Real-life
love stories celebrated at Anniversary Masses
By Lou Baldwin
Special to The CS&T
What is the secret for a long-lasting marriage?
“Compromise,” was the most common answer given by couples
who attended the Wedding Jubilee Masses celebrated by Cardinal Rigali
on May 4 at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul for couples married
25 years, or 50 years or more.
“No greater blessing can come to your married life than pure conjugal
love, loyal and true to the end,” Cardinal Rigali said in his homily.
“May this love with which you join your hands and hearts today never
fail, and grow deeper and stronger as the years go on.”
Bernard and Mary Toal of Holy Cross Parish in Springfield were married
at Annunciation Church in South Philadelphia 60 years ago.
“I think she picked me up on the street,” he dead-panned.
“A cousin introduced us,” she corrected.
What’s their secret? “Compromise,” she said.
“Keep your mouth shut,” he retorted, ignoring his own advice.
Their union has been blessed with seven children, 10 grandchildren and
six great-grandchildren.
Joan and Carmen Martella, of St. Kevin Parish, Springfield, who were married
at St. Gabriel Church 56 years ago, originally met at a King of Peace
Parish picnic and connected right away.
For a successful marriage, “You have to work at it,” he said.
“Compromise, and know when to keep quiet” she added.
They, too, have seven children. Their son Kevin and his wife, Susan, of
St. Joseph Parish in Aston are celebrating 25 years. They met at “a
social event,“ and were married at St. Joseph Parish in Collingdale.
They have two children.
“Our secret is about the same,” she said.
“Cooperate and work at it,” he said. “Love is a verb.
You have to practice it.”
Ed and Angela Mockapetris, married 25 years, met through a Catholic singles
club, Epsilon Nu, which used to meet at St. Hilary Parish, Rydal. Their
first encounter was a club dance at the Philo.
“He was a good dancer and liked singing,” she said.
After four years, they “graduated” from Epsilon Nu and married
at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Now they reside in St. Jerome Parish.
“The secret is to try to get along with each other and compromise,”
she said.
“Compromise, sacrifice and making it a matter of sharing,”
he said.
Colleen and Joe Griffies met when he was just out of Father Judge High
School and working at a Thriftway store. She would come in shopping in
her Little Flower uniform but he never got up the nerve to speak to her.
After a year, he went away to the U.S. Army and Vietnam. When he got out,
he tried to look her up, but didn’t succeed. But it was meant to
be.
Fifteen years later, they met at a dinner and love blossomed. They were
married at St. Joachim Parish by Father Bernard Farley, who just celebrated
their 25th anniversary Mass at St. Bartholomew.
Their secret is “prayer,” said Joe, especially to St. Katharine
Drexel, to whom they attribute Colleen’s dramatic recovery after
a serious illness.
All told, there were about 400 couples at the two Masses, according to
archdiocesan Family Life Coordinator Tara Seyfer, who will, herself, wed
in August.
“It’s absolutely beautiful to see how many couples have been
living faithfully their marriage vows,” Cardinal Rigali remarked
after the second Mass. “As I said in my homily, they receive strength
from the Resurrection of Christ.”
Lou Baldwin is a member of St. Leo Parish and a freelance writer.