Silver & Gold Mass

115 couples mark significant wedding anniversaries; renew marriage vows before Bishop

DENVILLE  At the annual Silver and Gold Mass, 115 couples from parishes around the diocese celebrated their 25th and 50th anniversaries at St. Mary Church here Nov. 8. Many of the happy husbands and wives were accompanied by generations of family to witness this joyous annual occasion in the Diocese.

Coordinated by the diocesan Office of Family Life, Bishop Serratelli was main celebrant of the Silver and Gold Mass, which was concelebrated by several priests from around the diocese. Father Steven Shadwell, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in West Milford, was homilist for the celebration.

To the couples, the Bishop began the Mass by saying, “We gather together to celebrate the great gift of marriage, of holy matrimony that has graced so many of you throughout your lives. This is a great celebration because your love shows us God’s love. Your fidelity mirrors God’s fidelity to us.”

In his homily, Father Shadwell said, “Twenty-five years ago, 50 years ago or more, you promised to give your all to your spouse. The totality of self is the very definition of marriage.”

“As silver and gold are described to mark these occasions — not to mark 25 or 50 years — but to denote the value of these gifts that you are in your marriages. Silver and gold are precious metals because of their rarity, because of their quality, and we use them to describe the value that other people don’t have,” said Father Shadwell. “That is, the value of the witness that you are in this world especially in times so dark where the understanding of marriage is in trouble. You shine as brightly as possible, as a hope, as a teaching of what it is.”

Father Shadwell said, “We are not just here to celebrate marriages, we are here in St. Mary Church to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage and that is more different than just marriage. Every sacrament is a grace from God.”

To the couples, Father Shadwell said, “He sent you out to the world to show sacrifice and self-giving. You become a source of God’s love. It’s out there because of you walking around in the world. We encounter God who gives himself in you. You are a revelation of God’s understanding of marriage. You are revelation of a loving God. To us you are more valuable than silver and gold.”

Recalling their wedding day, the 115 couples exchanged vows holding each others’ hands. Before the Bishop, the couples renewed their love, fidelity and commitment to each other in Holy Matrimony. Each couple then received a certificate signed by the Bishop honoring their significant anniversaries.

At the close of Mass, Father Martin Glynn, hosting pastor, thanked the Bishop and concelebrating priests. He congratulated the couples and invited each couple to take a keepsake photo with the Bishop at the front of the altar in the church.

For silver anniversary couple George and Cathy Vink of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Highland Lakes, the Silver and Gold Mass was a wonderful gift to share with so many couples from other parishes. The couple said, “It’s beautiful that the Diocese does this.”

The Vinks just celebrated their anniversary on Nov. 3 at their Highland Lakes parish and were married at St. Mary Church in Waterford, N.Y. The couple, who has a 20-year-old daughter, believes faith has been a significant part in their marriage. Cathy Vink said, “Rely on the Lord and keep persevering. Faith will get you through it.” Her husband George Vink added, “Remember it’s a 50/50 partnership. You have to be equal in the marriage.”

One couple waiting to take a photo with the Bishop was golden anniversary couple, Ronald and Barbara Benucci. They were married on Aug. 7, 1965 in St. Mary Church, Nutley, and are longtime parishioners at St. Pius X Parish in Montville. They said, “It’s a wonderful feeling to be here. You feel like you accomplished something special.” High school sweethearts from Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Newark, the Benuccis were 16 when they met. “The secret to a long and happy marriage is understanding each other and good communication,” they both agreed. “Also a healthy argument, doesn’t hurt,” laughed Barbara Benucci. Ronald Benucci agreed, “Yes. Sometimes you have to have one of those.” Asked to described each other, Barbara Benucci said “He’s a great guy.” Ronald Benucci simply said, “She’s beautiful.”