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.
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