Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Alumni gather at St. Bernard




Hundreds of alumni gathered at St. Bernard recently for the Annual Alumni Reunion celebrating one of the largest turnouts in recent years.

The weekend included a golf outing which consisted of 44 players. The Championship Winners of the tournament held at Chesley Oaks Golf Course were Peter Nassetta, Patrick Nassetta, Greg Clark and Matt Branch. Second place was awarded to Pete Fitzpatrick, Carl Kuchler, Tom Martin, and Harry Davies. Class Year Champ went to the Class of 1958 Joe Engel. Mixed Team Championship was awarded to John Kreger, Cheryl Kreger, Dennis Meinert and Carol Rooney., and the Prep School Champ was John Arndt.

Saturday was packed with events ranging from a town hall meeting, lunch, and a formal dinner in the Fazi-Richard Athletic Center.

The town hall meeting was presented by Fr. Marcus Voss, OSB, and Abbot Cletus Meagher. Fr. Marcus spoke of development projects underway to enhance the facilities at St. Bernard which included roofing the barns on the farm, renovations in the dining hall bathrooms, and brahma room, and future plans for the Heidrich Library Building to be utilized by the performing arts program.

Abbot Cletus addressed the town hall meeting by speaking of the Clairvaux Society which has recently been established. A leaflet about the Clairvaux Society was prepared to address the Benedictine Missions and to remember the men who had a “clear view” of what they wanted for St. Bernard, and to the men who are leading us into the next fifty years.

Lunch followed in the cafeteria and consisted of natural organic pork raised on the Abbey farm.

A dinner was served Saturday evening hosted by students and monks at St. Bernard. Guests were served a freshly tossed green salad, prime rib, steamed squash with zucchini, and garlic mashed potatoes with hot rolls and dessert.

During the dinner the Classes were recognized and had photos taken. A tribute was made to the Class of 68 Basketball Championship Team as well as to Mrs. Ruth Richards who has reached her 101st birthday. A video taken in 1971 was shown by the alumni from the Class of 1971. The evening ended with a tribute to Br. Augustine Campion, OSB, who was given a special recognition for his remarkable abilities to stay in touch with students from the college and his dedicated years of service in the ministries of St. Bernard Abbey, especially the school and Ave Maria Grotto.