ROCKFORD—“One of the most attractive elements of silver and gold…is that deep down, they never lose their shine. They may have a little tarnish on the outside…but the glitter is always there.”
So said Bishop David Malloy to couples celebrating 25, 50 or more years of marriage at the diocese’s annual Silver and Gold Mass, Sept. 28, at the Cathedral of St. Peter. More than 200 couples from across the diocese attended the Mass making this year’s Silver and Gold celebration the largest gathering since the event began in 1987.
In his homily, Bishop Malloy likened the physical aspects of silver and gold to qualities found in strong marriages.
“Silver and gold, how precious they are. We’re told that they are particularly precious because they are durable, because their value increases and because their beauty is always recognized. We might be talking about a precious metal; but we know with all of you gathered here, what we are really talking about is our celebration … the celebration of your marriages in this year of your anniversary,” he said.
The bishop congratulated the couples and thanked them for their witness of marriage in the world today. “Thank you for entering into this most important institution for society, for humanity … the sacrament of marriage. One of the things that is so important to remember … is that (marriage) is an agreement between three parties … man, woman and God. Today, more than ever, we need your example. Society in so many ways has begun to lose sight of just how beautiful marriage is and why it is part of God’s plan. Right from the beginning, in the first book of Scriptures, in Genesis…God creates man and woman and the two shall become one flesh and be fruitful and to multiply. We see God’s plan and we know about the effort now to redefine God’s plan,” Bishop Malloy commented.
He concluded his remarks by encouraging all to, “Think, of the example that you offer after 25 or 50 years of marriage …the witness that you have given. Might we say that the shine, the glitter remains and it inspires us all.”
The longest married couple in attendance at the Silver and Gold Mass was Louis and Agnes Verbout of St. Mary Parish in Sterling. The Verbouts have been married for 67 years and have found that “helping each other and getting along the best that we can” has been a key to their marriage’s longevity. Louis adds, “You just have to be good to each other and settle your differences at home.” Then, he joked, “Sometimes you just have to ‘get over it’.”
Long marriages run in the family as Louis Verbout’s sister, Janet Bennett and her husband Floyd also attended the Silver and Gold Mass to celebrate their 65th anniversary. The Bennetts are parishioners at Sacred Heart Parish in Sterling.
Of the total number of couples registered for this year’s Silver and Gold Mass, 11 couples were recognized for 65 years of marriage; 28 couples celebrated 60 years of marriage; 13 couples have been married for 55 years; 120 couples were recognized for 50 years of marriage and 77 couples celebrated 25 years of marriage.
The festivities concluded with Bishop Malloy greeting the anniversary couples after the celebration with a cake and punch reception in the St. Peter Fellowship Hall.
2014 ROCKFORD DIOCESE SILVER AND GOLD COUPLES
Couples are listed alphabetically by town and parish.
ALGONQUIN
St. Margaret Mary: Anthony and Rosemary Morici, 60; Ronald and Joyce Nelson, 50
AMBOY
St. Patrick: John and Norma Atkinson, 60; Jerome and Tina Corcoran, 25
AURORA
Annunciation BVM: John and Carole Glassford, 60
Blessed Sacrament: Mark and Patricia Davey, 25; Randall and Catherine Oppenborn, 25
Holy Angels: Barron J. and Judith Daly, 50; Raymond and Bonnie Warchol, 50
Our Lady of Good Counsel: Ken and Alicia Litrenta, 25
St. Joseph: Joseph and Marianne Reier, 60; Robert and Dolores Swickert, 50
St. Rita of Cascia: Thomas and Sheryl Colwell, 25; Robert and Helen Schuerman, 50
St. Therese of Jesus: Daniel, Jr., and Frances Smith, 50
BATAVIA
Holy Cross: Kevin and Joanne Callahan, 25; Lawrence and Monica Carlson, 50; Michael and Lurene Filipski, 25; David and Lori Frew , 25; Richard and Arlene Fuesz, 50; Nicholas and Carolyn Gordon, 50; James and Beverly Johnson, 50; Jack and Janice Lucchetti, 25; Mike and Jenny Pyle, 25; Michael and Tammy Schiesl, 25; Tom and Jennifer Weege, 25; Jerome and Nellie Yanek, 50; Robert and Denise Trzaskus, 25; Stephen and Colleen Staniszewski, 25
BELVIDERE
St. James: Bruce and Patricia Daniel, 50, Leroy and Barbara Gresser, 50; David and Patricia Richter, 50; Steven and Jodi Rippon, 25; Orrie and Patricia Halverson, 55
BYRON
St. Mary: Steve and Tina Hefel, 25; James and Patricia Coleman, 60; Ralph and Jeanine Larson, 50; John and Bonnie Scullion, 50
CARPENTERSVILLE
St. Monica: Harold and Ethel Schmit, 65
CARY
SS. Peter and Paul: Edwin and Marlene Fuller, 50; Tom and Marianne Harding, 25; William and Jane Shimp, 50; Martin and Karen Ulmanis, 25
CRYSTAL LAKE
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: William and Rosemary Becker, 55; Robert and Mary Bywalec, 50; Fredrick and Lynne Wickham, 50; Jeffrey and Elizabeth Wingett, 25; Wolfgang G. and Colette M. Seifert, 50
St. Thomas the Apostle: Steven and Karen Crnkovich, 50; Fred and Beth McCally, 50; Gene and Melinda Ostap, 50; Timothy and Julie Sherwood, 25; St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Fredrick Lynne Wickham, 50
DEKALB
Christ the Teacher University Parish: Raymond and Patricia Dembinski, 50; Terrence and Regina Smith, 50; Stanley and Joan Hallaron, 50;
St. Mary: Myron and Lesia Kuropas, 50; Roger and Jo Ellen Montavon, 50
DIXON
St. Anne: Richard and Elizabeth Kanzler, 50; James P. and Rosemary V. Wasilewski, 50
St. Patrick: Joseph, Sr., and Carol Rock, 50; Kenneth and Judy Schwarz, 50
DUNDEE
St. Catherine of Siena: Arcadio and Cora Dumpit, 50; Roger and Barbara Ferguson, 50; Terrence, Jr., and Kathryn Madigan, 25; Peter and Caroline Mueller, 25; Richard and Norine O'Boyle, 25; Rich and Judy Pawlicki, 50; Jim and Gina Scarnegie, 25
DURAND/IRISH GROVE
St. Mary/St. Patrick: William and Vivian Carlino, 50; Edward and Cynthia Pomeroy, 50; Michael and Carol Rosko, 55
EAST DUBUQUE
St. Mary: Thomas and Patricia Francois, 50; Kevin and Mary Hense, 25
ELBURN
St. Gall: Philip and Elsie Del Mastro, 60; Walter and Theresa Grumeretz, 50; Eugene and Joan Ryan, 65
ELGIN
St. Laurence: Robert and Mary Jane Plazewski, 50; LeRoy and Annette Rogman, 60
St. Mary: Norberto and Margarita Brito, 25; Ricardo and Nachita Fausto, 50; Jos and Laura Lopez, 25; Luis Antonio and Maria de Jesus Socorro Prieto, 25; Vito and Eileen Ruggiero, 50
St. Thomas More: Anthony and Barbara Gorzak, 50; Ralph and Ruthann Seisser, 50
FREEPORT
St. Joseph: John and Rosemary Harnish, 60; Herbert J. and Mary L. Partoll, 55
St. Mary: Kenneth and Betty Kundert, 50
St. Thomas Aquinas: Michael and Judith Cook, 50; Vincent and Doris Drees, 50; Kenneth and Constance Frerichs, 50
GENEVA
St. Peter: Carl and Jennifer Cameron, 25; Michael and Jean Corkery, 25; Christopher and Laura Timko, 25; Ronald and Lisa Volk, 25
GENOA
St. Catherine of Genoa: Greg and Beth Gehringer, 25; James and Carole Murphy, 50; Michael and Patricia Riedy, 50
HAMPSHIRE
St. Charles Borromeo: Philip and Mary Lou Manning, 60; James and Patricia Nowak, 50
HARVARD
St. Joseph: Thomas and Gretchen Burroughs 60; Rocco and Margaret Dawson, 50; Steve and Marguerite Elsner, 25; Terry and Mary Ann Trebes, 25; Eugene and Mary Jane Weidner, 60
HEARTLAND
St. Patrick: Gene and Joanne Boppart, 50; Jim and Gina McConoughey, 25
HUNTLEY
St. Mary: James and Marsha Blasky, 50; Ken and Barbara Drazba, 50; Mark and Mary Dundovich, 50; William and Marcia Elke, 50; Ralph and Patricia Goraj, 50; Charles and Marie Jacobs, 50; Gerald and Margaret Krebs, 50; Chester and Karen Kumm, 50; James and Michelle Pease, 25; Helmut and Kathleen Perschke, 50; Ismael and Frances Robledo, 60; Martin and Margaret Sanders, 60; John and Verna Vojtech, 50; Frank and Cindy Watychowicz, 25; Chuck and Annette Weidner, 50; John and Eileen Gruber, 60; Hermann and Diane Faubl, 25
JOHNSBURG
St. John the Baptist: Bill and Cathy Beutel, 50; Charles and Mary Sullivan, 50
LENA
St. Joseph: John and Patricia Curran, 50
LOVES PARK
St. Bridget: Bernerd and Karen DeNolf, 50; Vernon and Cynthia Furney, 50; Greg and Jennifer Kazmerski, 25; Maynard and Linda Keller, 50; Joel and Victoria McClanahan, 50; Samuel R. and RoseAnn M. Rodenbeck, 50; Michael and Loretta Schultz, 36
MAPLE PARK
St. Mary of the Assumption: Mark and Cheryl Affelt, 25; James and Patricia Kowalkowski, 50
MARENGO
Sacred Heart: Leon and Audrey Walsh, 60
MENOMINEE
Nativity BVM: Mervin and Rosie Theill, 55
MCHENRY
Church of Holy Apostles: John and Michelle McNeill, 25
St. Mary: Randall and JerriLynn Welch, 25
St Patrick: Edward and Jacqueline Swider, 25
MORRISON
St. Mary: William and Judy Conboy, 55; Eugene and Barbara Heumann, 50; Robert and Shirley Nowak, 50; Alvin and Jane Swearingen, 25
OREGON
St. Mary: Joseph and Dona Popp, 55
PECATONICA
St. Mary: Kirk and Susan Benters, 25; Kevin and Beth Cuniff, 25; Sante and Kay DeMarco, 50; Gerald and Rose Mastroianni, 50; Mark and Cathy Rahm, 25
POLO
St. Mary: Dale and Louise Hall, 50
RICHMOND
St. Joseph: Bruce and Donna Adams, 50; Fernando and Matilde Montilla, 50
ROCHELLE
St. Patrick: Angel and Lourdes Castorena, 50; Edward J. and Sandra K. Hickey, 50; David and Tina Mollet, 25
ROCK FALLS
St. Andrew: Edward and Veronica Tschosik, 50
ROCKFORD
Cathedral of St. Peter: John and Anna Owens, 30; Glenn and Jean Ross, 65; Bill and Joan Satterlee, 25;
Holy Family: Rob and Char Bauer, 25; Robert and Barbara Beckett, 25; Ted and Pat Biondo, 50; Russell and Laura Costello, 60; Paul and Cecilia Dandrea, 27; Paul and Pat Frey, 50; Patrick and Sheila Hope, 25; Thomas and Alice Kapustka, 50; Gary and Barbara Knoll, 55; Bernard, Jr., and Sharon Krowczyk, 50; Neil and Phyllis Maloney, 50; William and Prudence McKenzie, 50; Robert and Mary Ann Miller, 50; Marcos B. and Teodora B. Paraggua, 55; Mark and Debbie Reichardt, 25; Edward and Jeanne Rudnicki, 65; William and Bernadette Kurzawski, 50; Carl and Donna Gasiorowski, 52
SS. Peter and Paul: Roy and Vickie Mayer, 47
St. Anthony of Padua: Thomas and Barbara DiGiovanni, 50; David and Linda Medley, 25
St. Bernadette: John, Jr., and Maryann Goral, 50; Ernie and Clarice Lewandowski, 60; Donald and Norma Norwood, 50; Randy and Teresa Roberts, 25; Harold J. and Geraldine T. Voy, 60
St. Edward: Robert and Ruth Brimeyer, 51; Tim and Libby Hoffman, 25; Herman and Bertha Reis, 60; Fred and Cecelia Skrade, 61; James and Rita Vant, 55; Joseph and Eleanor Weinbender, 61
St. James: Richard and Evelyn Fleming, 55; Jack and Grace Johnson, 50; Bernhard and Kathleen R. Kott, 50; John and Phyllis Rzeszotko, 56; Thomas and Janet Sabrowski, 60; Frank and Helen Whalen, 55;
St. Rita: Kyle and Colette Anderson, 50; Dan and Lynell Campbell, 25; Dennis and Cynthia Drda, 50; James Don and Mary Alice Graham, 56; Peter and Filomena Gulotta, 50; Gerald and Sharen Heiting, 50; Craig and Ann Holliday, 40; Ronald and Judith Stephan, 50; Robert and Theresa Ditzler, 49
St. Stanislaus Kostka: Adam and Iwona Mazela, 25; Bogdan and Danuta Podgorny, 25; Anthony and Margaret Borowski, 25; Bernard and Alicja Grygo, 50
SCALES MOUND
Holy Trinity: Eugene and Carol Jean Wiest, 60
SOMONAUK
St. John the Baptist: Arnold and Jacqueline Rucinski, 55; James and JoAnne Zaleski, 25
SOUTH BELOIT
St. Peter: John and Cathy Cychosz, 25
SPRING GROVE
St. Peter: John and Joan Popelka, 50
ST. CHARLES
St. John Neumann: Michael and Alicia Aquino, 27; Paul and Mette Clementi, 25; Joseph and Patricia Frydrychowicz, 50; Richard and Verna Lobojko, 50; John and Dori Radman, 50; Kenneth and Rita Swick, 50
St. Patrick: Theodore E. and Lynn Benic, 25; Jose "Joe" and Belinda Bermea, 25; Fred and Jan Bruder, 50; John and Sheila Duggan, 25; Robert M. and Theresa M. Gemelli, 50; Richard A. and Joan Hagedorn, 25; William and Ann Marie Larsen, 50; Salvatore and Gloria Marino, 50
STERLING
Sacred Heart: Floyd and Janet Bennett, 65; John L. and Frances C. Clark, 25; Louis and Agnes Verbout, 67
St. Mary: John and Tomasa Castaneda, 65; Kraig and Valerie Schweiss, 25; Fermin and Susan Arocho, 50
STOCKTON
Holy Cross: James and Joanne Freese, 60; Foster and Rosemary Heller, 65; Harvey and Judy McGivney, 65
SUGAR GROVE
St. Katherine Drexel: John and Dianne Curry, 25; Randall and Maxine Fletcher, 25
SYCAMORE
St. Mary: Kenneth and Bess Andersen, 50; Ron and Laurie Bigelow, 25; John and Jennifer Butkus, 25; Robert and Devota Demming, 50; Hans and Gaby van Blyenburgh, 50; Gerald, Sr., and Theresa Zbylut, 50
WOODSTOCK
Resurrection: Luigi and Luigia Mariutto, 60
St. Mary: Robert and Colleen Karolczak, 25; Edward and Stephany Nickels, 65