"REUNION 2004" WELCOMES OVER 400

September 2004 -  The excitement began around 11 am. Alumni and friends started arriving back on 187th Street, waving to old friends, taking pictures in front of apartment houses and anxiously awaiting Reunion 2004. Despite the traditional parking challenges and a small threat of rain, the long-anticipated event on March 27 proved to be one that will be remembered fondly for years to come.

Ten priests, both alumni and those who had served as pastors and parish priests, concelebrated with Father Joseph Sanches, class of 1953.

In his moving homily, Father Sanches said "My first taste of the kingdom of God, my first acquaintance of the stories of Jesus that have framed my life happened in these very pews. We return here today from our separate lives with a bit of bravado gathering with book, with bread, with wine and songs and memories that hold our faith together.... Today we honor and remember especially God’s ‘chosen ones, holy and beloved,’ who have left a lasting impact on our lives and who bore with patience our growing up." (Click here to view the entire homily.)

The beautiful young voices of the St. Elizabeth School Choir led the celebration and St. Elizabeth alumni participated as lectors, gift bearers, and eucharistic ministers.

Then the crowd, led by a bagpiper, made its way up 187th Street to the school auditorium, where they were greeted by the teachers, student ambassadors and music from the six decades represented. Beloved guests included longtime staff members Mrs. Isabel O’Connor and Mrs. Margaret McGrath, and over a dozen Sisters of the Holy Child.

Current students and faculty offered tours of the school, so that alumni and former faculty were able to visit their old classrooms and see all of the changes that have taken place at the school. They were intrigued to see the fourth floor convent transformed into the Reverend Mother Mary Celsus Technology Center and a newly-automated library.

The event continued long after the last guests lingered in the gym. Members of the classes of 1969 through 1975 got together with neighborhood friends from other schools at the Marriott Glenpointe in Teaneck. The class of 1955 gathered at the Springhill Marriott in Tarrytown. Other individual classes got together over the course of the weekend, and some planned for future events. (Please see the alumni events page for more information.)

Be sure to check out pictures of the event!