Years ago when I was studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Brooklyn, the general program of study that young men were encouraged to take started with four years at Cathedral Prep, at that time on Washington and Atlantic avenues in Downtown Brooklyn.

Following those four years were two years of college in the same building. After those two years, seminarians went out to what was then the major seminary for the diocese, the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington, L.I., to complete the next two years of college and then to spend four years studying theology which culminated in ordination. The two years of college in Brooklyn were referred to as fifth and sixth year at Cathedral.

Special Reunion

Several months ago my classmate, Father James Devine, suggested to me that we should have a class reunion since it was 60 years ago that we graduated from sixth year at Cathedral.

Thinking of how difficult it might be to locate some graduates and how difficult it might be for some to get to the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston, the residence in which Father Devine and I live, I wondered whether a reunion was even feasible. Not wanting to put a damper on Father Devine’s enthusiasm, I offered to help. He took the ball and ran with it.

Back in September, 13 members of our graduating class and two wives gathered at the center for a reunion.

I found the evening to be a really wonderful experience. It started with a eucharistic celebration. Six priests concelebrated the Mass. Father Devine was the presiding celebrant, and Father Charles Matonti led the singing, Father Ray Schmidt offered the prayer of the faithful mentioning the names of classmates who had died and I gave a brief homily.

Reconnecting with classmates, some of whom I had not seen in years, was a wonderful experience. I think that beginning the reunion with a Mass set the tone for the entire evening. I suspect that all of us knew that there was much in our lives for which we should be grateful, and a Mass was the perfect way to express that gratitude. The reunion brought back memories that evening, but it has also been the occasion for me to continue to recall events that I have not thought about in years.

I attended Xavier H.S., Manhattan, so I joined my seminarian classmates in first-year college. Some memories of those two years in Brooklyn are exceptionally vivid. I can recall the first English class I had with Father Eugene Molloy. My first impression of him was unfavorable; I did not like him. He told us about the course requirements, and I thought it was going to be both boring and difficult.

How could I ever have guessed that Father Molloy’s presence in my life would be one of the greatest blessings I have ever received?

Gradually, he won my admiration through his extraordinary teaching ability and became my spiritual director and advisor for the next 20 years until his death in 1971.

Father Gene Molloy became my model. I wanted to be as good a teacher as he was. Vain hope. I wanted to be as effective a priest as he was. Another vain hope. Celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation with him at Cathedral was a marvelous experience. Though it took place 60 years ago, I can recall the first time we celebrated the sacrament before the Blessed Sacrament in a tiny chapel.

No Accident

Before giving me absolution, I can recall Father Molloy saying, “I believe it is no accident that we are able to have confession before the Blessed Sacrament but that it is providential and provides a special opportunity to grow closer to Our Lord.” I have just decided to offer Mass tomorrow morning for Father Molloy. I owe him more than I can even express.

I know there are people who never attend reunions. They don’t like them. I can understand that, but my experience of reunions has been good. I don’t know if there will be another reunion for the Cathedral graduating class of 1954. If there is, I hope I can attend. If not, I am grateful that the 60th took place and that I was there.

Memories can be painful, but they can also provide opportunities to recognize blessings and graces from the past. That alone should justify reunions.