C.Ss.R. Alumni Gather in the Desert at Redemptorist Renewal Center
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March 23, 2022In the salad days we came by the dozens from Redemptorist parish strongholds in cities like Detroit, Chicago and Omaha, sometimesfilling entire rail cars, happily bound for Kirkwood or Edgerton to sip and sample holy waters of the priesthood.
The years passed and many of us left alone. Alone we packed our steamer trunks, relieved with making a good decision, apprehensive about an uncertain future, and sad about leaving friends and a life we loved behind.
We were pieces of a complex puzzle that when fitted together said simply what we’d always known: Many are called and few are chosen.
Now a handful of us are together again this past week at the Redemptorist Renewal Center at Picture Rocks in southern Arizona, at the foothills of the Saguaro National Forest.
This is our annual Gathering – not a reunion or retreat, mind you – but a stew of the two stirred together as many of us, priests and those of us who left along the way, meet to discuss our lives’ late stage. It is our ninth such meeting in 10 years, one Gathering erased by pandemic and last year’s shrunk to an attendance of three. Better three than none at all. And it is good this year. The count is 20 who have come from as far as both coasts.
Fr. Mike McAndrew, Edgerton ’61, and Fr. Ed Gaydos, who entered the previous year, have put together a program centered on renewal, health, loss and prayer.
As always our wives are with us. Fr. Dick Mevisson, sadly away from us for the first time as was Fr. Paul Coury, said once that it’s the wives who make the Gathering special. The wise Fr. Mev is onto something.
Also joining us as time allows are the Redemptorists who live at the renewal center – Fathers Jim Shea, Ricardo Elford, Tom Franciscus and Pat Grile – often at meals in the refectory where the food is good and ample. Chris Hobson and Fr. Len Broniak, classmates of Peter Tran at Waterford in the mid-1970s, are first-timers who make the Renewal Center a stop on their annual buddy road trip.
In the late afternoon of our only full day at Picture Rocks we gathered at Mass with Fr. Mike as celebrant. Concelebrating with him at the altar are Fr. Ricardo and Joe Viverito, both Kirkwood ’52, in their first time together at the altar since ordination day 58 summers ago.
After supper, it is on to a yowsie that night, libation and fellowship, remembering the good times of our youth. Dick Bek, Kirkwood ’57, and his wife, Jen, highlight an evening of song with their ever-dulcet voices.
On Wednesday it is time to leave. Plans are made for next year – March 21-23 – so mark your calendars. Bill Wagner, Edgerton ’60, might be calling you. All are welcome.
Like we became as young men, we are denizens of the great seminary diaspora, wildflower seeds sent scattering in dust stirred by the heavy winds of March. Godspeed.
Ecce quam bonum. How good has it been to be together again.
(Courtesy of DenverLink.)
