Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre celebrated a special Mass of thanksgiving on Sept. 15 at the Cathedral of the Assumption, honoring 142 couples in the Archdiocese of Louisville who are marking 30, 40, 50, and over 60 years of marriage. Ninety-eight couples attended the midday liturgy, where they renewed their commitment to each other and received certificates recognizing the occasion.

During his homily, Archbishop Fabre spoke about sacrificial love and expressing love through action. "I know that you are keenly aware that it’s not enough to express your love for your spouse in just words," he said. "You show this love in action, in the way you give of yourself sacrificially. … Love is warm fuzzy, love is words but it’s also sacrificing for the benefit of the one who is loved. Is that not what Jesus showed us on the cross?" He also acknowledged the church's blessings from their many years of marriage: "I thank you for faithfully keeping your marriage covenant," he said. "May God grant you many more years together."

Among those celebrating milestone anniversaries this year were St. Stephen Martyr Church parishioners Deacon Sylvester and Joan Nitzken, marking 70 years of marriage. The couple did not attend the Mass due to Deacon Nitzken’s health but celebrated at home.

The Nitzkens were married on Sept. 25, 1954, three years after being introduced by Joan Nitzken’s brother when she was 18 and Deacon Nitzken was 23.

In a recent interview at their home, Joan Nitzken reminisced about their meeting: "All the fellows I dated were all good fellows but they were all one year older than I was. Then all of a sudden my brother brought Syl home to show him our dog who had pups. We say we met over a basket of pups and we really did." She added humorously that her father initially wasn’t impressed with Deacon Nitzken but eventually grew fond of him.

Deacon Nitzken reflected on what drew him to his wife: "She was a wonderful Catholic girl and she was pretty; still is to me," he said.

Their courtship lasted three years while Joan built her career as a secretary in a telephone company and Deacon Nitzken worked as a teacher before serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Throughout their long marriage, they celebrated milestones including Deacon Nitzken’s ordination to the diaconate in 1993 at St. Stephen Martyr Church where he has served since his ordination.

The couple raised five children — sons Joe, Tom, John, Mike; and daughter Mary who was born with special needs. They founded East Side Academy so Mary could experience high school activities like her brothers.

Joan credited their long marriage to three things: prayer being paramount as emphasized by Deacon Nitzken quoting Padre Pio: “those who pray in the name of Jesus gain a special grace.”

The couple celebrated their anniversary at home with their children along with ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.