Sacred Heart Major Seminary Official Web Site

Class of 1954: "The Way We Were"

The date was set last year, planning meetings occurred, the invitations and agenda were sent months in advance, and there was a buzz in the air among the men about the upcoming fifty-year class reunion.

Together again: Sacred Heart Seminary Class of 1954.

For these men—the Sacred Heart Seminary Class of 1954—"getting together" was not a rarity, but a regular event. This close-knit group of men regularly gather together for formal reunions and picnics. Some of the men meet informally once a month at St. Martha Parish, Dearborn, whose pastor is Fr. Don Walker. Father Walker is the chief contact/coordinator for the Class of '54.

Alumni remember their twenty-one deceased classmates.
Jim Hopewell, George Zeleznik, Joe Rettig and Tom Tobin remember their twenty-one deceased classmates.
On June 13, 2004, thirty-three people gathered at the seminary, including twenty-two SHS 1954 alumni, some bringing their spouses and family members. They came to celebrate fifty years of fellowship in prayer and with gratitude to all those at the Heart who touched their lives in some way, whether it was a member of the faculty, administration, a mentor or an advisor.

Alumni exchange great conversation and fellowship, including, from left, George Zeleznik, Ken Faiver and Rev. Richard Kropf.
Mass was celebrated together, followed by a happy hour and a scrumptious buffet. Twenty-one deceased classmates, either graduates from the Class of 1954 or fellow classmates from high school, were remembered at Mass and also recognized at the luncheon. Many men brought memorabilia, which they proudly displayed, including photo albums, letters and newspaper clippings on various career successes. Father Walker made available a VHS tape of photos from previous reunions and functions. Every man also received a copy of the 1954 graduation edition of the Gothic, the seminary's student publication.

It was a wonderful day and a time for the men to remember "the way we were."

Friends enjoying a fine buffet lunch.
Enjoying a fine buffet lunch are, from left, Francis O'Donnell, Helen O'Donnell, Rosemary Faiver, Ken Faiver, Michelle Faiver Gunn, Bob Peckham and Dolores Peckham.