Picnic 2010!

On a comfortable June day, more than 90 Alumni of St Albert's Junior Seminary in Middletown, NY gathered with their families to renew old friendships and share memories of their time at St. Albert's.   The day was held on Saturday, June 12th.   Rain was predicted but never came.    One highlight of the day was the consuming of the culinary delights delicately prepared by Bro Robert Bathe, O. Carm. and Michael Kissane, O. Carm. (1976).  The following article will give you a brief summation of the day and entice your interest in the next Alumni Picnic. 

Arrivals

The Alumni began arriving at 11:00am!   Of course, some of the Alumni of St Albert's showed some "wear and tear" but all in all most were in good shape.   The burgers were thrown on the grill and the other refreshments began flowing.   The party began!  In total, more than 90 people showed up and a good time was had by all.  Some alumni who attended for the first time in quite a while included: Alfred Cipriani (classmate of Fr Alfred Isacsson, O.Carm., Dennis Ryan ‘74, Eli Genova ‘74, Gerry McGorian ‘77, Richard Ehrhardt ‘76 and Irving Donaldson ‘73.    The award for the class with the most present goes to the class of 1974! 

Carmelites Well Represented

    Many present day Carmelites showed up for the day.   Fr Matthias DesLauriers, O.Carm. who taught at St Alberts and was a formation director on the college floor in the 70’s was celebrating his 50^th anniversary of priesthood and was present.     Fr Alfred Isaccson, O. Carm., principal of St Albert's from 1973-1976 was glad to see Richard Ehrhardt and many of the other students from the time when he ministered at St Alberts as a teacher and principal.    Fr. Robert Greco, O. Carm. came by to see if some of his former classmates showed up.  Fr. Francis Dixon, O. Carm., a St Albert's graduate who later taught history at St Albert's was able to meet some of his former students: Joe Poliseno (1978), Ricky Serrentino (1978),  and Chris Espejo (1978).    Fr. Michael Kissane, O. Carm. (1976) was glad to see his classmates Tim Weiler (1976), Kevin Dwyer (1976) and Richard Ehrhardt.  Fr Mario Esposito, O.Carm., the Provincial of the Carmelites came to extend a warm welcome to the alumni.  He knew many of them when they were in the Carmelite Formation program during the 70’s.  Many other Carmelites came by to say hello.  They included: Fr Gus Graap O.Carm. and Fr Guy Fiano, O.Carm. 

THE GAMES

During the afternoon and evening, a number of alumni tried out their skills at some athletic competition.   A softball came broke out which featured the one time short-stop Juan Medina ’74 back at his old position.   While he made a valiant attempt at defending his old position against the hard hitting second generation, it was obvious to all that age was catching up to him.  Mike Stec ’73 played first base pretty much as well as he did when he was a high school student which was mediocre.  Sal Massa ’73, although a little out of shape still pitched a great game!  Kevin Dwyer ’76 the right fielder really never saw any action which suited him well.  Despite the uneven outfield, a few trees and a wet area Terry Seeley ’73 held his own in left field. 

Those who were feeling their age partook of some other more relaxing games such as bean bag toss (provided by the Watters family), badminton and good old fishing.  Denis Ryan ’74 seemed to be the champion at tossing the bean bag into the little hole.

The Mass

    Around 3:30pm the announcements began reminding everyone of the mass to be held at 4:00pm.  For some, it had been years since they stepped foot in the chapel.   As the Alumni entered the chapel, many were struck with memories of the old days and the hours spent in that chapel - morning prayer at 7:15, Angelus at noon, Mass at 4:00pm after a quick shower and evening prayer after dinner.  Fr Matthias DesLauriers, O.Carm. was the celebrant.      This year we have as our main celebrant for the Alumni Mass at the Picnic Fr Matthias James DesLauriers, O.Carm. who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of priesthood. As many of you know, Fr. Matt taught in the High School in the 70's and was the formator for our college students who attended Orange County Community College during that time. He later went on to be Provincial, the Procurator General of the Order in Rome and now lives in Australia where he currently is the Provincial Delegate for Lay Carmelites of the Australian province. We are very honored to have him with us this year and hope many of his former students come to the picnic to honor him. The picnic is being held while he is in the country to give us all an opportunity to congratulate him and at the same time gather with our former classmates. Fr Matthias has been celebrating This year we have as our main celebrant for the Alumni Mass at the Picnic Fr Matthias James DesLauriers, O.Carm. who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of priesthood. As many of you know, Fr. Matt taught in the High School in the 70's and was the formator for our college students who attended Orange County Community College during that time. He later went on to be Provincial, the Procurator General of the Order in Rome and now lives in Australia where he currently is the Provincial Delegate for Lay Carmelites of the Australian province. We are very honored to have him with us this year and hope many of his former students come to the picnic to honor him. The picnic is being held while he is in the country to give us all an opportunity to congratulate him and at the same time gather with our former classmates.This year we have as our main celebrant for the Alumni Mass at the Picnic Fr Matthias James DesLauriers, O.Carm. who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of priesthood. As many of you know, Fr. Matt taught in the High School in the 70's and was the formator for our college students who attended Orange County Community College during that time. He later went on to be Provincial, the Procurator General of the Order in Rome and now lives in Australia where he currently is the Provincial Delegate for Lay Carmelites of the Australian province. We are very honored to have him with us this year and hope many of his former students come to the picnic to honor him. The picnic is being held while he is in the country to give us all an opportunity to congratulate him and at the same time gather with our former classmates.his 50^th anniversary of priesthood.   Fr Matt taught in the high school in the 70’s and was the formator for the college students who attended Orange County Community College during that time.  He later went on to be the Provincial, Procurator General of the Order in Rome and now lives in Australia where he currently is the Provincial Delegate for Lay Carmelites of the Australian province.  The picnic this year was held while he is in the country to give all the opportunity to congratulate him and at the same time gather with former classmates. 

Fr Matt in his homily thanked all for being present.  He noted that for his 50^th anniversary he has tried to visit all the places where he ministered over the years because these are the people who gave him life.  He spoke of the lasting friendships that he made while working at St Alberts.   He challenged all to keep the alumni association going and reminded all that they too are part of the Carmelite family. 

A touching part of the mass came after communion when Fr Matt and Fr Mike Kissane administered the sacrament of the sick to Jake Coppock ’74 who has been battling ALS. Jake, his wife and his classmates were called forward.   Fr Mike reminded all that the Sacrament of the Sick involves the community and reminded not only Jake’s family but all his friends of the responsibility all have to care for the sick.   A number of St Alberts alumni were recently to Jake’s cottage and built a ramp to make it more handicapped assessable.  It was obvious that with the support of his family and friends and the grace of the sacrament of the sick, Jake is quite ready to continue his struggle in life. 

    Thanks to Fr Matt for providing a special Mass and for all the work he did with many of those present in their very formative years.  All who were present left the chapel with a nostalgic feeling that will remain with them for years.    

GOLF

   The next Alumni event will be the annual Golf Tournament which will take place on Thursday, August 26th, 2010 beginning at 11:00 am for those who golf.   The cost is $260 for golfers which includes, lunch, cocktails and reception and dinner.  Those who would like to just come for dinner are invited to the cocktail and reception and dinner beginning at 5:00 pm for $125.  

    The outing takes place at the Middle Bay Country Golf Club in Oceanside, Long Island.   This course is one of the premier courses on Long Island.  The Alumni Association which sponsors the Golf outing would like to remind all that you need not be a good golfer to play.   For more information and to register, go to the Alumni Golf website by clicking HERE.  If you simply cannot make it, you may want to consider being a sponsor for the outing.   There are various levels of sponsorship and each includes mention in our Golf Journal which is distributed to all who attend. 

Many more pictures of the Alumni Picnic can be found on the St Alberts Alumni Facebook page located at: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=111346980015&ref=ts