When Leo and Gladys Bulvanoski were married 60 years ago, the country was at war and the future was uncertain.

But having dated nearly six years since first meeting in Perth Amboy High School and having a strong faith on which to lean, the couple was married Feb. 23, 1943 in Holy Trinity Church, Perth Amboy, while Leo was serving in the United States Navy.

While life has brought the two many challenges, the blessings, such as the birth of four children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren, have far outnumbered them.

In celebration of those blessings, the Bulvanoskis, who are now members of Our Lady of Peace Parish in Fords, were among nearly 300 couples who were honored by the diocese in two separate Golden and Silver Anniversary prayer services in October.

One of two couples who were recognized for 60 years of marriage, the Bulvanoskis stood proudly with couples from across the diocese, who are celebrating the 25th or 50th anniversary of their marriage and renewed their vows before Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski, Oct. 26 in St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen. The bishop also personally gave each of the jubilarian couples a certificate commemorating the anniversary.

According to Judith A. Psota, diocesan director of the Office of Family Life, the annual tribute to anniversary couples began at the diocese’s inception 21 years ago. In a written message given to the couples, she states, "Today, we rejoice with you as you come to renew and affirm your commitment to one another. We are honored you have chosen to share your joy with the Church of Metuchen and we thank you for the tremendous sign you are to all of us – the members of your faith community."

Speaking from the pulpit at each of the celebrations, Psota conveyed the diocese’s wishes, stating, "We ask Almighty God to bless you and to be with you always as you continue to travel on your journey of love together."

It is the blessing of marital love that Father Edward C. Puleo, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Carteret, addressed in his homily delivered to the first gathering of anniversary couples, Oct. 5. Noting that his own grandparents will celebrate their 74th anniversary this year, and his parents recently marked 51 years of marriage, Father Puleo remarked, "I have been surrounded by married couples my entire life."

Father Puleo referred to the writings of St. Paul, who said, "Love never fails" and that Christian love is marked by patience and kindness. Citing the examples of three Scriptural couples, Joseph and Mary, St. Joachim and St. Anne, and Elizabeth and Zechariah, he stated, "They allowed themselves to slow down, to have patience. That is something that couples in our own day can learn, something which many of you learned long ago."

He added, "God stretches good people, saintly people, almost perfect people . . . like a rubber band until they almost break, but . . . does he pay off!"

In addition to patience, Father Puleo urged the couples to remember to be affectionate. He said, "St. John Vianney says that we should rededicate our love every day."

Also stressing the importance of sacrifice and putting one another first, Father Puleo stated, "When couples see each other as a gift, the greatest gift they have ever been given, then automatically the other person comes first, they set out to see the needs of the other and take delight in each other’s company."

Father Puleo concluded, "Today we reminisce, we celebrate your silver and golden wedding anniversaries because you are living and loving proof that love never fails."

In his homily delivered to the Oct. 26 group, Msgr. Michael J. Alliegro, director of the diocese’s Office of Worship and pastor of St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, stressed the importance of friendship in a successful marriage. Adding that marriage is a 100 percent proposition on the part of both spouses, he acknowledged it as "hard work," but added that, as with an artist or musician, it is "a labor of love."

Among this year’s anniversary couples was William F. and Mary Benwell, of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Dunellen. The golden jubilarians are the parents of Msgr. William Benwell, vicar general and moderator of the curia, who took part in the prayer service.