HUNTLEY—“I hope your heart feels like mine today,” said Bishop David Malloy in his opening remarks to the nearly 1,500 people at the diocese’s Silver and Gold Mass, Aug. 30, at St. Mary Parish here.
The annual celebration, which has taken place since 1987, has been held at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. It was relocated this year due to an increase of more than 100 couples who sought to attend and receive Bishop Malloy’s blessing and a congratulatory certificate.
The pageantry of the musicians, the voices of the Diocesan Chorale, the presence of the Knights of Columbus, and a solo of Ave Maria by Breda Barry King brought an added air of devoutness and beauty to the Mass.
It was a moving sight to witness an overflowing church filled to capacity. From throughout the diocese, 347 couples attended to celebrate significant anniversary years from 25, 50, 60, and 65 years, up to a hallmark 70 years.
Many couples were accompanied by children and grandchildren.
“This large gathering reminds me of the movie ‘Jaws’ with the line, ‘We’re going to need another boat,’ ” said Bishop Malloy. “With a larger parish we hoped more would come, and yes, we needed a bigger boat.”
The bishop continued, “Marriage is so under siege today. I am so grateful for such a large group to celebrate 25, 50 and more years of marriage.”
He added an astounding statistic. All of the couples in attendance represented 15, 909 years of marriage.
Bishop Malloy also cited author and lay theologian G.K. Chesterton, who said, “Marriage is the first command God gave to the human race.”
“Marriage is in Genesis; it is part of the human project,” Bishop Malloy said. “Rejoice in it. Celebrate it. Live it. God knew you, your spouse. He’s the one who chose you. It wasn’t random or luck. It’s a calling, a vocation. By being faithful you are working together and helping each other to salvation to share through all eternity with God Himself.”
“You stood before the altar, the priest and the church and received grace to help you meet the challenges along the way. Marriage is a celebration, joy-filled and the fulfillment of God’s plan. ”
Celebrating a significant year wedding anniversary brings back fond memories of that special day. Deacon Robert and Alexandra Anchor of Sacred Heart Parish, Marengo, have been married 50 years. They met at St. William Parish in Chicago, where he was an usher and she was in the choir. “We were married on Sept. 18 and it was such a very hot and humid day,” said Deacon Anchor, who was ordained in 1978.
“God has been with us throughout our marriage,” said Deacon James Woeste of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Algonquin. He and his wife, Barbara, were married on June 26, 1965 in Cincinnati, Ohio. “A sense of humor help, too,” he adds.
Their special anniversary present to each other was a trip to Poland this year with their pastor Father Peter Sarnicki, OFM and a group from their parish. “We savored everything we could from that trip,” said Barbara Woeste. “Poland is so beautiful and to think we were in the places where Saint John Paul II was baptized, lived, walked and ministered was incredible.”
Deacon Marty Czerniewski, a life long member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in Rockford and his wife Jean will celebrate their 65th anniversary on Nov. 11. “Yes, we were married on Armistice Day in Joliet,” said Deacon Czerniewski. He laughed about his “shot gun” wedding. “That was the first day of hunting season and some of the family wasn’t happy about it,” he jokingly said. “They had all of their stuff ready to go to Wisconsin as soon the wedding was over.”
A lifetime of memories was celebrated by each of the couples who came to St. Mary’s in Huntley for the Silver and Gold Mass. As each couple stood up in the church when Bishop Malloy called out each significant year, a feeling of strength and love was evident to stand the test of time.
Harold and Joan Gavin from St. Paul Parish in Sandwich were celebrating 60 years of marriage.
“It was so nice to have this Mass during the day so we could attend,” said Harold Gavin.
Sentiments such as “inspiring, beautiful, and impressive” and an occasional “wow” were repeated over and over by those who attended the Silver and Gold Mass.
Sheryl D’Amico attended the Mass with her parents Gene and Annette D’Amico, who came to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They are all members of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Dundee.
“It is such an honor to be with my parents today,” said D’Amico. “They mean everything to me and it is a blessing to have them in my life and with me all of these years.” She added, “I will never forget what Bishop Malloy said today when he quoted Pope Benedict XVI’s words, ‘Faithfulness over time is the name of love’.”
In acknowledging the success of the Silver and Gold Mass, Bishop Malloy congratulated the couples and expressed appreciation to his brother priests and Knights of Columbus members, and Jennifer Collins, director of the diocese Life and Family Evangelization Office in Rockford.
Following the Silver and Gold Mass, attendees gathered together to enjoy refreshments, cookies, and cake with family and friends in the large community room. The decorations of gold and silver balloons and gold and silver wrapped chocolates sweetened the happiness and love in the room.
Click here for a complete list of the 2015 Silver and Gold honorees.