Friends and Lovers for 50 Years

By Stefanie Gutierrez

Couples married in 1957 came together on Saturday, April 28, for the diocesan Eucharistic celebration of 50th wedding anniversaries.

Held at Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, the main chapel was bursting with over 750 friends and families of the 113 couples who renewed their vows.

Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano celebrated the 11 a.m. Mass, where tears of joy and happiness filled the eyes of many women and men present for the ceremony.

He related to those gathered, “My aunt, married over 60 years, taught me a model that is key to what we celebrate today. Whoever wishes to go far, needs to go step by step to get them there safely.”

Many heads nodded in agreement. He then said, “And in Brooklyn language, that means one day at a time,” as he smiled as laughter was heard throughout the church.

“Over 5,660 years of faithful love is present here right now, and that is a remarkable testimony,” Bishop Caggiano continued. “And when you went to the altar 50 years ago and said those vows, it wasn’t just that one time. You have had the opportunity to say ‘I do’ time and time again.”

All of the couples looked at each other when the bishop said, “Look upon the face of the one person God has chosen for you, among all of the people who have lived. This is the face of your soul mate.”

Ready for another 50: That’s the word from Alfred Armanini, who renewed his promise to love, honor and cherish his bride, Marisa, on April 28. The couple, from Our Lady of Fatima, Jackson Heights, was among 113 renewing their vows at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston.

Children, grandchildren, relatives and friends took time to say “thank you” for the example that those married for 50 years gave to them.

Bishop Caggiano said, “You prove the world wrong that love cannot last, that it is only a season. Married love does last, for 50… 60… years.”

Among the filled pews, there was one couple there to celebrate 60 years together. Thomas and Theresa Fabbricante, parishioners from St. Mel, Flushing. They were married May 18, 1947, in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Ridgewood.

Obed Lima Photo

When speaking about their 60 years together, Theresa says about their wedding day, “I was 20, and my husband was 22, and he had great qualities. He was honest, sincere and hard working. I read once something that is very true. When you are going together (dating), don’t overlook anything. After you are married, overlook everything!”

Father James Cunningham, left, and Bishop Caggiano, congratulate Father Cunningham’s parents, Eileen and Robert, on this special anniversary.

They are the proud parents of three girls and four boys, and Theresa says, “We are so thankful to God for what we have. There has been a lot of hardship, but with God’s help we have made it. He has been so good to us.”

Asked if she anticipated celebrating 60 years with Thomas on the day they were first married, she answered, “I had no idea! People said we were too young when we married, but we loved each other. The Blessed Mother was there on that May afternoon, just as she is today.”

Also present at the ceremony were two brothers with their wives. They met and fell in love in the same year and were both married in 1957. William and Marie Krejci from Holy Family, Fresh Meadows, and John and Pasque Rena from St. Francis of Assisi, Astoria.

Father James Cunningham, a co-celebrant of the Mass, was able to witness his parents, Eileen and Robert, renew their vows at the celebration. Parishioners now at St. Sebastian, Woodside, they were there with friends and fellow parishioners Nancy and John Tully, who were also there to celebrate 50 years together.

When asked what advice they would give to young couples after 50 years together, Eileen said, “We supported each other and our decisions… And we only remember the good.”

Stefanie Gutierrez Photo

Peruvian partners Publia and Cesar Santa Maria observed 50 years of wedded bliss with their three children, eight grandchildren and great grandchild.

Nancy added, “It’s not easy, but we kept smiling!”
Ana Puente, coordinator of marriage ministry at the Office of Faith Formation, organized the celebration. “It is a very inspiring experience for me. It is a lot of work, but it is so exciting to see their faces when they renew their vows. It is wonderful and it is an inspiration for all of us. It is worth it.”

A Model Marriage, that’s what Michael Laforgia calls his parents’ 50-year union. Ann and Nick, above, continue to share their

life and love.

Michael Laforgia, whose parents, Nick and Ann, renewed their vows, said, “The one thing that resonates with me, in regard to marriage, is that my parents always put each other first. They loved their children, but they didn’t lose their identity. They have never forgotten who they are.”

Parishioners at St. Mel, Flushing, Nick and Ann said they each look forward to another 50 years together.

“Their marriage,” Michael said, “is a model my wife and I try to follow.”

And that seemed to be the theme for the celebration. Fifty years of marriage, lived one day at a time, reflecting that love and example to younger couples.

Julius and Daisy Walls, parishioners at St. Peter Claver, Bedford-Stuyvesant, are still sweet on each other after five decades of marriage.

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