Eighty golfers took to the
greens at Cullman Municipal Golf Course to participate in the St. Bernard and
Cullman Dodge Open Golf Tournament on Friday, June 22. Over $1,750
in cash and prizes were awarded to the winning teams.
“To do a tournament of
this size requires much work and detail,” Fr. Jacob said. “It’s a huge
undertaking, but we had some great sponsors and volunteers who made it all come
together.”
A delicious lunch of
barbeque chicken and ribs, potato salad, baked beans and banana pudding was
served under the tent where awards were presented.
Festivities continued for
reunion participants on Friday evening with a fiesta party held in the
Fazi-Richard Athletic Center.
Classmates and their families renewed acquaintances while feasting on a
Mexican-themed dinner provided by Buena Vista restaurant of Cullman.
On Saturday morning, guests
were treated to a Waffle Bar in the school Dining Hall, presented by Chef Andy
and crew. Alumni and families strolled
around the campus to get reacquainted with their alma mater and to revisit favorite
school haunts. Many former students were
found in the Administration building, looking at the class photos, which date
back to 1928. Numerous stories were told
of campus antics and dorm escapades.
An informational town
hall meeting took place in the Brahma Room of the school, delivered by Fr.
Marcus Voss and Abbot Cletus Meagher.
Attendees were thanked for their loyal support and told about all the
accomplishments St. Bernard students have achieved in the past year, as well as
the progress the Abbey has made in capital improvements. Abbot Cletus announced the launch of The
Clairvaux Society, a planned estate gift program, and invited alumni to
participate. A pasta bar lunch was
provided in the Dining Hall, again hosted by Chef Andy. Many alumni took the opportunity on Saturday
afternoon to attend the Vigil Mass held in the Abbey Church.
The culmination of the
reunion was held on Saturday evening with a dinner of Beef Wellington. Alumni and guests were served by current
students and junior monks of St. Bernard.
Gorgeous table decorations of silver and black, provided by Cathy Gray
and family, set the stage for this special evening, honoring the classes of 1942,
1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and
2007. St. Bernard has operated, in their 121-year
history, a college, a junior college, a seminary, a high school, and a
preparatory school at various times throughout these years.
The prep school class of 2002 opened their
time capsule, revealing old pictures, posters, class assignments, and other
memorabilia; the capsule was resealed with additional items, to be opened at a
future reunion in 2027.
A member of the college
class of 1973, Ron Rooks, proudly shared his recent induction to the Cherokee
County Sports Hall of Fame by showing Fr. Marcus Voss his award; Ron was given
a 4-yr. basketball scholarship to St. Bernard, and was proud to say that he was
“the first black athlete to be recruited by Coach Charlie.” Guests were entertained by a slide show of
pictures taken during this year’s reunion, as well as a special tribute slide
show to the classes of 1971-1974, created by alumnus John J. King, college
class of 1973. A silent auction, hosted
by Joyce Nix, provided further entertainment in addition to music and dancing,
courtesy of Universal Sound DJ.
Sunday morning found many
alumni embracing and making promises to “meet again next year.” An Omelet bar was presented in the Dining
Hall with Chef Andy manning the griddle, followed by mass with the monastic
community in the St. Bernard Abbey Church.
Fr. Marcus Voss, Director
of Development at St. Bernard said, “I always look forward to this weekend. It is a great time to have our alumni back on
campus, to visit with them and have them reconnect with their Alma Mater.”
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