MANTUA – Paul Mulle, 72, and his friend Marta Sekova, 71, are no strangers to dancing, having been regulars around South Jersey’s dance halls for five years.
With Sekova in a blue dress and Mulle in a gray shirt, olive pants and plaid tie, the two were all smiles as they waited for the hustle or foxtrot to be played during the Senior Prom held May 19 at Incarnation Parish’s Kernan Center.
“It’s a marvelous day. Good food, good friends, good dancing,” Mulle said. “Dancing keeps us young at heart,” he added, before standing up, taking Sekova’s hand and leading her to the floor for “The Twist.”
Sponsored by the Diocese’s VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services, the Senior Prom (To Party and Rejoice in Our Ministry) was held for those in parish-based senior ministry programs throughout the Diocese. With more than 100 seniors present for an afternoon of music, food, socialization and prizes, a DJ spun hits ranging from Sinatra to Shakira, with the Electric Slide in-between.
In keeping with prom customs, a king and queen were crowned: Dave Clark and Laney Harris, both from Incarnation Parish. They danced with their respective spouses to Etta James’ “At Last.”
“We’re having a great time,” 60 year-old Frank Chinnici, wearing a white tux and bowtie, said as he stood next to his wife, Diane, 59.
“I’m working on my request to the DJ for ‘I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing’” by Aerosmith, Diane Chinnici added with a chuckle.
The couple, from Newfield’s Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, reminisced about their own high school days. “The dances, football, old friends,” Chinnici said, while his wife fondly recalled “friends, dancing and romance.”
Barbara Eckert, 77, from Woodbury Heights’ Infant Jesus Parish, has been a dance instructor for almost 30 years. She reserved a table for the women she has been teaching over the years, all good friends. Hoping for the opportunity to waltz or cha-cha, she said, “You forget your troubles and worries, get right into the music and feel rejuvenated.”
In her blue dress and white necklace, Bernadette Wexler, 72, admitted she and her husband, Wayne, 75, needed some of that rejuvenation. It hasn’t been an easy 2022 for the couple – high school sweethearts who have been married 55 years. Her husband’s recent two strokes have led to his needing a walker, and their grandson passed away in April.
“It’s good to be able to get out and enjoy ourselves,” she said.
Wayne Wexler, who with his wife are members of the parish’s Prime Timers Senior Ministry program, sat dressed in his Knights of Columbus suit jacket and a green tie. “We requested our wedding song, Johnny Mathis’ ‘Chances Are.’”
Fun and camaraderie were among the event’s goals, said Deacon Jerry Jablonowski, VITALity’s executive director. The prom, he said, was a “celebration and thanksgiving for the joy of aging with healthy minds, bodies and spirits.”
The seniors’ enthusiasm and optimism – not just during the prom but often present in their own communities – “give hope to the youth,” he said.
To that end, the prom-goers contributed to VITALity’s “Senior to Senior” project, writing notes and advice on cards that will be distributed to each graduating high school senior in South Jersey’s Catholic schools.
Dancing to the past, while looking to the future, the seniors’ wisdom ranged from thoughts on relationships and childcare, to food, finances and faith.
“Find the right partner; when children arrive, be available,” wrote a senior from The Class of 1961.
“Stay close to God!” another from the Class of 1970 urged.
A Class of 1975 graduate told the young generation that “Finding a career that I loved made working all those years fun! Most importantly, start saving for retirement now!”
Another from the Class of 1966: “Eat Cake! Lots and lots of cake! Take long naps! Dance, dance, dance!
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