A 50th Year Reunion
Celebrating with My High School Classmates
Reunion. A word that evokes laughter, tears, and the passage of time. This past weekend, I joined more than 80 classmates from Center Area High School’s Class of 1975, some of whom I hadn’t seen in half a century.
A year ago, a friend who initiated the talk about a reunion of our class asked me to be part of the committee. Though I was invited to join the planning committee, it was a dedicated group of women who carried the weight of organizing. I met with them throughout the year, grateful for their tireless work
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Friday night brought an impromptu gathering at Brew-Skis in Center Square. Saturday (Sunday?) morning, many toured Central Valley High School. But the heart of the reunion pulsed Saturday evening at the Monaca Turners Club.
Tracking down people through social media and other means proved challenging, but our efforts were met with positive results. Every surviving member of our class was mailed an invitation followed by phone calls, text messages and social media posts. In the end, 124 classmates and guests, plus ten former teachers met at the Monaca Turners Club on Saturday evening, October 25. Unfortunately, 44 of our classmates had died over the last half-century.
We opened with Roxanne (Lucci), Bobroski, thanking everyone for attending, acknowledging the committee and our attending teachers. I offered a prayer of remembrance—for our teachers, our departed classmates, and all who serve as first responders and military personnel. I thanked God for our food, our fellowship, and asked His protection as we journeyed home.
Personally, the highlight for me was talking to people I had not seen for fifteen, twenty-five or fifty years. Some people were instantly recognizable, and others proved to test my memory. Many of my classmates aged much more gracefully that I did. Yet, I did not have the opportunity to talk with everyone, and I regret that.
When I served as a pastor at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, I tended to the needs of some of my classmates and their families. I visited their parents in the hospital and took the Lord’s Supper to them at their homes. I buried the parents of some and even counseled others who were undergoing personal issues. These are moments that one never forgets.
Here are a few highlights from these conversations. One man had just buried his parents the day before. Yet he spoke with quiet reverence about his collection of historical Bibles—a legacy of faith and memory. Another shared how he survived a devastating car wreck and near-total heart blockage. His resilience felt like a testimony to God’s mercy.
Over the years, classmates have passed our home and commented on it. I always invite them to stop in. If you’ve read my earlier post on hospitality, you’ll know—our door is open, and our hearts are too.
If you’re still with me, here’s your takeaway. If you have an upcoming reunion, you should attend. If your fear is that you will encounter family members or classmates with whom you have negative feelings due to some incident that occurred five, ten or more than fifty years ago, attend anyway. First, there will be many other people with whom you have long-standing friendships. If you do not attend, you will miss out on a wonderful experience. Secondly, many people do not focus on incidents that occurred when they were teenagers. Give them a pass. Give yourself a pass. We have all done dumb things as teens or young adults. I certainly did. My advice – attend your reunions. Attend weddings, baptisms, funerals and family gatherings.
Some spiritual advice. If past hurts make reunions feel daunting, turn to the Resurrection narratives. Remember Paul—once a persecutor, transformed by grace. If Christ can redeem those who abandoned Him, the Spirit can surely heal our fractured memories. Let grace be your guide. For the rest of your life, enjoy the people God placed into your life.
Reunions remind us: time may pass, but grace endures. Cherish the people God has placed in your life—for they are the living threads of your story.