Reflections of the 60 th Reunion of the Class of 1956
I had the opportunity to return to Holy Cross College for my 60th reunion.
I had to go.
And it was well organized. Our first session were talks by several
classmates and their second careers realizing that this was a class where
everyone was 81 years of age. One fellow shared his second career. He
had developed a seat made out of fiber board for visually impaired. A
second classmate described his "help a buddy" tutoring system. He had
found 1600 student tutors who will help, digitally, those students who
need assistance with their studies.
A third described his prison ministry. A fourth member of our class
produced several Irish films which were accepted by film festivals and
published his first book. Finally, there was Luis Kutner who, as assistant
sheriff, help monitor the border between Mexico and Arizona.
And so went the first day. We mingled and met at seminars, luncheons
and receptions. But I was interested in life stories, so to speak. The
biggest stories were those who hadn't made it to 80.
Out of a class of 420, 205 are now deceased. Personally, I was moved as I
watched a memorial film of classmates who had passed. Some through
accident, military and disabilities. But I reflected back to when I knew
them in class sixty years ago. All strong and vigorous young men. And
now they were gone.
I floated around gathering stories. Wives that had passed, son or
daughter who met tragic deaths. There were good success stories as
well. One fellow classmate was donating 25 million to a new Performing
Art Center.
Perhaps underlining the whole reunion was our deep belief in our
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Catholic religion. This is who we are and Holy Cross enhanced our belief.
Our class mass, led by our great classmate Bill Murphy, had to be a
highlight. What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but suffer
the loss of his soul. I assure you very few have lost their souls in the Class
of 1956. And I feel good about that.
But while the reunion was elevated with speeches and receptions, the
stark reality was there. We are all in various stages of decay. And if ever
there was a signal of all our mortality, it was there at our reunion.
So the message is Carpe Diem. Enjoy the day. As we certainly did at our
60th reunion at Holy Cross.
Frank McGinity
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