Holy Family Retreat House July 22-24, 2006

This is a very brief account of the reunion of former Basilians on Lake Erie near Windsor. A more detailed description will be found in Rapport when it is published in November.

Here is a list of those who attended the reunion. Most of them are in the attached photos below.

1. Reg Prower 26. Dick O'Connor

2. Neil Smith 27. Bob Cooper

3. Sylvia Smith 28. Fergal Nolan

4. Paul Glynn 29. Tom Dilworth

5. Saundra Glynn 30. Moe Taylor

6. Paul Murphy 31. Paddy Taylor

7. Anne Murphy 32. Len Else

8. Larry Elmer 33. Michael Quinn

9. Dan Coughlin 34. John Sullivan

10. Paul Rybicki 35. Bob Marchand

11. Vicki Rybicki 36. Byron Rourke

12. Cy Doherty 37. Carolyne Rourke

13. Joe Dietrich 38. Ken Decker, C.S.B.

14. Sandra Dietrich 39. Bob Madden, C.S.B.

15. Bob Boykin 40. Leo Klosterman, C.S.B.

16. Alfy Graham 41. John Wheeler, C.S.B.

17. Julia Keeler 42. Fred Zakoor, C.S.B.

18. Larry Carney 43. Harry Gardner, C.S.B.

19. Ed Brennan 44. John Callaghan, C.S.B.

20. Dave Megel 45. Dick Elmer, C.S.B.

21. Dwyer Sullivan 46. Vince Dulock, C.S.B.

22. Dick Barry 47. Quentin Johnson, C.S.B.

23. Jack Neary 48. Bill Stoba, C.S.B.

24. Jean Neary 49. Bud Pare, C.S.B.

25. Emmett Neary 50. Paul O'Connor, C.S.B.

There were several former Basilians who sent their regrets at not being able to join us this year because of health issues or scheduling problems. These include: Mike & Mary Lou Quealey, Sam Femiano & Pat Coonerty, Ken & Mary Catherine Cashion, Jim Strickland, Ed & Marion Herndon, John McGee, Andy & Abbie Grant, Jim Carruthers, C.S.B., Wayne O'Reilly & Gail Shaw, Dave Abalos, Bill Allgeyer, Eugene Bammell, Phil & Sally Beers, Bob & Nora Anderson, Dan Cutcher, John & Lyn Egsgard, Mo Farge, Rick Faubert, Norm & Denise Frenette, Norm Kolb, Bill Lee, Steve Martin, Joe Moher, Bill & Judy Reddall, Ben & Jean Salvatore,

Even though Dave Megel's arthritis will no longer allow him to play the guitar, he and Joe Dietrich still led the sing-a-long/story-telling which was transferred from the waterfront to the social hall. The biting flies and the difficult accessibility necessitated the change. Even though he is starting to feel the ravages of Lou Gherig's disease, Ed Brennan had us in stitches with his stories and skits.

Our treasurer, Larry Elmer, held us spellbound with his financial report at the general meeting. Dwyer Sullivan gave a great report on Cali and there were several questions and comments.

We were very pleased with the number of Basilians who joined us for Ken Decker's report on the chapter; the social and supper. Ken was reelected superior general and the counsellors are: Gord Judd, Tom Rosica, Paul English and Joe Redican. The chapter delegates chose these items and priortised them in the following order: 1. formation & vocations, 2. identity, vision, mission, 3. Latin American Mission, 4. retirement, 5. prayer & spirituality, 6. Catholic education, 7. serving the poor. (More on Ken's presentation in Rapport.)

The reunion participants were very positive in their written evaluations. Most would like to go back to Holy Family Retreat House for 2008; the meals and facilities were excellent.

Editor's Note:

Vince Dulock, C.S.B. and I studied together in Paris and saw each other at the reunion for the first time in 38 years. He came to visit us for a few days in Ajax. We went on long bike rides, went kayaking and told each other lots of stories to fill-in the 38 years. A friend and I were planning to sail him back to Rochester via Niagara-on-the-Lake so he could catch his plane to Houston - he had flown to Rochester for the chapter. His flight leaves tomorrow from Rochester. We decided to hit some squash balls before moving onto the sailboat. However, Vince lunged for a ball and ruptured his Achilles' tendon. Our hospital put him in a cast, gave him crutches and said he needed surgery in Houston in a minimum of 5 days. He managed to arrange a flight Toronto-Houston yesterday morning. Vince phoned last night to say he will have surgery on Monday and the good news is that his tendon will be good as new but the bad news is a cast for two months and one month of rehabilitation. Anyone else want to join me for squash?

Paul Murphy