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Alumni Reunion '07
by Jarrod Thome
This past September, around 88 of Conception Seminary’s alumni returned to their alma mater for an enjoyable reunion weekend.
The event began on Friday, the 21st, with lunch and a presentation entitled “The Catholic Church’s Dialogue with Muslims: Reflections Forty Years after Nostra Aetate” by Dr. John Borelli. Dr. Borelli is Special Assistant to the President for Interreligious Initiatives at Georgetown University. For 16 years, he was Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, serving as Interim Director from 2001-2002. He staffed the Bishops' Subcommittee on Interreligious Dialogue managing three ongoing regional dialogues with Muslims, one with Buddhists, one with Hindus, and other interreligious projects. He also served on the national ecumenical dialogues with Orthodox Christians and with Anglicans and facilitated other ecumenical activities. Dr. Borelli’s presentation was well delivered and informative.
Dr. John Borelli
Introducing Dr. Borelli was Fr. Donald Grabner, O.S.B., who has had the opportunity to get to know him through his own work on Catholic-Muslim relations and the study of Eastern religions. This year Fr. Donald was chosen as the recipient of the 2007 Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in recognition of his 50 years of teaching at Conception Seminary College. At the Alumni Reunion Mass, Fr. Samuel said this of Fr. Donald: “It is not an exaggeration to say that Fr. Donald has given his life to priestly formation. He has taught dogma, liturgy, ecumenical theology, philosophy of religion, literature, and has been asked to teach in a pinch just about every course we’ve offered. He’s served on endless committees, as a prefect, chaplain and spiritual director. He served two terms as prior of the monastery and was one of our early directors of development.” Many of the alumni present had Fr. Donald as a teacher during their time here at Conception. There were no doubts among them that Fr. Donald was the most fitting recipient of this year’s award.
Fr. Donald, with his award, stands with Abbot Gregory after Mass.
Also highlighted at this year’s reunion was the class of 1967, marking 40 years. Their fellowship, added to that of the other alumni present, made for a jovial ambience for the weekend. Add to this a fine dinner, social hour, great weather and fireworks display and you have a sure-fire formula for a successful weekend.
Members of the Class of '67: Pictured from left to right (kneeling) Fr. John Groner (with assist companion Lily), Larry Fox, Fr. Ken Gross, Fr. Rudy Oborny, Fr. John Ludvig, Fr. Mark Binder; (standing) John Pachta, Steve Clarke, Stan Markun, Terry David, Fr. Larry Hoffman, Bob Fetsch, Ed Littig, Fr. Al Brungardt, Ben Haller, Dave Prior, Fr. John Kappe (homilist for the Alumni eucharistic celebration), and Chris Wilson. Not pictured but also attending: Mike Burke, Fr. Ted Richling, Joe Gray and Pat Ryan.
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