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Mater Christi Reunion 2008 On October 4, 2008 over 100 alumni from the classes of 1965 to 1978 and as far away as Texas gathered at St. John’s Prep (formerly Mater Christi) for cocktails, dinner, dancing and reminiscing. For the alumni at the reunion, the fact that the name of the school has changed is not a deterrent to their loyalty. They did appreciate seeing the revered Mater Christi school seal standing in the rear of the Mater Christi Alumni Auditorium. In fact, many of them took the opportunity to pose for a photo beside their school seal. Why do alumni return for a reunion? James Kenny, a member of the class of 1973, spoke for many alumni when he wrote, “I have lifetime friends that I met at Mater Christi. It was a special time in my life that I will always cherish.” Frank Lenhart of the class of 1968 expressed a similar sentiment, “I made lifelong friendships that developed as a result of attending Mater Christi.” Those friendships were obvious as alumni gathered around yearbooks to reminisce. Consuelo Suarez, a member of the class of 1978, remembered “Friends and good times…and the way we were all able to get along despite our differences.” Herena Naya came up from Miami to join her classmates at the reunion because of “the fellowship, the learning, the innocence, and the order of life back then. We graduated in 1973, the war was over and our lives were just beginning.” The class of 1968 had many fond memories of their time at Mater Christi. Edwin Camilleri especially remembered intramural sports and brother Basil Robert, while classmate Michael Vota remembered the school dances, junior and senior proms and the Four Seasons Concert and Harry’s. The men of this class enjoyed seeing Mr. Flood, Mr. Gatto and Mr. Higgins who are still working at the school. Brother Joe Reilly F.S.C., now working at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, once again returned to reunite with his former students and hear about their lives. Classes, coaches and teachers were other conversation subjects at the reunion. Alumni gathered alongside former coaches to reminisce about teams, games, and activities. Maria Herrera Ochoa of the Class of 1978 said that her fondest memory of her time at Mater Christi was “The exceptional teachers who formatted my life.” Tom Roeder, appreciated “hanging out with teachers who really enjoyed the company of their students.” He also remembered “winning the freshman basketball championship under Mr. Flood’s coaching.” Classmate Paul Ezzone expressed his appreciation for the “teachers and administrators who put their hearts and souls into giving us an education that prepared us not only for college but for our lives.” Andrew Capul ’78 treasured the memory of “the friends he met while at Mater Christi, along with playing on the 1978 City Championship Basketball Team.” Coach Jim Gatto, who is still coaching the team and was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in March, attended the reunion and along with Ed Flood, who currently coaches the varsity girls team, enjoyed reminiscing with many of their former athletes. Sister Margaret Clacherty, R.S.M, who was once known as Sister Mary Robert, could not attend the reunion, but sent a note to the Alumni Office in which she expressed her love for Mater Christi and the students she taught. She wrote about starting a bowling club in the 1960’s “which I didn’t know one darn thing about – picture me in a habit at the time!” Sister Margaret celebrated her 70th anniversary in 2007. She asked that the Alumni pray for the Sisters of Mercy living in the Convent of Mercy on Willoughby Avenue in Brooklyn. The Sisters will have to vacate the Convent because it is no longer safe to live in it. Of course, the reunion would not be what it was without alumni, administrators, former faculty, and friends of the community returning to the school for the occasion. Next year the Mater Christi Class of 1969 will celebrate its 40th reunion. Plans for that event are already underway. Classmates are encouraged to contact the Alumni Office at mcalumni@stjohnsprepschool.org with their contact information.
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