HOWARD BEACH — Patty Harold knew the man she was going to marry at first sight.
It was the fall of 1971, she was 22 years old, and was interviewing for a job opening at a bank. When she stepped off the elevator, she saw Kevin Harold working behind the counter and was so certain that he would be her husband that she ran home to tell her mother the good news. Just two years later, they tied the knot at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Woodhaven.
“I firmly believe that God sent him to me because he’s been so good, so great, and fabulous,” Patty, now 72, said.
After 50 years of marriage, Patty and Kevin Harold have maintained their devotion to one another. Celebrating their golden jubilee on Oct. 6, 2023, the Howard Beach couple has sustained one another through their Catholic faith, the driving force in their lives.
Their Catholic education and upbringing instilled in them a foundation and values that proved crucial in overcoming hardships.
“I always say to God: Thank you for bringing him into my life,” Patty added.
At first, Kevin was not so certain about a future with Patty. Shy and reserved, the 24-year-old had considered becoming a priest in high school and was not looking for a relationship when they met. But later, a severe sickness served as the wake-up call he needed to devote himself to Patty.
“I thank God that [she] came into my life. [She] is a wonderful person who helps anyone [she] can. Definitely a good mother, and a great grandmother who worries about the kids all the time,” Kevin, 74, said.
At the company’s 1972 Christmas party, swaying together on the dance floor, Kevin confessed his love for Patty. By May 1973, they were engaged and were married in October. They have two children and one grandchild. Beyond their love for one another, their determination to work through issues and protect the sacrament of matrimony has kept their relationship as strong as ever.
“We’ve been through a lot, like all couples. Ups and downs, financial [issues], everything. Whatever we went through, we never, ever thought about divorcing. Never,” Patty said.
Since moving to Howard Beach 30 years ago, the Harold family has been deeply involved in the St. Helen Church community.
The couple’s son works for the parish’s Catholic academy, and their daughter was a teacher there for a couple of years. Their granddaughter is part of the religious education program at St. Helen, and attends the Rosarian meetings. Patty attends church at least four times a week, is part of the Secular Franciscan Order, and is a Rosarian.
Father Michael Panicali, the parochial vicar at St. Helen, has witnessed the couple’s love for one another since he joined the church over a year ago. Evidence of the couple’s goodness, he said, can be seen by other parishioners in the parish as well.
“It gives a lot of people an example that you can do it. You can make this tremendous commitment and make this courageous step to marry in the Church and to stay together,” Panicali said.
To celebrate the couple’s 50th anniversary, Father Francis Colamaria, the pastor at St. Helen Catholic Church, surprised the couple with a vow renewal ceremony during a Mass.
As they walked down the aisle after the ceremony, the wedding march music resounding around them, the couple felt their devotion to one another reinforced by their love of God.
“I can’t believe that some people are atheists; and how could they not believe that there is a God? Who do you go to when you have problems? That’s the first one I go to,” Patty said.
A Prayer for Marriage & Family
Lord God, from you every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
Father, you are Love and Life.
Through your Son, Jesus Christ, born of woman, and through the Holy Spirit, fountain of divine charity, grant that every family on earth may become for each successive generation a true shrine of life and love.
Grant that your grace may guide the thoughts and actions of husbands and wives for the good of their families and of all the families in the world.
Grant that the young may find in the family solid support for their human dignity and for their growth in truth and love.
Grant that love, strengthened by the grace of the sacrament of marriage, may prove mightier than all the weakness and trials through which our families sometimes pass.
Through the intercession of the Holy Family of Nazareth, grant that the Church may fruitfully carry out her worldwide mission in the family and through the family.
Through Christ our Lord, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for ever and ever.
Amen
— St. John Paul II