Five couples enter married life as part of centennial celebration at St. Martin of Tours Parish

Father Naul Ordonez, pastor of St. Martin of Tours Church in Kingsville, and Deacon Raul G. Rosales join couples on the altar in a special centennial marriage celebration. The couples are, from left, Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Martinez, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Navarro, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Mechell, Mr. and Mrs. Edelmiro Cabrera , and Mr. and Mrs. Ademar Villarreal. Photo by Benny Guerra

Five couples participated in a special centennial marriage celebration at St. Martin of Tours Church in Kingsville on June 14. The wedding vows were exchanged before families and friends of the participants.

The couples were Emma De La Garza and Edelmiro Cabrera; Emilia "Millie" Ann Garcia and Roberto Martinez; Estefana Lozano and Michael Mechell; Blanca Estella Padilla and Richard Navarro; and Gwyndelin Guzman and Ademar Villarreal. Father Jose Naul Ordonez officiated the double-ring ceremony assisted by Deacon Raul G. Rosales.

The traditional arras were exchanged to express the couples' mutual commitment to care for their home and to provide for their families. The Bibles and rosaries were blessed and presented to the couples as a reminder to keep a Christ-centered prayer life in the marriage. The placement of the lazos symbolized the new union through the sacrament of holy matrimony.

A reception followed at the Knights of Columbus hall on north 14th street in Kingsville. After dinner was served, Father Ordonez introduced the couples and led them in a celebratory toast. The brides and grooms cut their respective two-tiered cakes and then danced the nuptial waltz.

Key organizers for the centennial wedding were Jeff and Audrey Lambert; Juan and Jennifer Garcia; Marc and Mari Marroquin; Jessie and Patsy Rios; Mike and Dru Esquivel; Norma and Fidencio Vela; and Leticia Hinojosa and Maria Guerra.