Anniversary Blessings
‘What a blessing you are together’ Couples celebrating one, 25, 50 and more years married hold each other’s hands while renewing their vows in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold. Pictured front, center, are Deacon Donald and Barbara Miller, married 70 years. The Oct. 6 Bishop’s Anniversary Blessings Mass filled the entire worship space. Jeff Bruno photo
Bishop blesses anniversary couples with prayers for never-ending love, faith BY EMMALEE ITALIA, Contributing Editor, and LOIS ROGERS, Correspondent
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harles Nixon smiled as he considered what he would tell couples who are preparing for marriage. “I wouldn’t want to give anyone any advice,” the 99-year-old said. “Just love one another.” Nixon and his wife, Mary, who have been married 73 years, were among the 310 married couples to gather with loved ones in October for Anniversary Blessings Masses celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. The Nixons, parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, have attended the annual Mass many times. “It’s very special to us,” Mary Nixon said.
BLESSINGS ABOUND In his homilies delivered Oct. 6 in Freehold and Oct. 20 in St. Mary of the
Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, Bishop O’Connell spoke sincerely to couples celebrating one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage from across the Diocese’s four counties. “Every once in a while we might find ourselves getting a bit nostalgic. Today is one of those days,” the Bishop said. “Think back on your wedding day – what comes to mind? … Details from a single day lose their importance, and their memories do start to fade – but what matters is that you’re still here, that you’re still together, that you’re still very much in love. What a blessing you have together. What a blessing you are together.” Those words weren’t lost on Vito and Maryann Truglio of St. Alphonsus Parish, Hopewell. Celebrating their 55th anniversary, the couple was accompanied by two
26 THE MONITOR MAGAZINE November 2019
Jorge and Sandra Fuentes, parishioners of St. Paul, Princeton, served as readers Oct. 20 as they celebrated their first anniversary in the Church with Mass in the Cathedral. Vic Mistretta photo
of their four daughters, Beth and Mary, their husbands and two grandchildren. All traveled from Florida to witness the couple’s commitment of love at the Mass in Trenton. Maryann Truglio said the Mass served as a witness to younger generations. “It