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Mass celebration of Marriage
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Maryann Jurcisin smiles at her husband, Jerry, as they repeat their wedding vows that they made 55 years ago. They were among the 131 couples who were honored during Sunday’s Wedding Anniversary Celebration at St. Columba Cathedral.
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
A big smile crosses 88-year-old Agnes Krut’s face when she recalls the times her future husband, Nick Krut, used to come to the restaurant where she worked as a server, then walked her to the bus stop.
“He used to come in for coffee all the time,” remembered Agnes, who worked during World War II at the former Hull Dobs restaurant on Wick Avenue in Youngstown.
What began as friendly walks and chats has turned into nearly 68 years of marriage for the Kruts, of Campbell, who were among the 131 couples from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Ashtabula, Portage and Stark counties who were honored during Sunday’s Wedding Anniversary Celebration at St. Columba Cathedral on West Rayen Avenue.
Bishop George V. Murry of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown gave the couples, all of whom have been married between 25 and 70 years, the opportunity to renew their vows. He also blessed them with holy water during the one-hour special Mass.
Thirty-six couples have been married 54 to 68 years; 46 celebrated 50 years; 27 have 50 years of marriage, and 20 couples were married 25 years ago, for a total of 6,182 years.
Celebrating seven decades of marriage are Henry and Ellen Testa as well as Carl and Madelyn Pedaline, who attend St. Angela Merici church and St. Christine Church, both in Youngstown.
At the time she met Nick, Agnes worked at the former McKelvey’s department store in downtown Youngstown and attended Youngstown College to be an elementary schoolteacher. That turned into 40 years of teaching, 39 of which were in Campbell, she said.
“She was the best kindergarten teacher I ever had,” said Michael Sajnovsky of Howland, who was a student of Krut’s 42 years ago and who attended Sunday’s Mass.
So, what is a secret to having a relationship that is filled with longevity and bliss?
“I allow him to do things he likes to do and he allows me to do things I like to do, and we do things together,” Agnes explained, adding that they got hitched Aug. 20, 1946.
Concurring with her assessment was Nick Krut, who loves to cook and who worked for many years as a repairman at Campbell Memorial High School.
The couple attend Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Campbell and continue to volunteer twice weekly at ValleyCare Northside Hospital, where they have amassed a total of 25,000 volunteer hours.
When Salvatore DiFrancesco was getting his hair trimmed, he probably never thought that such an experience would be a steppingstone to 65 years of marriage — and counting.
“When my barber cut my hair, we talked, you know, about women,” DiFrancesco recalled. “He said, ‘How would you like to meet a nice girl?’”
That nice girl was his wife, Anna DiFrancesco, whom he married July 9, 1949, at St. Columba.
Salvatore’s barber’s wife called her cousin, Anna, and invited her to dinner. Roughly a year later, Salvatore and Anna were married, he continued.
Anna DiFrancesco’s beliefs may seem old fashioned and out of date to some, but they have guided her in raising two successful children, she contended.
“My mother said that the man is the head of the home and the woman is the heart of the home. Too many people of this generation do not respect authority,” said Anna, who worked about 22 years as a bookkeeper for Powell Systems in Hubbard and for McKelvey’s.
Another key to a successful marriage is having God as the centerpiece, added Salvatore, who worked as a metallurgist for the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. and WCI Steel Inc. in Warren.
Delivering the homily was the Rev. Christopher Cicero, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in East Palestine and St. Jude Church in Columbiana.
“Marriage still speaks to the desires of our hearts,” he said. “Married love reflects God’s love in intangible ways.”
The Rev. Mr. Cicero explained that most people want to find lifelong companions. Seeking God’s help is essential for such an endeavor and for maintaining successful, joyous and long-term commitments, he continued.
“You are here today because you have been faithful to your vocation,” Mr. Cicero added. “God has been with you; God is with you. Keep him in your company.”