CHRISTCHURCH Its a dream come true for David Breen and Cathleen Drinnan. Having met through the online Catholic dating service Catholic Matchmaker last October, they rapidly fell in love, became engaged and will marry in Christchurch on May 17. Mr Breen, the last of the eight in his family to marry, says he took them by surprise. They said, Davids going out with someone, then it was Youre going to get engaged, youre already engaged!

Mrs Drinnan is a widow with two daughters, a son and a granddaughter. Originally from Sydneys Bondi Beach, she met her first husband there on holiday and they later farmed in South Canterbury. She now works as an activities officer at the Mary Potter Community Centre in Christchurch, where she and Mr Breen will marry.

Originally from Dunedin, Mr Breen had been working in an orchard in Roxburgh. When his mother needed a retirement home they moved to Christchurch.

Soon after that he met Mrs Drinnan for coffee and a ballroom dancing class and they have had to make the most of only one day each week to meet because of their varying hours of work.

Catholic Matchmaker, which has been endorsed by Archbishop John Dew of Wellington, had not long been active when Mrs Drinnan joined up. I was over at my daughters place and mentioned it. She had been trying to get me on a site for a long time. Before I could turn around she had a profile and photos done.

David says he had met interesting people through other online dating services, but some sites are plagued by ratbags because of the availability of free addresses. The Catholic site requires payment for listing, which serves to eliminate unwanted communication.

Mr Breen and Mrs Drinnan recommend the site and appreciated being able to meet people with the same ideals.

The pair have exchanged Irish Claddagh rings. Made of silver or gold and showing two hands presenting a crowned heart, Claddagh rings were worn by women on the west coast of Ireland and handed down from mother to daughter. The ring indicated the sole major investment of a fishing family. How it is worn still indicates whether the wearer is open to a relationship, is engaged or married.

Mrs Drinnan and Mr Breen are looking forward to a honeymoon cruise around the Mediterranean and time in Europe together.