By Nicole Falco
On Sunday, Feb. 10, the Berrys lit a candle for all couples married fifty years or more at Holy Name of Mary Church's Anniversary Mass. The mass celebrated marriage as the backbone of the church and is one of many celebratory events planned for the parish in 2002, its centennial year.
"People seemed to enjoy it very much and were happy that the church took time out to recognize the sacrament of marriage," said Father Thomas Harold, pastor of Holy Name of Mary. "The vocation and sacrament of marriage is really at the foundation of our church.
Isabelle and Carmine Desio, who have been married 42 years, came up with the idea to have an anniversary mass during the church's milestone anniversary year, and as co-chairs of the anniversary mass planning committee, the couple organized the event. A couple was chosen prior to Sunday to represent each decade of marriage and a candle was lit for all those parishioners who had spouses who either had died or did not attend mass.
Wearing a white ribbon, Christopher and Phyllis Cimeno, married eight years, came forward to light a candle for those in their first nine years of marriage; John and Susan Faber, married 16 years, wore green ribbons and came forward to light a candle for couples married for 10 to 19 years; Nick and Denise Panzarino, married 25 years, came forward wearing silver ribbons to light a candle for couples married 20 to 29 years; wearing blue ribbons, Richard and Joan Gainer, married for 31 years, lit a candle for couples married 30 to 39 years; Vincent and Anita Napolionello, married 45 years, wore cranberry ribbons and represented all couples married 40-49 years; the Berrys wore gold ribbons; Marge Chvatal and Madge Vogric lit a candle for people whose spouses were not present.
"We felt that in this day and age, peoples' commitment to each other should be recognized," Isabelle said. "We also hoped it might add a spark to the relationship...another burst. Since we are in the centennial year, why not celebrate marriage since it is the backbone of the church."
Following the candle lighting ceremony, Father Harold offered his homily and then invited all married couples to renew their wedding vows. More than 80 couples stood, faced each other and recited the vows that some of them had first said more than 50 years ago.
A day for love
Planning a mass in recognition of love and commitment only days away from Valentine's Day, a holiday that has become synonymous with love and commitment, was just a coincidence according to Isabelle. She said the mass was originally scheduled for an earlier Sunday, but there was a scheduling conflict.
According to the Berrys, even though they have been married more than six decades, there is still romance. They plan to celebrate Valentine's Day at the Millerridge Inn in Jericho.
"It's always romantic and she's such a good dancer that it has kept us going all these years," Keith said. Anna expects chocolates for Valentine's Day.
Jim and Anita Buckley have been married four times - to each other. Sunday marked the third time the couple has renewed their wedding vows.
"Jim just can't take off that ring," joked Anita. The couple was married in St. Raymond's in East Rockaway 52 years ago. Anita expects to receive a card with candy or flowers on Valentine's Day and the couple will probably go out to dinner.
Rita Fitzgibbon has spent 59 years with Maurice and it has all been made possible with compromise.
"We have an appreciation for one another," Rita said of her husband, who one Valentine's Day fashioned his morning oatmeal into the shape of a heart.
Joe and Florence Gunther were married in Holy Name of Mary almost 53 years ago and credit keeping their own interests with keeping their marriage strong.
"We do have romance now and then," Florence said.
Edna and John Brass, married 50 years ago in Most Precious Blood Church in Brooklyn will probably have dinner with their family on Valentine's Day.
"Father Harold had the right idea when he said compromise. It's compromise and having a lot of grandchildren [ that keeps a marriage strong]," John said.
