A song for marriage
O opera singer Carly Paoli (pictured right) opened Marriage Care’s seventieth anniversary celebrations last Saturday by singing to over 200 of the Catholic charity’s volunteers in Keele Hall, Staffordshire.

“Family is very important to me – my parents have been married for over 30 years – and that’s why this invitation struck a chord,” she said. In May, the mezzo-soprano’s rendition of “Ave Maria” was chosen as the official song for the Jubilee Year of Mercy celebrations.

“We invited Carly to perform because of her faith,” said Marriage Care’s chief executive, Mark Molden. “There is also a strong connection between the Year of Mercy, Carly’s song A Time for Mercy and our work – which is a mission of mercy for couples.”