Reunion VI 2023
Back L-R: Frank DeMilde, Pat Wright, Bill Mittendorf, Tom Vadden, Tom Hallan, Ray McCracken, Ed Gordon, Joe Gallen
Front L-R: Joe Popiel, Fr. Jim Betz, Rich Powers, Fr. Jim Dalton, Bob Hawkinson, Greg Glatthorn, Tom Keeler, Dean Houck
Missing: Phil Cerrato, Jack Costigan, Dick Fell
Reunion VI DeSales Univ. Allentown PA
August 3-5, 2023
Good evening and Welcome my confreres to Reunion VI. Hard to believe that we have been at this for some 12 years. Our first in 2011. Our last was in 2019, 4 years ago at Niagara University. Unfortunately , Covid-19 prevented our 2021 reunion which was originally planned for Catholic University. But here we are at one of our own Oblate facilities begun in 1964.
Special thanks to the Planning Committee: Frank de Milde, Ron Kotz, Ray Mc Cracken, Tom Vadden, and Ed Gordon..
In April of this year, I visited Childs. For me, a very special place where I began my Oblate journey in 1960. Over the years, I have made many visits to the place. Each visit recalls some of the best times of my life. As you know, I write an annual Christmas message, a poem of sorts.
In April, I found myself in the early hours of the morning in the old Chapel of Our Lady of Light. A place most of us remember well. As I sat by the kneeler in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the place formerly used as the sacristy , noises from I-95 were ever present even at that early time.
I thought of all of you and remembered you. Upon leaving, as I passed pew by pew ( same ones still there ) , I saw in the last pew an envelope somewhat yellowed from age - slightly torn open - and covered in dust. Why hadn’t I seen this before? Perhaps the darkness of the early morning hid its view. Who put it here? Barely legible I sat down in the pew and read the envelope. It said: To the XOSFS Reunion VI . From: Childs . I opened the envelope and found this handwritten letter . It reads:
Dear XOSFS Reunion VI. Greetings from Childs where years and years ago many , if not almost all of you , began a journey into the Oblate way of life. I was for you a place of sacred memory. You studied, played, worked, and most importantly prayed in my place. The place has changed much from your days. My postulants and novices are no longer here. The place is no longer vibrant . I sit in solitude. I remember you well and somehow knew you would be here tonight. Your daily appearances in my Chapel clad in your black and white will always be remembered. You were and still are my Oblate family. Your contribution to the Oblates will never be forgotten.
Many years ago you answered a call to life as an Oblate. Somewhere another call came. You answered and ventured into a new way of life. Life is a journey! You had your ups and downs just like I have. Although I am still that white house atop a hill, my place has changed like you. I no longer welcome young guys just out of high school. Now I welcome the elderly, infirm, and deceased Oblates.
I think you are here today to rekindle in some way that part of your life. To reconnect with your confreres of old. To share your stories and journeys of life. Tempus fugit! You have no agenda but simply to be present to one another. As the psalmist says: “ Behold how good it is for brothers to dwell together as one.”
In closing, I charge you with a mission. You are the archivists/custodians of past Oblate life. Preserve it. Remember, revisit, recall, and reunite it. If you don’t who will? Most of Oblates from your days of old lie in rest at Childs or Toledo. The Oblates need you. You were a special Oblate like no other and still are a special XOblate. Keep the storied past of the Oblates alive. Enjoy your time together. Remember your confreres in the Oblates and former Oblates living and deceased. Pray that one day I will again receive young men , postulants and novices , to be formed as Oblates as you once were.
Signed Childs “
PS: Saint Francis de Sales says: “ We all have a vocation . We believe that God has called us to our current state of life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish.”
Bill Mittendorf
Special thanks to the Planning Committee: Frank de Milde, Ron Kotz, Ray Mc Cracken, Tom Vadden, and Ed Gordon..
In April of this year, I visited Childs. For me, a very special place where I began my Oblate journey in 1960. Over the years, I have made many visits to the place. Each visit recalls some of the best times of my life. As you know, I write an annual Christmas message, a poem of sorts.
In April, I found myself in the early hours of the morning in the old Chapel of Our Lady of Light. A place most of us remember well. As I sat by the kneeler in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the place formerly used as the sacristy , noises from I-95 were ever present even at that early time.
I thought of all of you and remembered you. Upon leaving, as I passed pew by pew ( same ones still there ) , I saw in the last pew an envelope somewhat yellowed from age - slightly torn open - and covered in dust. Why hadn’t I seen this before? Perhaps the darkness of the early morning hid its view. Who put it here? Barely legible I sat down in the pew and read the envelope. It said: To the XOSFS Reunion VI . From: Childs . I opened the envelope and found this handwritten letter . It reads:
Dear XOSFS Reunion VI. Greetings from Childs where years and years ago many , if not almost all of you , began a journey into the Oblate way of life. I was for you a place of sacred memory. You studied, played, worked, and most importantly prayed in my place. The place has changed much from your days. My postulants and novices are no longer here. The place is no longer vibrant . I sit in solitude. I remember you well and somehow knew you would be here tonight. Your daily appearances in my Chapel clad in your black and white will always be remembered. You were and still are my Oblate family. Your contribution to the Oblates will never be forgotten.
Many years ago you answered a call to life as an Oblate. Somewhere another call came. You answered and ventured into a new way of life. Life is a journey! You had your ups and downs just like I have. Although I am still that white house atop a hill, my place has changed like you. I no longer welcome young guys just out of high school. Now I welcome the elderly, infirm, and deceased Oblates.
I think you are here today to rekindle in some way that part of your life. To reconnect with your confreres of old. To share your stories and journeys of life. Tempus fugit! You have no agenda but simply to be present to one another. As the psalmist says: “ Behold how good it is for brothers to dwell together as one.”
In closing, I charge you with a mission. You are the archivists/custodians of past Oblate life. Preserve it. Remember, revisit, recall, and reunite it. If you don’t who will? Most of Oblates from your days of old lie in rest at Childs or Toledo. The Oblates need you. You were a special Oblate like no other and still are a special XOblate. Keep the storied past of the Oblates alive. Enjoy your time together. Remember your confreres in the Oblates and former Oblates living and deceased. Pray that one day I will again receive young men , postulants and novices , to be formed as Oblates as you once were.
Signed Childs “
PS: Saint Francis de Sales says: “ We all have a vocation . We believe that God has called us to our current state of life to fill a special need that no one else can accomplish.”
Bill Mittendorf
20 of us gathered for our sixth reunion. We had 2 first timers : Tom Keeler and Fr Jim Betz. The accommodations, food, and Salesian atmosphere were superb. Our second reunion at this Oblate place felt more like home for our event. We had a presentation on the history of Childs and two keynote speakers. Liturgy on Friday and Saturday mornings in Connelly Chapel. Fr Jim Greenfield OSFS, President of the university, gave a power point presentation on the current state of affairs of the university. Fr Jack Kolodziej OSFS, the Provincial of the W-P province presented on the current state of the Union of the Oblates. We also had an enlightening sharing on Aging by Ed Gordon and Joe Gallen, which was captured by Ray McCracken in these remarks:
We gathered at DeSales U. to eat, chat, and remember our beginnings on Soyhiers Hill in Childs, Maryland. We lifted a toast to celebrate the way it went for all of us, and thanks to Ed Gordan and Joe Gallen, we celebrated the way it is now!
The large and small group sharing on "Aging" was a faith-sharing experience that I hope continues.
Ray McCracken
Table discussions on "Reactions to Aging" led by Ed Gordon and Joe Gallen
For more photos please see the Photo Album tab for 2023 Reunion