Reunion 2008

Dear Former Basilians,

Here is a mini-report on our 20th anniversary reunion at Holy Family Retreat House on Lake Erie near Windsor, Ontario. A more formal report will appear in our Fall Newsletter. This is a list of those who joined us for the reunion:

Paul & Saundra Glynn, Paul & Anne Murphy, Edward King, Cy Doherty, Joe & Sandra Dietrich, Wayne O'Reilly, Larry Elmer, Joe & Charlotte Goeters, Reg Prower, Dick O'Connor & Bob Cooper, John Neary, Emmett Neary, Steve Martin, Bud Pare, C.S.B., Dick & Mary Anne Barry, Al Gaelens, C.S.B., Larry Carney, Mike & Laura Olejnik, Stan Kutz, Ken & Mary Catherine Cashion, Dan Cutcher, Fergal Nolan, Dwyer & Sheila Sullivan, Dan Coughlin, Andy Grant, Bill Lee, Paul & Vicki Rybicki, Dick Elmer, C.S.B., John Wheeler, C.S.B., Moe Taylor, Dave & Celia Abalos, Joe Quinn, C.S.B., Ron Fabbro, C.S.B., Ken Decker, C.S.B., Jim Carruthers, C.S.B., Dennis Andrews, C.S.B., Quentin Johnson, C.S.B. Not everyone was present for the attached photo.

Many regulars, who wanted to join us, were prevented from doing so by health issues or schedule conflicts. These include: Ed Brennan, Dave Megel, Jim Strickland, Mike & Mary Lou Quealey, Sam Femiano & Pat Coonerty, Neil & Sylvia Smith, Alfy Graham & Julia Keeler, John McGee, Ed & Marion Herndon, Bob Madden, C.S.B., Norm Frenette, etc.

At our Friday social, Larry Elmer & Cy Doherty regaled us with snacks and alcoholic beverages before sitting down to a scrumptious buffet dinner. At 8:00 P.M. Paul Glynn recalled the events, 20 years ago, leading to the founding of the Association Of Former Basilians. The then Superior General, Bud Pare, was the instigator and our association presented him with a framed certificate to honour the occasion. The celebration continued with libations and snacks.

Superior General, Ken Decker, gave us a very sober but hopeful account of the "state of the congregation". (Details will be revealed in Rapport.) Our treasurer, Larry Elmer, made a far less sober report. The entertainment value lived up to the expectations of those who came thousands of miles to hear.

Bishop Ron Fabbro, C.S.B. spoke to us on The Future of Catholic Education. He had to endure some very pointed accusations with regards to the Church's stand on issues like women and gays in the Church. Ron handled it all very well and we thanked him for addressing us and allowing us to make our concerns known to him. He joined us for the social and dinner and many had an opportunity to speak to him privately. We parted even better friends than we had been. The discussion has prompted Stan Kutz to share with us an article he wrote which I will forward to you.

Bill Lee made a presentation on "the birds & the bees". For now he focussed on the bees and used the frame from one of his hives to tell us about bee-keeping. Participants were amazed at how much they learned. In the evening, Bill led us in a sing-a-long with his guitar. It was a very joyful evening with jokes, poems and storytelling added in. And, of course, Larry & Cy added to the festive mood with beer, wine and snacks.

On the Sunday morning, Bud Pare led us in the celebration of the eucharist aided by Dwyer Sullivan and his team. Mention was made of the numerous "formers" who were unable to join us.

(I just noticed that I forgot to include my novitiate mate, Dick Morrison, in the list of participants. In the photo, he is the very young looking one with red hair.) Besides Ontario and Michigan, we had participants come from New Jersey, Rochester, Cleveland, Houston (8), Wisconsin, California and India.

Looking forward to 2010.