Whenever a group of persons are placed into a common environment there is almost always a bonding experience that occurs. This was certainly true in the Seminary and my life was certainly enhanced by so many of my fellow seminarians. In a very real sense we became a Band of Brothers.Names explode in my brain and the memories of those days bring smiles and gratitude to my heart. I could go on and on but would like to mention just a few of my Brothers who stood side by side in common cause. One was Rocco Constantino a former politician from Bellville New Jersey. Rocco had a personality that could charm the devil himself and his outrageous behavior brought laughter and acceptance from everyone. Once while we are on vacation at the Jersey Shore seven of us entered a Pizzeria. Without a moments hesitation Rocco marched into the kitchen and said to the chef”Hey shorty start making pizzas and don’t stop till I tell you. The chef roared with laughter and followed Roccos instructions.. If I had said that I would probably be running down the boardwalk avoiding a knife wielding chef. On another occasion early in the morning at the Seminary he leaned out his window and shouted to the local bakery delivery man that we were being held hostage and would he please call the state police. He was a remarkable character with a heart of gold. I learned much about life and people from him. Joseph Michael Ryan was perhaps the brightest and most well read person I had met in the seminary. He was not only my friend but my mentor. He had a range of interest that went beyond what we were supposed to be reading and had the uncanny ability to teach without ever being patronizing or pedantic. My awareness of topics that were outside the scope of the seminary curriculum was widened and developed through Joe’s loving guidance. Jim Herbert was another luminary that opened my mind plus he was one of the funniest guys in the seminary. He once said to me that his brother had married a wealthy woman who was into thoroughbred horses. He told me my brother is a great guy but out of his league with that crowd. Until he met her he thought every horse had a cop on it.I was fortunate to have my first parish assignment in my second summer with Jim.It was in a poor section of Newark and our job was basically to run a summer day camp for ten year olds. Jim fractured me with his crude making of shoe boxes into altars during the daily arts and crafts sessions. After three days of these classes he in a moment of frustration blurted out If I make one more popsicle cross I may become a serial killer. There were others who influenced just by their kind and warm nature like John Iggy Ford and Bobby Brennan.Their ability to be kind and friendly to everyone regardless of their personality was a model that I tried to replicate.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 13:20:14 +0000
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