Couples celebrating their golden anniversaries this year will have some company at the Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass, which is planned for Sunday, Sept. 13, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria.

This year the festivities have been expanded to include couples who have been married 25 years, according to Tim Roder, director of the diocesan Office of Marriage and Family. The office sponsors the annual celebration of marriage, which includes a reception of cookies, punch and coffee at the Spalding Pastoral Center.

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, will preside at the 3:30 p.m. Mass and then remain in the sanctuary to greet the couples. Roder said those who bring their cameras would have an opportunity for pictures with the bishop at this time.

In addition to the refreshments, congratulatory certificates will be waiting for the golden and silver jubilarians at the reception.

The idea to expand the celebration came from Bishop Jenky, Roder told The Catholic Post.

“Many other dioceses have already included for years 25th anniversaries with the 50th anniversaries,” he said, adding that more people should be able to share in such a positive event.

“It only seems fitting — if we’re going to include others at this anniversary Mass, other than the 50th anniversary couples — that we include the silver jubilees. These milestones are important to celebrate,” Roder said.

Invitations went out last week to couples whose names were submitted by their parishes, although some parishes have not been heard from yet.

“Any couples married in 1984 or 1959 who have not received an invitation need to contact our office and we’ll send them an invitation,” Roder said, noting that he is hoping to finalize details for the Mass and reception by Aug. 13.

Couples who have not received an invitation to the Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass and reception are asked to call (309) 671-1550 and ask for the Office of Family Life.