WELCOME to this blog for the JOSS Class of 1968. This blog is for us, members of this class. It celebrates all of us, all that we are individually and as a group, and honors those who have died. Each one of us is uniquely graced and gifted.

Most of us first came together in 1956 at a little-known place in Central Ohio. Others arrived later. Whether we left the Josephinum before ordination or were ordained in 1968, we all followed uniquely individual calls.

We have journeyed through significant historical times - "Camelot", Vatican II, the Vietnam War, exploration of space, the civil rights movement, advances in communication technology, sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, growth in and loss of relationships, terrorism, medical/surgical breakthroughs, "Arab Spring", and much more.

The vision for this blog is to connect anew, share our stories, support one another.

Greetings! Jump on board! Peace and Shalom!

Tom Meyer
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Northern California Reunion

WE
...remembering the Gold Rush,
...panning the ocean thrust,
...tasting the wine crush,
...singing "Happy Birthday" a must,
...enjoying accommodations plush;
Deepening Fraternal/Sororal Trust!


 NEWS BULLETIN: Cloverdale and Santa Rosa, CA, September 13-17, 2012
  • It was reported that a six-car caravan was seen passing through Sonoma and Napa Valleys.  In the front seat of the first car was spotted the familiar face of Tom Devereaux.
  • The Torture Chamber at the Castello di Amorosa quickly loosened the tongue of Don Wampach.
  • Spectators stopped to watch a hot air balloon over the countryside outside of Santa Rosa, its basket of passengers breaking through the branches of an oak tree.  An EMS squad was heard rushing to the scene.  Reportedly two passengers were injured: John Driscoll with a broken foot and Jim Koenigsfeld with thistle thorns.
  • A warm glow emanated through the windows of the vacation house on Main Street in Cloverdale as 70(?) candles were burning on a birthday cake.  Kathy Driscoll (Sept 16), Frank Fulkerson (Sept 15), and Tom Meyer (Sept 16) were feted at this signature birthday party.  News was leaked that it took 14 guys to blow out all the candles.
  • "Fr. Tom Devereaux's Breakfast Special" was discovered to be featured at Zini's Diner in Cloverdale.  This special is ideal for someone with a big appetite, if you like your sausage patties "cremated."
  • Unfamiliar utterances were heard echoing across Sonoma Valley this week - "Why me, O Lord," "Check the blog," "Frank? Frank? Frank!"
  • A Northwestern Ohio guy found Zumba exercise to be coursing through his veins here in Northern California.  His name?  Ger Knueven.  That's right, Ger Knueven was seen participating in a group class led by Zumba instructor Susan DeGregory.
  • The Department of Homeland Security was monitoring the activities of a solitary biker through the Redwood Forests and along the Russian River in Northern California.  After analyzing the tread marks, they determined this person to be John Ernst.  They concluded, "There goes a happy man!"
  • The Alexander Valley Vineyard owners reported hiring a half dozen midwesterners as field hands in their vineyards.  Mike Heydinger, an esteemed horticulturalist from Sandusky, Ohio, was their "prefect."
  • Neighbors fearfully watched a group of strangers gathering in the middle of a side street in Sonoma, California.  This group had just left from The Girl and The Fig since no table was available in the restaurant.  One car was blocking traffic.  This group began to disperse after a woman in the crowd held up her mobile GPS and shouted, "I've got it!"  An investigative reporter determined this enlightened woman to be Linda Hageman.
  • The St. Rose of Lima Parish Festival was honored with the presence of 19 members of the Joss Class of 1968 on Sunday afternoon.  A roving photographer captured a couple scenes: Ken Stephens (Cubs fan) and Don Wampach (White Sox fan) standing side-by-side, Dan Clayton sitting between Judy Fulkerson and Chris Meyer, two of five lovely women present.
Look for a summary of the events and activities of this reunion, with pictures, in a subsequent post.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

38th Annual Chicagoland Joss St. Joseph's Gathering

Hello Members and Families of the Josephinum Class of 1968,

There were 14 of us - five priests and nine lay members, some with our wives - who just had a fabulous time together in the California Wine Country of Sonoma and Napa Counties.  This included Ken Stephens (now retired in San Diego and from Freeport, IL) for the first time, as well as Doug Kruse from the Portland, OR area for the first time, and John Ernst (from Thousand Oaks, CA and from Peoria, IL), who hasn't been able to join us since 1993.  Fr. Tom Devereaux of the Santa Rosa Diocese was our magnificent host and "caravan leader," aided by his erstwhile assistant Fr. Dan Clayton of the Diocese of Dallas.

I wish to invite all of you to join us for our 38th Annual Chicagoland Joss St. Joseph's Gathering on Sunday, March 17 at 3:00 p.m.  We set this date in late March of this year with Bishop Ron Herzog since it fits his calendar for 2013.  Ron joined us in 2011 and he had a wonderful time.  Frank and Judy Fulkerson have already indicated that they plan to come.  John & Kathy Driscoll are regulars.  Mike & Dee Heydinger have been regulars for many years.  Tom & Chris Meyer have been frequent participants, and Norm and Linda Hageman have also joined us in the past.  Maybe now that he is retired, perhaps Fr. Dan Clayton will also join us.

We live at 1337 Winchester Ct., Naperville, Ill, about 30 miles west of Chicago, just off I-88.  We will post more information as we get closer to the date.  Hopefully, Ron's calendar won't get changed.  Since it is on a weekend, and most of us are retired, perhaps we can schedule more activities for that weekend.  There are plenty of motels and hotels just off I-88 within 1 to 4 miles of our house.

You all are welcome!!!!!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Menu Announced for Thursday Evening's Meal

Fr. Tom has informed me of the menu for our reunion meal next Thursday afternoon/evening, September 13:
  1. Skewered shishkabobs prepared by Big John's, a butcher shop in Healdsburg, CA
  2. Twice-baked potatoes
  3. Tom's original string bean recipe
  4. Salad
  5. Beverage of choice
Yummie!  Yummie!  Food for the "Tummie!"  Does this Excite your Appetite?