Mass marriage blessing at St Brendan’s Church

By Gabriel Garcia

Oct 31, 2022

Renewal of love: Blessing of the couples at St Brendan's Church, from left, David and Julie Villani, Father Joe, and Vanessa and Peter O'Keefe and baby Hannah. Photo by Dale Wright

St Brendan’s Catholic Church saw married couples renew their vows before the altar and having their rings blessed in an intimate ceremony over the weekend.

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Peter and Vanessa O’Keefe were one such couple.

The two were friends before dating in Year 8 while at Notre Dame College.

They married in 2007 after a beautiful proposal on Airlie Beach in Queensland, and their first dance was to Perfect by Ed Sheeran.

The couple recently welcomed a baby girl, Hannah, into their lives.

For them, The Blessing was an important step in their marital journey.

Looking back at their relationship over the years, Mrs O’Keefe believes communication has been the key.

“Communication, listening, and just being open to what the other person is saying,” Mrs O’Keefe said.

As for advice for younger people who are tentatively entering or seeking to enter a relationship, Mr O’Keefe advises to trust gut feeling.

“When you find the right person, you'll know it. And don't hesitate to make a commitment to that person,” he said.

The importance of honesty and good communication is seconded by David and Julie Villani, who married in 2000 after being introduced via mutual friends.

“I think communication is a big thing. Understanding, respect, compassion, forgiveness,” Mr Villani said.

United in love: (L-R) Peter and Vanessa O'Keefe with baby Hannah, Father Joe and Julie and David Villani Photo by Dale Wright

Acknowledging that successful marriages aren’t always easy, the couple nonetheless are content and have grown their family with two teenage daughters.

For them, The Blessing was a good way to reflect, reconnect and reinvigorate the relationship.

Father Joe Taylor, who works at St Brendan’s, helped preside over The Blessings along with Father Jackson Saunders and Father Paul Sireh.

A priest for over 48 years, Fr Taylor has conducted thousands of marriages, and believes marriage is a rite of passage and an institution that is recognised throughout human history and in all cultures.

It is also, most importantly, a celebration of love and a commitment of two people to each other.

The Blessing, Fr Taylor said, was a reminder of the original vows and commitment that the couples made.

“We put holy water on their rings just to remind them. Holy water reminds us of baptism. (Blessings) are a very powerful thing for couples, and couples turn up by the hundreds,” he said.