The Catholic News & Herald 1
November 2, 2001
November 2, 2001 Volume 1 1 t Number 8
Inside “Translators of the Gospel” Annual Aquinas-Luther conference focuses on works of key religious leaders
... Page 4
Lay associates foster Maryfield vision of service ... Page 14
Local News ‘Life is just beginning,’ bishop tells seniors at diocesan gathering ... Page 7
Faith remains constant in deacon’s life ... Page 16
Every Week Entertainment ... Pages 10-11
Editorials & Columns ... Pages 12-13
“ ... We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith ... “
— 2 Thessalonians 1:11
S e r v i n g C a t h o l i c s in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
Couples renew vows at anniversary Mass By ALESHA M. PRICE Staff Writer CHARLOTTE — Rolando Martinez met Mirtha in a physics lab class. He was the professor, and she was studying for her electrical engineering degree. Through their academic and social acquaintance, they fell in love and were married 25 years ago. Expressing his dissent with the Cuban government via a letter led to his expulsion from the university and the harassment of his wife. Government officials asked her to divorce her husband, and in response, she proclaimed he was a wonderful husband and father and was proud of what he did. “Even through those difficult times, our marriage survived because we loved each other,” said Mr. Martinez, who fled to Arden with his family and joined St. Barnabas Church. The Martinezes and more than 200 other couples with family and friends from around the diocese commemorated the sacrament of matrimony and the love that has carried them through years of joys and pains. The annual Mass celebrating 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church and was sponsored by the Family Life program of Catholic Social Services Special Ministries. The celebration included time for the couples to renew their vows and recommit themselves to one another. Bishop William G. Curlin, celebrant, spoke of the love between a husband and wife. “Marriage is about love — one that is generous, understanding, forgiving and tolerating,” Bishop Curlin said. “(It is) a love that enables you both to say, ‘we forgive each other,’ and is a love that is so unselfish that you ask your spouse what makes the other happy.” Edward and Alfredia Lewandowski, parishioners at St. John Neumann Church in Charlotte, agreed that consideration of the other person is what has kept them going for 50 years. “We trust in each other,” Mrs. Lewandowski said. “You don’t think of yourself; you have to think of the other person. He always comes first.” The bishop asked what were the elements that supply the foundation for a happy marriage and said that kindness, generosity, unselfishness, love and love transcended into acts of mercy are the attributes necessary for long-lasting marriages. “Lots of love, hard work and commitment to family are what make a marriage work,” said John and Mary Nelis, celebrating their golden anniversary. The bishop said the level of commitment must be extensive and
Photos by Alesha M. Price
Pictured top, Paul and Jo Anne Pearson from St. Eugene Church in Asheville celebrate their 25th anniversary and renew their vows at the 25th and 50th anniversary Mass at St Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte on Oct. 28. Pictured bottom right, Bishop William G. Curlin, celebrant and homilist, takes the bread and wine. He called the couples shining examples of marriage. expansive. “Your goal is not 50-50; it is 100100. It is much more than simply a marriage contract. You have to say totally, ‘I am yours.’ You have come here to celebrate the gift of a heart to a heart.” Paul and Jo Anne Pearson from St. Eugene in Asheville, who are celebrating 25 years of marriage, agreed, “The marriage needs to be all-giving,” Mr. Pearson said. “(There should be) no jealousy, and no one can be out for himself or herself. If you give more than you expect to receive, then it will be successful. I think you have to be aware from the beginning that there will be some tough roads, and you have to work through them together, not separately. I can’t imagine being with anyone else.” The bishop said that the couples were shining examples of what the sacrament means especially during a time when statistically, more than half of marriages end in divorce.
“You show us the triumph of unselfish, generous love,” he said. “You are our heroes because the family is what is most important.” Gerry Carter, director of Special Ministries, said, “We want to celebrate those sterling examples of marital commitment. These couples are a treasure for the church, so we want our appreciation to be visible. We are honoring those couples who have been real symbols of what family life is all about.” Contact Staff Writer Alesha M. Price by calling (704) 370-3354 or e-mail amprice@charlottediocese.org.