seen as anything but special anymore. As a matter of fact, people see it more as a legal contract. So, we just want to put the focus on the fact that it is a sacrament,” said DuAnne Pasquini. She and her husband Dick organized the event and have been in marriage ministry within the Catholic church for decades.

“We’re called to love one another and to be disciples of Christ in our relationship,” she said.

The couple, who has two children and six grandchildren, made a Worldwide Marriage Encounter in 1977. Worldwide Marriage Encounter was founded by Father Gabriel Calvo in Spain. He developed retreats for couples to grow closer to each other, by putting the focus on Christ in the marriage. While it was Catholic based, couples of other Christian denominations have been welcomed to participate since 1969.

“It was a life-changing experience. We weren’t having any problems in our marriage. But we realized that weekend that we could use improvement in our communication with each other,” said Duanne. Through the years the Pasquinis have been involved as a Team Couple for Worldwide Marriage Encounter. In recent years, they have facilitated a Marriage Enrichment Program at St. Elizabeth Parish, which puts on events such as the Celebrate Marriage Mass and dinner dance.

“When I saw her, I said, ‘I’ve got to ask her.’ I wanted to let her know that I wanted to get to know her better,” said Dick Pasquini, describing the day he met DuAnne outside of Ludlow High School. He said it was love at first sight.

Dick and DuAnne Pasquini will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary in November. The couple has been involved in marriage ministry for decades and recently organized the “Celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage” event at St. Elizabeth Parish in Ludlow.

“I called her later and then it was off to the races. I feel very blessed,” he said.

“This is all about getting to know marriage and Jesus and to show that love by the way we love each other,” Dick said.

The Pasquinis have a marriage ministry team that helped put on the event. They were assisted by Jim and Harriet Meehan and Gerry and Eva O’Brien.

 “I think it’s so important that we encourage our married couples in their journey of faith. We are blessed that DuAnne and Dick Pasquini have begun this ministry in our parish many, many years ago and three times a year they invite people to come on a date night to reflect on scripture and their relationship,” said Msgr. Gosselin. “I always tell people that two things are important. First of all, live our faith in Jesus Christ. This is why the vows are so important in marriage. Second, communication is so important. It’s the foundation of all relationships. I think this marriage ministry helps people in communication with each other. There is nothing more important than spouses helping each other get to heaven,” he said.

Dick and Duanne Pasquini will be celebrating their 60^th wedding anniversary in November.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22NEWS.