Judy Fulkerson's Prayer Shawl

During our stay with our family in St. Louis, Chris and I drove up to Frank and Judy Fulkerson's home in Macomb, IL, on Monday, November 1.  As you likely read in a previous blog post, Frank and Judy were unable to attend our Dallas reunion because Judy is undergoing chemotherapy for bile duct cancer.

As we pulled into their driveway, we found Frank casually sitting on a bench in front of their house.  After warm hugs and greetings, Frank welcomed us to their home.  Shortly after Judy arose from her nap, we embraced her with hugs and smiles.  It was a delight to see her.  Frank and Judy remarked that this day was the best that Judy had felt during the last few months.  Her smile, as always, was magnetic.  In the course of our conversation Chris presented to Judy the beautiful prayer shawl that we all had blessed and prayed over during our liturgy at our Dallas reunion.

L to R: Betty, Kathy, Loretta, Chris, Fr. Dan, and Donna displaying Shawl

Judy was moved and deeply touched.  Judy thanked Chris for knitting the shawl and she thanked all of us who attended the Dallas reunion for this spiritual gift.  Hugs, kisses, and picture-taking marked the occasion!

Frank and Judy in their Living Room

Frank and Judy then drove us on a tour around Macomb.  They showed us the campus of Western Illinois University where Frank spent the majority of his academic career.  They also took us to St. Paul's Catholic Church where Judy has given many years of service on the building committee.  Finally, we joined Frank and Judy for dinner at a local Italian restaurant.

After dinner, having voiced our gratitude for their hospitality, Chris and I began our trek back to St. Louis.  On our way, we recalled the heartfelt afternoon and evening that we had just enjoyed with Frank and Judy.

Passing through Kansas City

On October 28, Chris and I were on our way from Dallas to St. Louis where our daughter Sarah, son-in-law Dave, grandson Daniel, and granddaughter Martha live.  As we were approaching Kansas City, we decided to call Norm and Linda Hageman to see whether they might be home and we could bring the spirit of love and friendship from our Dallas reunion to them.  Behold, they were home and they invited us to stop in.

See, this is a telling example of what our friendships with members and families of our Class of '68 mean to Chris and me.

As we were welcomed into Norm and Linda's home, our conversation immediately centered on the Dallas Reunion.  They wanted to know who all attended the reunion and we wanted to share with them our joy from the reunion.

Yet, more importantly, we met their son Andy who had been discharged a week earlier from the hospital and was staying at their house on an interim basis in recovery mode.  Norm and Linda noted that Andy was exhibiting marked improvement in his cognition and speech since his discharge.  While they understood that Andy was suffering from some brain inflammation, they did not yet know a definitive diagnosis.  Still they felt optimistic and thanked everyone for their prayers.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch of Kansas City barbecue at an area restaurant.  Then, following some heartfelt remarks about planning a trip together sooner rather than later, Chris and I got back to I-70 and finished our journey to St. Louis.

Dallas Is a Winner

There is no question that Dallas proved to be the right destination for our Joss Class of '68 reunion October 23-27.  Fr. Dan threw out the welcome mat and extended "red carpet" treatment to those of us present.  He was our enthusiastic cheerleader and guide extraordinaire.

Fr. Dan: Our "Shepard" Gathering our Group

The Fairfield Inn and Suites, as promised and expected, was a comfortable and appealing site for sleeping, breakfast, and determining our plan for the day.  Hugs, smiles, and pats of the back greeted everyone as they arrived.  Our camaraderie and fellowship were electric.  The enveloping sun and blue skies reminded us that the Spirit of God nurtured each day.  Dallas provided such an extensive variety of cultural-historical attractions and districts that everyone's interests and curiosities were sated.

John and Loretta Dahmus, John and Kathy Driscoll, Mike Heydinger, Fr. Frank Kehres, Fr. Ger Knueven, Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld, Thad and Donna Kresho, Tom and Chris Meyer, Dale and Frances Schmitz, and Don and Betty Wampach gathered in Dallas, with Fr. Dan Clayton as our host.

Several additional individuals and couples had planned to come to this reunion.  However, health issues disrupted their plans.  They were Fr. Tom Devereaux, John Ernst, Frank and Judy Fulkerson, Norm and Linda Hageman, Bishop Ron Herzog, and Jack Park and his partner Harry.  We missed their presence and we prayed for their health.

On Thursday evening, October 23, we went to MoMo's at the Quadrangle to relish their Italian cuisine.  This intimate setting provided the opportunity for each one of us to share what was going on in our lives.

Friday was our day in the Metroplex.  The Arts District was the selection of a few in our group.  The Cowboys' football stadium and the Ranger's baseball park were the choice of others.  The Dealey Plaza, JFK Memorial, and surrounding area were the focus of some of us.

In picture center, Dealey Plaza and
Texas School Book Depository
as seen from Reunion Tower

For Friday afternoon Fr. Dan had arranged for Dr. Theresa Daniel, a county commissioner and friend of Dan's, to speak with us in the Commissioners' Court Room.  She welcomed us; spoke about county governance, response to the Ebola crisis, services for the mentally ill who are incarcerated; and answered our questions.  (I found it noteworthy that the Dallas County Administrative Offices occupy the former Texas School Book Depository, from the sixth floor of which Oswald shot President Kennedy on that fateful November 22, 1963 day.)

On Friday evening, we went to the El Fenix Downtown for margaritas and Tex-Mex victuals.  Surprising guests joined us at dinner.  They were Msgr. Jack Meyers ('56), Msgr. Joe Schumacher ('57), Msgr. Leon Duesman ('65), Msgr. Jerry Duesman ('68), Dave and Katie Wampach and their little son Will (Don and Betty's son, daughter-in-law, and grandson).  This was a boisterous evening, with shared memories and present-day happenings.

Saturday centered on Southfork Ranch, site of TV Show "Dallas" fame.  Yes, the drive to this ranch entailed a car caravan reminiscent of Northern California in 2012; however, at no point did we pull off to the side of the road - an expressway - and stop.  We were joined at the ranch by friends of Fr. Dan: Lillian Reyna and Bill and Jo Betsey Smith.

Group at Southfork Ranch

At Southfork we enjoyed a delicious Ewing Barbecue buffet in a private ballroom.  Our tour guide narrated the history of Southfork Ranch prior to and during the TV show filming.  She led us on a tour of the mansion and surrounding buildings.  Subsequently some of us walked around to check in on the horses and long-horned cattle.  Fr. Jim and Thad went on a horseback ride around the many acres of Southfork Ranch.  On that Saturday evening we just "hung out" (contemporary colloquialism).  Fr. Dan herded us to the McKinney Trolley which we rode.  When we disembarked, we located a street-side pub and grill fittingly called The Uptown Pub.  Here we pulled together several tables and sat outside along McKinney Street absorbing the city's nighttime ambience with food and drink.  

Sunday featured our liturgy in Chapel of the Incarnation located at the University of Dallas and then an afternoon at the amazing Klyde Warren Park which spans over the busy Woodall Rogers Freeway in the heart of downtown Dallas.  Our group liturgy occurred in a beautiful, contemporary chapel.

Fr. Frank, Fr. Ger, Fr. Dan, Fr. Jim in Concelebration

Our liturgy affirmed our identity as a family of God and close friends gathered in praise and worship, Word and Eucharist.  Of special significance, during this liturgy, we prayed over and blessed a lovely prayer shawl which was knitted by Chris Meyer for Judy Fulkerson.  (Additional details about this shawl will come later in this blog.)

All in Blessing and Prayer over Shawl

A wide array of social and family activity was taking place in Klyde Warren Park, e.g., throwing footballs, kicking soccer balls, flying kites, napping on the lawn, children running through splash ponds, an impromptu percussion group, people gathered in small groups enjoying eats purchased at surrounding food trucks.

Typical Sunday Afternoon in Klyde Warren Park

Sunday evening our tired group gathered together in the outdoor green space behind/between the Fairfield and the Courtyard to share comments about our time together and the location of future reunions.  All treasured this time together and looked forward to a reunion in 2016.

Monday morning, October 27, after long good-byes, we departed for our individual destinations.

Betty and Donna

Donna and I had such a wonderful time at our class reunion in Dallas.....here is a link to watch a brief video of the reunion that everyone really enjoyed.       Joss class of 1968 Dallas reunion.

Newsbits

It's always gratifying to hear some news about one of our Class of '68 members.  If it is good news, we can rejoice together.  If it is sad news, we can pray together.  As I had expressed at the start-up of this our class blog, in this manner we can continue to reach out and support one another.

Here are a few updates that I have recently received:

1. Frank Fulkerson's wife, Judy, began chemotherapy for bile duct cancer this past August.
2. John Ernst is experiencing increasing difficulty with walking; yet, he is getting ably around on his motorcycle.
3. Bernie Rabik reports a "lost summer" with knee and hip problems.  At the same time, he is now back to work, with a cane.
4. Mike Geraghty is keeping up to date with us and with the Josephinum.
5. Norm and Linda Hageman went on a group service trip to Guatemala this summer.  They had an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

By way of repeating, if anyone else in our class wants to share something in our blog, you can pass it on to me or my wife Chris can set you up to post an entry in our blog yourself (if you are not already set up as a contributor).

Candidate for Maryland's General Assembly - Len Zuza

Last week I opened a surprising and interesting letter from Len Zuza.  In it he informed me that he is running as a candidate for the office of Delegate to the State of Maryland's General Assembly.  Obviously, the election is this fall and he is running against a 20-year incumbent.  I'll let Len tell you about his decision.

"What triggered this Mad Hatter adventure?  Local politicians agreed to the construction of a huge natural gas liquefaction facility that will not only ruin the bucolic setting of the region where Karen and I decided to settle, it will add a lot of pollution to the area where Karen, our friends and I have been working hard to reduce pollution.  Add to that the fact that county officials gave away $360 million in unnecessary tax benefits to Dominion Energy and that was all I needed to decide to run against a 20-year incumbent who is the equivalent of the Chris Christie of Maryland..."

Zuza for Delegate

Len additionally wrote that his wife and he have been running an oyster restoration program since 2006.  He has been serving as president of the Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Society.  He noted that they have planted more than 12 million oysters and have been recognized by a local scientist as having improved water quality with these oysters.  I am thinking what a bold initiative Len has been involved in!  And, now, he is undertaking a more audacious challenge to make a positive difference.

Len expressed his regret that once again he will be unable to attend our class reunion.  In previous years he has been in the heart of oyster cultivation.  This year he is engaged in an intense political campaign.

I think many of you will agree with me that Len is one more member of our class who is still actively involved in his life vocation.

Ireland - The Emerald Isle

Aer Lingus moved away from the gate at Chicago O'Hare around 3:50 pm (local time) on Sunday, June 22.  Aboard were Don and Betty Wampach along with Tom and Chris Meyer.  Destination: Ireland.  After a 7 and 1/2 hour flight we landed at Dublin International around 5:15 am (local time) on Monday, June 23.  On the following day we began our week's tour of the north portion of Ireland, including the country of Northern Ireland, via Inroads Ireland.  Betty, Don, Chris, and I were a part of a group of 12 tourists along with an Irish driver/guide.

As we traveled across the lush green countryside, we saw many amazing sites:

• the remnants of a 5th century monastic settlement with its distinctive Celtic High Crosses and 1000-year-old Irish Round Tower
• the mysterious Proleek Dolmen, an ancient portal tomb
• the chilling Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, spanning the mainland to tiny Carrick Island
• the unique Giant's Causeway sculpted by thousands of hexagonally shaped stone columns descending into the Atlantic Ocean
• the stunning Bunglass sea cliffs
• the Carrowkeel burial tombs - ancient, megalithic passage chambers older than the Egyptian pyramids

We sang Evensong in St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin

At the same time, our travels were enriched by the warmth and history of the Irish people:

• potatoes served with every meal
• dancing with a group of local residents in their lovely community center in the small town of Culdaff
• local minstrels playing Irish music in the small, crowded pubs of Ardara
• a funeral procession moving ever so slowly through the town of Ardara, with the deceased's many bicycle club companions walking on each side of the hearse and long string of cars
• brightly painted buildings conveying the artistic ardor of numerous small country towns

Don perfected the art of drinking a Guinness

I love my Banana Split

Regarding this trip, Don spoke for all four of us when he said, "We had a blast!!!"

Reunion Plans being Finalized

Ewing Mansion at Southfork Ranch

On July 10, Dan Clayton met with Star Swaner at Southfork Ranch, just north of Dallas, to discuss plans for a group lunch and tour at this location on Saturday, October 25.  You likely remember that this site's fame emanates from the hit TV series "Dallas."  I think this will be a spectacular experience during our reunion.

Lunch in Legends Ballroom

The Ewing Barbecue Lunch will be served within a Western atmosphere in the Legends Ballroom, 12:30-2:00 pm.  This will be no ordinary pork-BBQ-with-chips lunch.  Our lunch will feature Mesquite Smoked Choice Beef Brisket with Barbecue Sauce along with Southern Potato Salad, Creamy Cole Slaw, Southfork Ranch Style Beans, Garnish Tray, and Homemade Southwestern Cornbread Muffins, topped off by Apple Cobbler with Whipped Cream.  Does this lunch not excite your salivary glands and gustatory senses?  After lunch we will take a tour, guided or self-directed yet to be determined, of the Ewing Mansion and the museum.  Our event will climax at 4:00 pm.

Museum at Southfork Ranch

If there are any of you classmates out there still undecided about attending our reunion, this event itself should swing you over to coming.  Fr. Dan and I will be very happy to hear from you.

Tom Devereaux on the Mend

Last week Fr. Tom emailed Fr. Dan to inform him that, when he was in Washington, DC, June 22-26, he "incurred a detached retina."  He further reported that he underwent successful surgery on his right eye on June 27 and that he "still cannot see out of that eye until the gas bubble inside the eye dissipates."  Fr. Tom expressed his disappointment that he will be unable to attend our class reunion in Dallas.  However, he subsequently added that, if he heals more quickly than the doctors anticipate, he will attempt to attend.  He closed by saying, "It is wait and see (pun ha ha)."

Jack Park on Recovery Road

On May 10, 2014, Mike Heydinger emailed worrisome news regarding Jack Park.  Fortunately, it sounds as though Jack is healing to the extent that he still intends to make it to our Dallas reunion in the Fall.

I'm going to let Mike share his news with all of us as only he can do in his own gifted way by copying his email.


Hi, all,

Sorry that I have been more than a little remiss in my duties here, but
this week had me hopping like a one legged butt-kicker.

Last Saturday I learned that our classmate Jack Park. had suffered a
stroke - way back on March 3, at home in the night time. The EMT's were
called and strapped him up for transport, but while carrying him
downstairs, they dropped him.  They did transport him, the hospital got
the shot into him, and then they discovered that he had two fractured
vertebrae, one in the neck and the other in the back.  So to prevent his
moving while things healed, they induced him onto a coma and didn't wake
him up for almost a couple months.  But he healed, almost.

I ran up to Perrysburg to the care facility where he is for a visit last
Sunday afternoon.  I was soooooo surprised and relieved to find him
fully alert, able to sit up, speak clearly, and with almost no memory
impairment.  He is able to walk with support and a walker and is
gradually stretching it out.  He was supposed to have an appointment
Friday this week to see if they can do surgery on his neck to repair the
movement in his hands.  That was more drop-related than stroke.  I
called him tonight to check up on him and his spirits are only fair
because they will do the procedure Wed. next instead of on Monday.
Jack, as you know, was always VERY impatient.

Keep Jack in your prayers that he makes a complete and full recovery, as
he seems to be well on the way to it right now.  Hopefully no relapses.
The only negative right now is they can't get his BP up over 100.  Now
how is this for motivation - he is determined to make it to Dallas in
October!!!!  So yu'ns that haven't made up your mind yet, get with the
game plan.

It would really help Jack if you sent a card or even made a call.  His
direct in-room line is 1-567-336-6428. Be patient as he doesn't move
fast.  If he is sitting in his tilt-back chair, he can't answer as the
phone is on the wrong side of the bed.  You'd think that at a brand new
facility they would have ordered the extra long phone cords! He will
start out weepy on the call, but just give him time to get over the
shock of your call and you can then understand him better and it;s good
old Jack! His address at the home is St. Clare Commons, 12469 Five Point
Road /Perrysburg/, /Ohio/ 43551.  This is a brand new home run by the
Srs; of St. Francis of Sylvania.  It sits out in the country with a corn
field on one side and a fairly new church on the other.  The two places
share a parking lot even.  And guess who the pastor is there that visits
Jack - Lenny Weber's younger brother Herb. Small world.


Pax, in Him,
The Dinger

The Story behind "Shang"

I'm wondering how many of you know or recall how Ed Pasterick received the nickname "Shang."  Occasionally I have wondered about this important, historical fact.  Certainly, if I were playing a game of Trivia Pursuit, I would fail with this question; and I could lose the game.  So, with so much weight hanging in the balance on this matter, I decided to go to the source.  (That was the methodology Msgr. Hofer instructed us in understanding Scripture, right?  Go to the SOURCE.) 

I emailed Ed regarding the origin of his nickname and he enlightened me.  Ed wrote, "Joe Mammola gave me the name 'Shanghai' in Sexta because of a sweater I used to wear that apparently looked Asian to him.  It got shortened to 'Shang' and stayed that way for twelve years.  I lost it after the Joss, but Jim Byers still uses it when he drops me a note."  Thanks to Shang, I am now prepared for that game of Trivia Pursuit.   

Ed further updated me in February regarding himself and his family.  "I just retired last week, figured it was time to move on.  I suspect I'll get some feelers along the way.  I will humbly say that I know more about the National Flood Insurance Program than anyone alive.  Long way from Schillebeckx.  Sharon is also retiring at the end of this school year. She has been principal at Elizabeth Seton High School for about 15 years.  My daughter, Emily, and Gus (Pedrozo) have two boys, Gabriel (5) and Daniel (3), and another on the way at the end of April.  Jonathan (and Mary) have Evan (2).  Jonathan was just made a partner at his law firm in Annapolis.

"Tom, Sharon and I are not big on group affairs, so while it's great to hear from people like you, get-togethers might not happen.  That said, I need to do a better job of chiming in more on the blog.

"How about that Francis?  Nice to see a restoration happening."

Bioethics Consume Len Weber

The practice of ethical decision-making in the field of healthcare critically needs the astute and adept skills of moral reasoning in the midst of complex options and choices in the 21st century.  Len Weber is applying his giftedness to these challenges in the Detroit area.

When Len replied to our class reunion correspondence this past February, he wrote the following:

"Thank you for the Class of 68 letter. I will not be able to join you this year. I am working full time (the Ethicist for a couple major hospitals) and have already scheduled my limited time off.

Thank you for keeping me on the list."

Having worked as a clinical social worker in acute healthcare, I personally encountered families staring at confusing and troubling courses of action with their acute healthcare team in behalf of the well-being of a loved one.

Dale Schmitz's "Hobby" Farm

A "hobby" farm?  What has our Dale Schmitz gotten himself into?  Let Dale describe what he is busily doing.  In his email to me in February, he began by expressing his hope to attend our reunion this coming October:

"Hopefully I'll be able to get to Dallas this fall for the reunion. It's been since 1993 at the JOSS that I've seen you and others....... I always wondered where and how Tom Radascy is, along with others.

Seems like retirement, now 9 years for me, is so busy, but with much more enjoyable things. Family and grandkids, family reunions, and uncles and aunts now in their 90's.

We've got a 50 acre "hobby" farm/woods about 50 miles from here. And so I go there quite a bit to putz around like when I was a kid on the farm, driving tractors, mowing grass, and cutting down lots of trees. Have 3 ponds there, just dredged this past winter. A very good place for deer, turkeys, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, and I even saw a cougar/mountain lion there last summer.

The farm is on the way to a house we have on Sun Valley Lake, that is 75 miles from here. I should fish more but seems like always things to do. And we still have the first house we bought there, but hopefully it will be sold yet this month.

Frances and I leave for Honduras Feb. 19 and return April 8. Some of my time there is spent working on projects (electricity, plumbing, painting, etc.)for friends and family. And visiting family and friends.

I'll also spend a week in March working with two other guys coming then to provide donated carpentry tools we collect here and "give" to carpenters in Honduras and in El Salvador. We also provide training classes on some of the tools. I'm the only one on the Board here fluent in Spanish and so spend considerable time corresponding and setting things up from here, and there. ......... To earn the tools, the carpenters have to donate 40 hours of work to their community, school, church or a person with needs, plant 3 trees,and mentor another person. ........ Our goal is to improve the lives of families by increasing the income of the carpenters. The organization is Tools for Opportunity, www.toolsforopportunity.org/.

Winter has been like an öld-fashioned one we remember from the 50's, 60's and 70's. We have lots of snow on the ground, and it has snowed 1-2 inches three times this week. In fact, it's snowing now again. But a warm-up is to finally come next week, with temperatures up into the 40's for a day or so.

Enough rambling for now. I hope all is well with you and your family."

Dale is a testament to an ol' sayin':  "The farm boy may leave the farm, but the farm never leaves the farm boy."  I was recalling this very verse during this past week as I was weeding and tilling our landscape beds and spreading cubic yards of mulch around our house in 90 degree weather.

Sam Pezzillo into Philately

After I received Sam Pezzillo's "regrets" with regards to our planned class reunion, I emailed him to ask what was going on in his life.  He sent an interesting email back:

"I am now retired from teaching and travel a lot, an extension of some of what I did while still teaching where the college had a January term/Interim term and I took students to Italy most years. Now I travel with an adult group and we are off to Turkey next month, did China last Spring, and will be going to Peru next year. All in all we have done about 12 group tours together. I'm still involved in philately, mostly airmail history and Germany. I travel a bit for that, attending a show in San Francisco last April, one coming up in May in Portland, and then a seminar presentation in the Fall at the APS Postal History Seminar.

Also deeply involved in local political issues as part of an activist group for the Birmingham area and in my little home town as a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, and the Historical Commission, all of which involve 4 or 5 meetings a month. And just this last year I took up duplicate bridge. My wife and I play once or twice a week at the Birmingham club. Just trying to keep busy as long as I can.

Give my regards to everyone."

When I read that he was "still involved in philately," I was dumbfounded.  Philately???  I wondered what kind of misspelling this word could be.  I reread the sentence and the context several more times and I still could not make sense out of "philately."  So, I finally looked for a possible definition of this word.  Well, I discovered this is a real word.  Do you know that philately is a noun which means "the collection and study of postage stamps"?  I do now!  I wonder whether Fr. Durst, our stamp guru at the Josephinum, had some influence on Sam's interest.

Bob Sefcheck Still Teaching

This past February Bob Sefcheck informed me that he would not be attending our class reunion in October because he expected his work schedule to be quite busy.  So, I emailed back to him to ask him what he was still doing.  "Are you not retired," I was asking him.  He responded with the following:

"I supervise student teachers for California University of Pennsylvania, the university from which I eventually graduated. I teach their practicum class for five hours every other Friday. The rest of the semester I drive all over Southwestern Pa observing and evaluating them so they can become certified. After spending thirty-seven years teaching fifth graders, I am now completing my ninth year at the university teaching seniors and grad students. Currently I am working with thirty-two students. With the bad winter we have had in my area this has been a very difficult semester. The associate dean/director of Student teaching has told me to expect a large number in the fall, so I am loathe to make plans for leaving the area during that time. I would really like to see the guys again."

I am impressed with Bob's continuing commitment to the field of Education!

2014 Reunion Momentum Mounting

The response to the invitation for our class reunion in Dallas, Texas, in October 2014 has been good.  To date, the following have indicated that they are planning to attend:

• Fr. Dan Clayton
• John and Loretto Dahmus
• Fr. Tom Devereaux
• John and Kathy Driscoll
• John Ernst (if health allows)
• Frank and Judy Fulkerson
• Norm and Linda Hageman
• Mike Heydinger
• Fr. Frank Kehres
• Fr. Ger Knueven
• Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld
• Thad and Donna Kresho
• Tom and Chris Meyer
• Don and Betty Wampach

Doug Kruse and Dale Schmitz have expressed their strong interest.  Bishop Ron Herzog had saved the dates for our class reunion in his calendar.  Hopefully, if he continues to experience good recovery following his stroke, he will still be able to attend in October.

The following have conveyed their "regrets": Ron Langhals, Steve Lautermilch, Sam Pezzillo, Bob Sefchech, and Len Weber.

In the meantime, Fr. Dan has been vetting some sights and restaurants for our reunion and is evolving a preliminary outline for our enjoyment and time together.  Dan and I have discussed ideas and used each other as a sounding board several times over the past 3-4 months.  Look for additional details to be coming to you in the mail very soon.

Chicagoland Joss Alumni Reunion Continues to Amaze

Once again Don and Betty Wampach hosted the 39th Annual Chicagoland Joss Alumni Reunion at their home in Naperville, IL, on March 16, 2014.  The reunion opened with an intimate home liturgy at 3:00 pm.  Fr. Dick Kramer (Class of '66) presided as principal celebrant and Fr. Dan Clayton (Class of '68) and Fr. Paul Hottinger (Class of '75) were concelebrants.  The usual group picture followed liturgy, with multiple cameras clicking.  The picture-taking was held indoors in the warmth of Don and Betty's family room rather than outdoors in the frozen tundra of Chicagoland.  (The tundra was too cold for the likes of Chris and me who drove up from North Carolina.)  Once this tradition was dispensed with, we helped ourselves to delicious edibles and refreshing libations.  Some of us even sought a second helping.  Of course, there was an abundance of desserts.  Yet, primarily, conversation, sharing, and laughter marked our gathering and showcased our steadfast friendships.  All of us who were in attendance give a shout out, in gratitude, to Don and Betty for hosting this gathering once again.

Present from the Class of '68 were Fr. Dan Clayton, John and Kathy Driscoll, Mike Heydinger and his granddaughter Kali, Tom and Chris Meyer, and Don and Betty Wampach.  Mike Fry (Class of '85) drove up from the Josephinum as alumni relations representative.  Also, we were surprised by the appearance of Bob Murray (Class of '69) and his wife Katie.  We enjoyed sharing and catching up with them.

Mike and Don absent from this photo because they, of course, were snapping pictures.

On the previous afternoon, March 15, Don introduced those of us with the Class of '68, along with Mike Fry, to Bally Doyle Irish Pub in Downers Grove, IL.  Since this Irish pub was a popular locale for celebrating St. Patrick's Weekend, it was rockin'.  Once we finished our dinners, since we were having difficulty hearing one another across the table, we returned to Don and Betty's house for a quiet evening.  The pub was amping up for a live performance.

Bishop Ron Herzog Recovering

In early March Bishop Ron Herzog, Diocese of Alexandria (Louisiana), was hospitalized following a stroke.  Don Wampach and Mike Heydinger relayed this news to a number of us.  The complications initially reported were paralysis and speech impairment.  Our concern for Ron immediately peaked.  As Bishop Ron's secretary kept Don updated, we were learning that Ron was showing slow, but progressive, recovery.  Then, on April 7, he underwent surgery to open his right carotid artery; the immediate report was assuredly positive.  His artery was "now 100% clear."  Upon discharge from acute care, Ron was transferred into a rehabilitation unit.  Today we received the best news yet from Bishop Ron's secretary:

"The latest good news is that on Monday of this week, Bishop Herzog was released from Christus-Cabrini to return to his residence at Canterbury House.  He will continue therapy as an out-patient at Cabrini Rehabilitation Center.  His progress has been steady and he is moving more independently day by day with the use of a cane.  He is negotiating steps with handrails at the therapy center and is honing his hand-skills through occupational therapy.  He will be happy to receive visitors for limited amounts of time.  Please continue to keep him in your prayers.  As always, he thanks everyone with a most sincere note of appreciation for all of the kindnesses received."

Let us continue to pray for Ron's full recovery so that he will be able to resume his inspiring pastoral care for all the People of God in the Diocese of Alexandria.  We also hope he will still be able to join us at our class reunion in the Big D in October.

Announcements/Invitations Out for 2014 Class Reunion

Letters, with reply postcards, have gone out to 64 members of the Joss Class of 1968 detailing plans for our reunion in Dallas, Texas, on October 23-27, 2014.  This is the highest number of classmates we have ever contacted for a reunion.  Fr. Dan Clayton is our host.  I and my wife, Chris, are managing much of the planning along with Fr. Dan.

The reunion is expected to be as grand as Big D itself.  The headliners include a museum of contemporary sculpture and an expansive, vibrant park/green space constructed in the center of the city over an existing expressway; the JFK Memorial and Dealey Plaza; a rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum and the mechanical bull at Billy Bob's Honky Tonk; an urban wine trail in Grapevine, TX, and the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe.  Yet, there is much more to suit the tastes of all guests!

A block of rooms is being held at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Market Center, phone 1-800-228-2800.  Cost is $79 + tax per night ("Joss Class of 1968" rate).  This is a great deal given facility amenities and location.  Attendees are to make their own reservations.

All class members are to return their postcards to me to express their intentions regarding this reunion.  Contact information  is provided in the letter for anyone who has additional questions.  We are looking forward to a heart-warming and fun-filled reunion.

Fun Things to Do in the Metroplex (Dallas/Fort Worth Area)

Greetings from the Frozen Tundra of the Chicago Area

First of all, you can't believe EVERYTHING that appears in some of the comments in this blog site, especially after an "ancient mariner" (or is it marathon runner - Hats off to you, Tom!!) has had a beer or two.

Secondly,  as has been mentioned elsewhere in this blog site, Dan Clayton has been working on our upcoming reunion with much dedication and enthusiam.  There is much to do in the Metroplex region - culture, recreation, and dining.  Betty and I have twice visited the new Klyde Warren Park next to the Arts District, and near the catherdral, over an expressway in Dallas.  It is certainly worth a visit.  Grapevine is a cute old town with lots of charm, immediately west of DFW Airport and north of Fort Worth.  It has quaint shops, nice restaurants, a beautiful arboretum-type park, and a neat old train that runs into Fort Worth (but beware of a possible ambush on the train).

Hope many of you can join us in October.

Y'all Come!

Don Wampach