Nokomis couple's 77th anniversary heads milestone Mass in Venice

VENICE -- Albert and Angela Cassettari of Nokomis celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary as part of an estimated 350 couples celebrating milestone anniversaries at 11 a.m. Saturday at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice.

Bishop Frank Dewane, Diocese of Venice in Florida, presided over the annual anniversary Mass for Catholic couples married 25 years or more at 350 Tampa Ave. W.

All Catholic couples celebrating 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 or more years of marriage were invited to a Mass in honor of significant milestone anniversaries.

A similar Mass will be at 10 a.m., March 12, at St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs.

The Cassettaris will officially celebrate their 77th year of marriage Sept. 9.

"The accomplishment of reaching a milestone anniversary is not about the number of years married, but instead the sacred bond married couples have as man and wife," said Dewane. "Marriage is not only a Sacramental commitment, but it is also the icon and image of the love shared between God and His people."

There are a total of seven couples married 70 years or more from parishes across the Diocese of Venice this year. A reception at Epiphany Cathedral Parish Hall will follow the Mass. All are invited to attend.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Nokomis couple's 77th anniversary heads milestone Mass in Venice ."