“Welcome to the mother church of the diocese,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the hundreds of people gathered in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist to celebrate the annual diocesan golden anniversary Mass.
About 150 couples celebrating 50 years of marriage, their family and friends attended the June 25 Mass.
“This is one of my favorite liturgies,” the bishop said.
(See photo gallery above.)
He reflected on what was happening in 1973 when the couples married, noting he was 13 years old at the time.
The average cost of a four-year public college was $358 a year. Eggs were 69 cents a dozen and gas averaged about 39 cents a gallon. The bishop also pointed out 1973 was the year the first handheld mobile phone debuted, as well as the MRI. The Watergate hearings were viewed across the country, Paris peace accords were signed, Sonny and Cher were still a couple – and on television. “M*A*S*H” won an Emmy for outstanding comedy series. Bette Midler won a Grammy as best new artist and the scary movie “The Exorcist” was in theaters.
The award-winning “The Way We Were,” was sung by Barbra Streisand in the movie of the same name, the bishop noted, recalling some of the lyrics. The song begins with ‘Memories, light the corner of my mind. Misty watercolor memories of the way we were. Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind. Smile we gave to one another for the way we were.”
He encouraged the couples to smile as they remember their wedding and the memories they made during the past 50 years, noting they probably were scared and happy. However, there was joy as they danced together for the first time as husband and wife and awoke the first time as a married couple. Each of them has their own version of their story – how they met, their first date, when they fell in love, how they knew they were meant to marry each other, etc.
The bishop also asked them to think about the highest high and the lowest low during their marriages.
“Early on, you had each other and you struggled to learn what being husband and wife actually meant. You learned from experience what it meant to be with each other. And you figured out that staying the course and remaining strong together was the best way to find happiness,” he said. “You were learning how to show God’s love to our world – a love that is patient and kind, not jealous or pompous, not inflated or rude not seeking its own self-interests, not quick to anger and very forgiving. It is a type of love that never fails and conquers everything, just as your love hasn’t failed and you have been able to conquer the forces that would have had your separate.”
Things were always easy, the bishop noted, mentioning some of the issues that affect most marriages including health, problems with children and aging parents, finances, job difficulties and more. Now, in the golden years, he said the couples can look back and tell their stories from their memories.
“I would be less than the pastor of this diocese if I didn’t remind you that somehow God was walking with you all along. He was part of your marriage from the very beginning. Your marriage within the Church was blessed by God himself. You have taught us that to reject God in a marriage is like rejecting the warmth of a nearby fire on a cold winter’s night. God is what fuels the soul and God is what has fueled your marriage because, as we know, God is love. We see God, who is love, in the two of you,” Bishop Malesic said.
Recalling Streisand’s song from the movie, he wondered if the couples would and could do it all again if they had the chance.
“Of course you would. With God, all things are possible – even 50 years of marriage as you once again renew your love in this sacred liturgy. Today, I want to say to our golden jubilarians that your families and friends, your pastors and your bishop are thrilled to celebrate a milestone on your pilgrimage through life – 50 years together as husband and wife,” he said.
“Thank you for showing us that God’s love is lasting. Thank you for showing us that God’s love is kind. Thank you for showing us that God cares about us. Thank you for showing us God’s face, for when we look at you, somehow in the vocation of holy matrimony that you have lived for 50 years now, we see the face of God,” the bishop said.
The liturgy included a reblessing of the rings and a renewal of the couples’ marriage commitment.
After Mass, the bishop spent time chatting with the couples and posing for photos.
The celebration was coordinated by the diocesan Office for Marriage and Family Ministry, headed by Terri Yohman.