‘You are powerful witnesses of all that Christ Jesus has done for us’
Bishop Peter Jugis distributes Holy Communion Nov. 3 during the Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Mass held at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)CHARLOTTE — Seventy-five married couples celebrating jubilee wedding anniversaries were guests of Bishop Peter Jugis at the annual Wedding Anniversary Mass, held this year at St. John Neumann Church Nov. 3. A reception sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte was held in their honor after Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Jugis welcomed the couples from parishes all around the diocese and expressed his delight in celebrating the Mass for their intentions, to ask God for continued blessings upon their marriages.
“We are here to honor you for the witness of your love; your love for one another and especially your love for the Lord,” Bishop Jugis said. “Your love for the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the center and the reason for the love of your marriage. It is Christ’s love and your love for Him that is at the center of your marriage and the center of your family life.”
He also expressed to the couples that their marriages are witness of the union of Christ and His Church.
“Just as Christ loves His Church, loves His people so much that He gives His entire life for the Church, so also that love shows up in marriage. We see in marriage that total, complete and unconditional love that man and woman have for each other.”
“You are powerful witnesses of all that Christ Jesus has done for us… You are a sign and witness to that love and fidelity (of Christ),” Bishop Jugis said.
After the homily Bishop Jugis invited the couples to stand and turn toward each other to renew their commitment to each another. Bishop Jugis also offered a blessing of their wedding banns.
In attendance at Mass were George and Thelma Lewis of Our Lady of Consolation Church, who have been married for 60 years. They tied the knot July 4, 1969, at St. Columbus Church in Philadelphia. They have two adult sons, three grandchildren and twin great-grandchildren.
When asked what is the secret to their marriage, George said, “Happy wife, happy life.”
“That says it all,” Thelma added.
Some deacons and their wives who are celebrating golden wedding anniversaries this year shared how faith has played a role in their marriage.
Deacon Carlos and Martha Medina of St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte were married 50 years ago at Santa Domingo Church in Nicaragua. They have four sons and four grandchildren.
“Our faith has increased a lot,” Deacon Medina said. “We got married by faith. When we got married, we knew it was for a lifetime. It was not to test to see if it would be good only for a few years. We knew we would have to fight for it so we could be married for the rest of our lives.”
Deacon John Riehl and his wife Shirley of St. John the Baptist Church in Tryon were married 50 years ago at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Angola, Ind. They have seven children and 10 grandchildren.
”We started our engagement and marriage with Our Lord,” Shirley said.
“If we didn’t have it, we probably wouldn’t be married. The sanctifying gifts are paramount,” Deacon Riehl added.
Bill and Rosemary Matevie of St. Luke Church in Mint Hill have been married 50 years. They were married at St. Philip Neri Church in Detroit. They have three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“We believe marriage takes three: Jesus, my husband and myself,” Rosemary said. “We know that prayer is very important. We have had our ups and our downs. We have weathered the storms and come out stronger because of it.”
Bill said Rosemary’s prayers helped him convert to Catholicism. “We experienced things like Marriage Encounter and Cursillo. I just love the moral tradition of the Catholic Church. It’s been wonderful. We have met a lot of people.”
“We couldn’t have done it without the Lord,” Rosemary added, and “Lots of prayer and patience.”
Celebrating 25 years of marriage this year are Chris and Donnette Labus of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. They have four children ranging in age from 24 to 17.
“Our faith has been the pillar of our marriage,” Chris explained. “It has been our anchor, and without our relationship with God we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere. The survival (of our marriage) is based on our relationship with Christ.”
David and Debbie Walsh are also celebrating their silver anniversary. They were married 25 years ago at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte by recently retired Father Frank O’Rourke. The have six children aged 24 to 16.
“God has been good,” Debbie said. “We have definitely grown in our faith in the past 25 years. All the graces we have received from the sacrament of marriage have greatly influenced how we are being led, where we are going in our walk, and how we are advising our children.”
God “helps make it easy,” David added. “He helps make our marriage stronger and easier to love each other when we love Him.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter. Photos by SueAnn Howell, Catholic News Herald
