Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

By Joe Pisani

BRIDGEPORT — Bishop Frank J. Caggiano told 65 couples who gathered for the annual Wedding Jubilarian Mass they were powers of example “in a society that considers marriage a contract rather than a covenant.”

The couples, who had from 25 to 69 years together joined family and friends at St. Augustine Cathedral recently to celebrate their marriages and be honored.

“You have shown us love is possible, and it can endure in a world that would like to tell us that love will not last,” he said. “Love has brought you together in union and has also created life, which you alone could not do. Your love does not just show the beauty of human love, but also shows the beauty of divine love because you are the mirror image of God’s love for us, for the Church, and for all creation.”

Bishop Caggiano said there are people who have come to him after witnessing suffering, difficulty and chaos and said, “Show me where God is. You talk about a God who is loving and gracious and merciful, but when I pick up the paper or go online, I don’t see that God. So show me where this God is. Show me his face.”

The bishop told the jubilarians they were the face of God: “You are the living sacrament of God’s love in the world because just as you have experienced the love that has brought two into one in union—and from that union has created life—so too that is who God is. God is a community of love, self-sacrifice and total empathy: Father to Son, Son to Father. And the Spirit is the love between them.”

He said the assembled couples were “one of the greatest tools to evangelize the world to show that God is truly alive.”

“You have discovered what the Lord has taught us: Love is not simply a feeling or a passion,” the bishop said. “It’s a choice that is made a thousand times every day in times that are good, in times that are bad, in times of great triumph, and in times of great sorrow and loss,” he said. “And for those of you who have the privilege of being blessed to have children, and their children have children, all those joys and sorrows and sufferings just get multiplied over and over again. That’s why we come here to thank you and to honor you.”

The couples renewed their commitment to one another and later gathered to have their photos taken with the bishop. Their secrets to an enduring marriage included patience, understanding, love, prayer, sacrifice and a commitment to God.

Juan and Ana Gerena, who were joined by their daughter Ana George, celebrated their 69th anniversary on June 23 and first met as teenagers in Puerto Rico. Ana said after all these years, they still go everywhere together and that their marriage relies on patience, understanding and being nice to each other. Juan said they never argue or fight. 

Their daughter said, “I am so blessed that they’re here and are able to celebrate together.”

Dennis and Carol Bogue of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Stratford have been married 50 years. How did they do it? 

“I worked nights and she worked days,” Dennis said with a smile.

Carol added, “We hit it off as soon as we met.” That was at McDonald’s, where they worked when Dennis got out of the service and she was studying at Central Connecticut State College. She later taught in Catholic schools throughout the diocese. 

“Our parents were also great role models for us,” she added.

Anna Maria Fides Asistin and Rodolfo Araullo of St. Joseph Parish in Brookfield have been married 50 years, and she credited their longevity to the “Third Party in our marriage: God.”

She said, “Marriage is a crowd and Jesus is in it.” 

Rodolfo said the secret is simple: “Say, ‘Yes, Dear.’” He was 24 and she 20 when they married in their homeland of the Philippines.

Bob and Yvonne Wilkins of St. Stephen Parish in Trumbull, who have been married 60 years, said every night before going to bed, they trace the Sign of the Cross on each other’s foreheads, kiss and say, “God loves you, and so do I.” 

Yvonne added, “We always cherish and respect each other.”

June and Ed Machia of St. Theresa Parish in Trumbull were married 52 years ago at St. Mary in Derby on August 5, 1972 June, who became a Catholic because she respected his faith, said, “Never go to bed angry.” Ed said that while they may argue, they resolve any dispute quickly and listen to each other. 

“Happy wife, happy life,” he added.

Marie and Dom Moura of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Bridgeport were celebrating 40 years of marriage. She stressed the importance of “keeping God as the center of your life.” 

Dom added, “Forget the little things and keep moving forward.”

Tom and Judy Curtin of St. Paul Parish in Greenwich, who have been married 50 years, said their formula is “Always say, ‘Yes, Dear.’”

Tom and Virginia Gunther of Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Wilton, married 50 years, offered this advice: “Make a firm commitment at the beginning and remember you took a sacred vow. Always have patience with your partner and understand you’re a team … a sense of humor helps.”

Patience and enduring love are the secret for Martin and Denise Gross of St. Mark Parish in Stratford, who have been married 50 years. Denise said: “Don’t ever give up on each other through thick and thin and keep your love for each other in your heart.” 

Martin’s response? “Whatever she says, I agree.”

Marie and Elie Cayo of St. Joseph-St. Ladislaus Parish in Norwalk were celebrating their 50th anniversary that day, October 26. Marie said, “Love God every day.” Elie added, “I love God every day and my wife and kids and all my family.” 

The couple, who were married in Haiti, have seven children and eight grandchildren.

Lucy and Jim Rouse of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Fairfield, who are married 50 years, said: “You have to have a lot of patience and swallow hard. Have fun and laugh a lot.” 

Jim added, “We help one another … and haven’t argued in a long time.”

Diocese of Bridgeport Wedding Jubilarians

• Mr. & Mrs. Rodolfo Araullo and Ana Maria Fides Asistin — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and Susan Berry — 25 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Dennis and Carol Bogue — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. George and Kathleen Borrelli — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Sophie Broadley — 25 years
• Dn. & Mrs. James and Janet Brown— 65 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Elie and Marie Jeanne Cayo — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. John and Amelia Coehlo — 54 years
• Mr. & Mrs. John and Theresa Croffy — 55 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Licia Cuccia — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas M. and Judith Curtin — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Anthony and Rose Marie D’Aquila — 45 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Eric and Laura Dautel — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Anthony and Rita DeSabella — 25 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Deanne Donia — 67 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Matthew and Maureen Farrell — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. and Jacqueline Ferri — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Anita Field — 54 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Donna Fletcher — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Jon William and Patricia Font — 60 years
• Dr. & Mrs. Paul and Linda Gargano — 55 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Juan and Ana Gerena — 69 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Paul and Irene Gifford — 56 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Martin and Denise Gross — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Virginia Gunther — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Glenn and Patricia Hansen — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. David and Mary Ann Hyde — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Ralph and Arlene Ieva — 51 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Ann L’Altrella — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. George and Patricia Lauri — 60 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Attila and Andrea Levai — 52 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Edward and June Machia — 52 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Rocco and JoAnn Mancuso — 45 years
• Mr. & Mrs. John C. and Elizabeth Marchese — 45 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard C. and Mary Joan Marus — 65 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Rick and Susan Mazur — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. William and Joanne Medalis — 60 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Kathleen Miazga — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Ivana Money — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. João and Assunção Monteiro — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Dom and Marie Moura— 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Patsy and Patricia Pagliarulo — 68 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Gustavo Ivan Ayala Paredes and Sonia Alexandra Llerena Sevilla— 25 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Kerry Plutte — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. John and Celeste Puglisi — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey and Barbara Roeder — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Lucille Rouse — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. David and Madeline Saad — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Angel and Gladys Salgado — 52 years
• Mr. & Mrs. David and Susan Shaw — 25 years
• Dn. & Mrs. David and Kathleen Sochacki — 55 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Ronald and Bridget Solano — 46 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Elaine Somers — 40 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Richard and Stacie Stueber — 25 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. and Anna Thampoe — 66 years
• Mr. & Mrs. James and Patricia Tharrington — 55 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Fulvio and Elide Tramontina — 62 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Joseph and Natalie Tremonte — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Ronan and Martine Wicks — 25 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Yvonne Wilkins — 60 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Scott and Joanne Williams — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Michael and Kathleen Yomazzo — 60 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Pete and Kim Zaksewicz — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Raymond and LuAnn Zaleski — 50 years
• Mr. & Mrs. Robert and Joyce Zaleski — 25 years