Dear Father Keller:

We really need to pray for that class of 1968. They seem to be caught in a time warp and every few years they still think they are in high school. Earlier this month I was traveling to the Mother House and stopped over in LA when I caught a few of the class members heading for Las Vegas. Well, I couldn't let our former students go to "sin" city without a chaperon. So I followed them there.

It was a hot weekend and I'm not only referring to the weather. The class members of 1968 decided that turning 50 was to be celebrated and shared. Yes, there was a big reunion just 2 years ago to commemorate 30 years since graduation. Everyone had such a great time there that the planning committee promised a 50th birthday celebration.

First there was Carol making sure everyone got a room with the "Hawaiian Package Deal", which surely confused the hotel and those trying to locate people. I tried to call Sandi to check on who was taking care of St. Pius Church and I got Pam.

Anyway, there was "organized" shopping at the outlet malls by Danny. I heard him say lets go to the 99cents Store. They bought everyone a gallon of water. I am till wondering what the water was for????

After a food-shopping spree at Costco they headed out of Vegas and disappeared until 1:00am. With the amount of wine Derrick put in the shopping cart, I'm sure they were going to celebrate Mass for the whole Las Vegas!! I understand they went to Mackie's house in the middle of nowhere. The next night they all formed a car caravan to Mackie's and that's when I saw where Noraine had joined the group. I followed them to make sure they stayed out of trouble. They went there for dinner and all the wine. They had so much laughter and loud talking going on that it was beginning to remind me of study hall when I left the room.

Pualani was giving them tips on how to look younger. I'll send you those tips later. Cathy, who is now living on the East Coast, was trying to convince people that they should come east for the next reunion. She promised very good outlet mall shopping and lobster dinners.

They were reminiscing about grade school and high school. There was so much laughter and noise that a deaf person could surely have heard them. Then they had dinner. We taught them well because they remembered to say grace, tho, I must say, they need to get someone other then Stella to say prayer. She had the whole group nearly in tears.

They then started to take group pictures in such terrible poses. I've enclosed a few that I took of the group. Then when the lights went out and I peeped through the window they were watching a power point presentation on memories from their years in high school. I left after that so that I could make Sunday Mass.

Well, at Sunday Mass there was Mary and her whole family. Such a lovely sight! Must also tell Father Mark that Sandi was also there. When I checked with the pastor he said that Carol and Derrick was there the day before.

Anyway, then they all went to another casino, so I followed them there. They proceeded through the gambling area and went straight to the bowling alley. Jerome had organized a bowling tournament. Please let Mr. Kaufman know that there was no bowling team material there. There was heated competition and at one point Cheryl did bring her 1968 annual out to distract the other team's members. What can I say when they had to award prizes like the slowest ball to the gutter!! Tho, Sheila was the best dress in her bowling shirt. Then there was their awards dinner. I was amazed that Pam walked away with the most prizes and she didn't even bowl!

I must say, this Class of 1968 must be special. Jim took two days to get to the party on many standby flights because it meant so much to him. It was nice to see family, spouses and significant others included in all the activities. So, I guess they do remember some of the values we taught them. Oh, and they were talking about doing this event more often and not waiting until 2003. I'll keep you informed if they are on the loose again.

Until later�

Sister Katherine

P.S. Please say an extra prayer for Catholic Charities. I last saw Stella trying to convince the winners at the crap table to donate 10% of their winnings to her organization.