Kipsy Caragay is pragmatic when reflecting on her first year of marriage to her husband Ramil.
“If it weren’t for our faith, I don’t think we would have even started dating or liking each other in the first place,” she said, then with a smile she pointed out that she and Ramil are polar opposites, come from different backgrounds and have different interests.
“But the one thing that did bring us together,” she said, “was our love for Jesus and our love for serving him and worshiping him. That’s where it all started and that’s the reason we’re here today.”
PHOTO GALLERY: Anniversary Blessing-Burlington and Mercer counties
PHOTO GALLERY: Anniversary Blessings-Monmouth and Ocean counties
Members of Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, the Caragays were among the 200 couples from around the Diocese who attended one of the two Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Masses this year. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated a Mass Oct. 5 in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, for married couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties marking one, 25, 50 or more years of marriage this year. The Bishop celebrated another Mass Oct. 19 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, for couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
The Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing Mass has been a beloved tradition in the Diocese since it was established by Bishop George W. Ahr in 1963. During each Mass, participating couples renew their wedding vows and receive a special blessing from the Bishop. After Mass, the couples are invited to receive an individual blessing from one of the concelebrating priests and are given a certificate marking their anniversary milestone. The couples and their guests are then treated to a reception.
At both Masses, Bishop O’Connell led the couples in the renewal of their wedding vows. In this photo are Joan and George Bachar of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Bradley Beach, who are married 65 years. John Batkowski photo
Rooted in Scripture
“Stir into the flame the gift of God that you have …,” Bishop O’Connell said in his Oct. 5 homily, reflecting on the day’s reading from St. Paul.
“Marriage is a gift, a flame that must be tended. In the first year, the flame is new and bright. At 25 years, it may flicker, needing rekindling through prayer, shared memories and renewed commitment. At 50 years, it burns steady and warm, illuminating the path for others.”
“Paul reminds us that love is not passive, it is powerful, disciplined and courageous,” Bishop O’Connell said to the couples from Burlington and Mercer Counties. “To all couples, stir into the flame the gift of your marriage. Let it shine with the Spirit of God.”
In his Oct. 19 homily, Bishop O’Connell recalled the parable of the widow who refused to be ignored and ultimately prevailed because of her persistence.
“She knew what she needed and she would not let go,” the Bishop said of the woman.
“Is this not also a parable for marriage?” the Bishop asked the couples from Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
“There are seasons of joy and seasons of trial, moments when love feels effortless and moments when love is a daily decision, renewed with effort and prayer,” Bishop O’Connell said. “And yet, you remained. You kept knocking. You kept praying. You remained faithful. Just like the widow, you trusted that love was worth the perseverance.”
A couple reads the Prayers of the Faithful during the Oct. 19 Mass in Freehold. John Batkowski photo
Lasting Love
Through joyful words, laughter and tears, couples shared thoughts on the milestone marriages being celebrated.
Kipsy Caragay said that it was uniquely special that she and Ramil attended the Jubilee for Youth in Rome soon after their wedding and that they had an opportunity to receive a newlywed papal blessing from Pope Leo XVI.
Now, for the couple to receive Bishop O’Connell’s blessing, “that’s a big deal,” Ramil added.
After 50 years together, Eileen and John Welsh of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cinnaminson, are grateful for their Catholic faith and knowing “that God’s always present in our lives, through the good times and in the bad, through our struggles,” Eileen said.
“Most of our times have been good,” Eileen said, except for the rough patch from about 20 years ago when both she and John lost three parents.
“Our faith got us through it,” she said. “It has always been a part of who both of us are.”
Dan and Donna Weeks of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, New Egypt, said their Catholic faith has served as the foundation of their 50 years of marriage, and celebrating it in a faith setting at the Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing made it all the more special.
“Thank you for a wonderful day on Sunday,” the Weeks said extending appreciation to the diocesan organizers. “We know it took hard work to give all of us such a memorable day.”
Chris and Jennie Hallinan of St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Bradley Beach, said they’ve learned a lot during their first year of marriage. One lesson learned, Chris said, is “keeping the ritual of spending Sunday mornings together as husband and wife.”
“Going to church gives us something to look forward to,” Chris said. He also shared a few words of advice, saing “keep dating, keep an ongoing line of communication open with each other and pick your battles.”
Msgr. Joseph Roldan, rector of St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, is among the pastors who enjoyed sharing in a happy occasion with married couples.
“It gives us an opportunity to thank those who are courageous enough to enter marriage and to show the younger generation that it is possible,” he said.
“… It is interesting to see how our faith allows us to live it out because in our society today, we think everything is easy and should be handed down. But in a marriage, we see and the children see, what true love is, what it is to share, what it is to compromise, to work together for the good of the family unit,” he said. “It is a beautiful Sacrament.”
Father Cyril Johnson, parochial vicar of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square, bestows a blessing on Jeyabalan and Fatima Britto, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The Brittos arrived from India to attend the Mass as well as to share the day with their daughter and son-in-law, Anitha and Peter Rajesh Selvaraj, who are members of St. Gregory the Great Parish and are marking their 25th wedding anniversary. Mike Ehrmann photo
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