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The anniversary celebrations
continued. The ordination
classes of 1949 and 1974 gathered up at Notre Dame. They had a beautiful
Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, followed by a wonderful dinner
at the North Dining Hall at Notre Dame.
Sr. Mary Ann Pajakowski, CSC sent Tom
Lemos, John Phalen, and John Korcsmar a card and a gift. These three--also known as
Los Tres Mosqueteros--worked together when they were newly ordained in
South Bend. The card was a congratulatory note that said, "You are what
you eat." They opened the gift to find a can of nuts. What did Sister mean?
The 1974 class gathered at the Log Chapel for a Mass.
This chapel is a replica of the log chapel that Father Badin built as a
place for missionary work among the Indians. The altar in the log chapel
is an altar that had frequently been used by Father Sorin. This all helped
to make the jubilarians aware that they were only one small part of a much
larger and much more important history.
With great joy the
community, friends, and relatives gathered
at St. Ignatius Martyr Church in Austin on May 29th for
the ordination of Joe Tomei to the priesthood. Many of Joe's friends
came from California, Wichita Falls, San Antonio, and other places in order
to be at the event. Bishop John McCarthy of Austin was the ordaining bishop.
During the testimonies there were so many wonderful things said about Joe
that Bishop McCarthy wondered whether it was an ordination or a canonization.
Those who have lived and worked with Joe knew that he wasn't getting canonized.
John Korcsmar was not able to attend the ordination. He
has been suffering with some back pain caused by muscle spasms. They have
been rather painful, but he consoles himself with the thought that he had
can tell Joe Tomei that he has had a pain in his back ever since Joe was
ordained. The following
Monday, we went to Holy Name Retreat
Center in Houston. We have been going there for the annual retreat
and for chapters for many years. It is a fine place with a wonderful staff,
excellent food, and good rooms. It is has been in the same location for
many years. It was probably built at a time when there was nothing around
it, but over the years a very plush neighborhood has grown up around it.
You can imagine Fr. Larry LeVasseur's surprise when he saw a little snake.
Fr. John Schrock, the director, said they were also surprised one day when
an eighteen inch alligator walked onto the parking lot. It would seem that
some of the neighbors have had unusual pets that got away. One does not
expect to find wild life at a retreat center. |
