PROVIDENCE — In any marriage, a couple will experience joys, sufferings, milestones, setbacks, happiness and sorrow.
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“That’s part of everyone’s life, isn’t it?” Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said to more than 200 married couples who are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year.
In his homily during the annual special Wedding Anniversary Mass, held Sept. 25 at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, Bishop Tobin stressed the foundation of faith and hope that have enabled the couples — whether they were celebrating 25, 50 or 70 years of marriage — to live out their marriage vows faithfully.
Said the bishop, “It strikes me the passage of years, whether it’s 15 or 70, has given you a certain wisdom about life, a certain perspective about life, so that you can see how everything has come together for you.”
The institution of marriage has been shaken over the last 40 to 50 years by societal trends that include no-fault divorce, an increase in cohabitation, fewer couples getting married, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in 2015 that redefined marriage in civil law to include same-sex unions.
Statistics provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops reflect those trends. The American divorce rate is nearly twice what it was in 1960, and current estimates suggest that 40 to 50 percent of recent marriages will end in separation prior to the death of either spouse.
Fewer people are also getting married. There has been a decline of more than 50 percent since 1970 in the annual number of marriages in every 1,000 unmarried adult women. And people who are getting married are doing so later in life. The median age of those married for the first time is 28.3 for men and 25.8 in women. In 1960, the median age was 23 for men and 20 for women.
The example of the 212 couples and their relatives who packed the cathedral for the anniversary Mass spoke to the beauty of the Church’s teachings on marriage and family, including the several dozen couples who have been married 50 years and longer.
Two couples — William and Josephine Elliano of St. Mary Church in Cranston, and Nicola and Santa Mainelli of St. Pius V Church in Providence — celebrated 72 years of marriage.
“We’re so grateful for your witness to fidelity and love,” said Bishop Tobin, who commended the couples for serving as “wonderful examples of strong, successful and loving marriages.”
The special liturgy also included a renewal of wedding vows. Each husband and wife pledged to renew their love and commitment to their spouse, for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death.
Prior to the anniversary Mass, some of the couples expressed appreciation for the opportunity to renew their vows and for the diocese for honoring their marriages.
“The yearly anniversary Mass celebrated at the cathedral by Most Rev. Bishop Tobin is a tribute not only to the many long-term married couples that attend, but to marriage itself as a sacrament recognized and supported by the diocesan family,” said Richard and Suzanne Lachappelle, parishioners of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Church in Harrisville. They celebrated 50 years of marriage.
“My husband and I feel very fortunate to be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary at this special Mass in the beautiful Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul along with so many other couples from throughout the diocese,” said Mark and Michele Foster, parishioners of St. Mark Church in Cranston.
“We are very happy to be participating in the wedding anniversary celebration today and look forward to renewing in the presence of our children the sacred vows we took 50 years ago at Our Lady of Grace Church,” said Joseph and Lillian McIntyre, parishioners of Saint Philip Church in Greenville.
In his homily, Bishop Tobin quoted Pope Francis, who wrote in Amoris Laetitia that the Lord’s presence “dwells in real and concrete families, with all their day-to-day troubles and struggles, joys and hopes.”
“God has made his dwelling place with you,” Bishop Tobin said.
After the Mass, Mario and Veronica Casinelli — parishioners of Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston celebrating 68 years of marriage — divulged their secrets to a long marriage: “Never go to bed angry at night, talk about things, and count your blessings.”
Joseph and Lois Petruccillo, parishioners of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in North Providence, celebrated 50 years of marriage. Asked for her insights to a healthy marriage, Lois said: “I just love him, and he loves me, through all the struggles. And our faith is very important.”
Joseph Petruccillo added: “You have to understand that you have weaknesses and your partner has weaknesses. You have to put all that aside and renew your love and trust. That ties everything together.”
COUPLES CELEBRATING WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
BARRINGTON
Walter & Ann Adamowicz Saint Luke Church 60
Joesph & Lois Lombardi Saint Luke Church 55
Clay & Ann Marie Beccue Saint Luke Church 40
Scott & Pamela Fuller Saint Luke Church 40
William & Mary Hanley Saint Luke Church 40
George & Maureen Neubauer Saint Luke Church 40
Christopher & Lori Brindamour Saint Luke Church 25
Scott & Susanne MacKinnon Saint Luke Church 25
Daniel & Jeanine McConaghy Saint Luke Church 25
BRISTOL
Antonio & Mary Andrade Saint Elizabeth Church 50
Antonio & Delfina DoSouto Saint Elizabeth Church 50
Richard & Francine Sousa Saint Elizabeth Church 50
Ernesto & Maria Jose DeFreitas Saint Elizabeth Church 40
John & Nelia Milhomens Saint Elizabeth Church 25
Roger & Dorothy Wilson Saint Elizabeth Church 25
John & Dolores Salesses Saint Mary Church 62
Stanley & Jane Piktel Saint Mary Church 60
Dale & Lynn Wainwright Saint Mary Church 25
Albert & Ann King Saint Mary Church Carolina 64
CENTRAL FALLS
Guy & Suzanne Genesse Holy Spirit Church Central Falls 57
Rajmund & Irene Sekulski Saint Joseph Church Central Falls 25
COVENTRY
Ernest & Barbara Cotnoir Saint Vincent de Paul Church 60
Henry & Marie Lozier Saint Vincent de Paul Church 56
Paul & Lea Ellen Schroeder Saint Vincent de Paul Church 55
Richard & Elena Altrui Saint Vincent de Paul Church 54
Robert A. & Mary Lou DiPadua Saint Vincent de Paul Church 53
Richard & Shirley Larmer SS. John & Paul Church 60
Howard & Carolyn Faunce SS. John & Paul Church 50
David & Patricia Dowling SS. John & Paul Church 25
CRANSTON
James & Cheryl Chrones Holy Apostles Church 25
James & Debra Rocchio Holy Apostles Church 25
Mario & Veronica M. Casinelli Jr. Immaculate Conception Church 68
Richard & Sandra DelSesto Immaculate Conception Church 50
Michael & Marilyn Doran Immaculate Conception Church 50
Gilles & Celia Roch Immaculate Conception Church 50
Louis & Judith Faraone Immaculate Conception Church 25
Murray & Lucille Dessler Immaculate Conception Church 60
Joseph & Natalie Migneault Saint Mark Church 59
William & Gloria Laurie Saint Mark Church 55
Nicholas & Elizabeth Spolidoro Saint Mark Church 50
Rene & Mary Ellen Boucher Saint Mark Church 40
Mark & Michelle Foster Saint Mark Church 40
William & Josephine Elliano Saint Mary Church 72
Domenic & Paula Coro Saint Mary Church 30
William & Deborah Girard Saint Mary Church 25
Kevin & Kathleen Mangan Saint Paul Church 59
CUMBERLAND
Adelino & Maria Andrade Our Lady of Fatima Church 40
Harvey & Doris Gauthier Saint Aidan Church 57
Domenic & Sandra Boragine Saint Aidan Church 50
Robert & Virginia Jones Saint Aidan Church 50
Ronald & Annette Bachand Saint Aidan Church 40
John & Kathleen Bociek Saint Joan of Arc Church 40
Richard & Patricia Pelletier Saint John Vianney Church 60
Jack & Kathy Austin Saint John Vianney Church 50
Gerard & Denise Lamarsh Saint John Vianney Church 50
John & Theresa MacQueen Saint John Vianney Church 50
Richard & Paulette Masnyk Saint John Vianney Church 50
Gene & Kathy Berthiaume Saint John Vianney Church 40
Edward & Dalia Bubnys Saint John Vianney Church 25
Thomas & Lois Schillinger Saint Joseph Church 55
William & Rose Ann Zywiak Saint Joseph Church 25
EAST GREENWICH
Paul & Camille Mangiameli Our Lady of Mercy Church 40
Richard & Claudette Raposa Our Lady of Mercy Church 50
EAST PROVIDENCE
Victor & Evelyn Almonte Saint Brendan Church 40
Carl & Helen Sorrentino Saint Brendan Church 40
Michael & Martha DeAngelis Saint Brendan Church 25
George & Tamara Primmer Saint Brendan Church 25
Manuel & Bernardete Garcia Saint Francis Xavier Church 50
Mariano & Valdemira Ferreira Saint Francis Xavier Church 40
Manuel J. & Lucilia L. Sousa Saint Francis Xavier Church 40
Carl JoAnne & LaPietra Saint Francis Xavier Church 25
David & Nelia LePage Saint Francis Xavier Church 25
James & Anne Conlon Saint Margaret Church 50
Manuel & Emily Alvernaz Saint Margaret Church 25
Joseph & Evelyn DiRobbio Saint Martha Church 65
Philip & Patricia Abbatomarco Saint Martha Church 57
David & Isabel Christie Saint Martha Church 25
EXETER
Ronald & Judi DeFrancesco Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church 50
Ward & Mary Beth McKenna Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church 25
GREENVILLE
Joseph & Lillian McIntyre Saint Philip Church 50
HARRISVILLE
James & Diane Hagerty Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Church 50
Richard & Suzanne Lachapelle Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Church 50
Arthur & Donna Armstrong Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Church 40
Thomas & Diane Emidy Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus Church 40
HOPE VALLEY
Salvatore & Joanne Neri Saint Joseph Church 50
Roland & Gloria Beliveau Saint Joseph Church 25
JOHNSTON
Michael & Carol Consiglio Saint Robert Bellarmine Church 50
Carmine & Celia Perrotti Saint Rocco Church 64
Rudolph & Alesandra Branca Sr. Saint Rocco Church 50
Salvatore & Irene Salvo Saint Rocco Church 50
Stephen & Marianne Martin Saint Rocco Church 40
LINCOLN
Jerry & Jeanne Choiniere Saint Ambrose Church 61
Timothy & Pauline Bellamy Saint Ambrose Church 40
Gerald & Irene Carney Saint Jude Church 60
Robert & Jeanne Cote Saint Jude Church 55
Walter & Maria Wilk Saint Jude Church 55
Gerald & Cheryl Dupont Saint Jude Church 40
Steven & Yolanda Andrews Saint Jude Church 25
Pierre & Simone Dupuis Saint Jude Church 25
Richard & Theresa Fournier Saint Jude Church 25
LITTLE COMPTON
Joseph & Dawn Maiato Saint Catherine of Siena Church 25
MAPLEVILLE
Henry & Jeannette Picard Our Lady of Good Help Church Mapleville 66
NARRAGANSETT
John & Lorraine Jennings Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church 50
William & Margaret Minnick Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church 50
Edward & Carol Shunney Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church 50
George & Kathleen Curtis Saint Mary Star of the Sea Church 40
Albert & Barbara Loffredi Saint Thomas More Church 50
NEWPORT
Hugo & Serafina Deascentis Jesus Saviour Church 69
Joseph & William Ann I. Flynn Saint Augustin Church 50
NORTH KINGSTOWN
Victor & Edith D'Alfonso Saint Bernard Church 69
William & Barbara Arnold Saint Bernard Church 59
Fenwick & Jean Palazzo Saint Bernard Church 59
Edward & Carolyn Field Saint Francis de Sales Church 50
Joseph & Catherine Piscatelli Saint Francis de Sales Church 50
Raymond M. & Meredith Rugg Saint Francis de Sales Church 50
NORTH PROVIDENCE
William & Carol Bak Mary Mother of Mankind Church 50
Valentino & Linda Lombardi Mary Mother of Mankind Church 50
Anthony & Cynthia Marciano Presentation of the BVM Church 50
Joseph & Lois Petruccillo Presentation of the BVM Church 50
SCITUATE
Robert & Carolyn Sieckiewicz Saint Joseph Church 50
Joseph & Diane Hopkins Saint Joseph Church 25
PASCOAG
James A. & Jean F. Hoppe Saint Joseph Church 50
John & Suzanne Lynes Saint Joseph Church 50
PAWTUCKET
Eduardo & Ines Soares Saint Anthony Church 50
Albano & Maria Carvalho Saint Anthony Church 40
Raymond & Suzana Chaput Saint Anthony Church 40
James & Janice Russell Saint John Paul II Church 50
Conrado & Ana Mosquera Saint John the Baptist Church 25
Hector M. & Adriana M. Munoz Saint John the Baptist Church 25
Arthur & Katharine Kelley Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church 60
David & Virginia Casey Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church 50
Edmond & Jacqueline Heroux Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church 50
Charles M. & Valerie A. Hannigan Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus Church 25
PEMBROKE, MA
Thomas & Karen Anderson Saint Thecla Church 50
PROVIDENCE
Manfred & Judith Vasiliauskas Our Lady of the Rosary Church 50
James M. & Alice D. Sloan III Saint Augustine Church 62
John & Frances Taylor Saint Augustine Church 56
Louis & Elizabeth Bisci Saint Augustine Church 51
James & Maryann Adamo Saint Augustine Church 50
Charles & Ivy Duffy Saint Augustine Church 50
Alfred & Irene Ventresca Saint Augustine Church 50
Thomas & Debra Geary Saint Augustine Church 40
Antimo & Rosalie D'Agostino Saint Bartholomew Church 62
Michael R. & Dolores A. Mancini Saint Bartholomew Church 56
Vincent & Carol Branca Saint Bartholomew Church 51
Jose & Maria Payano Saint Michael the Archangel Church 40
Kenneth & Marion O'Grady Saint Patrick Church 50
Nicola & Santa Mainelli Saint Pius V Church 72
Dennis & Elizabeth Hughes Saint Pius V Church 50
Mel & Catherine Lynch Saint Pius V Church 50
James & Marlene McDonald Saint Pius V Church 50
Deacon & Mrs. Jimmie Patricia Owen Saint Pius V Church 50
Daniel & Jayne Cahill Saint Raymond Church 40
SLATERSVILLE
Andre E. & Aline L. Allard Saint John the Evangelist Church 60
Michael & Marguerite Flynn Saint John the Evangelist Church 40
Daniel & Michelle Taylor Saint John the Evangelist Church 25
SMITHFIELD
Kevin & Ann Cote Saint Michael Church 25
TIVERTON
Henry & Corrine Lecomte Holy Ghost Church 50
VENICE, FL
Charles & Susan Sherman Our Lady of Lourdes Church 25
WAKEFIELD
Edward & Kathleen Puchalla Saint Francis of Assisi Church 50
WARREN
Antonio & Zita Melo Saint Mary of the Bay Church 50
Timothy & Anne Bulin Saint Mary of the Bay Church 25
David & Pauline Massed Loren Saint Mary of the Bay Church 25
WARWICK
Michael Leo & Jane Ann Moriarty Saint Benedict Church 50
Kenneth Christine McCarthy Saint Francis of Assisi Church 25
Robert & Nancy Lemoi Saint Gregory the Great Church 50
Robert & Donna Sawyer Saint Gregory the Great Church 50
Kenneth & Kathleen Conti Saint Kevin Church 40
Thomas & Janet Powers Saint Peter Church 40
David & Janet Gagnon Saint Rita Church 57
David & Cheryl Picard Saint Rita Church 28
Salvatore & Pauline Catanese Saint Timothy Church 68
Clarence & Mary Barrow Saint Timothy Church 64
Salvatore Evelyn Raspallo Saint Timothy Church 59
Robert Marjorie Tracy Saint William Church 50
Harold Patricia Blanding SS. Rose & Clement Church 67
Owen Teresa Mahony SS. Rose & Clement Church 64
Norman Janice Dyer SS. Rose & Clement Church 60
Edmund Barbara Gilmartin SS. Rose & Clement Church 60
Thomas Eleanor Chadronet SS. Rose & Clement Church 56
Anthony Mary DiSara SS. Rose & Clement Church 55
John Carolyn Wheeler SS. Rose & Clement Church 55
Hugh Cecile Houston SS. Rose & Clement Church 50
Robert Leslie Baxter SS. Rose & Clement Church 25
WEST WARWICK
John Barbara D'Arezzo Sacred Heart Church 65
George Carolyn Fusco Sacred Heart Church 50
WESTERLY
William Anne Holland Saint Clare Church 60
Kenneth Joan Swain Saint Clare Church 55
James Judith Beal Saint Clare Church 50
Kenneth Lillian Devine Saint Clare Church 50
Joseph J. Angelina T. Iacoi Saint Clare Church 40
Robert Lynn Piola Saint Clare Church 40
James Patricia Romanella Saint Clare Church 40
Geoffrey Elizabeth Serra Saint Clare Church 40
Joseph Jodi Walker Saint Clare Church 25
Philip Joan Gately Saint Pius X Church 63
WOONSOCKET
Pierre Rita Aucoin All Saints Church 65
Kenneth Gloria DeCubellis All Saints Church 50
David Judith Gaulin All Saints Church 25
Walter Rita Pristawa Saint Agatha Church 50
Stephen Ann Van Orsouw Saint Agatha Church 25
Dennis Dolores Berard Saint Joseph Church 50
Richard Diane Grenon Saint Joseph Church 50
