Lumen Christi

PR
Lumen Christi
FILES
A Newsletter for Lumen Christi Alumni and Friends
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS
Nov. 20
Annual Dinner and
Auction
April 9/10 Rummage Sale
April 17
Alumni Memorial
Mass
April 23
Spring Festival Prize
Drawing
April 24
Fr. Coyle Society
Mass & Dinner
May 28
Graduation
June 21
23rd Annual Golf
Classic
WHAT’S INSIDE
Steve Artz, ('76) Raises Funds
To Help Center For Women
2009 Jackson Family Fall
Festival Winners
GelCaps Land Children's
Movie & Possible TV Gig
LC 35th Annual
Dinner & Auction
Dan Vainner ('04) Builds
Basketball Court in Ghana,
West Africa
Fulbright Scholar Karin Jors
('05) Goes To Germany
Time Out With Notre Dame's
Daniel Clark ('05)
1979 … A Year Of Champions
FALL 2009
Alumni Profile
Fr. Gordon Philip Reigle (1990), Priest
Ordained Clergy / Diocese of Lansing
Currently residing in Lansing, Michigan
What is your current occupation and who is your employer?
I am a priest in the Diocese of Lansing. In
particular, I was assigned to youth ministry in
Lansing as of July 1. My previous assignment
was in Saline, MI, as parochial vicar for
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church. I
love Saline and the people there. What a
terrific assignment! Now, I am the chaplain for
one of the other Catholic high schools in the
diocese--Lansing Catholic High School. [The
Lansing Catholic staff members are trying hard
to convert me from a Titan to a Cougar fan. I'm
just praying that there won't be many Titan vs.
Cougar athletic match-ups this year.] Anyway,
it is very exciting to be back in high school
after nearly 20 years. I am sure that I will have
Gordon Reigle
a lot to learn here. Also, I will be providing
weekend sacramental ministry for the youth retreats at Bethany House, which is part
of St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt. When I'm not busy with a weekend retreat, I
will be available to help out at St. Casimir Parish or at other parishes as needed. It is
very exciting to be chosen for a chaplain position in the diocese. As a diocesan priest,
I would expect to spend most of my ministry in parishes, but this is quite different, and
I am grateful to have this rare opportunity.
Road traveled after leaving Lumen Christi:
After high school, I attended Western Michigan University and received a degree in
Industrial Engineering. A computer consulting firm hired me, and I worked in the
Lansing area for six years before entering seminary. Those last two years of
employment were years of discernment. I was successful in my career, but I wanted
something more, and I was not exactly sure what that meant. I desired to bring others
closer to Christ, but it took a while to test the various possibilities--lay catechist,
permanent deacon, or priest. Obviously, the answer was the priesthood, and so I
entered seminary for the Lansing Diocese and studied at the University of Saint Mary
of the Lake in Mundelein, Illinois. Seminary was a blessed experience. I felt at home
right from the start, and five years later, in June of 2005, I returned to the diocese to be
ordained as a priest.
Continued on pg. 10
From the Principal
Dear Fellow Alumni and Friends of Lumen Christi,
By now you should have received an informational packet regarding our 2009-10 Annual Appeal. Thank you to those
who have already responded to the Appeal, which kicked off this month. We hold our Appeal each school year to offset
our operational expenses and thus reduce tuition. Last year, each family at Lumen Christi would have incurred an
additional $1,000 to their tuition bill if not for the fruits of the Appeal. In order to attract students to Lumen Christi, we
must continue our excellence and at the same time make it affordable. Our Annual Appeal is the most crucial component
in making Lumen Christi financially viable for our parents.
I want to make a special plea to my fellow graduates that you join me in making the Annual Appeal part of your
charitable giving every year. While our base of alumni donors has grown each year, there are still more non-alumni
giving to the Appeal than there are alumni who give. I realize that you are bombarded with charitable requests
throughout the year. As you wade through the requests, please consider the difference Lumen Christi has made for you.
Your annual gift, whatever the amount, helps us welcome one more student to Lumen Christi and thus make a
difference in that student’s life. I believe more than ever what I wrote in the Fall 2006 edition of Profiles, “...alumni
support is the backbone of any educational institution, especially a religious one.”
Thank you for caring about Lumen Christi. Please stop by school anytime to see what a difference your support is
making.
Be the Light of Christ,
Patrick Kalahar
Principal
PR
Lumen Christi
FILES
Lumen Christi Profiles is published three times a year by the
Development Office of Lumen Christi Catholic High School, to
inform alumni and friends and to demonstrate that the Jackson
Catholic school system is synonymous with educational excellence.
Lumen Christi Development Office
3483 Spring Arbor Road
Jackson, MI 49203
(517) 787-5080
[email protected]
n
o
e
r
’
e
W
!
b
e
W
the
Did you know that you can read
Lumen Christi's Alumni Profile
Newsletter online?
Visit Lumen Christi's website at
www.jcslumenchristi.org
Click on the Alumni link at the top
of the page.
2
LC
Alumni News
We enjoy hearing from our alumni and we know, through communications, that your classmates enjoy reading
about you also. Much of our contact comes from information directly submitted by alumni and their family
members. However, we have also been able to obtain a portion of our information through a section in the local
newspaper known as "Milestones." That section of the newspaper has now become a paid section and its content
has significantly diminished since then. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage all alumni to submit
their milestones directly to us themselves. Your news can include job promotions, births, marriages, or any other
milestones (personal and professional). Please help us to continue to make the Lumen Christi Profile a welcome
addition in so many homes.
CLASS OF 1970
Falahee, Charles Jr. and wife, Pam
(Potter, '75), celebrated their 30th
wedding anniversary on August 31.
Chuck is a retired District Judge for
the County of Jackson and Pam is a
retired speech therapist for Jackson
County I.S.D. Their children include
Michael ('98) of Jackson, Jamie ('01)
of Charlotte, NC, and Scott ('04) of
Jackson.
CLASS OF 1972
Bunting, Mark married Sandy
Galicki on August 15, 2009. The
couple resides in San Diego, CA.
CLASS OF 1988
Torri, Brian married Priscilla Diltz
on May 30, 2009 in Steamwood, IL
CLASS OF 1990
Walsh (Thomas, Lisa recently
relocated to Walchwil, Switzerland,
(30 minutes from Zurich) with her
family. Lisa and her husband,
Timothy, also lived in Amsterdam,
Netherlands, for three years in the late
90's. Lisa currently works as Chief
Operating Officer for an international
real estate company. The couple have
two children, Ava-5 and Owen-3.
CLASS OF 1991
Anderson (Ramp), Carolyn married
Patrick Matteson on November 2,
2008. She has owned and operated
Anderson Printing & Mailing for
several years. In addition, she
purchased a company called Creative
Promotions on October 1, 2008, which
has been moved to the same location
as Anderson Printing. If you are
looking for items that can be
customized and used to improve traffic
at trade shows, motivate staff, thank a
customer, or increase safety
awareness, you can view the website at
www.creativepromotionsjackson.com
CLASS OF 1993
CLASS OF 1980
McManus, Mark, D.V.M., of Atlanta,
GA passed away suddenly from a heart
attack on Thursday, July 16. Mark
was a graduate of Michigan State
University where he obtained his
Veterinarian Medical Doctorate. He
most recently practiced his profession
at a veterinarian clinic in the Atlanta
area.
Best, David and wife Annie, (Baglien,
'00), announce the birth of their
daughter, Peyton, born August 28,
2009. The family currently resides in
Jackson.
3
LC
Alumni News
Ramker, Daniel married April
Johnson on September 11, 2009, in
Planeta, Edward married Laura Ray Berkemier, Michael T. and wife,
Sheboygan, WI. Daniel is currently
('04) on September 26, 2009, at
Kellie, announce the birth of their first attending Lake Superior State
St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic
child, son Brady Michael, born
University and is employed by Vail
Church. Laura is attending Kalamazoo June 29, 2009.
Resorts as a terrain park manager.
Valley Community College. She is a
senior associate in credit card customer Fabian, Erika married William
service for National City Bank.
Lindsay on June 6, 2009, at St. Mary
Edward is a graduate of Western
Star of the Sea in Jackson.
Michigan University and has earned
his Master's in Organizational
Flint (Klimmer), Taryn and husband,
Management from Spring Arbor
Derek, announce the birth of their
CLASS OF 1999
University. He is a supervisor in
daughter Ashlyn Haines on April 18,
Bordner (VanDyck), Monica was
business banking for National City
2009.
chosen as a "10 Young Trainers To
Bank.
Watch" for 2009 by Training
Mills, Rick and wife, Mary
Magazine. Monica is one of 10 people
(Seffernick), announce the birth of
under the age of 40 who was
their son, Joseph Xavier, born
recognized as an up-and-coming
November 28, 2008. Rick practices
training leader. She is a learning
law
with
Chalgian
and
Tripp
Law
consultant with Plante Moran
CLASS OF 1996
Offices, PLLC, in Jackson.
Financial Advisor's East Lansing
Burger (Branigan), Elizabeth and
Office.
husband, Derek, announce the birth of Nelson (Tash), Adrienne and
their son, Gabriel Parker, born June 30, husband, Jonathan, announce the birth Denton, Jeffrey married Monica
2009. He joins brother Nolan -2. The of their son, Beckett Thomas, born
Perez, ('00) on August 22, 2009.
family resides in Ann Arbor.
May 1, 2009. He joins sister Madison Monica is a graduate of Michigan
Grace -2.
State University with a B.A. in
Neustifter, Dr. Ruth and husband,
Communications and is a deputy clerk
Ben, both graduated this past summer
for the 12th District Court. Jeffrey is a
from the University of Georgia with
graduate of Kettering University with a
Ph.D.'s. Ruth studied Child & Family
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is
Development with specializations in
currently employed as an electrical
Family Therapy and Qualitative
engineer for Hamilton Sundstrand of
CLASS OF 1998
Research. The couple recently moved
Rockford, IL.
to Washington, D.C., where Ruth is a Howarth (McCleer), Anne and
consultant in intimate partner violence husband, Kyle, announce the birth of
Fabian, Robert and wife, Dr. Allison
and sexual well-being. Ruth is also
their first child, daughter Peyton Ann, Fabian, announce the birth of their son,
graduate faculty at Amridge
Aiden Jackson, born July 10, 2009.
born August 5, 2009.
University.
McCleer, Joseph is engaged to be
Keplinger, Tierney is engaged to be
married to Alex Kimberly. Tierney is married to Adriana Rendon on
May 1, 2010, in Tucson, AZ. Joseph
a graduate of Jackson Community
is a graduate of Michigan State
College and currently attends Sienna
Heights University. She is employed University and the University of
Arizona Law School and is currently
as a legal secretary at Kathleen
employed at the Pima County
Krumm & Associates. A summer
Attorney's Office in Arizona as a
wedding is planned by the couple.
prosecutor.
CLASS OF 1995
CLASS OF 1997
4
LC
Alumni News
CLASS OF 2001
Giglio, Leslie married Mark Parisi in
Marco Island, FL. Leslie is a graduate
of the University of Central Florida and
is employed by Cardinal Health as a
respiratory sales account manager. The
couple currently reside on Orlando, FL.
CLASS OF 2002
Werner, Erin is engaged to be married
to Stephen Sherwood on October 24,
2009, at St. Hugo of the Hills Stone
Chapel in Bloomfield Hills. Erin is a
graduate of Michigan State University
and is currently employed as a pediatric
speech - language pathologist for
Children's Hospital of Michigan.
CLASS OF 2003
Crowley, Corey has taken a position as
Program Director on Teach for
America's Staff. He will now be
supervising the newly hired Teach for
America teachers. Teach for America is
an American non-profit organization
whose mission is to build a movement
to eliminate educational inequity by
enlisting our nation's most promising
future leaders in the effort. Corey also
coaches high school baseball in the
Mississippi Delta, where he currently
resides.
Ruffing, Anne married Eric Yeager
of Louisville, KY, on August 8,
2009, at St. Joseph Center in Jackson,
MI. Anne attended Grand Valley
State University and is the manager
for Mimi's Café. The couple reside in
Louisville, KY.
CLASS OF 2009
Bearman, Kari was awarded the
2009 Whitney Albertson Memorial
Volleyball Scholarship. She is the first
Lumen Christi student to have ever
been awarded this scholarship, which
offers a $1000/year award for each of
four years.
CLASS OF 2004
Vaive, Laura married Aaron
Patterson on June 20, 2009, at St.
John the Evangelist Catholic Church.
Laura is a graduate of Spring Arbor
University with a degree in Special
Education. She is currently
employed with Sylvan Learning
Center.
CLASS OF 2006
Youngdahl, Leslie, a senior at Saint
Mary's of Notre Dame and also
Student Board VP, recently won the
Finney's '09 Dance Off.
Lumen Christi
Is On Facebook!
Recently, Lumen Christi
launched its Facebook page
and you can now become a
fan. We hope to bring together alumni, community,
supporters, and present students, staff, and faculty. To
become a fan, visit
www.facebook.com and
search for:
Lumen Christi Catholic
High School
5
Remember
When?
Steve Artz ('76) And The Jackson Knights
Raise Funds To Help Center For Women
T
he Center for Women, a faithbased, nonprofit organization
that offers pregnancy counseling
services and pregnancy tests in
Jackson, has a new $58,000
ultrasound machine, thanks to Lumen
Christi alumnus Steve Artz ('76) and
the Knights of Columbus of Jackson
County. At the Michigan Leadership
meeting in July, 2008, the Supreme
Council Knights of Columbus created
a fund to subsidize 50% of the cost of
an ultrasound machine that is donated
by local Knights of Columbus
Councils to a women's health care
center.
Artz and his Council raised enough
mo n ey t hr ou g h va r iou s
fundraising efforts over
several months to
purchas e
and
support
the
ultrasound machine.
hear will help the women choose
life instead.
The ultrasound is used
to create sonograms
on young women
w h o
a r e
considering
abortion, with the
hope that the image they
see and the sounds they
Artz says that his council
received news that the first
woman to see the ultra
-sound of her
baby,
produced
from the machine,
decided to keep her
baby.
Some like to
think of this
donation not as a
machine, but rather a
symbol of life.
Steve Artz, '76
2009 Jackson Family Fall Festival Winners!
$18,000
Acer Laptop Computer
Condo in Florida
Hankerd Hills Dinner & Golf for Four
$250 Shopping Spree @ Jackson Crossing
3 NASCAR Tickets
MSU Basketball Tickets
Notre Dame Tickets
$300 Travel Voucher
$400 Gas Card
1 Year YMCA Membership
Lawnmower
$500 Shopping @ Polly's
Notre Dame Tickets
Margaret Acker
Kathy Tompkins
Jim Carpenter
Marisa Bell
Frank Thelan
John Conley
Rita Lundberg
Dodi Wheeler
Marvin De Young
Dianne Hitt
Todd Rumler
Jerry Keena
Luis Lopez
Christine Lusebrink
TUITION VOUCHER WINNERS (valued at $2,712.50 each)
Kevin Shaughnessy
Mike Siciliano
Seffernick Family
Wendy Dancer
Heather Herndon
JCMS
LCHS
JCMS
Queens Elementary
St. John Elementary
John and Laura Miller
Lori Thompson
Margaret Berkemeier
Angela Walton
Tammy Vannest
LCHS
LCHS
LCHS
LCHS
St. John Elementary
7
A Cappella Group With Lumen Christi Ties
Lands Children's Movie & Possible TV Gig
The vocal quartet The GelCaps, which
now includes two Lumen Christi
graduates, have been entertaining
Jackson audiences on stage and street
corners since 1989.
The group
includes Timm Richardson ('70) and
Andrew Gorney ('84) who are two of
the four sunglass-wearing guys who
gather fans at car shows, clubs, parties
and other events throughout lower
Michigan, doing street corner doo-wop.
Now the group not only has a shot at
taking its doo-wops and dip-dip-dips to
a national TV audience, they will be
lending their voices to a children's liveaction movie titled "The Oogielovers in
the Big Balloon Adventure."
The $10 million movie is the brainchild
of Kenn Viselman, the marketing
expert behind Teletubbies and Thomas
the Tank Engine. It will star Cloris
Leachman and Christopher Lloyd.
From what the GelCaps have seen of
the script, they will play a bunch of
doo-wop-singing balloons wishing
happy birthday to a character.
In addition, The GelCaps are still in the
running for NBC's new, eight-week
reality competition show, "The SingOff." They responded to an online
casting call, and the group was given a
priority audition appointment on
September 14 in
Chicago. They were
among about 40 a
cappella groups in
Chicago.
After
p er f o r mi n g ,
the
GelCaps were one of
five groups invited
into a room to talk
with a producer about
t h ei r
p er s o n a l
histories. They are Andrew Gorney, '84
Matching Gifts Help
Lumen Christi
Many companies offer a unique charitable
giving program to their employees called
“Matching Gifts”. Your gift could be matched
dollar for dollar! Many companies offer
matching gift programs that will double, even
triple a donation's value to an educational
institution. As Annual Appeal time nears, we
encourage all of our alumni to check with
your employers to find out if your company
will match contributions to Lumen Christi.
Once you have determined that your company
will match a donation made to Lumen Christi,
obtain the appropriate form from your
personnel/human resources office and send it
along with your gift. Please be sure to complete
the entire donor portion of the form. Thank you
for considering Lumen Christi as you plan your
charitable contributions.
still awaiting word on whether they
will be chosen as one of the final eight
groups.
The question of
where the groups'
name originated
f r o m
i s
frequently asked.
The
name
"GelCaps"
is
actually
a
combination of
ideas.
"Gel" Timm Richardson, '70
comes from the idea of the gelling of
chords and the fact that when guys of
that era were young, they often used to
gel their hair; and "Caps" comes from
the fact that most groups of the time
had car-related names. It refers to
hubcaps and also to "cap" in the word,
cappella.
Lumen Christi High School
35th Annual
Dinner & Auction
Make plans now to attend
Lumen Christi's
35th Annual Dinner & Auction
"Believe"
on Friday, November 20, 2009
We hope you can join us for the
fun and festivities as we gather together
with a spirit of celebration and generosity
in support of our school!
For more information
Please call
Lumen Christi's
Development Office
at 787-5080
8
A Basketball Court In Ghana, West Africa
Can Teach Much More Than Basketball
O
ver five years ago, 2004 Lumen
Christi Alumnus Dan Vainner
trekked to Mali, West Africa, as a
Building with Books Club member to
help build a school in that country in an
effort to reverse the crippling cycle of
illiteracy and poverty. "Seeing how
those people lived and what they value
has really formed me into the person I
am now," said Vainner. Dan maintains
that his experience in Mali is the main
contributing factor for becoming
involved in the Peace Corps.
He
promised himself he would be back.
Vainner hates how America is viewed
in the world right now. "I know that
even if I do as well as I can, I will only
be able to improve a few people's
opinions, but if a few people change a
few other people's opinions, it quickly
becomes a lot of people," said Vainner.
He knows that he is lucky to have what
he has in life and feels that he needs to
do what he can to share that. "Let's be
honest, too," says Vainner, "It's just an
interesting thing to do and great stories
and friends will come from it."
Dan left for Ghana, West Africa, and occasions, weddings, and funerals.
his assignment in the Peace Corps in Many Ghanaians still purchase the cloth
September 2008. He hoped to be for this purpose, but now it is also made
assigned to a small Twi speaking into shoulder bags, pencil cases, hats,
village, with the hope to not be involved and stationery. The village of Kpetoe is
in tourism. The Peace Corps, having renowned throughout Ghana for the
another vision, assigned Dan to the Ewe
quality of its weaving.
speaking village of
Vainner is currently
Kpetoe, which is a village
involved with a new
of about 10,000 people,
project to introduce the
working as a community
village of Kpetoe to its
tourism advisor for the
first basketball court.
ecotourism board of the
He says that team sports
Na t ur e C ons er va t ion
and fitness are huge in
Research Centre! Vainner is
the city, and the Peace
also assigned to develop
Corps volunteers have
business opportunities in the
just started using
city marketing products made
sporting events to
of kente to both tourists and
promote HIV/AIDS
Dan Vainner ('04)
Ghanaians. Kente is a colorful,
awareness.
Many
hand-woven cloth woven in strips
lessons can be taught through sports
of about four inches wide on a
such as teamwork, leadership, and fair
traditional wooden loom. The weaver
play. Sports can also be used to convey
who creates a new design can assign
other messages.
Recently PC
names and significance to his designs.
volunteers have started to use sports as
As part of Dan's assignment, he has
a medium to assemble community
learned how to weave kente himself.
members. An entire village will attend
Kente is traditionally used at special
a match, cr eating t he p er f ect
opportunity to have, for example, an
HIV/AIDS awareness presentation.
T he pr oposed cour t would be
conveniently located on the campus of a
Secondary School that has 660 students.
When completed, the project will
become part of the school’s sports
program. The school’s sports instructor
is committed to ensuring that this
project is sustained even after Dan
leaves. The community will provide
land, unskilled labor to clear it, and also
do all the required painting. "If I can
give these kids access to a new sport,
one which they idolize its stars, and get
the word out a little more on HIV/AIDS
then I think I have to do it," said
Vainner.
To donate to Vainner's
basketball court project, you can visit:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?
shell=resources.donors.contribute.projD
etail&projdesc=641-272
Dan Vainner ('04) and some of the children in the village of Kpetoe in Ghana, West Africa
9
Fr. Gordon Reigle Alumni Profile, Cont…
Significant accomplishments since graduating from Lumen Christi :
This spring will be my 20th class anniversary. Here are the highlights of these last almost 20 years.
Baccalaureate Degree in Industrial Engineering from WMU (1990-1994)
Master of Divinity from Univ. of Saint Mary of the Lake (2000-2005)
Diaconate Ordination - Nov. 20, 2004
Presbyteral Ordination - June 11, 2005
First Assignment: St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Saline, MI, as parochial
vicar (2005-2009)
Current Assignment: Lansing Catholic High School as chaplain (2009+)
How do you like to spend your spare time?
In my spare time, I still enjoy playing music and singing. I actually do more chanting than singing,
but it is fun. Before seminary, I played in several musical groups, and I feared that I would lose my
freedom to play music by entering the priesthood. Imagine my surprise when I entered seminary
and found opportunities to play for daily Masses and communal prayer, seminary choral groups,
Gordon Reigle, '90
community parties, local parishes and more. My life in seminary was surrounded by music, and I
loved it. Since seminary, my busy schedule has kept me from performing regularly, but I hope that I will find ways to play
music more often in this new high school setting.
Aside from hobbies, I live for my family--both the people I serve and my loved ones back home in Jackson. My parents are
retired, and I see them weekly. We even drove together out to Boston this summer. Recently (at age 34), I became an uncle.
This has been such a life-giving experience. My brother Andy ('87) is happily married with two children. And I love them all
very much! My niece and nephew have a hard-time pronouncing my name, so it comes out "Gor-ree" instead of "Gordie."
Hearing a chorus of "Gor-ree" when I come through the door brightens my day.
What were your favorite subjects at Lumen Christi?
Fortunately, I cannot think of many classes that I did not enjoy at Lumen Christi. I probably felt the most comfortable with
the math and science classes, but I did enjoy the writing courses as well as Frau Miller's German classes (sehr gut).
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
I hate to take the easy way out and avoid the question, but when I stopped to count the teachers that I had great respect for
during my student years, I ran out of fingers. In regards to my vocation, I have to give credit to Fr. McLernan. I really
enjoyed studying physics with him and can still quote him, but in my final week as a senior he asked me to consider the
priesthood, and he was right. Of course, I did not want to hear it then, especially given my plans to attend Western Michigan
in the fall, but his words stuck with me.
How do you feel your education and experiences at Lumen Christi prepared you for life after high school?
Regarding academics, I was well prepared for college. I recall that Mrs. Leathead trained us so well for calculus that I went
halfway through my college 'Calc II' course before learning anything new. As for the extra-curricular activities, these taught
me the joy of participating in group projects and taking a communal view of life. Plus, we prayed before beginning
something new. Not only did prayer surround our class activities, but the importance of faith was emphasized by our prayer
experiences after hours. Eventually that routine sank in, and I didn't feel uncomfortable praying (silently) before classes or
exams in college.
What is your fondest memory of Lumen Christi?
The social events tend to stick out in my mind. Evening rehearsals with the drama club, marching band camp exercises and
science academic games are all happy memories because these allowed me to connect with my classmates as well as use my
skills in a creative way.
What is your biggest, if any, regret about high school?
Given my vocation, I probably should have taken Latin, though I did have a lot of fun with German. Thankfully, I have few
regrets about high school because I tried to take advantage of every activity that interested me. However, now that I am a
confessor, I most regret those times when I failed to show respect and charity to my classmates. I really enjoyed my time in
high school, and I was blessed with a good group of friends. Unfortunately, that was not the case for everyone. Some really
struggled to make friends and get through their classes. I wish now that I had made more of an effort to look out for others
and include them.
Continued on pg. 11
10
Fr. Gordon Reigle Alumni Profile, Cont…
What advice would you give parents who are considering sending their child to Lumen Christi?
Lumen Christi is a fine institution of learning, but the school's real advantage is in faith formation, providing youth with a
Catholic identity. The public schools cannot compete there because they cannot proclaim Jesus Christ alone as the Way, the
Truth and the Life. Being the kid who focused too much on grades and over-achieving, I would stress the virtue, faith
awareness, and growth in compassion and stewardship that come with a Catholic education. Grades and athletic achievements
are nice in the short-run (and LC excels in both), but in the long-run, we should be striving to become saints. If we settle for
anything less, we have lost our way. Only the Light of Christ can lead us through the darkness and confusion of this secular
world.
What person or event has had a significant impact or influence on your life?
The priests in my life have been an inspiration for me to serve others. Growing up at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish, I
knew the Vincentians and admired them so much! Then there were the diocesan priests in town as well as the Oblate Fathers
at LC, and I have to give credit to the example of Pope John Paul II. His holiness and life of sacrifice have encouraged most of
the priests of my generation.
To whom or what do you attribute the key to your professional success?
Easy answer...the Holy Spirit! :-) Plus, I have received a lot of good advice and encouragement over the years from friends,
mentors, family members, and priests alike. My current assignment as high school chaplain came as a surprise to me, and so I
trust that the Spirit is moving once again. I will also bet that a friend or brother priest put in a good word for me.
Do you still regularly communicate or socialize with any of your classmates from Lumen Christi?
Well, it depends how one defines 'regular' contact. With all of the changes that come with switching ministries and moving
across the diocese, I am very behind in updating friends and family of my whereabouts. I suppose that this article will help. I
mostly see my classmates here in Jackson, but I do hear from others who have moved out of town. On rare and special
occasions, I have had the opportunity to serve my classmates in terms of marriages and baptisms. It is a very humbling
experience to be asked to serve old friends in this way. What an honor it is to give back to others for all of the faith for mation
that was given to me.
Are there any goals in your life that you would still like to accomplish?
It would be exciting to travel to the Holy Land and follow in the footsteps of Jesus and the disciples. I hope to visit there in the
coming years. Also, it would be an honor to serve in the Jackson area some day. I would consider it an opportunity to give
back to the town which has given me so very much.
I suppose that I have all sorts of little desires, but I try not to get too wrapped up in what I want. God's Providence is so
wonderfully surprising, that I don't want my silly goals to get in the way. My life has taken so many unexpected and yet
delightful turns already that I have learned to relax my need for control and let the Spirit lead. God's Will be done!
Remind Your Favorite
Senior Citizen About
Lumen Christi's Annual
Evergreen Prom
Did You
Know?
On Saturday, December 12, the Lumen Christi Student
Council will host its Annual Evergreen Prom for senior
citizens. Admission is free and everyone is welcome to
attend, so invite your favorite senior citizen to enjoy an
afternoon of music by the Hy-notes with 1972 Lumen
Christi alumnus Randy Wrozek. Come and join us from
1-3 PM for an afternoon filled with dancing, food, door
prizes, and plain old good company! No need to RSVP.
The Annual Appeal is the
largest source of income for
Lumen Christi other than tuition.
The Appeal accounts for 10%
of our operational budget.
11
Fulbright Scholar From LC Goes To Germany
T
h e F u lb r ig ht Pr ogr a m,
established in 1946, is one of the
most prestigious award programs
worldwide.
It operates in 144
countries and with 51 commissions.
More Fulbright alumni have won
Nobel Prizes than those of any other
academic program. Created in the
aftermath of WWII through the
efforts of Senator Fulbright, the
Fulbright Program promotes peace
a nd u nder sta ndi ng t hr ou gh
educational exchange. It provides
funds for students, scholars, and
professionals to undertake graduate
study, advanced research, university
teaching, and teaching in elementary
and secondary schools abroad.
In April, Lumen Christi Alumnus
Karin Jors ('05) was selected to be a
part of the Fulbright Program. The School, where she studied the
prestigious award will provide her language under Lumen Christi teacher
with a monthly stipend and a job as a Mrs. Mary Ellen Miller for two years.
teaching assistant in
After graduating from
Germany for the next year.
Lumen Christi in 2005,
It also will allow her
Jors attended University
students a look into the life
of Michigan where she
of an American. For Jors,
completed degrees in
studying German as a
German and psychology.
second language has
Jors spent her junior year
allowed her some unusual
of college in Freiburg,
and exciting opportunities.
Germany, and hopes her
"I really like to experience
time there will give her
different cultures. It has
direction for her future.
Karin Jors, '05
always been exciting to
"My future plans depend a
me," said Jors. "Knowing a second lot on how my year goes," she said.
language has given me a new way of "I wanted to explore if teaching is the
thinking."
path I would like to take. If I find a
good job offer there after this year, I
Jors' passion for German began as a
may stay."
student at Lumen Christi High
Our Lady of Fatima Super Raffle
January 1, 2009- December 31, 2009
(A Winner Every Day of the Year)
Tickets are still available to purchase. They are $100 each. There are daily draws, weekly draws, monthly draws, and
quarterly draws! All tickets are eligible to win EACH day, week, month, and quarter drawings. Winners are posted at
www.jcsjacksonareacatholicschools.org and will receive their winnings check by mail. Click Schools in the menu bar,
then Our Lady of Fatima School. There you will be able to click on 2009 Super Raffle Results.
Tickets are available in the Main Office at Lumen Christi, any of the Jackson Area Catholic Schools/Parishes, the
Titan or Raider Clubs, Catholic Charities of Jackson, or by calling the Jackson Area Catholic Schools Office. Checks
should be made payable to Jackson Area Catholic Schools or you can use your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover by
calling the Jackson Area Catholic Schools office at 517-841-9203.
August Drawing Winners
$500 winners included: Rosemarie Konczal, Lewis Fillion, James and Kim Nicholson, Leo and Bernie Czubko, Pat
Arcaro, Tim Wasielewski, Randy McGee, Stanley Madry, Jan VanBuren, Terry Reesor, Steven Makulski, Mark Waldron,
John Parshall, City of Jackson Finance Dept., John Parshall, Cook Family, Maryan and Tessie Czubko, Danielle
Cockream, Glenda Norman, Jim Wheeler, Robert Stevens, Ollie Koons, Kerry Pickett, Carol LaMarre, Charlotte DeBoe,
Grimes Plumbing Hockey Team; $1000 winners included: Tara Semenchuk, John Carroll, Napoleon 12, Anne Antor,
Stephen Shaughnessy; $5000 winner was Jay MacCready
September Drawing Winners
$500 winners included: Joanne Boland, Dick Spangler, Stanley Riske, Kelly North, William Baccile, Stanley Madry,
Stacy and Alan Matthews, Robert Smith, Phillip Frantis, Ron McEnroe, Charlie and Cindy Aschemier, Art and Nancy
Stemen, Janet Domin, Kathy Desy, Harry Coppernoll Sr., Michelle Brooks, Jean Briggs, Ron and Carolyn Juckett,
Thomas Lourim, Don and Barb Brown, David Molton, John Maykala and Fr. Andy, Carol Lefere, Brenda Friend, John
Chalecki, Randy Willmeng; $1000 winners included: Dennis Maurer, Diane Trudell-Bynum, Jack Matteson, David
Clark; $5000 winner was Leo and Mary Fruch; $10,000 winner was Loretta Laubaugh
Winners names provided by JACS Office. Please call The Jackson Area Catholic Schools Office
at 517-841-9203 with any questions.
12
Time Out With Notre
Dame Cross Country/
Track & Field Runner
Daniel Clark, '05
F
ifth-year Notre Dame senior Daniel Clark is a
standout distance runner and miler on the Irish cross
country and track teams. The 2005 Lumen Christi
Alumnus took first place in the mile at the Notre Dame
Indoor Opener last season with a time of 4:14:97 and
ended his senior campaign on a high note with a ninthplace finish in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA Mideast
Regionals in 3:51:43.
In high school, Clark was a
soccer player.
He started
running track just for fun, and
ended up quitting soccer to run
cross country to get in better
shape for track. His favorite
event to run is the mile in track
because the mid-distance is
more of his specialty.
Clark suffered a possible career
Daniel Clark, '05
ending knee injury during his
sophomore year. He didn't run for about a full year and
at some points did not know if he would ever be able to
run again, but was able to get through with help from the
Notre Dame trainers and the positive attitudes of his
coaches. "When something you define yourself by and
are passionate about is taken away from you and you
can't do anything about it, it's tough." says Clark "It
made me hungrier to come back."
For Clark the most difficult part of being a student-athlete
at Notre Dame is having to prioritize between academics
and athletics; finding that balance to be efficient with
your homework time. And the best part of being a
student-athlete at Notre Dame for Daniel is the
camaraderie with the team and traveling and competing
for the Irish.
During his senior year, Clark has some steep goals. In
track, he is shooting for the Big East Championships,
both indoor and outdoor, and he is hoping to run a few
personal best times, too. He thinks the cross country
team has a lot of potential also, and is just waiting to
show everyone what they can do.
Plans do not end there for Clark. He is studying
accounting at Notre Dame and is currently enrolled in the
Masters of Accounting program. He will become an
auditor for Ernst and Young in Detroit next year.
Yearbook Special Messages
2009-2010
NOW is the time to include a special message to your favorite
student in this year's Lumen Christi Yearbook.
We invite you to join in the fun and create a personalized
keepsake for a student while supporting this phenomenal
publication: Chi Rho 2010.
EACH Special Message is 1/8 of a page
1/8 page Special Message is $50
PHOTOGRAPHS may be included
CHECKS - payable to Lumen Christi Yearbook
MAIL or DROP OFF your form with payment to
the Main Office
DEADLINE for Special Messages is
December 4, 2009
Yearbook Special Message to your
Favorite Lumen Christi Student
Your message will be 1/8 of a page. Your favorite student's
name will appear in bold type and a suitable photo (baby
picture, class picture, or candid photo) may be included.
Photos will not be returned. Deadline is 12/4/09
Name of Student __________________________________
Your Name _______________________________________
Phone Number __________________________
Indicate how you would like your Special Message signed:
____________________________________________________
Your Special Message (30 words or less): _______________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Photo Enclosed
Payment Must Accompany Order
$50/ Special Message
Checks made payable to :
Lumen Christi Yearbook
________________________________________________________________________________________
For Main Office Use Only:
Payment: Cash _____
Date Received _________
Check _____
Check # _______
13
I
Attention Alumni: Information Update
f you have moved, or are planning to move, please let us know. We do not want you to miss any of our newsletters or
activities.
MR./MRS./MS./MISS
Name_____________________________________________ Year Graduated_______________
DR./REV./ OTHER ______
Spouse Name ________________________________________Phone # (H) ______________ (W) __________________
Address_____________________________________________________________________________________________
City__________________________________________________State_________________________Zip______________
Yes! Please contact me via E-mail. My E-mail address is ____________________________________________________
W
e love to hear from our alumni since you are the reason the Lumen Christi Profile is such a welcome newsletter in so
many homes. Your news can include job promotions, births, marriages, or any milestones (personal and
professional). As much as we enjoy hearing from you, we must insist that any information come directly from the
alumnus or a family member, to avoid any inaccurate information. Thank you for your cooperation. To let us know
about the milestones in your life, you may call the Development Office at 517-787-5080, Email us at [email protected]
or mail your information to: Development Office, 3483 Spring Arbor Rd. Jackson, MI 49203.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
These Members Of Our Armed Services
Michelle Adolf '97
Robert J. Bamm Jr. '89
Chris Bordin '06
Brian Brooks '99
Bryce Brown '03
Mark Burgess '05
Sabrina Byford '06
Joel Chase '02
Joseph Cox '86
Doug Desmarais '00
Derek Eisele '01
Ryan Fitts '94
Kyle Fitzgerald '05
Mark Fitzgerald '03
Chris Fouty '03
Johnny Gonzales '03
David Haack '99
Matthew Jordon '96
Scott Kavan '04
Steven Kuhl '95
Dominik Lampman
Dan Laughlin '01
Philip Leathead '02
Patrick A. Lefere '82
John Lougheed
Troy Ludwig '03
Paul McGowan '80
Marcos Medina
Rudy Mireles '04
Matt Ojeda '02
Caroline (Climer) Omdal '86
Jessica O'Shea '06
Keith Owens '86
Kevin Paul '84
Josh Peterson '05
Michael Puckett '82
Doug Ross
Gino Salvatore '97
Mark Schroeder '89
Benjamin Schrot '04
Jacob Schrot '01
Robert Schuette '97
Brian Sharlow '00
Zachary Sidel
Scott Sinclair '02
Joe Smigielski '03
Alex Soper '06
Matt Soper '00 †
Scott Stevens '88
Colin Sudds '02
Matt Walker '02
Gabriel Walters
Dominick Wheeler '09
Donald Wheeler, Jr. '99 †
Paul Wheeler '05
Quentin Wheeler '03
Spencer Wheeler '07
Jon Zainea '01
† Denotes Deceased
A list is proudly displayed at Lumen Christi of these people in the Lumen Christi community, that include our
alumni and their family members, currently serving in the armed forces. The men and women who have chosen to
put their lives on the line in every way are included in our daily prayers here at Lumen Christi. We owe these
people an enormous debt of gratitude. They deserve our thanks, support and prayers. If you know of anyone else
who should be included in our request for prayers, please contact the Development Office at 517-787-5080 or
email us at [email protected].. Let us all pray for peace!
14
1979 … A Year Of Champions
Things have had a way of coming in groups for Lumen Christi over the years, and 1979 was no exception. The Titans
had already won Class B State Championships in boys golf and cross country, and so on Saturday, November 24, 1979,
the football team was feeling the pressure. All-State quarterback Brian O'Dowd, playing with a heavily taped left knee,
which he injured in practice Thanksgiving Day, responded by guiding the Titans to 254 yards in total offense to give
Lumen Christi its second football crown within two years in a 21-0 victory over Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Tim Schonhard led the offense with 98 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries. O'Dowd and Warren Wells scored
Lumen Christi's other touchdowns. All three scores came on 1-yard plunges. Wells, who earned All-State honors as a
linebacker, led a Lumen Christi defense that held West Catholic to 79 yards total offense.
On Friday, September 25, during halftime of the Lumen Christi vs. Marshall football game, the 1979 members of the
varsity football, boys golf, and boys cross country teams were invited to join their teammates on the field to be
introduced to a cheering crowd. They joined together at the Jackson Family Fall Festival after the game to remember
good times and share old memories.
All football alumni are encouraged to go to Lumen Christi's football website, www.lumenchristifootball.com and
register in order to receive email updates about game results, schedules, calendars, stats, photos, video highlights,
news, and articles.
15
LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
3483 SPRING ARBOR ROAD
JACKSON, MICHIGAN 49203
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
JACKSON, MI
PERMIT NO. 47
Address Service Requested
LUMEN CHRISTI
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
ARE YOU PLANNING A CLASS REUNION?
We can provide you with a list of classmates.
An information sheet with reunion contact name and phone number will be kept in order to refer any questions to the
appropriate individual.
Submit an updated class list to our office. We will update our records and provide a set of mailing labels.
As appropriate, we will include information about your reunion in the Lumen Christi Profile and can assist you in locating
classmates.
Maintaining our alumni list is important to us. We try to be as precise and complete as possible. As you update your
class list, please be sure to return a copy to our office so that we can provide you with an accurate set of mailing labels
while also keeping our information up to date. For assistance, call 517-787-5080, or email us at [email protected]
Class of 1985 - 25 year reunion is being planned for Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Gene Davis Banquet Center. Anyone
interested in helping or those having questions may email Kristi Johnson at: [email protected]. More
information will follow at a later date.
Class of 1994 - 15 year reunion is being planned for Friday, November 27, 2009, 8 PM-12 AM at the Bon Ton Room (All
Play & No Work). Admission will be $5.00/person; drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase. For directions, you
may visit www.bontonroom.com. To keep costs low, invitations will not be mailed - please spread the word! Contact Cindy
(Spaulding) Meteyer with any questions at [email protected] or 517-339-0418.
Class of 1999 - 10 year reunion is being planned for November 28, 2009 at Bella Notte (appetizers & drinks). To get ready,
we need your contact information. Please send your name, mailing address, and phone number to: [email protected].
We encourage everyone to join the LC Class of 1999 Facebook Page, where we will post further details as they become
available! If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Youngdahl at: [email protected], Monica (VanDyck)
Bordner at [email protected], or Erin (Lefere) Thompson at: [email protected]