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

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

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.

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)