Association
Of
Former Basilians
Reunion July 30 - Aug. 1, 2004
Reported by Ed HerndonArrival
We came from around the world for our bi-annual reunion on Strawberry Island: Ontario, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Columbia, and one was back from Iraq.
Arriving Aboard the Islay II
Happy Hour
Following Arrival we headed to the Bunk House and got on our relaxing clothes... The next event was Happy Hour on the Green. It's very Important to come to this orientation. It establishes Instant Rapport.
 Dwyer (swimsuit) and
Shiela
Sullivan , Bob Anderson
|
 Marion Herndon, Jim
Carruthers, Saundra Glynn
|
 Len Else, Marion and
Ed
, Jim Carruthers, Anne Murphy
|
 Neil and Sylvia Smith, Norm Frenette |
 Saundra, Paul Murphy, Paul Glynn, Wayne O'Reilly |
 Mary Kay Else, Gail Shaw, Pat Coonery, Sam Femiano, Anne Murphy |
 Cy Doherty, Marion, Dave Heath, Len Else |
 Mary Lou Quealy, Joe Dietrich |
Supper and Bonfire followed.
Dave Megel was the Master of ceremonies at the Bonfire and led many of the songs.
Guest Conductor Ed Herndon got the Orchestra Song going.
Ed Brennan did a marvelous Drivers Ed routine that was pure Bob Newhart.
Larry Carney taught us an action song about a hunter shooting bunnie rabbits... we had to Act out the words of the song. It was a Hoot; he brought back memories of Boy's Camp days.
Business Meeting and Presentations
Below: Fr Ken Decker, Larry Elmer, Paul Murphy gave Presentations.
The Business meeting featured:
A transition ceremony moving the power from Outgoing Chairman Paul Glynn to Incoming Paul Murphy.
We formally adopted the motto "To Celebrate a Common Heritage" as the statement of our purpose.
We Listened attentively as our Chairman of the Association Reserves, L.Elmer, explained in detail the effects of the currency market on our Net Wealth. The Good news was "No New Taxes". He reported that several present were delinquent on dues and that steps had been taken to deny them return to the mainland unless accounts were settled before Sunday departure. Some of you may not be aware that part of our $36 annual membership fee is sent to the Basilians in Cali, Colombia to provide tuition for very poor Colombian children. Last year we provided bursaries for 15 students.
For
many,
the highlight of this reunion was the presentations of superior
general, Fr. Ken Decker;
Cali, Colombia representative, Fr.
Bob
Seguin and "peacemaker", Fr.
Bob Holmes.
Ken Decker gave a very frank but hopeful "state of the congregation".
Bob Seguin impressed us with the work of Basilians in Cali, Colombia. We have decided to see what we can do in Canada & the United States to assist them.
Bob Holmes had a slide show presentation on his work with the Christian Peacekeeper Teams in Hebron and most recently in Iraq. These Peacekeepers go where the action is. Their mission is to assist oppressed peoples there and elsewhere. In non violent confrontation they attempt, an often succeed, in stopping violence by getting in the way of soldiers and talking them down. It's Dangerous work.
Ken Decker gave a very frank but hopeful "state of the congregation".
Bob Seguin impressed us with the work of Basilians in Cali, Colombia. We have decided to see what we can do in Canada & the United States to assist them.
Bob Holmes had a slide show presentation on his work with the Christian Peacekeeper Teams in Hebron and most recently in Iraq. These Peacekeepers go where the action is. Their mission is to assist oppressed peoples there and elsewhere. In non violent confrontation they attempt, an often succeed, in stopping violence by getting in the way of soldiers and talking them down. It's Dangerous work.
Lunch
You
would think
they would have allowed us to talk at lunch. There was so much to discuss after the mornings presentation.
Fergal Nolan standing, keeps a close watch on behavior. As you can tell there is total silence.
Everyone is having a special Strawberry Island Hamburger.
The afternoon was free for discussions and relaxing
 Ed checks off a box  Swim in Lake Simcoe |
 Lifeguards: Marion Herndon
and
Abby Grant
|
 Too much sun for Joe Dietrich |
 |
 John Magee, Saundra Glynn, Jim Strickland, Paul Glynn |
Eucharistic Celebration
Fr. Bob
Madden was assisted by Dwyer
& Sheila Sullivan in a
very rousing liturgy.
There was a special moment before the offertory when Joe Dietrich asked all present to join him in blessing the marriage of Ed and Marion Herndon. After years of waiting Ed's Annulment opens the way to their full participation in the life of the church. Joe had selected the Apache Wedding Blessing for the occasion.
Ed and Marion are flanked by Novitiate Classmates
Jim Carruthers and Ed Brennan
Immediately followed by the grand procession to the Happy Hour celebration.
Procession
"The AOFB put on a wonderful reception for us
Saved us lots to spend on our Toronto Stay"
While everyone was still happy we took several shots on the Hotel steps of the Reunion Participants
Joe Dietrich, AnnLaurin ,Emmet Neary, Wayne O'Reilly, Michael Neary, Larry Carney, Wilf Canning, John Magee, Sylvia Smith, Neil Smith
Ed Brennan Stan Kutz
Jim Strickland, Mary Lou & Michael Quealy, Paul Murphy
Norm &Denise Frennette, Jim Carruthers, Ed & Marion Herndon, Saundra Glynn, Dave Heath, Anne Murphy, Dwyer Sullivan , Lary Elmer
Bob Madden, Bob Holmes, Bob Seguin, Abby Grant,, Shiela Sullivan,Pat Coonery, Sam Femiano, Paul Glynn, Cy Doherty
Aidan Nolan,Andy Grant, Gail Shaw,Kirsten Nolan,Fergal Nolan,Dave Megel,Bob Anderson, Ken Decker, Mary Kay & Len Else
Photo by Paul Murphy's Camera
There was a special moment before the offertory when Joe Dietrich asked all present to join him in blessing the marriage of Ed and Marion Herndon. After years of waiting Ed's Annulment opens the way to their full participation in the life of the church. Joe had selected the Apache Wedding Blessing for the occasion.
Ed and Marion are flanked by Novitiate Classmates
Jim Carruthers and Ed Brennan
"Thanks to all for this most
special ceremony in our behalf." Ed and
Marion.
Most of the rousing was in
the final hymn: St. Basil the Great,
Immediately followed by the grand procession to the Happy Hour celebration.
Procession
"The AOFB put on a wonderful reception for us
Saved us lots to spend on our Toronto Stay"
While everyone was still happy we took several shots on the Hotel steps of the Reunion Participants
Joe Dietrich, AnnLaurin ,Emmet Neary, Wayne O'Reilly, Michael Neary, Larry Carney, Wilf Canning, John Magee, Sylvia Smith, Neil Smith
Ed Brennan Stan Kutz
Jim Strickland, Mary Lou & Michael Quealy, Paul Murphy
Norm &Denise Frennette, Jim Carruthers, Ed & Marion Herndon, Saundra Glynn, Dave Heath, Anne Murphy, Dwyer Sullivan , Lary Elmer
Bob Madden, Bob Holmes, Bob Seguin, Abby Grant,, Shiela Sullivan,Pat Coonery, Sam Femiano, Paul Glynn, Cy Doherty
Aidan Nolan,Andy Grant, Gail Shaw,Kirsten Nolan,Fergal Nolan,Dave Megel,Bob Anderson, Ken Decker, Mary Kay & Len Else
Photo by Paul Murphy's Camera
These are the
Bottomfeeders,
Wives and Children
Bottomfeeders: Fergal, Ed,
Emmett and
Len never made it to the top (ordained).
this year definition expanded to include the wives and children
this year definition expanded to include the wives and children
Award Ceremony
Paul & Saundra Glynn were presented with a plaque carved by Jim Strickland to thank them for their work as chairman and secretary of our association these past 16 years.
There were many positive comments about how well kept the grounds were, the cleanliness of the buildings & rooms and the quality of the meals. Mark your calendars for a repeat performance in 2006.
Farewell Strawberry Island
Larry Elmer, Paul Glynn, Ed and Marion Herndon, Stan Kutz
Ed and Marion continued on to Toronto for 3 nights