Reunions Weekend 2011
Please scroll down to see photos from the weekend as well as a link to the video of the celebration for Fr. Julius.
Reunions Weekend 2011 began bright and early Saturday, June 4th with Fr. Bernard’s 5K Run. Runners were greeted by an energetic Fr. Bernard (with trigger finger on the starting gun) right at 8:30 a.m., except defending champion Barry McCain ’02 was nowhere to be found. But just as the runners assembled on the track, Barry came jogging in wearing flip flops, changed into running shoes, and made it in time for the starting gun. This year, Fr. Bernard designed a course that took runners around the Cistercian campus, including the new Stations of the Cross trail and some challenging hills. When the runners returned to the track for the final lap, it was Isaac Johnston ’11 in the lead. For Fr. Bernard’s 5K Run, Isaac cruised to a first place finish, followed by Barry McCain ’02, and Zach Horton ’11.
Volleyball, Soccer, and Basketball tournaments began at 10:00 a.m. The inaugural volleyball tournament had only two teams, but it was a hard fought finals. Winners of the Leloczky Kup were Christopher Brandt '10, Nick Brandt '10, Tim England '11, Zach Horton '11, and Isaac Johnston '11, and they are looking to defend their title in 2012 against a slew of challengers. The soccer tournament included a round robin, followed by playoff elimination rounds. Winners of the Kovacs Kup were Marcus Burnside '09, Ramón Cordova ’09, Nick Echevarria '09, Joe O'Connell '09, Paul Pesek '09 and Will Schleier ‘09. These gentlemen also comprised the winning team at Reunions Weekend 2010. In basketball action, the young and spry were pitted against the older and wiser, but youth prevailed this year. Winners of the Kereszty Kup were Matthew Butler '10, Jack Cox '10, Liam Flanigan '10, Bobby Prengle '10, and Ian White '10.
Back at the tennis courts classmates reminisced while families enjoyed the delicious hamburgers from The Hamburger Man, an inflatable water slide (perfect for a 95 degree day), face painting, and balloon sculptures. There was even a reenactment of a certain Class of ’71 photo under the railroad trestle. It was great to see so many alumni renewing the camaraderie of their Cistercian years.
On Sunday, the community gathered to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Fr. Julius with Mass in the Abbey Church. The Church was filled beyond capacity for the Mass with a heartfelt, often times humorous, homily by Fr. Roch. Families made their way to the gym for a reception, which included the naming of the Fr. Julius Scholarship and presentation of a scrapbook filled with photos and notes from Fr. Julius’ fifty years of service to the Cistercian community.
A slideshow of the celebration for Fr. Julius can be viewed by clicking here.
