Franciscan Alumni Association Reunion
October 2024, Cincinnati Ohio
Announcing the 2024 FAA Reunion
Mark Kling ’75
Reunion Coordinator
See our Spring 2024 Franciscan Alumni Association Newsletter for more information.
Greetings Franciscan Alumnus!
The Franciscan Alumni Association’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that our 2024 Chapter Reunion will take place in Cincinnati, OH, from October 3 through October 6. You may notice that this is different from the usual June dates for our annual get-together. This was done to position the reunion during a cooler time of the year, and hopefully to enable more alums to attend.
The planning committee has put together a very diverse program of activities and events. In addition to our traditional observances, we are participating in the celebration of Transitus, visiting with Franciscan Friars in residence at the former St. Francis Seminary, and taking a river boat excursion. More information is available available in this Summers FAA Newsletter and the periodic email updates we have sent out.
We hope to see you at the reunion in October!
Yours in St. Francis,
The 2024 Reunion Planning Committee ([email protected])
Quick Links
This Years Theme
Where to Stay
Schedule of Events
Who’s Coming
FAA Polo Shirts
Other Attractions of Interest
This Years Theme
This years theme is “Our Futures Joined Together”. This will be a continuation of our discussion on how to join with other provinces’ Alumni Associations.
The FAA Board of Trustees has been closely following the provincial unification plan and its progress. The overarching question that the Board has recently been discerning is “How does the Franciscan Alumni Association align with, and participate in, the newly created province that will result?” Based on the feedback from our 2022 Reunion during which we discussed and reflected upon the foundational question “Where are we now?”, and our discussions last year when we explored the question “Where are we going?”. The results of this years discussions will be reviewed by the board, summarized, and used as a basis for our plan to optimize our alignment and participation in the new province. More information to come.
Where to Stay
A group rate has been arranged with Springhill Suites by Marriott, 12001 Chase Plaza Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45240. The group name is: Franciscan Alumni Reunion Group. Breakfast, parking, and WiFi are included in the rate. The rates are good for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Reservations must be made by September 19, 2024, to secure the group rates.
The room rates are:
One King Bed – $134.00 per night plus tax.
Two Queen Beds – $139.00 per night plus tax.
Call the hotel to make reservations at: 513-825-9035
Schedule of Events
Please note that dates, times, and events are subject to change. We will host a registration and hospitality table at the hotel, with handouts containing the most recent information.
NOTE: Some events will require pre-registration and payment.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
4:00 pm – FAA registration and hospitality table opens at the Springhill Suites by Marriott.
7:00 pm – Celebration of Transitus at the Hartwell Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, 60 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH, 45215. The celebration will be followed by refreshments and fellowship.
Friday, October 4, 2024
6:30 am – 9:30 am – Complimentary breakfast at the hotel for those who are staying there.
7:30 am – Morning Prayer at the hotel for those wishing to attend. Location to be determined.
10:30 am – Tour of the Great American Ball Park and the Reds Hall of Fame led by Dave Gehring ’72. There is a $10.00 per person admission fee. The best place to meet will be outside the Hall of Fame / Ballpark at the Johnny Bench statue on Joe Nuxhall Way at about 10:15 am. The closest parking is under the ballpark.
Noon – Lunch on your own. We recommend the Hofbrauhaus , 200 East 3rd Street, Newport, KY. Attendees will be responsible for their own dining expenses. See the menu on the restaurant’s website for pricing.
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm – BB Riverboat Cruise on the Ohio River. There is a $30.00 per person fee.
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Dinner and social at The Public House, 3807 North Bend Road, Cheviot, OH. Attendees will be responsible for their own dining and beverage expenses.
Saturday, October 5, 2024
7:00 am – 10:00 am – Complimentary breakfast at the hotel for those who are staying there.
7:30 am – Morning Prayer at the hotel for those wishing to attend. Location at the hotel will be specified in the packet you’ll receive when checking in.
9:30 am – 11:00 am – Discussion “Our Futures Joined Together” in the Chapel of the former St. Francis Seminary, 10290 Mill Road, Cincinnati, OH. This will include an update on recent efforts to engage with current and past members of other provinces and their alumni or reunion activities.
11:30 am – Lunch in the Study Hall of the former St. Francis Seminary ($10.00). Snacks and refreshments will be available in the Study Hall throughout the afternoon.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Optional Activities for Saturday Afternoon
Option 1 – Mike Niehaus ’81, Fr. Robert Seay, OFM ’52, and Frank Lopez ’77 have prepared a Franciscan Spirituality and the Nature of Healing program, which will begin at 1 PM on the old, closed driveway by the pond. Please park in the large parking lot by the old gym and carpool or walk to the closed driveway by the pond. There are only a few parking spaces available in the old driveway. We also recommend that you bring a lawn chair. From the parking area by the pond, we will take a short walk to the Lourdes Grotto for the first 40 minutes or so to talk about the healing power of trees, forests, and nature. We will then take a short walk from the first activity to see a demonstration by Michael Niehaus showing how trees can be healed of certain root defects by careful pruning. Lastly, we will walk to the chapel, where Fr. Robert Seay will lead a healing service, beginning at 2:20.
Option 2 – An afternoon version of the SFS Saturday morning work period. Starting at 1PM, assist the Garden Guild at Stone Bridge at Mercy Franciscan at Winton Woods, the former St. Francis Seminary, with a planned project on the former seminary grounds. Mr. David Ackmer, President of the Garden Guild, will lead the work period. Volunteers should gather just before 1PM in the large parking lot on the far side of the gymnasium — that is also the best place to park on the property. David will meet everyone there. Please be sure to bring gloves. The “work period” is scheduled from 1pm until 3pm. David will start wrapping up the work by 2:45pm to help make sure volunteers can get back to their lodgings and clean up before the 5pm Mass. Tools will be provided.
5:00 pm – Mass in the former St. Francis Seminary Chapel. A group photo in the Chapel will take place right after Mass.
After the Group Photo – Dinner in the former Study Hall ($25.00 per person), followed by a very brief Chapter Meeting, Awards Ceremony, and Remembrance Service for members who have died during the past year. Musical entertainment might also be provided. Several very talented musicians and singers will be attending.
Sunday, October 6, 2024
7:00 am – 10:00 am – Complimentary breakfast at the hotel for those who are staying there.
7:30 am – 7:45 am – Morning Prayer at the hotel for those wishing to attend. Location at the hotel will be specified in the packet you’ll receive when checking in.
9:30 am or whenever – Farewell!
FAA Polo Shirts
Once again we will have the option to purchase Polo style shirts so we can be stylin’ around Cincinnati. These are premium brown shirts with the FAA logo stitched in white. or white shirts with the FAA logo stitched in brown; the cost is $35.00 per shirt. They can be ordered in sizes S thru 4XL in either a men’s or women’s cut. Use this order form to purchase your shirt. The deadline for receiving your order and payment is August 31, 2024. Please note that the shirts cannot be mailed; they are only available for pickup at the Reunion.
The men’s and women’s brown shirts are shown.
Who’s Coming
So far we have heard from the following alumni who plan to attend. If you are planning to join us, please send us an email with your name, graduation year, and who will be accompanying you to: [email protected].
Ric Schneider, OFM ’50
Bill Pellman ’52
Robert Seay, OFM ’52
Fred Link, OFM ’61
Savio Russo ’62
Peter Feichtner ’64
Patrick Cleary ’65
Matthias Crehan, OFM ’65
Larry Dunham, OFM ’65
Gary Wintz ’65
Bob Buescher ’69
Fred Elms ’69
Alvin and Sheryl Harmeyer ’69
Jerry Kaelin ’69
Bob and Cindy Sandoval ’69
Dan and Rose Sedillo ’69
Bernie and Marilyn Schwartz ’69
Henry Beck, OFM ’70
Dave and Nancy Imhoff ’70
Richard Knapp ’70
Bill Linesch ’70
Dave Seibert ’70
Rick and Kathy Wissel ’70
Herb Blackburn ’71 (DSC ’75)
Matthew Gallegos ’71
Gary and Sally Bales ’72
Mark and Mary Clark ’72
Dave and Denise Gehring ’72
Ted Gomez ’72
Mike Kordenbrock ’72
Hank and Alice Rethlake ’72
Pat and Liz Valdez ’72
Jim Backscheider ’73
Roger Bosse ’73
Mike Schultheis ’73
Richard Budke ’74
Louis Canter ’74
Steve Duke ’74
Pat Findley ’74
Philip Fluegemann ’74
Kevin and Teressa Fogarty ’74
Roger Kapraun ’74
James and Andrea Lubinski ’74
Greg Martinez ’74
Karl and Patty Pensak ’74
Ron Pio ’74
Joe and Pam Schutte ’74
Jim and Kathie Stewart ’74
Mike Thomas ’74
Ken and Shawn Wallen ’74
Butch Feldhaus ’75
Mike and Rita Fritsch ’75
Rick Gardner ’75
Warren Hebert ’75
Mark and Sandy Kling ’75
Mike Niklas ’75
Joe and Mary Sears ’75
Mike Lippman ’76
Steven Degnan-Schmidt ’76
Paul Landers ’76
Mike Sipkoski ’76
Donn and Mary Wiley ’76
Bob Wannamaker ’76
Matthew Jaramillo ’77
Frank and Kathie Lopez ’77
Mike Neltner ’77
Tom and Carolyn Shumate ’77
Andy and Jan Eckstein ’78
Antonio and Lucinda Trujillo ’78
Joe Vormbrock ’78
Joe Edwards ’79
Dave Hribar ’79
Paul Kaelin ’79
Ken Kramer ’79
Todd Teismann ’79
Kevin Donoho ’80
Tony and Kym Helton ’80
Donald Lachowicz, OFM ’80
Danny Trujillo and Reiko Ozaki ’80
Don and Barb Weller ’80
Bob and Liz Bernzen ’81
Mike Niehaus ’81
Other Attractions of Interest
The Newport Aquarium
Findlay Market
The National Underground Railroad Museum
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
American Sign Museum
Cincinnati Fire Museum
Before visiting the following churches, please check to see that they are open.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peters in Chains
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (Covington, KY)
St. Francis Seraph Parish
St. Xavier Church
Last Updated 8/11/2024