YOUNGSTOWN — Showing support and encouragement to one another seems to be important characteristics for a long and happy marriage

On Sunday, more than 100 couples renewed their vows at St. Columba Cathedral as part of a special annual Mass celebrating couples’ wedding anniversaries.

Bishop David Bonnar celebrated the Mass with the couples who were celebrating anniversaries ranging from 25 to 67 years, with 28 of the couples having been married 51 to 66 years.

Vince and Rita DeSalvo of Champion, who attend St. William Parish in Champion, marked 65 years of marriage.

Rita and Vince said being patient and supporting each other are important for any marriage.

Robin Walk of Champion said she was happy for her parents and their long marriage.

“They are best friends who support each other. They do everything together They have been a good example for me and others,” she said,

Kenneth and Elizabeth Kilpatrick of Warren Township have been married 63 years and attend St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren.

“This event today was wonderful,” Elizabeth said.

Kenneth said he was taking Elizabeth out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary.

He said he was from Warren Township and Elizabeth was from Struthers when they met at Youngstown State University.

Larry and Helen Thomas of Youngstown marked 61 years of marriage and attend St. Patrick Church in Hubbard. They said being kind and helpful to each other is important.

Helen said they appreciated the Diocese hosting the special Mass to recognize married couples.

George and Donna Kascsak of Lordstown marked 60 years of marriage and attend St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Warren.

George said their marriage stays happy because “the honeymoon never ends.”

“Communicating and being there for one another is so important,” Donna said.

BISHOP’S MESSAGE

Bonnar told the couples who filled the pews at the front of the cathedral that it is important for each partner in marriage to learn the love language of the other.

“We are gathered today to celebrate significant milestones in married life. We call these milestones anniversaries. For many it would seem like only yesterday when you met at God’s altar and joined in the sacrament of matrimony. Here you are today, 25, 40, 50 or 65 or more years later in God’s house to publicly proclaim your undying love for each other,” Bonnar said.

He said God’s language is his love for the couples while they faithfully live out that partnership of life and love. Bonnar said the words God has for marital bliss and faithful discipleship are encouragement, vision, commandment and new.

He said encouragement to each other shows perseverance and being with each other shows how each looks for the new in one another, bringing hope while continuing to carry out marriage vows.

Bonnar said there is love the couples have for one another just as Jesus has love for both of them. He said husbands and wives as they live together show their love for one another every day.

Bonnar said when he was a parish priest, he used to celebrate many marriages.

“I tell married couples they will receive many beautiful gifts but one gift they will not receive is a score card because there is no keeping score in marriage. Keeping score is just for games, and marriage is not a game. Marriage is the union of life and love blessed by God,” Bonnar said.

Bonnar said couples become new by renewing their promises and the power of their words for one another, promising to love each another no matter what.

“Jesus and the church make your love for one another new. I wish you so much newness every day,” Bonnar said.

He encouraged the couples to reminisce on their past and think of their future together.

The Diocese of Youngstown hosted its wedding anniversary Mass on Sunday celebrating long marriages at St. Columba Cathedral. Among those marking 60 or more years of marriage from Mahoning and Trumbull counties were:

MAHONING

• Theodore and Carol McCoy, 65 years, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish-St. Anthony of Padua Church, Youngstown

• William and Dolores Ulicny, 61 years, Christ Our Savior Parish, Struthers

• Frank and Janice Castro, 60 years, St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Boardman

• Donald Francis and Marie Carmel Ronyak Sr., 60 years, Basilica of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish-St. Anthony of Padua Church, Youngstown

• Edward and Kathryn Sunseri, 60 years, St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Boardman.

• Charles and Carol Zamary, 60 years, St. Columba Cathedral Parish-St. Columba Cathedral, Youngstown

TRUMBULL

• Ralph and Annette Weidner, 66 years, St. Patrick Church, Hubbard

* Vincent and Rita DeSalvo, 65 years, St. William Church, Champion

• Kenneth and Elizabeth Kilpatrick, 63 years, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren

• Lawrence and Helen Thomas, 61 years, St. Patrick Church, Hubbard

• George and Donna Kascsak, 60 years, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren

• William and Suzanna Zamarelli, 60 years, St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Warren