Blessed Sacrament Reunion

Good or bad ?

Is this a bad guitar?

Good or bad ?

Is this a bad guitar?

2 year ago

Hello to everyone and anyone that is still checking the blog!

It's hard to believe that it was 2 years ago we shared our past together.

I am thrilled to hear that many of you are still keeping in touch. Friendship is important and I think it is important for old friends to get together from time to time.

We haven't put a plan together yet for the next reunion so if you have any suggestions as to when you would like to get together and maybe give us some dates that aren't as conflicting such as (holiday weekends) let us know.

Have a safe and restful summer,

Beth

The Closing of Blessed Sacrament

Hello to all,

Little did we know last year while planning the reunion that Blessed Sacrament was barly hanging on.
When I went to the 60th Anniversary I felt that it was time for me to go back to mass. That's when I decided to go back home to a church that brought me comfort even though I live in Chesterton.

My first time was a humbleing moment. There may have been 50 people and the comment from the Priest was I wish that those that came to the Anniversary Mass would be here to fill the seats again.

April 19th 2009, 50 years to the day of ground breaking Blessed Sacrament closed it's door for the last time.

As I stood and watched the Bishop and Father Tellus say those dramatic words...

"THESE DOORS WILL BE LOCKED FOREVER AND SHALL NEVER BE OPENED AGAIN"

The silence was heart breaking.

Father Tellus put the key in the lock turned it and blessed the doors one final time.

I talked to Sister Collet before I left, her gental way always gave me a calming.

She said, Beth you did a wonderful thing by bringing your family back together, I saw the joy in everyones face and in many it brought faith back to light.

Think of the closing as a beginning of friendships that will never end and the memories that you all shared is your home.

It was great sharing that day with many and yes Chris and I agree that we should plan a picnic this summer. We'll let you know.

Keep in touch everyone so Blessed Sacrament will always live on.

Beth

REUNION DVD!!!

AT LONG LAST...

THE DVD'S SHOULD HAVE ARRIVED!!!

*AMEN and HALLELUIAH

Post your comments here. If you're having difficulty, just email it to Bsreunion@aol.com and we'll post it for you.

Our dear Sister Margarette-tah aka Brian Czekala

and her faithful Alter Boy aka John Rydlewski

The DVD is done and is in Chris and Beth's hands. They are just trying to get the memory pages on a CD and reunion pictures to send with the DVD. It should be in the mail very soon. I hope everyone enjoys it and please leave me comments, positive or negative, both would be appreciated equally because I'm new at this and still learning. There are things I would shoot different if I could do it again, and hopefully we will do it again!! Thanks to everyone that contributed stories or just came in to say who you are and what class you were in. And thanks for letting me film you. There was only one person that I am aware of that didn't want to appear on the DVD and I honored that, and I want to reassure everyone that the DVD is just for us Blessed Sacrament kids!! Thanks to Diana Barrara who contributed the clip of the nun skit and the band clip. And thank-you so much to Mary Ellen Magallon for kindly rounding up people to come into the confessional. Without her forcing some of you into it we wouldn't have all these wonderful and funny stories. And I think I can speak for most everyone in saying that I really enjoyed seeing people come in and just saying who they are and what class they were in even if they couldn't think of a story at the moment. I myself really couldn't think of anything to say!! But since then I've thought of a lot of stories! I think we will need to have a "Blessed Sacrament Confessions Part II" sometime!! The biggest thanks, of course go to Beth and Chris for putting this together, and all the people that did the hard work of tracking people down. Our next reunion should be bigger and better, perhaps including people that were reluctant to come the first time around.

Happy Holidays to All --- DVD is Done

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all and hope that the Reunion has connected all of you to friendships that will follow you through life.

The update on the DVD is that Paul Walton has worked her fingers to the bones and it is now DONE. YEA!!!!!!!!!!!
We'll be contacting you via email soon to let you know when it should be in the mail, hopefully by Christmas so you can share it with your family and friends.

We'll keep you posted.
Beth

Chris Turns 50!!!!

Here is a BS group pic from the "Italian Themed Surprise Party". Some dressed in costume (party was the day after Halloween). Chris, Paula, Beth (front row). Debbie, Eva, Debbie, Gloria and Joe.

Who's next to turn 50?

Big numbers are coming our way and we would like to celebrate with you.
Send us your Birthday date and we will share with all.
This is something we forgot to add to the Personal information sheet. So sad...
Chris and I have enjoyed sneaking in on all of you that have turned the big 50 and would love to share with others.

Also if you have any news to share with us like Grand Babies, someone in the hospital, or just some other fun news let us know.

Keep in touch everyone.
Beth

Happy Birthday Alice White

What a wonderful thing....

A grade school reunion can bring friends together after thirty six years!

From Richard Vlasic

I don't return here often--because I am out of the picture, but I did to-day, and I got my dander up.
I totally agree with Ted's comments. The people of the United States are perhaps the most manipulated and uninformed people on earth. Most of what they are taught is carefully designed to programme them. As an history teacher, I was always apalled at the mistakes and omissions in everything taught from the early settlement of this continent, the revolution, the dispossesion of the Indians, and almost every war the US has participated in or created. A good part of history is manufactured lies, as the past cannot defend itself. Only through careful study can one recall the truth.
That being said, let's look at the present state of affairs. Most of what is going on to-day is as much fabricated as was the propaganda that supported the Vietnam War. How can one as a Christian justify going across the world to destroy people, their homes, and their country? The 9/11 incident is used to support hurting others, but the truth has not been told as to what actually happened that day and who was responsible.
I do not "support the troops" in this war. Unlike Vietnam, it is a volunteer army. None of these people are required to go abroad to kill--it is their choice and on their conscience. In fact if the troops had any real moral purpose, they would stand down!
I knew a person who worked at a Baghdad hospital as the US first attacked. With tears she told me how civilians were indiscrimiately killed. Children and innocents were mangled by cluster bombs used by the invading forces. A teen-age mother came to her with no arms crying she would never hold her baby again. The hospital's mattresses were so stained in blood they had to reverse them.
Not only regular soldiers, but a mercenary army was and is used to continue a needless war. Nobody will have access to the truth easily, but we do know that George Bush and his minions have brought death to upwards of a million Iraq people, and over four thousand US troops. Countless more people have been maimed for life. Afghanistan is in a similar mess, albeit with less loss of life.
There are many complicit interests in this mess--among them Israel who holds a strong control over the US. Israel is no true ally--it is actually a dangerous partner. How many of you know that Israel attacked a US ship in 1967 (hoping to start a US war with Egypt) killing almost 40 sailors? The incident was covered up. Israel uses the great amount of money and arms it gets continually from the US (billions per year) to hurt others. Sure they are also attacked, but how many consider that the Zionists have massacred, disposessed, and stolen the land from innocent people who have lived in Palestine for thousands of years? Israel is no friend of Moslems OR Christians. Zionists attack Christian churches, burn Bibles, and limit freedoms to non-Jews. Israel and sympathetic Jews have a strong control of not only our government but our media. Their destructive grasp on us knows no bounds. The US is hated for being the stooge of Israel. This is the principal reason for terrorism.
The propaganda now threatens war with Iran for its nuclear experiments. How many of you know that it is Israel, armed to the teeth with over 200 nuclear weapons, that is the real threat to peace? Iran is a threat to Israel, not the US, but Israel will use us to make another unwinnable war.
I'm sorry--there is no excuse for war and international treachery--for which the US regime is totally responsible and guilty.
Unfortunately the cycle will probably continue to eventually destroy us. The Soviet Union destroyed itself by overspending on the military---ultimately you cannot have guns and butter!
I would like to think there is hope--but with an uninformed citizenry, manipulated to the teeth; very questionable voting procedures; the inability to elect a president by popular vote (electoral college nonsense); and a lack of real desire by the American people to put things to rights (yes, they still voted for George Bush and will vote for McCain too)--we will continue down a ever dangerous spiral of decay.
The unfortunate economic and energy problems are only a small prelude to what is going to happen. We are basically a bankrupt nation, manipulated beyond anyone's wildest dreams. God bless your children who will inherit this mess--those of you who have them--but God will not bless a nation with so many aggressive faults.
RAV

OK: MikeT, MikeS, Earl, Larry, Jimmy

Why didn't we see you guy's at the reunion....
MikeT: I thought you'd be a champ on American Idol by now, those loser hacks are worthless! Where've you been!...?
MikeS:Probably both of us would have been kicked out of Lake County.....So maybe it was for the best you didn't show...
Earl: I live by a huge lake with trophy size trout swimming around but need to know what to use to troll with at about 4-7mph to nab them...
Larry: I now have a new respect for anyone who can change an engine....I tried it on a 88 minivan and failed....I'll never forget your datsun of yours......
Jimmy: Your sister and the rest of us are p/o'd you couldn't make it....and silly photo's of you and some sexy fluzzies won't cut it!(more of those photo's might help though;) )
If our class ever meets in Vegas....or maybe even somewhere in Alabama...you guy's are all supplying the first round!

Do I dare??? What is the opinion of our class mates political views?

Loaded question I know....
But I am curious as to what you are thinking.
I'd like to hear the adult version compared to our grade school days when our opinions were based on what our parents thought.
We had some trying times back when we were in school. Viet Nam was very big and the draft gave no one a choice.

What do you think about today and the politics and who is running for President.

Mr. Zagar I know you have very strong opinions but can you tone them down just a little. Use your teaching mind to enrich us.

Everyone, I know that this can be touchy but we are all friends here and it is an election year so let's share our views.

The can of worms have been let out let's see where it goes.

Beth

DVD

Hi everyone.
I am working on the DVD but it is a bigger project then I thought and will take longer than I thought. My going on a 5-6 week vacation in a few days doesn't help! I really want the DVD to bring back memmories and have filmed the church and school to include in the DVD. For those of us that haven't returned since childhood or early adulthood it should be nice seeing those images. I'm trying to get most of our teachers. Several of the sisters have been wonderful in letting me film them and I have several more to interview when I get back in Sept. And I have several of the lay teachers that have contributed and one that we hope to get a message from on the phone. When I come back to the region in Sept I am hoping to get more pictures from people to scan at a higher resolution. If you have pictures let me know and I will meet you when I am home (old school time pictures). My email is waltonseakayak@aol.com. I will be gone until Sept and won't be able to check my email after 7/19 until I get back, but I will get back to people then. The confessions are just wonderful. Thanks to everyone that participated. I can always film other memmories to include if anyone has thought of any other stories or otherwise has anything to say. Paula Walton

Pics from Jim Settle

Some Photos of me in Baghdad and in Mexico with my wife.

Best regards...

Jim Settle

Group photo

Hello to all,
What did you think of the group photo? At the reunion I only got stumped by a couple of faces, but now I recognize those smiles from way back when.
Who stumped you???
Who have you kept in touch with since then?
Thanks to all of you who have shared your photos from the Reunion and if there is anyone else that would like to share send them to Debbie Williams debmaxrn@yahoo.com and she will be happy to post them.Keep in touch everyone.

Beth

Phil Kleminski!!!!!!!!

Yesterday Chris and I(Beth)were running around in Merrillville and went down Cleveland St. memory lane.
Chris says " Hey there is Maris Roofing doesn't Phil work there?" So I do a Ueee in the middle of Cleveland St and go in.

There he was..
Tall and lean and those beautiful brown eyes looking at us with no recognition at all.
And then it was me first(Beth) and Chris had to tell him who she was.
I said how is it that you recognize me which I was only there for 3 yrs and Chris your whole 8 yrs? He said memorable moments in those last few years or brain cell are fried.

We had a very nice visit and he promises to come to the next event.

So a word of warning to all those that didn't show to the reunion.
We are still searching and checking up on all of our fellow class mates, you'll never know when we might show up at your door step.

And Phil, we know you are checking on the blog so post some of your funny stories for us.
Great seeing you,
Beth

A silent blog is a lonly blog...

Hello to everyone in Blog land!!

Are you sitting back and rereading the comments?
Thinking about how much fun and the memories we shared as class mate?
Looking at those young children faces and trying to pick out the adult ones?
Remembering the conversations you had at the reunion?
Wondering why you didn't get a picture with the nun board?
Or why didn't you get to confession?
Seeing those smiling faces and wondering why you didn't come to the reunion?

So today I decided to reminiscence and read the blog from the beginning.
I still laugh till I cry and almost pee my pants.
The stories of spewing in the halls and cafeteria, Master keys being stolen, spit balls in church, stealing the wine from church, defacing the building, Sr. Theodore and the counter bushes, Sr. Virginette and her famous pitch pipe, Laughing during prayer,The dumb act,how short can that skirt go,and so many more.

THE QUESTION OF THE DAY IS "WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOUR CLASS MATES TODAY"?

Are they still prankster?
Do you see the little boy or girl that you remember?
Did you find some healing?

I tried so hard to talk to all of you but my duties as a host took control so it was impossible to reach out to all.
But I feel I had a healing moment with a class mate and I would like to share.

There was a class mate that I got in trouble because she wore perfume to school. It must have aggravated my asthma so I had a problem. What I didn't or don't remember is that she got in a lot of trouble and she was humiliated. I always felt tension between us but really didn't know why.
Well she told me the story at the reunion and I couldn't remember any of it. Of course I felt so bad even today that I would cause pain to anyone in the grade school days.
At the end of our conversation I felt relieved that I was able to apologize to her and hope that today she feels better about me.

So here is my official apology my friend and may you be blessed with laughter for the rest of your life.

On to a little business.

Paula Walton will be in town June 26th. We will be putting the finishing touches to the DVD she is making.
Yes we are still at work perfecting the reunion and we hope it never ends.
Anyway if there is anyone that would like to make a confession or take a picture with the nun board or just hang with us for a couple of days here are a couple of things we will be doing.

Our plan is to go to the church and into the school to do some detail work. Dates haven't been set yet but if you are interested in participating give us a call or email us BSreunion@aol.com and we will let you know the schedule.
Of course it will be great to see anyone again so join in the fun.

It would be nice to read about rekindling friendships and if you have made any plans to meet up with your fellow class mates.

Oh by the way! Did you get your group photo in the mail YET????
Everyone looks great.
You can still order a photo if you want one, you know how to contact us.

Thinking of all of you and the fun just never ends.
Beth

Reunion Pics from Diana Barrera

Diana Barrera and Bob Vahary

Rhonda Winandy and Ted Zagar

Ted Zagar and Diana Barrera

Sister Colette and Patty Ferkul

Dave Wasil, Bob Vahary and Bob Kacmar

Dave Reba, Melynda Nicksic, Bill Marker and Jaye Markovich

Dave Reba and Greg Gomolka

Melynda Nicksic and Bob Kacmar

Field Trip to Blessed Sacrament

Don't mind us...just snoopin' around!

Nope.... nothing in this desk either!

Bathrooms haven't changed...

Taking a break...doing some casual reading

Ohhh....it's all fun and games til someone calls the COPS!!!

Photos Courtesy of Diana Barrera

Hello to All -from Debra DeLong

I want to thank the committee for putting this fabulous endeavor together. Kudos!

I enjoyed myself immensely! I felt like a kid again seeing all of my childhood friends. You made my weekend very memorable! Seeing all of you made me remember the craziness we lived through and the immense fun we had being children. Today I went to get my CD and I laughed and cried. The memories I will cherish forever!

Next reunion: The Blessed Sacrament Geriatric Reunion! Bring a cane, wheelchair or whatever it takes to get here!

Here are a few photos I would like to share with Ya’ll!

(Share your photos with me as well!) We all did not take the same photos I’m sure!

Have a blessed day!