‘Through the Years’ Anniversary couples celebrate the gift of married life
BY ANGELICA CHICAIZA Correspondent and MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
Kipsy Caragay is pragmatic when reflecting on her first year of marriage to her husband Ramil.
“If it weren’t for our faith, I don’t think we would have even started dating or liking each other in the first place,” she said, then with a smile she pointed out that she and Ramil are polar opposites, come from different backgrounds and have different interests.
“But the one thing that did bring us together,” she said, “was our love for Jesus and our love for serving him and worshiping him. That’s where it all started and that’s the reason we’re here today.”
Members of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, the Caragays were among the 200 couples from around the Diocese who
“The one thing that did bring us together ... was our love for Jesus.”
attended one of the two Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Masses this year. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated a Mass Oct. 5 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for married couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties marking one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage this year. The Bishop celebrated another Mass Oct. 19 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, for couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass has been a beloved tradition in the Diocese since it was established by Bishop George W. Ahr in 1963. During each Mass, participating couples renew their
An anniversary couple renews their wedding vows during the Oct. 5 Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. Mike Ehrmann photo Continued
Father Cyril Johnson, parochial vicar of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, bestows a blessing on Jeyabalan and Fatima Britto, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The Brittos arrived from India to attend the Mass as well as to share the day with their daughter and son-in-law, Anitha and Peter Rajesh Selvaraj, who are members of St. Gregory the Great Parish and are marking their 25th wedding anniversary.
Bishop O’Connell accepts the Offertory gifts from Patricia & Samuel Falconella of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, during the Oct. 5 Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. The Falconellas are married 63 years. Mike Ehrmann photo
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Msgr. Sam Sirianni, rector of St. Robert Bellarmine CoCathedral, Freehold, imparts a blessing on a first-year anniversary couple during the Oct. 19 Mass. John Batkowski photo
wedding vows and receive a special blessing from the Bishop. After Mass, the couples are invited to receive an individual blessing from one of the concelebrating priests and are given a certificate marking their anniversary milestone. The couples and their guests are then treated to a reception.
ROOTED IN SCRIPTURE
“Stir into the flame the gift of God that you have …,” Bishop O’Connell said in his Oct. 5 homily, reflecting on the day’s reading from St. Paul.
“Marriage is a gift, a flame that must be tended. In the first year, the flame is new and bright. At 25 years, it may flicker,
Mike Ehrmann photo
needing rekindling through prayer, shared memories and renewed commitment. At 50 years, it burns steady and warm, illuminating the path for others.”
“Paul reminds us that love is not passive, it is powerful, disciplined and courageous,” Bishop O’Connell said to the couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties. “To all couples, stir into the flame the gift of your marriage. Let it shine with the Spirit of God.”
In his Oct. 19 homily, Bishop O’Connell recalled the parable of the widow who refused to be ignored and ultimately prevailed because of her persistence.
“She knew what she needed and she would not let go,” the Bishop said of the woman.
“Is this not also a parable for marriage?” the Bishop asked the couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
“There are seasons of joy and seasons of trial, moments when love feels effortless and moments when love is a daily decision, renewed with effort and prayer,” Bishop O’Connell said. “And yet, you remained. You kept knocking. You kept praying. You remained faithful. Just like the widow, you trusted that love was worth the perseverance.”
LASTING LOVE
Through joyful words, laughter and tears, couples shared thoughts on the milestone marriages being celebrated.
Kipsy Caragay said that it was uniquely special that she and Ramil attended the Jubilee for Youth in Rome soon after their wedding and that they had an opportunity to receive a newlywed papal blessing from Pope Leo XVI.
Now, for the couple to receive Bishop O’Connell’s blessing, “that’s a big deal,” Ramil added.
After 50 years together, Eileen and John Welsh of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, are grateful for their Catholic faith and knowing “that God’s always present in our lives, through the good times and in the bad, through our struggles,” Eileen said.
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A couple reads the Prayers of the Faithful during the Oct. 19 Mass in Freehold. John Batkowski photo
A 25-year anniversary couple joins hands as they recite the Lord’s Prayer during the Oct. 5 Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo
At both Masses, Bishop O’Connell led the couples in the renewal of their wedding vows. In this photo are Joan and George Bachar of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Bradley Beach, who are married 65 years. John Batkowski photo
“Most of our times have been good,” Eileen said, except for the rough patch from about 20 years ago when both she and John lost three parents.
“Our faith got us through it,” she said. “It has always been a part of who both of us are.”
“... We see, and the children see, what true love is ...”
Dan and Donna Weeks of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, said their Catholic faith has served as the foundation of their 50 years of marriage, and celebrating it in a faith setting at the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing made it all the more special.
“Thank you for a wonderful day on Sunday,” the Weeks said extending appreciation to the diocesan organizers. “We know it took hard work to give all of us such a memorable day.”
Chris and Jennie Hallinan of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Bradley Beach, said they’ve learned a lot during their first year of marriage. One lesson learned, Chris said, is “keeping the ritual of spending Sunday mornings together as husband and wife.”
“Going to church gives us something to look forward to,” Chris said. He also shared a few words of advice, saing “keep dating, keep an ongoing line of communication open with each other and pick your battles.”
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, is among the pastors who enjoyed sharing in a happy occasion with married couples.
“It gives us an opportunity to thank those who are courageous enough to enter marriage and to show the younger generation that it is possible,” he said.
“… It is interesting to see how our faith allows us to live it out because in our society today, we think everything is easy and should be handed down. But in a marriage, we see and the children see, what true love is, what it is to share, what it is to compromise, to work together for the good of the family unit,” he said. “It is a beautiful Sacrament.”
Congratulations & warm wishes to all the couples celebrating a special anniversary this year, especially....
With God’s blessing for 50 years of marriage, you still “Colour My World” with love every day. Here’s to many more years of love and happiness. I love you very much.
Patricia & James Gaffney
A promise made by Richard and Linda when love was new has brought us to this day... We pledged the giving of our hearts to love in God’s pure way. Linda & Richard Christina 50th Anniversary
This happy anniversary couple recreated the ever-popular wedding reception tradition of feeding each other wedding cake. Only this time around they fed each other sandwiches during the reception following the Mass in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. John Batkowski photo
After 65 years of a happy and holy marriage, with four beautiful children, what else could one ask for?
Irene & James McCarthy
May God Bless
Bill and Susan Aberer on their 50th Wedding Anniversary!
Anthony, As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary, May the Lord continue to bless us with much love, happiness and gratitude not only for each other but also our family. Blessings and Prayers for many more years. ~Marie Anthony & Marie Enourato
To the love that built our home, to the laughter and challenges that filled it, to our four children who completed us and to the journey that continues, hand in hand. Here’s to 50 years of us and to every moment still to come. ~ Judy & Bertram Kern
Jesus, you have blessed us abundantly throughout our lives as we celebrate 60 wonderful years of marriage. We thank you for guiding and protecting us always.
Ed & Fran Walters
Happy 50th Anniversary, Matthew. Looking forward to many, many more years of love and happiness. Joann
Joann & Matthew McGrath
Deacon James & Deborah Gillespie
50th Wedding Anniversary
We give thanks to Almighty God for the gifts of Love, Family, Friends and many blessings along life’s journey of 50 years of marriage. May God continue to bless us.
Amen
Ron & Maryann Dunham
50 years of marriage is such a blessing and witness to everyone in your lives!
May God bless your love with many more joyful years ahead!
Love you, Dina & Michael
As we celebrate our 50th Anniversary we thank God for our many Blessings….. our daughter Sandra & her husband Kevin, their children Eamon & Maeve, and our son John & his wife
Jessica and their son Jack. ~ John & Terry Schaal
Celebrating 63 years of marriage
Thank you, God, for letting us meet on the beach of Ocean City, NJ. We would do it all over again! May God continue to bless us and our family.
Samuel & Patricia Falconello
God has truly blessed us with 25 great years of marriage. May he continue to bless us in the years ahead. We are grateful for our gift of faith.
Deacon Michael Lee & Mary Foster
A deacon and his wife renew their wedding vows during the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton. Mike Ehrman photo
Celebrating couples married... 1 year • 25 years • 50+ years
THE COUPLES WHO TOOK PART IN ONE OF THE BISHOP’S ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS ARE LISTED HERE, BY COUNTY AND PARISH:
Burlington County
HOLY EUCHARIST, Tabernacle • Barbara & Roy Dunn, 50 • Jessica & Jamison Garrett, 25
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL, Moorestown • Theresa & John Schaal, 25 • Michelle & Kevin Whitaker, 50
RESURRECTION, Delran • Barbara & Deacon Daniel Meehan, 50
SACRED HEART, Mount Holly Emilia & Deacon James L. Casa, 65
SACRED HEART, Riverton • Linda & Thomas Colella, 50 • Cynthia & Patrick Greco, 50
ST. ANN, Browns Mills • Susan & Joseph Gazzara, 51 • Lorena Hernández & Juan Carmona, 50 •
Felipa M. Loyola Quiroz & Juan Pablo Maldonado Benitez, 1
ST. CHARLES BORROMEO, Cinnaminson • Jennifer & Francis Ellis, 1 • Elizabeth & Edward Kearney, 25 • Eileen & John Welsh, 50
Mercer County
INCARNATION-ST. JAMES, Ewing
• Giovanna & Giacomo Alessi, 70 • Ruth & Thomas DeFalco, 50 • Mary & Anthony Enourato, 60 • Angela & Thomas Rivella, 66
OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL, West Trenton • Barbara & Christopher Mussell, 51
OUR LADY OF SORROWSST. ANTHONY, Hamilton • Antonia & Gennaro DiOrio, 50 • Patricia & Samuel Falconello, 63 • Marilyn & Kenneth Jones, 50 • Clare & Angelo Milioto 55 • Donna & Donald Povia, 50
OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS, Trenton • Zoila Lema & José Saeteros, 25
SACRED HEART, Trenton • Josephine & Charles Armenti, 55 • Nettie & Francis Kollie, 20
ST. ALPHONSUS, Hopewell • Henrietta & Edward Heitzman, 65
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA , Hightstown • Nancy & Peter Ferrante, 55 • Mary Lynn & James S. Novak, 50 • Marlana & Donald Rokose, 25 • Myriam & Fabian
Tobito, 1
ST. DAVID THE KING , Princeton Junction • Josephine & Wendel Lim, 50
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT, Hamilton Square • Fatima Jeyabalan & Peter Britto Jeyabalan, 50 • Marie & Vincent Marcello, 50 • Anitha Jeyabalan & Peter Rajesh Selvaraj, 25 • Fran & Edwin Walters, 60
ST. HEDWIG , Trenton • Donna & Bogdan Kania, 25
ST. JAMES, Pennington • Marlene & Louis Hingstman, 50 • Karen & Wayne Ranbom, 50
ST. JOSEPH, Trenton • Ana Griselda Gonzalez Vasquez & Robin Noel Gonzalez Del Cid Gonzalez, 1 • Marilyn & Antonio Palafox, 1 • Mayte Viviana Sanchez Pazmino & Adrian Flores Chavez, 1 • Gabriela A. Lopez & Kelvin A Merino Martinez, 1 • Kimberly De Los Angeles Navarro Morales & Lenon Martin Serrano Ureña, 1 • Stephanie Torres & Jeremy Joshua Rodas, 1
ST. RAPHAEL-HOLY ANGELS, Hamilton • Heidi & Joseph Vizzoni, 25
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL , Yardville • Barbara & Thomas Hope, 55 • Nicole & Michael Weatherholtz, 1
Monmouth County
CHRIST THE KING , Long Branch •Tamie & Joseph Critelli, 25 • Marianne & Michael Moran, 50
HOLY FAMILY, Keyport • Karen & Francis Amabile, 25 • Rose Mary & Brian Glancy, 25 • Gloria & Frank R otella, 50 • Mary Rose & Pat Spagnuolo, 55
HOLY INNOCENTS, Neptune • Kipsy & Ramil Caragay, 1
NATIVITY, Fair Haven • Janet & John Bruzzi 50 • Kathleen & Albert Doty, 56
ORATORY CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA, Red Bank • Antonia Robles & Valentín
Tecuanhuehue, 25 • Auria Méndez Luna & José Luis Varela, 1 • Micki Michael Tuohy, 51
OUR LADY OF FATIMA , Keyport • Milagros Nepomuceno & Jose Franco Nanawa, 54
OUR LADY OF HOPE, West Long Branch • Mary & Lawrence Dirienzo, 50
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP-ST. AGNES, Atlantic Highlands • Debra & Peter Capella, 50 • Kathleen & Daniel Cowan, 1 • Samantha & Christopher Kinzler, 1 • Carol & Anthony Alleva, 58
ST. ANSELM, Wayside • Donna & Angelo Catania, 53
ST. BENEDICT, Holmdel • Julia & David Fedak, 1 • Nancy & Richard Francese, 60 • Margaret & John Lane, 50
ST. CATHARINE, Holmdel • Barbara & Benjamin Tirabassi, 60
ST. CATHARINE-ST. MARGARET, Spring Lake • Maureen & Rudy Grasso, 57
ST. CATHERINE LABOURE , Middletown • Lillian & Charles Cooper, 50 • Earline & Eugene Cutolo, 62 • Theresa & Anthony Gibilisco, 25 • Jeanine & Dennis Hernandez, 25 • Janet & Michael Marinelli, 50 • Patricia & Edward Reed, 25
ST. CLEMENT, Matawan • Judith & William Campbell, 55 • Evelyn & Gene Hebding, 50 • Linda & Frank LaRocca, 54 • Valerie & Robert Pantina, 50
ST. DENIS, Manasquan • Kathy & Roger Bracken, 63 • Terry & Ron DePasquale, 52 • Nicole & Michael Federici, 25 • Michelle & Russell Gartz, 25 •Jan & Ronald Pilla, 25
ST. JAMES, Red Bank • Kerry & Joseph Boa, 50 • Kathleen & Danny Green, 51 • Leigh & Paul Juska, 50 • Therese A. & Francis C. Knotz, 50 • Audrey & Alex LaRocca, 1
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, Allentown • Annarose & John Parra, 51
ST. JOSEPH, Millstone Township • Barbara & Louis Russo, 60 • ToniAnn & Salvatore Zerilli, 25
ST. LEO THE GREAT, Lincroft • Janice & William Bornemann, 50 • Ella & James Langtry, 55
ST. MARY, Colts Neck • Eileen & Michael Tivala, 52
ST. MARY, Middletown • Aileen & John Lang, 50 • Annette & Daniel Marchesiello, 50 • Kathleen & Ralph Phillips, 50 • Diana & Richard West, 58
ST. MICHAEL, West End • Gabriele & John Amato, 50 • Collette & Cliff Bailey, 50 • Joanne M. & Frank A.Buono, 51 • Toni Ann & James Martin, 25
ST. ROBERT BELLARMINE CO-CATHEDRAL, Freehold • Toni & Raymond Santiago 1 • Linda & Ignazio Antico, 60 • Margaret & George Bonanno, 50 • Louise & Robert Campbell, 55 • Angela & Carmine Cipoletti, 52 • Eileen & Richard Fontana, 63 • Marilyn & John Kuper, 65 • Cabrina & Vito Lubrano, 63 • Nancy & Bud Molee, 66 • Jessica & Christopher Palmer, 1 • Debra & Sergio Peneiras, 25 • Sheri & Matthew Pennington, 1 • Margaret & Louis Protano, 50 • Rosemary & Carmine Romano, 63 • Fillie Cipullo & Ronald Duchaine, 51 • Francesca & Matthew Umana, 1
ST. ROSE , Belmar • Giovanna & Peter J. Accumanno, 50
ST. ROSE OF LIMA , Freehold • Norma Alcaraz & Ramiro Perez, 1 •Marisol Medina & Luis Ramirez, 1 • Patricia & Ruben Avila, 25 • Domenica & Anthony Greco, 50 • Barbara & Thomas Houston, 65 • Linda & John Martone, 51 • Joann & Matthew McGrath, 50 • Reyna Perez Martinez & Pedro Gonzalez Ramos, 1 • Madeline & Andrew Smith, 51 • Melissa & Lucas Young, 25
ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA , Bradley Beach • Joan & George Bachar, 65 • Margaret & Dennis
Continued on 34
Diggins, 50 • Jennie & Christopher Hallinan, 1 • Dore & Robert J Murray, 25 • Mary & Robert Armstrong, 51
ST. THOMAS MORE, Manalapan • Mary Patricia & Michael Lee Foster, 25 • Beatrice & Vincent Licitra, 25 • Patricia & John Phelan, 51 • Agnes & Angelo Zuffante, 50
ST. VERONICA, Howell • Caterina Nicola & Romeo DiSantillo, 50 • Carol & Casimir Sadlowski, 60 • Gina & Jeffrey Sarmiento, 25 • Rachel & Devin Thompson, 1
ST. WILLIAM THE ABBOT, Howell • Susan & William Aberer, 50 • Jeanmarie & Kevin Holmes, 25 • Marichille & Elner Jamolod, 25
Ocean County
EPIPHANY, Brick • Thea & Stephen Clark, 50 • Patricia & James Gaffney, 50
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, Lakewood • Irene & James McCarthy, 65 • Samantha & Dominik Sepko, 1
SACRED HEART, Bay Head • Joann & Lawrence Sramowicz, 50
ST. ALOYSIUS, Jackson • Normajean
& Vincent Cesario, 57 • Marlene & Samuel DePaulis, 54 • Francine & Jim Guldner, 55 • Samantha & Christopher Kinzler, 1 • Joan & Eugene McLoughlin, 61 • Peggy & James Mulvehill, 60 • Francine & Ricardo Pedone, 50 • Maria & Joseph Sicliano, Jr., 59 • Mary & Victor Tardio, 50
ST. BARNABAS, Bayville • Diane & Matthew DiGiovanni, 25
ST. DOMINIC, Brick • Jane & Maurizio Deluca, 55 • Susan & Frank Fresca, 50 • Pacitasy Sy & Joseph Wilchinsky, 25
ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON, Whiting • Cheryl & Frank Landry, 52
ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, Long Beach Township • Dorothy & Michael Duffy, 65
ST. ISIDORE THE FARMER , New Egypt • Donna & Daniel Weeks, 50 • Regina & John Gomba, 50
ST. JOHN, Lakehurst • MarieAnnette & Dominick Buonpane, 50 • Maria & Jeffrey Jable, 59 • Margaret & Robert Lapinski, 52 • Margaret & Ralph Mondella, 50
ST. JOSEPH, Toms River • Dorothy
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& Anthony Bernice, 50 • Denise & Raymond Grysko, 50 • Aileen & Romy Kaamino, 25 • Patti & John Keelan, 50 • Barbara & Louis Mangerpan, 63 • Lisa & Joseph Pongracz, 1 • Michele & Carmen Russomanno, 50 • Barbara & Philip Schellato, 51 • Veronica & Raymond Tracy, 60
ST. JUSTIN THE MARTYR, Toms River • Judith & Martin Bartocci, 50 • Deborah & James Gillespie, 50 • Jo Ann & Thomas Hardhouse , 50 • Catherine Elaine & Carl Kling, 63
ST. LUKE, Toms River • Maryann & Ronald Dunham, 50 • Theresa & Gerald Medvetz, 60 • Mary Eileen & Ronald Pellecchia, 25
ST. MARTHA, Point Pleasant • Teresa & Robert Constantino, 54 • Eileen & Dennis Danilewicz, 50 • Ann & John Oppici, 65 • Annette & John Richards, 60 • Micki & Michael Tuohy, 51
ST. MARY, Barnegat • Rosa & Louis Barbas, 50 • Dolores & John Cannuli, 70 • Linda & Richard Christina, 50 • Denise & Steven Gachko, 50 • Anna & Francis Guerin, 57 • Judy & Bertram Kern, 50 • Gerrie & Joseph Marchese, 50 • Ruth & Edward Stanczak, 50
ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE, Toms River • Marife & Danilo Balingit, 40 • Mary & Carl Benson, 61 • Mary & Ronald Kirby, 65 • William & Bernadette Reed, 50 • Margaret & Charles Soffel, 53
ST. MONICA, Jackson • Elizabeth & Robert Lampasona, 51
ST. PETER, Point Pleasant Beach • Kathleen & Raymond Kaelin, 50
ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA , Lavallette • Joyce & Bruno Hornung, 50
ST. PIUS X , Forked River • Cathie & Jerry Felitti, 25 • Mary & James Fitzsimmons, 50
ST. THERESA, Little Egg Harbor • Nancy Ann & Patsy Manganello, 50 • Patricia & Justin Peticolas, 50