GARY – On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 65 couples gathered for the 40th Annual Wedding Anniversary Celebration Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels to honor marriages of 10 to 65 years.
Participants arrived two-by-two to the diocesan celebration on June 4. The operant number for the gathering, however, was three, as day’s commemoration of the mystery of the Triune Godhead was addressed as the homiletic theme.
Presider Bishop Robert J. McClory began his homily speaking about Sign of the Cross as the “first prayer” that Catholics learn.
“That simple prayer – In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit – becomes an anchor for our prayers throughout our lives,” Bishop McClory said.
Talking about relating to God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit as the Advocate in prayer, the bishop called the Holy Trinity the “trifectas of all trifectas.”
“On the one hand, that is a very complex theological reality that is a tremendous gift to us that we can seek to understand more and more fully year after year,” the bishop explained. “But it’s also very simple: it’s the cleanest way for us to simply call upon God to remind ourselves that He is with us.”
He said the giving nature found throughout the joys and pains of marriage is the “highest ideal … That’s what happens in the Trinity. God is in a loving relationship.”
“Congratulations on your married life,” Bishop McClory said. “And don’t ever forget that even if you don’t have the perfect words for prayer, the beauty of the sacrament is that it is not all about just the two of you. (With) your love, and the grace of the sacrament intertwining and flowing through you, you become an expression of the very mystery of the Trinity.”
Bishop McClory led a blessing of the assembled couples. They held hands, some smiling, others tearing up. Together the husbands and wives prayed “… Blessed are you, Lord, for in the good and bad times of our life you have stood lovingly by our side …”
Tracing back 50 years of a loving relationship, Bill and Joy McCollough, of Munster, were joined together in the sacrament of holy matrimony at Seven Holy Founders in Calumet Park, Ill. They have raised seven children and remain active in the Catholic Church.
The McCulloughs have grown to know each other very well over the course of a more than half-century relationship. Asked about what their spouse would say is their best quality, Bill McCollough said, “One or two things: either that I make her laugh or that I’m reliable as a good provider.”
Joy, after an extended pause, described herself as “patient but pushy ¬ I’m patient when I need to be patient, but also determined with moving things forward.”
Each offered compliments about their partner.
“He is very logical, and a lot of times helps me to see things more clearly; I see things more with my heart,” said Joy McCullough.
Bill McCollough said, “She’s insightful and empathetic. She is very intuitive; she helps people when they are going through things that are difficult … (There are) a lot of things that are exceptional, but at the core is her empathy.”
Maybe most importantly, he added, “She’s a fantastic cook.”
Married in their 20s, Ian and Jennifer Rausei marked their 20th anniversary at the Mass and reception. Theirs is a “just the two of us” story of two teachers who were teenage sweethearts and remained in a steady relationship through college.
The Rauseis grew up in the same city, meeting in the Merrillville High School choir. Their mutual interest in music and a common career interest in teaching drew them to Ball State University.
In Muncie, under the outstretched wings of the angelic sculpture, Beneficence, Ian proposed marriage to Jennifer.
“I’m thinking how time has flown; it’s amazing to realize that 20 years has passed by, because it doesn’t seem like it,” said Jennifer Rausei.
Over the years they have learned to adapt to changes, such as the eventual closure of Ss. Peter and Paul, the parish they were married, in the original church. Yet a constant presence in their life is the faith. “The Diocese of Gary has been a part of us for all our lives,” Ian said.
In 1968, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Leonard and Valerie Czapkowicz were wed. It was a hot summer day.
“It was in July and for our reception the Musicians Hall’s air conditioning was broken,” explained Valerie. “We went outside for the grand march.”
Unlike the conditions for their nuptial party, the temperatures remained cool in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels as an historic first was achieved with the use of a temporary air conditioning system on the weekend of June 3-4.
The Czapkowiczs, St. Thomas More parishioners, said they recently retired from their ministry of more than 30 years as lectors at the Munster parish. They read from Scripture before congregations starting under the pastorate of parish founder Monsignor Robert Weis.
“We were among the first lectors … I asked (Monsignor Weis) one day, ‘Can women be lectors?’ and he said, ‘Sure.’ So, I think I was the first woman lector at the parish.” said Valerie Czapkowicz.
Leonard Czapkowicz said the couple's commitment to their faith and children were the foundations of their household. “Everything is great about her, she’s a beautiful lady, very kind,” he explained.
“He’s very thoughtful and has a different sort of humor,” Valerie Czapkowicz said laughingly.
Son Paul Czapkowicz, 51, one of three male siblings, said he has had a good upbringing.
“I appreciate my parents being a good example of the faith and how to live the faith,” Paul said. “They never miss going to church, even when they’re on vacation. They keep the sabbath holy and keep the commandments.”
Rosanne Kouris, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life, watching over the refreshment table, observed, “The people here are so grateful.”
“So many times, we minister to those who are hurting, such as with Rachel’s Vineyard and Masses for child loss, but sometimes you have to minister to those who are (celebrating),” Kouris said. “Here we are celebrating people who are doing the job day after day.”