Vincentian Connections: A Gathering of Friends

Former CMs and seminarians enjoyed reminiscing about their past
and catching up on present events in their lives.

It was a beautiful fall day in Perryville, Missouri, a perfect backdrop for the warm gathering of current and former Vincentians and seminarians who attended a reunion on September 22, 2007.

The event began with a buffet lunch and featured tours of the new residence at St. Mary’s of the Barrens, but the highlight for all was being together on the grounds where many friendships and memories were made.

Bill de Haas traveled from Dallas, Texas, to attend the event. “I had the unique experience as an ex-CM and former student director at Perryville of seeing former teachers and deans; current classmates and friends; the farm brothers, and former students – so you can imagine the stories!

“It was also nice to see that the old student building chapel – the marble altar, stations of the cross, and statues – were incorporated into the new chapel in the retirement center, combining the best of the old and the new!” de Haas said. “In the evening I was blessed to share memories with my former students and their wives. There was a common thread through all the conversations – ex-CMs and former students are invested and interested in what the CMs are doing now.  We are one big family!”

And the “family” turned out for the reunion in good numbers: 82 alumni families and confreres attended the event. There were priests, brothers, teachers, parish assistants, husbands and wives, lawyers, musicians, treasurers, leaders in many fields – both Church and business – retired and active, children and guests. They came from Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri, Arizona, Kansas, Utah, Texas, Louisiana, California and even Taiwan.

Some had not seen each other for 50 years but it didn’t take long to share the memories that were made together in earlier times.

Kevin Wells, of St. Louis, expressed the views of many: “Since I do not view the individuals I came to know during my time in the Vincentian Community simply as "fellow students" or "professors", but rather as "brothers" and "mentors", each and every chance I have to visit with them is a valuable and personally rewarding experience. The gathering at Perryville was yet another opportunity to reinforce and strengthen the values that have been instilled in me and that I hope to continue to carry in my daily life.  The landscape at The Barrens has changed dramatically, but the spirit of St. Vincent continues on, as it always will.”

Father Art Trapp, who resides at St. Mary’s of the Barrens, said, “The love and care so many of these alums have for God’s poor and each other is evident. It was amazing to see the number of folks at the gathering who in one way or another still look at their need to remember the poor. Let us all give God thanks that we have been a part of each other’s lives and pray for vocations to the Church.”