At a joyous nuptial Mass, former NZ Catholic managing editor Gavin Abraham and Anna Surrey, a former lecturer at Good Shepherd College, said their “I do’s”.
The Mass, at St Patrick’s church in Pukekohe on November 10, was celebrated by Christchurch priest Fr John Adams, with Bishop Patrick Dunn, Pukekohe parish priest Fr Robert Steele and Good Shepherd College acting principal Fr Mervyn Duffy, SM, concelebrating.
Mr Abraham is now based in Australia and is media and communications director for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Dr Cameron Surrey, the bride’s brother and the leader of the Catholic Discipleship College in Pukekohe, helped direct the choir at the Mass.
In the homily, Fr Adams encouraged the newly-weds to “be ambitious for the higher gifts” as exhorted by St Paul in one of the readings.
“I wanted to say to Anna and Gavin this afternoon, perhaps that could be a motto for your
married life together, be ambitious for the higher gifts,” Fr Adams said.
Preaching on “the true, the beautiful and the good” and how these can be seen as an answer to the question “what are the higher gifts?”, Fr Adams said “The good of
the human person is to be in love”.
“That is what we are made to do, that is what we are designed to do — to be in love. That’s the occasion in front of us today.”
During the signing of the register, “Lord I need you” was delightfully sung by Anna Abraham’s young relatives.
The couple are to reside in Australia, it is understood.
Reader Interactions