St. Bernard holds Alumni Reunion 2009

St. Bernard recently held Alumni Reunion 2009 for the alumni of St. Bernard College, Junior College, High School and Prep School the weekend of June 26th , 27th and 28th. Alumni from Puerto Rico to California gathered for the weekend to renew their friendships and remember the stories of their time at St. Bernard.

The weekend began with an Alumni Golf Scramble held at Chesley Oaks Golf Course with over 40 players participating. Tee time was at 9:00 am on Friday, June 26th and golfers were on the course will early afternoon. A luncheon was served at the club house of the golf course during which the winners received their prizes and recognitions.

At 9:30 am on Saturday a reception for the alumni was held in the newly renovated Ave Maria Grotto gift shop and gardens. The gift shop displayed an expanded sales area as well as a porch veranda and new exhibits and displays. Several alumni expressed delight in seeing the newly erected bronze statue of Br. Joseph placed across from the main altar in the Grotto garden.

A town hall meeting conducted by Fr. Marcus Voss and Abbot Cletus Meagher was held in the Switcher Classroom Building to update the alumni on the life and activities of St. Bernard Abbey and School. It was reported that the Abbey continues to grow and recently receive five new candidates into its formation program. The students in the school continue to excel as is evident from the $3 million in scholarship awarded to the thirty-three seniors who graduated this year. The economic downturn has had a negative impact on the investments for both the abbey and the school. Both Fr. Marcus and Abbot Cletus underscored the important role the alumni play in helping the Abbey and School meet the current financial challenges. Immediately following the presentation, a question and answer session followed. At the conclusion of the meeting, lunch was served in the Dining Hall.

The Alumni Mass was celebrated at 4:30 pm in the Abbey Church with Abbot Cletus as the main celebrant. In this homily, Abbot Cletus spoke of the life of faith that we all share and expressed his thanks for the blessings we all have received.

The Alumni Reception and Banquet, which was held in the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center, followed the celebration of Mass. Anniversary classes had their pictures taken as the alumni gathered for a delightful evening of good food, long conversations and dancing.

St. Bernard to host Summer Open House

St. Bernard Prep in Cullman is hosting Summer Open House on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. Fr. Marcus Voss, President of St. Bernard Prep, said he hopes to give families the opportunity to see St. Bernard and the many benefits available at the school. “Many families are not aware of the wonderful educational option that is available to them at St. Bernard. I would invite everyone to come and see what we have to offer. We have an exceptional Middle School and High School which can help students grow and develop and become successful,” Fr. Marcus said.

The school, operated by the Benedictine monks at St. Bernard Abbey, serves students in grades 7-12. St. Bernard is a co-ed boarding and day school, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

“Just last May,” Fr. Marcus continued, “ we graduated thirty-three graduates. Those thirty-three graduates were offered in excess of $3 million in college scholarships. Our classes are small by design which allows our teachers to give more individual attention to our students. Students with average to good academic ability can learn to excel in our environment.”

Fr. Marcus concluded by saying, “We want our students to participate. We offer art, music, drama and athletics so our students can develop their talents in a variety of ways. Being well-rounded not only opens the doors to college, it also prepares a person for success in life.”

The Open House is designed for both commuting and resident students. Participants in the Open House will receive a tour of the campus, meet current students and have the opportunity to speak with parents who have students enrolled at St. Bernard.

To reserve a place at the Summer Open House, call (256) 738-6682 ext. 7110. To make application to attend St. Bernard, visit the website at www.stbernardprep.com and click on “Admissions” or call (256) 738-6682 ext. 7128.

St. Bernard to host Alumni Weekend 2009

St. Bernard in Cullman, AL will host the 2009 Alumni Weekend on Thursday, June 25-Sunday, June 28. Everyone who has attended St. Bernard High School, Junior College, College, or Prep School is invited to attend.

On Thursday a golf reception and team assignments will be held in Founders Hall. Friday will include a golf scramble at Chesley Oaks Golf Course or a town outing to specialty and antique shops. Friday evening all will take part in a buffet dinner and dance. Saturday will include a reception in the Grotto, town hall meeting, lunch cookout, and dinner banquet.

Special recognition for the anniversary year classes of 1949, ’54. ’59, and ’64, etc. and the Prep School classes of 1989, ’94, ’99, and 2004 will be given.

For more information regarding cost and registration, contact the school by calling (256)739-6682 or www.stbernardprep.com.

Record number attends Camp St. Bernard

Seventy-five boys and girls from North Alabama are participating in the first week of summer camp located on the campus of St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman, AL. The first week, which is designed for youngsters ranging in age from seven to ten years of age, opened on Sunday, May 31st and will continue until Friday, May 5th. Two more weeks of summer camp will follow on June 7-12 and June 14-19 and are designed for 10-14 year olds.

Camp Director, John Arndt, said he is very pleased with the large number of participants this year. “It has been fantastic having a record number of campers” he said. “The kids are happy which speaks well for our counselors,” Arndt continued. “The campers are constantly on the move. As soon as one activity ends, everyone wants to know what the next activity is going to be.”

Camp Saint Bernard helps each individual camper gain skills that will enable him or her to achieve a strong sense of self. The campus is taught to be confidence and self-responsibility in a safe, enjoyable, and supervised setting.

One activity especially enjoyed by the campers was being marooned on the “lava boat.” Greyson Gerding, a first-year camper, said this has been his favorite activity during his first day. As Grayson explained “You have a board over four barrels and a gigantic stick. You have to push the stick, and move a barrel to the front without falling into the lava- which is really the grass.”

“One of the goals at Camp Saint Bernard is to provide a recreational environment in which campers can gain a deeper understanding of the manner in which they are related to their natural environment and their fellow man,” said John Arndt. “As stated by patron St. Bernard, a monk of the 12th century, ‘You will find something more in woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.’ "

Camp Saint Bernard offers day and boarding camps during the summer with each camp session lasting one week. June 7-12, and June 14-19 are camps with activities and sessions designated for 10-14 year olds. For more information contact John Arndt at 256-739-6682 or http://www.campstbernard.com/.