July 23, 2006
Each year on the 3rd week of June, my twin brother and I look forward to connecting with other priests who have studied at the American College in Louvain, Belgium by attending the AC Reunion. This year it was hosted by Fr. Francis Maione at Xavier Retreat Center in Morristown, NJ. We left Rochester on Monday the 19th and arrived about 5pm. Our lodgings were located on the 4th floor of a former convent (now a retreat center). The rooms were small containing a desk, chair, single bed and a portable fan. The sinks, restrooms and showers were at the end of the corridor. I felt like a monk in a monastery for 3 nights!
Thank God many activities were planned throughout our stay and these quarters were used only for sleeping. We took a bus tour of New York City, where we visited Ellis Island by ferry and the Stature of Liberty, the tallest statue in the world (352' tall), Ground Zero and had lunch at a Chinese restaurant and a dinner at a Portuguese restaurant, featuring six courses and five different grilled meats, an abundance of food!
During these excursions, a lot of in depth sharing, encouragement and support take place among us priests, which is the real benefit of such reunions.
The highlight of our trip for me was our concelebrated alumni Eucharist with the Rector of the College, Rev. Kevin Cass. The Gospel of the day was the prophet Elijah imparting a part of his spirit to his follower Eisha and we were challenged to share the true Christian Spirit that we received at the College with all those we meet. This Mass was followed by the Alumni Banquet in the garden conservatory of the Madison Hotel. How appropriate this setting of palms and trees and flowers was because we were in the Garden State.
The next morning the alumni business meeting took place and then we were free for the afternoon. We visited Princeton University which was an architectural treat! We then visited Villa Walsh, the Motherhouse of the Filippini Sisters, who taught released-time religion classes in Watkins Glen, when I was a boy. We spoke with three of the nuns we knew. One sister was quite ill and didn't recognize us, but the other two were so happy we stopped. The eldest is 91 and very clear of thought and alert. The next day, we made our way to the newly built St. Mary's Benedictine Abbey in Dalbarton, New Jersey for Mass and a look at their wonderful bookstore.
How grateful we both are for summertime and for vacation - a special time for life and for deepening our roots and exploring our depths. A time to reflect, expand and relax, to see our world in God's light. Vacations are holidays and "holy days" at the same time.
Fr. Bob
111