Celebrating St Valentine’s Day

Although people use St Valentine’s Day to celebrate their love for one another, and often propose, become engaged, or get married, they probably do not always see any connection with God. However, Stephen James, the parish priest of St Peter’s, Goetre, and St Bartholomew’s, Llanover, saw the day as an opportunity to demonstrate how God uses St Valentine to share His love with everyone.

He invited married couples in Goetre and Llanover to celebrate St Valentine’s Day by renewing their wedding vows.

The word got around and on the day several couples attended services, including one couple who travelled from Oxford to renew their vows in the church in which they were married.

The short services were followed by a drink of sparkling wine and a piece of cake. Edith and Harry South, who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary in March, cut the cake in St Peter’s.