Blessing of milestone anniversaries
News
Love is in the air this month, especially on Sunday 20 September when the Archdiocese celebrates milestone wedding anniversaries across parish communities. In the lead-up to the recognition of their life-long commitment, these loved-up locals shared their stories with Katie Spain.
62-year anniversary
Brian and Yvonne Monro, Glenelg
Brian and Yvonne Monro, Glenelg
“Yvonne and I met in 1961 through a friend of Yvonne’s not long after I had joined the SA Education Department as a teacher from a Catholic school in Victoria. Highlights are the birth of our two children, and sharing with them the stages of their lives; with our grandchildren’s arrival and recently with our great-grand-child. There’s no secret, just hang in there, take each day as it comes, keep in contact with church, friends, and family for support in difficult times, and be grateful for the best.”
60-year anniversary
Vera and Lennard Solly, Clearview/Kilburn
Vera and Lennard Solly, Clearview/Kilburn
“We met in 1964 at a YCW dance at the Enfield Hall where the OLSH school is now. Our relationship was a long distance one at first as I lived in Peterborough and Vera lived in Enfield and only saw each other once a fortnight. Due to Vera’s recent 80th birthday, children and grandchildren are getting together to celebrate our anniversary with us for a family meal. Our ‘secret to a long and happy marriage is to always being there for each other no matter what. Our advice is to listen to each other.”
60-year anniversary
Wayne and Josephine (Jo) Coonan, Glenelg
Wayne and Josephine (Jo) Coonan, Glenelg
“We met when we were both training to become secondary school teachers at what was then, Adelaide Teachers College in Kintore Avenue, Adelaide. Wayne was training to become a Physical Education Teacher and I was training to become what was then known as a Commercial Teacher.
Our standout memories are lots of laughter and good humour. Wayne deciding to become a Catholic, our wedding on 15 January 1966 with Mass at Christ the King Church at Lockleys, celebrated by Fr Ferriggi, a Maltese Franciscan priest. Appointed to teach at the same school, then Seacombe High School in 1966. The birth of our two children, Alicia in February 1968 and Jason in November 1969. Our careers developing, with Wayne gaining a doctorate in 1986 and me a master’s degree in 1994. Many happy years living in the southern suburbs of Adelaide staying in close touch with our respective extended family on both sides. We have been very blessed with a long and happy life, with good health for the most part and wonderful support from family and friends.
Our ‘secret’ is it’s important that you are both on the same page on important matters from the outset: staying faithful to marriage vows, loving and supporting each other, not limiting each other’s possibilities to grow, the ability to make each other laugh, having fun, working together to solve and resolve matters, enjoyment in simply being together as family.
Marriage is a partnership and always a work in progress. It works best when love is at the heart of all that you do together. Don’t hold grudges and talk things through when there are difficulties, remember it is love that keeps you together, be kind, considerate and forgiving.”
58-year anniversary
Roz and David McGowan, Albert Park/Pennington
Roz and David McGowan, Albert Park/Pennington
“Roz and I have been married for 58 years. Vatican 11 reforms were underway at that time reducing some inter-religious rigidity and the wedding (probably the first here to do so) was presided over by TWO clergyman; Fr Andy Zerafa SJ and Roz’s clergyman Anglican Priest Rev Bill Devonshire. We were married at St Ignatius Church Norwood on 3 February 1968.
I was first introduced to my future wife by a mutual friend at a rural youth group on 8 July 1966. I have many wonderful memories of our life together, but ‘standouts’ for me include being taught by my future wife how to milk a cow (she came from a farm) and our first wedding anniversary when between us we had to scrape together small change for enough money to have a meal out. Also, thankful memories of the birth of our four children (though one was stillborn) and celebrating the careers of the surviving children; a police officer, a soldier and a registered nurse like her mother. I remember particularly what a good mother she is and when to make ends meet she took on night duty shifts and I had to take little children out for the day so she could sleep. Roz was a faithful Anglican for most of our married life. We were both pleased when via the Ordinariate Roz was received into the Church, a day I will remember with joy and thanks to God.
I don’t think there is a “secret to a long-standing marriage, the elements are in plain sight if we open our eyes! Talk to each other, respect each other and appreciate the individual traits that each partner brings to the marriage. Trust is essential. [I give] thanks that God has blessed us with the strength to live faithfully as a married couple for 58 years. For those embarking on this journey in life, nothing destroys the relationship faster than neglect of your spouse and the failure to recognise in the partner the uniqueness and talent that God has granted to him or her.”
50-year anniversary
Theo and Monika Toonen, Elizabeth
Theo and Monica Toonen, Elizabeth
“Theo, as a 19-year-old, came to Adelaide from NSW for a change of environment. I was living at my married sister’s place at the time. On his first day at a new job, (6 September 1974 he met my brother-in-law who convinced Theo to give him a lift home. He was invited in to meet his sister-in-law, me! However, I only arrived home from Teacher’s College about four hours later. That evening we did nothing but talk, lying on the lounge room floor. We realised we had so much in common and we both came from practicing Christian homes. However, there was a snag. I was in a two-year relationship with another student.
This was soon ended and we were engaged three months later. We both enlisted in the RAAF but I had to discharge upon marriage on 1 May 1976. We had three children born in WA, two in NSW, and one Queenslander. Belonging to God’s family made each new parish an instant ‘home’. Theo discharged in Adelaide, my home town, after 21 years of service.
We now have six children and their spouses, 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, all very much loved! Since becoming empty-nesters and self-funded retirees, we’ve enjoyed travelling to see relatives in the eastern states and all the places on our bucket list (right around Australia). AND thanks be to God, we’ve only missed Sunday Mass twice, through no fault of our own!
We quietly (because it fell on a week day), celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a special blessing at morning Mass and then Theo said to pack a small bag, as he was taking me on a mystery adventure. We caught the bus instead of driving the car, then a train into Adelaide and that evening, we were 17 stories up with a view, overlooking the ‘ants’ streaming across the bridge to the Adelaide Oval for the Showdown, imbibing the gift bottle of champagne and chocolates.
The secret to our long, sometimes frustrating but often contented or joy-filled marriage is the acknowledgement of the commitment we made before God. We knew the cycle of relationships: Romance, disillusionment and joy and if God meant for marriage to last forever, there must be a way for loving feelings to return. Marriage Encounter taught us that ‘Love is a Decision’!
Our advice to couples who are in the early years of marriage is ‘to hang in there when the going gets tough. The word ‘divorce’ should not even be in your vocabulary.”
50-year anniversary
Teresa and Tim Knight, Tea Tree Gully
Teresa and Tim Knight, Tea Tree Gully
“We met in Whyalla in 1975 where both of us were teachers on our first appointment. We met through social gatherings with other teachers. Standout memories from our years together including building our first (and only) home in 1977, the birth of our daughter in 1978, Tim being received into the Catholic Church in 1986, our daughter’s wedding and the birth of our grandsons.
We plan to celebrate our milestone anniversary with the renewal of our wedding vows, a family gathering and enjoying our grandsons. Our ‘secret’ to a long and happy marriage is patience and understanding of each other’s personalities, allowing each other to thrive in their own interests, giving each other space, honesty, a mutual love of God, His Church and fellowship with our parish community. Allow for times of disagreements and voicing of different opinions, followed by a mutual cup of coffee. Never let the sun go down on negative feelings. Our advice to people who are in the early years of their marriage is to be understanding and patient with each other, support the other’s dreams and ambitions, allow individuality, show your love for each other through your actions, and always be ready for the unexpected and receive it gracefully.”
50-year-anniversary
Patricia and Wasim Saman, Tea Tree Gully
Patricia and Wasim Saman, Tea Tree Gully
We met during our first week at Leeds University, UK. Wasim came from Mosul, Iraq and Patricia from Middlesex, England.
It has been a long and exciting journey together. After 10 years together in the UK, we moved to Baghdad, Iraq, where we had a great life surrounded by family and friends, and had our four children. After living through two wars, we were lucky enough to move and settle in Adelaide in 1993. We have so many highlights with children and grandchildren and lots of memorable trips around the world.
To celebrate our anniversary, we are having a party with family and friends.
Our ‘secret’ is to give and take, be patient and understanding, and learn to compromise and our advice is to keep talking to each other, plan ahead, have faith in each other and leave the rest to God.”
25-year anniversary
Rogelio Rivera Jr and Cherwyn Rivera, Salisbury Parish
“We met in college as classmates. We were part of different friend groups, but somehow, we ended up in the same laboratory group and homeroom. We became friends, and after college, we started dating. The rest is history.
Some of our most meaningful memories are not necessarily the big occasions, but the different seasons of life we’ve shared together; from starting our relationship, getting married, building our first home, migrating to Australia, raising our children, and navigating the challenges and joys along the way.
On our anniversary, our children prepared a home-cooked dinner for us. We all sat together, enjoyed the meal, and read the anniversary cards they had written for us. That was especially memorable because it reminded us that our marriage is not just about the two of us anymore—it has grown into the family we have built together.
During our wedding, the homily included a question that has stayed with us through the years: ‘What more can I do to make you feel that I love you?’
We have tried to live each day with that question in mind. For us, love is not just about the big gestures; it is about the little things we do every day to make each other feel loved, supported, and valued. We try to fill each other’s cup rather than wait for the other person to fill ours. A long marriage is also about choosing each other, again and again, through every season of life.”
25-year anniversary
Tom and Kathy Ganley, Adelaide
Tom and Kathy Ganley, Adelaide
“We were parishioners at Sunday morning Mass at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Alice Springs. God had a plan. Whilst I sat behind Kathy and her siblings, we did not meet until later that year, when they worked together on Australia’s airport privatisation process.
There are many standout memories. Marrying at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tennant Creek, where Kathy’s parents were married, celebrated their lives and had their funerals (when Kathy was a teenager). The significance of raising two Catholic children, Torbison and Nina, and celebrating their sacraments with Emeritus Bishop Eugene Hurley at St Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral in Darwin. A deep love and bond with the Missionaries of Charity who are an integral part of Kathy’s sibling’s lives. An audience with Pope Francis in Rome, two days before Nina’s first birthday was also memorable. Torbison orchestrated Nina being held and blessed by his Holiness as he travelled past in his Pope mobile. Nina crowd surfed back to us.
There is no secret formula, yet we have found that trust, respect and ongoing communication are integral. Humility and patience (sometimes of a Saint) also goes a long way. Kathy now welcomes and enjoys my sense of humour! I love Kathy’s tendency to say what others are thinking!
Marriage is not a legal contract, it is a covenant – a sacred, binding and lifelong promise before God. Be mindful of the vows you made, ‘to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health’. Remember life is not plain sailing – the learnings come with the waves. Celebrate the good times and trust one another during difficult ones. Believe.”
15-year anniversary
Faleafa and Barbara Lesa, Croydon Park
Valera and Barbara Lesa, Croydon Park
“We met in Auckland, New Zealand through a mutual friend. Our first official date was 20 June 2006. Our standout memories were our times of struggles, hardships, temptations and challenges. This may all sound negative, but it’s what made our relationship stronger, has sealed our loyalty and trust to each other, strengthen our faith in God, moulded us in to the parents we are with our children, and bonded us in the way we love, live, and care for each other now.
To celebrate our milestone anniversary, we will start with Mass, praising and giving thanks to God for his guidance and for His everlasting love through our journey. Then we will celebrate with our families and friends, through sharing our testimony/story and sharing lunch. The end the day with a reflection night with our children.
Our ‘secret’ to a long and happy partnership is open communication, praying together, and enjoying a family routine activity together. We play volleyball as a family every Friday night, watch NRL games and our kids play rugby union every Saturday.
Our advice to people who are in the early years of their marriage is always put God first and foremost, pray together and support each other through your highs and lows. Maintain open communication with each other and never let others interfere in your relationship and decision making.”
10-year anniversary
Rebecca and Carlo Staltari, Tea Tree Gully
Rebecca and Carlo Staltari, Tea Tree Gully
“We met through a mutual friend – our beautician; however, we went to the same primary school (and lived in the same suburb) but did not meet each other again until we were 30 years old. Standout memories from our years together are raising our three children – Francesca (9), Serafina (7) and Domenic (5). We went on a date to Sneaky’s Restaurant to celebrate our milestone because we love food and wine.
Our secret is to treat each other with love and respect, sharing common values and goals for life, putting family first in everything we do, to marry your best friend, have emotional connection, and strong faith and belief that God will answer your prayers (he did in both our lives; we overcame our own challenges to find each other).
Our advice is to accept the other person for exactly who they are. If you want to change something about them, they are probably not your person. Talk every night and never go to bed mad at each other. Staying together is an intentional choice you each make. Fun fact: we have celebrated almost all our sacraments at St David’s Parish together. Our communion together when we were kids (including weekly RE classes), shortly followed by our confirmation together, our wedding, and then each of our children’s baptisms. They too, will have their sacraments at the parish. Rebecca’s parents were also married at St David’s in 1978.”
