The
Class of 1963 celebrated their 15-year anniversary with a reunion
in the early summer. Donna and Ward were key members of the
organizing committee. Donna had always been interested in
keeping the classmates connected with more than just a reunion
dinner every few years. After the reunion she expressed an
interest in publishing a newsletter to the 62 classmates, maybe
monthly.
Also in 1988 the Archdiocese of Detroit was announcing
the closing of many churches and schools. It appeared that
St. Gregory the Great Parish might be targeted. Alumni were
beginning to come back to Sunday Masses, thinking the end was near. Ward
Case was there on several Sundays, as the archdiocese plan unfolded
and announcements were made to the congregation. If the beautiful,
old buildings were to be closed and sold, would the Alumni come
back one last time?
Donna and Ward put their heads together and began
developing a plan. But there were many obstacles and questions. How
could we develop an alumni network to get the word out? Who
would finance the mailings? Would a newsletter be feasible?
By the late Fall of 1988 they had located 800 Alumni. They
found it wasn’t that difficult to find the contact person
or reunion coordinator from each class. Some of the address
lists were outdated, but it was a start. They looked to the
larger Catholic families of the parish too. Locating one
family member would lead to many more. They found out too
that a number of graduates had married classmates. The work
was paying off. The mailing list just continued to grow.
But wait! How could they ever come up with
the funds for printing and mailing expenses? Donna and Ward
went to St. Gregory Parish and presented their idea. An alumni
association would be an asset to the parish in many ways. The
parish generously provided a loan of $1,000 to cover the cost of
the first newsletter.
The St. Gregory Alumni Association Incorporated
was officially formed as a non-profit organization in December,
1988.
Mission Statement: The St. Gregory Alumni
Association is dedicated to supporting the values of fellowship
and spirituality to all its members and is committed to providing
service to our community.
The first edition of our St. Gregory School Alumni Newsletter was
mailed to 800 graduates in March, 1989. The first Alumni
Mass to be celebrated at St. Gregory Church on the first Sunday
of May, 1989. It was a huge success. Standing room
only. The alumni of St. Gregory School had spoken.
Donna and Ward worked together for the many years
until 90% of the alumni had been located. The newsletter
grew from one-page to twenty pages of notes and photos from friends,
memorials, ads, and reunion information.
Today, with the loss of over fifty members each
year, the St. Gregory Alumni Association remains strong and continues
to serve its members and the community.
Donations from alumni are the basis for the continued
success of our organization. No dues are ever required. Everyone
receives the newsletter each Spring and Fall.
Four All-Class Alumni Events are sponsored each
year:
- Florida All-Class Luncheon (February)
- Monaghan’s St. Gregory Night (May)
- Gold Club Luncheon/Memorial Mass (August)
We thank all Alumni and Friends of St. Gregory
School for their continued support.
Alumni Officers:
Ward Case, President Barb
Kozlowski, VP – Memorial Mass
Vic Sancricca, Vice President Maggi
Mastro, VP – Gold Club Luncheon
Jeanne Nadler, Secretary Dee
Lallman, VP – Florida Luncheon
Peg Elwarner, Treasurer (Open)
VP – Monaghan’s St. Gregory Night |
