Sept. 12, 2004

Photo courtesy of Jacqueline Dybas
SILVER AND GOLDEN Father Philip Thoni, assisted by altar server Katie Tierney, officiates at the renewal of vows for Dr. Mohammed and Jennifer Forouzesh (left) and Jacqueline and Joe Dybas (right).

Father Philip Thoni, in a first for the priest ordained 55 years ago, recently witnessed renewal vows at St. Mary Church in Gatlinburg for a 50th-anniversary couple and a silver-anniversary couple from the same family.

Joe and Jacqueline Dybas were married May 1, 1954, at St. Bridget Church in Chicago. Their daughter Jennifer married Dr. Mohammed Forouzesh on Aug. 11, 1979, at St. Mary, where Father Thoni is pastor.

Mr. and Mrs. Dybas have five daughters, Jennifer, Theresa, Leslie, Claudia, and Patrice and eight grandchildren. They have been parishioners at St. Mary for more than 34 years, and former pastor Father James Driscoll (now deceased) officiated at the weddings of three of their daughters.

A reception was held for the anniversary couples, with family and guests traveling great distances—Australia being the farthest—to join the celebration.