By Rita McInerney

Married couples know how to speak to a fragmented world, Father Henry Gracz told the congregation at the second annual Mass celebrating the sacrament of matrimony October 23 at Holy Cross Church in Atlanta. "When they speak as Catholic Christians, they speak with the voice of God," Father Gracz said in his homily.

He started his homily by expressing his gratitude to all of the married couples present for their witness of fidelity, forgiveness and service. It is inspiring to priests and Religious in carrying out their vocations, he assured them.

Father Gracz, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville, challenged the couples to always remember they are "living sacraments" in a world which is experiencing disillusion and fragmentation. It is this gift of "oneness" they can offer to the world in order to change the world, he said.

"We cannot tolerate divisions of race, class or economics, divisions of the sick and the healthy or of the homeless and those who are cared for," he emphasized. As he began the Liturgy, Father Gracz told the congregation that Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, would be present to them through his prayers just as their love and support would be with him. Archbishop Lyke inaugurated and celebrated the Mass for married couples last year at the Cathedral of Christ the King. Several priests of the archdiocese concelebrated with Father Gracz.

The congregation, estimated at between 400 and 500 people, renewed their marriage commitment to one another with a vow written by Connie Sambrone, of St. Anthony's parish in southwest Atlanta, which expressed love strengthened by pain and suffering, reconciliation and forgiveness.

Mary Ellen Hughes, Secretary for Family Concerns, agreed that the love of the archbishop for the congregation was "so present" during the liturgy and the dance which followed. She said many couples at the dance wrote messages to him on a large piece of cardboard.

Couples of different ethnic backgrounds wearing traditional dress took part in the processional.

Alfonso Nuckles, director of St. Paul of the Cross choir, led the archdiocesan choir. Steve Dalton, of St. Paul of the Cross, and Alan Brown, director of music at St. Jude in Sandy Springs, were organists. Barbara Sullivan, of the Atlanta Dance Theater, was unable to present liturgical movement and prayer as planned. Her daughter was killed in an accident a few days earlier. The young woman was remembered in prayer during the liturgy.

Lynn Crutchfield, with the Secretariat of Family Concerns, coordinated the Liturgy with Deacon Fred and Connie Sambrone, Deacon Bart and Lee DeSandre, Jim and Sharon Branca and Mr. and Mrs. C. Cuadra.

Judy Gannon, of Holy Trinity parish in Peachtree City, coordinated the reception given by engaged couples.