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