Longtime married couples renew their vows at Golden Jubilee Mass
St. Gabriel parishioners Robert and Wannetta Hilbert of Connersville laugh at a joke by Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, apostolic administrator, during his homily for the 29th annual archdiocesan Golden Jubilee Mass for longtime married couples on Sept. 23 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. The Hilberts have been married for 72 years. He is 96 and she is 93. (Photo by Mary Ann Garber)
By Mary Ann Garber
On their wedding day 72 years ago, St. Gabriel parishioners Robert and Wannetta Hilbert of Connersville promised to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.
They were married on April 20, 1940, at St. Gabriel Church in their hometown of Connersville.
Father Robert Minton, assistant pastor, officiated at their nuptial Mass.
During seven decades of marriage, the Hilberts were blessed with four children, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The secret to their many years of marital happiness is simple, they said in separate interviews after the 29th annual archdiocesan Golden Jubilee Mass on Sept. 23 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (View photos from this event and order reprints)
“I tell him, ‘Yes, dear,’ ” Wannetta Hilbert said with a smile.
“I always just say, ‘Yes, honey,’ ” Robert Hilbert responded with a laugh a few minutes later.
They always talk through any disagreements, the Hilberts said, and try to settle their differences amicably every day through communication and a willingness to compromise, which has served them well over nearly three-quarters of a century.
The Hilberts were the longest married couple among 120 couples from parishes in central and southern Indiana at the special anniversary Mass celebrated by Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, apostolic administrator, who also presided as they renewed their nuptial vows.
Three diocesan priests were concelebrants, and two deacons assisted with the Mass.
The couples attending the liturgy represented 6,470 years of marriage, said David Bethuram, executive director of the archdiocesan Office of Family Ministries, which sponsors the Mass and a reception each September.
“In total, they have 452 children, 876 grandchildren, 225 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren,” Bethuram explained at the conclusion of the liturgy.
After sharing a few stories about his parents in Massachusetts, Bishop Coyne thanked the large gathering of elderly Catholic couples for their inspirational witness to others by overcoming the tests of time, trials of economic hardships and challenges of health problems as they raised their families in cities, towns or rural areas.
“It is always a joy to be able to celebrate Mass,” he said, “and to be able to come to a celebration like this is even a more joyful moment for all of us.”
Bishop Coyne praised the couples for honoring their love for—and daily commitment to—each other by faithfully upholding the sacrament of marriage even during the difficult times.
By your unconditional love for each other, he said, “you show us what God’s love is like.”
It was love at first sight for the Hilberts, who met at a baseball game with friends on a farm near Connersville.
He was the catcher, and after the game he caught her eye then later won her heart.
They began their married life on his $1 a day income as a hired hand on a farm. He also worked as a mechanic then they bought 40 acres of her parents’ farmland to grow corn and milk dairy cows while raising their four daughters.
When their twins graduated from high school in 1960, they moved to town, where he worked at the Ford automotive factory and she was employed at a school cafeteria.
After 27 years with the automaker, he retired at age 62.
Now 96 and 93, they have enjoyed a long and happy retirement together.
Newly married couples need to “have faith in God and not argue with each other,” he said. “We talk over everything until we can agree on it. I don’t think we have ever missed a morning kiss or a kiss goodnight. I’d feel bad if we couldn’t be together.” †
