Anniversary Mass St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church November 21-22, 2020 St. Stephen Protomartyr Parish prayerfully recognizes these couples on their anniversaries of mutual commitment to their vocation in the Sacrament of Matrimony.
25 Years Jim & Gail Woods ● February 9, 1995 Mike & Christie O’Neil ● April 1, 1995 Brett & Janet Reinert● July 22, 1995 Chad & Janet Wilcox ● December 2, 1995
30 Years David & Ann Eschmann ● September 15, 1990 Dan & Tina McGrath ● September 29, 1990
35 Years Paul & Pat Alles ● May 18, 1985 Mike & Linda Seemiller ● May 18, 1985
40 Years Steve & Angie Butz ● May 23, 1980 Tim & Laura Bolt ● June 7, 1980 Mike & Cathy Mann ● June 28, 1980 Bob & Deborah McLain ● June 28, 1980 Bob & Carla Bolland ● August 16, 1980 Mike & Ev Caruso ● October 18, 1980
45 Years David & Denise Poepsel ● October 11, 1975
50 Years Earl & Mary Malin ● May 1, 1970 Bob & Kathy Reich ● August 15, 1970 Tom & Karen Villa ● August 22, 1970 More than 50Years Married Alan & Shirley Varga ● January 18, 1969 Gene & Sandy Berviller ● June 20, 1969 Fred & Gloria Wessels ● December 26, 1969 Gary & Betsy Stoff● August 17, 1968 Jim & Judy Liermann ● October 5, 1968 Frank & Georgia Rankin ● December 28, 1968 Jim & Mary Ann O’Connell ● November 25, 1965 Don & Jane Galbierz ● November 27, 1965 Larry & Glennetta Esswein● May 23, 1964 Bill & Jan Dorsam ● June 6, 1964 Roger & Doris Fournelle ● November 2, 1964 Vince & Bonnie Stehlin ● November 7, 1964 Norbert & Nancy Knollmann ● May 23, 1963 Gerald & Gloria Jean Hajek ● December 28, 1963 Herb & Catherine Pfaff● April 15, 1961 Gene & Rosemarie Voss ● February 16, 1957 Ray & Helen Kaiser ● April 27, 1957 Pat & Mary Powers ● May 14, 1955 Harley & Beverly Gardner ● August 14, 1954 Bob & Marianne Marx ● October 23, 1954 Mike & Joan Lawder ● June 13, 1953
he Sacrament of Matrimony is rooted in a covenant of love, and so it becomes a sign of God’s presence in our midst. This weekend we celebrate Matrimony by recognizing those who are celebrating significant anniversaries in 2020. They live in God’s love, and God lives in them. T To help you know a bit more about these couples, we asked them a few questions. Their responses are recorded in this booklet. We hope you are entertained and inspired. Fortis M. (Mike) Lawder & Mary Joan Federer June 13, 1953 ● St. Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church Presider: Msgr. Joseph Hoelting Best Man: Jack Lawder ● Maid of Honor: Natalie Liebmann
How we met: He was a friend of my brother, and he came to the house for his party. Most of our wedding guests would agree that the most memorable thing about our wedding was ... It was 104 degrees and no air-conditioning. The groomsmen’s striped ties faded onto their shirts. The couple we considered a role model: Her sister and brother-in-law A time when God felt especially present in our marriage: On the delivery table, having my children Adventures planned for the future: Going to heaven
Gene Voss & Rosemarie Schumacher February 16, 1957 ● St. George Catholic Church Presider: Rev. Burns Best Man: Robert Konnessman ● Maid of Honor: Doloris Schumacher
How we met: In high school, at St. John the Baptist The first song we danced to at our wedding:“ Sincerely” Most of our wedding guests would agree that the most memorable thing about our wedding was ... The priest was 20 minutes late! Adventures planned for the future: Staying close with our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren Larry Esswein & Glennetta Gorrell May 23, 1964 ● St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Presider: Msgr. Anthony Esswein Best Man: Leo Esswein ● Maid of Honor: Marietta Gorrell
How we met: Our families were active in parish life at St. Anthony of Padua Parish. We both were in the singing chorus of operettas held there. The first song we danced to at our wedding: “Because of You,” by Tony Bennett A time when God felt especially present in our marriage: When our daughter Laura, aged 3, had open heart surgery. Also, when our son Mike was injured and wondering what recovery was possible, especially his desire to become a priest. Adventures planned for the future: Taking it “one day at a time,” we pray for our health and avoidance of COVID for our family.
Alan Varga & Shirley Schmitz January 18, 1969 ● St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Presider: Rev. Paul Wieck Best Man: Gene Aug ● Maid of Honor: Mary K. (Schmitz) Spencer
How we met: We grew up together at St. John’s and started dating in high school. The first song we danced to at our wedding: “Stardust” Role models: Shirley’s mom and dad Most of our wedding guests would agree that the most memorable thing about our wedding was ... It was very cold out but the reception was a lot of fun and there was plenty of good food. A time when God felt especially present in our marriage: When Alan had brain surgery in 2019 Gene Berviller & Sandra Schreiber June 20, 1969 ● St. Joseph Croatian Church of St. Louis Presider: Rev. Patrick Cigish, O.F.M. Best Man: Dennis Bradley ● Maid of Honor: Jeannette Stika
How we met: Classic — Gene was the “guy next door”! He had been living in Eureka with his mother and stepfather. When he turned 18, he moved to the city with his dad — right next door to Sandy’s family! The first song we danced to at our wedding:“ More,” by Andy Williams The couple we considered a role model: Fred & “Pete” Kuppinger — admired their love for each other, fun, their love of Christ, and the example they set by living a Christian life. A time when God felt especially present in our marriage: Oh, my! So many! The two times we experienced very serious illnesses with both of our daughters— one as an infant who wasn’t expected to live, the other with our 17-year-old during heart surgery. We felt God’s presence and strength as He pulled us through those storms.
Thomas Villa & Karen Harvey August 22, 1970 ● Hopkins, Minn. Presider: Rev. Howley Best Man: Jack Villa ● Maid of Honor: Cindy Harvey
How we met: We met as students at Saint Louis University. The first song we danced to at our wedding:Tom has never danced in his life. Role models: We both had great parents. A time when God felt especially present in our marriage: Thanks to God for being with us during all of the good times and challenges. Adventures planned for the future: Wake up each morning, enjoy good health, and continue to try to give a little back. Spend more time in Arizona. Bob Reich & Kathy Foster August 15, 1970 ● Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Poplar Bluff, Mo. Best Man: Bob Palank ● Maid of Honor: Susan Foster
How we met: We met through mutual friends. Most of our wedding guests would agree that the most memorable thing about our wedding was ... Bob’s relatives and our friends chartered a bus to get from St. Louis to the wedding. We took the bus back after a short reception in Poplar Bluff. ’Bob s mother had family back for a traditional dinner of mostaccioli. We were flying to the Virgin Islands the next day and had a room for the night at an airport hotel, but they didn’t hold the reservation. No other rooms by the hotel were available, so we drove to our apartment and back to the airport the next morning for our flight. Adventures planned for the future: We will travel again, when it is safe. And we will continue to enjoy the St. Stephen and Holly Hills community.
David Poepsel & Denise Fieseler October 11, 1975 ● Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Presider: Rev. Oge Best Man: Philip Poepsel ● Maid of Honor: Karen Daum
How we met: We met at work at the Veterans Administration Housing Department. Our first dance:“ Sunshine On My Shoulders,” by John Denver Most of our wedding guests would agree that the most memorable thing about our wedding was ... The great sunny day we were given for a whole day of celebration. Adventures planned for the future: Being able to go out of the house without a face mask. Most of all to visit our son and new daughter-in-law in Buffalo, N.Y. We were only able to witness their union on Zoom and missed that in-person time to share their wedding. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13