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, August 17, 2017

Fr. Tom Devereaux Dies

On August 7, 2017, Don Wampach informed me that Fr. Tom Devereaux died on August 6 at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, CA, due to complications following surgery.  Fr. Tom joined our first-year theology class at the Josephinum in 1964.  He was an amazingly smart and caring person.  In his retirement he was stationed at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Parish in Santa Rosa, CA.  He hosted our class reunion in September 2012 (See blog post of 10/2/12).  At that time I learned that he had a breakfast entree named after himself at Zini's Diner in Cloverdale, CA.

Fr. Tom (front & center) at 2012 Class Reunion in California

Fr. Tom's funeral liturgy was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church on August 16.  Refer to the following link for his obituary in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat:  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pressdemocrat/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-w-devereaux&pid=186367878&fhid=18210

The community recognized Fr. Tom for his social activism.  Among his many areas of attention, one for which he advocated was housing for the elderly.  Mike Heydinger found an inspiring article in the Sonoma Valley Patch that pays tribute to Fr. Tom's effective role in this issue.  Following is a link to this article:  https://patch.com/california/sonomavalley/social-justice-champion-father-thomas-devereaux-honored-eah-housing

Fr. Dan Clayton also brought to my attention a You Tube video of an interesting talk Fr. Tom gave to a group of junior high and high school students in December 2012.  He was participating in The Neighborhood Listening Project which cultivated oral history and active listening skills among these students.  In responding to student questions, Fr. Tom shares some life lessons learned from dealing with personal health issues as well as those prophetic voices instrumental in his call to the priesthood.  Here is the link to his wisdom in his own words:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH8Q4vrZ6CI

I pray that Fr. Tom is now enjoying eternal, heavenly peace.

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