1964 - 1967: DON BOSCO COLLEGE
1964 - 1965
I was excited to begin my sophomore year in September 1964. It would include the final year of Latin (six years total) with Horace and Latin Composition. Fr. Zuliani required us to translate Kennedy's inaugural address into Latin in the style of Horace. We also learned to read Horace in the dactylic hexameter rhythm. Once that was accomplished, we could look forward to having him as a philosophy professor as upperclassmen.
The focus on the seminary routine was broken when I received pictures of Joyce's wedding and reception in Santa Clara. Mike Shannon became my first brother-in-law on November 28.
On May 25, 1965, the entire seminary boarded busses to attend the New York World's Fair. I remember the date because of the gossip that day about the phantom punch when Mohammed Ali knocked out Sonny Liston. Our tickets gave us free admission to the World's Fair and all the exhibits. We had a sack lunch and a few dollars for spending money. One of my classmates wired his parents in California for some extra money. He shared it with his fellow Brothers.
Back at the seminary, we had been updating certifications for working at summer camps in California. Part of my assignment was to serve as lifeguard at the beach at St. Francis Camp. The instruction did not include special training for the ocean, so we were creative in our approach. I would sit on the lifeguard stand and whistle for buddy checks about every ten minutes to count campers. If any of the boys strayed too far out in the ocean, I directed three junior lifeguards to put anyone who strayed out too far in front of the next breaker to bring him back to shore. After a few tumbles in the waves, the boys didn't venture too far out.
Counselors: Jim McBride, myself, Jerry Fury, Ron Meyer; visiting with my sister, fellow nuns, and my dad
The camp offered horseback riding for the boys. We rescued horses from the slaughterhouse or glue factory for the summer at a reasonable rate. The boys would become attached to some of the horses and looked forward to seeing them the following summer. We explained that we always brought new, fresh horses each summer.
Horse corral in the background
On Wednesdays I would load about ten boys in the back of a pick-up to drive several miles to go fishing on the cement boat at Seacliff beach. Veteran fishermen on the pier and boat would adopt some of the boys for the afternoon to help them catch fish. As I wandered among them, a boy would shout out: "Brother Jim, I caught one." Someone asked me, "Are all these boys your brothers?" That gave me a chance to promote our camp.
Campers exiting the chapel after mass; we preferred mass outside on the bluff overlooking the ocean
1965 - 1966
It was tough leaving family, the ocean, and sunny California for humid New Jersey. But I was returning as an upper classman to the wonders of philosophy and to a higher position on the library staff.
Just as I was settling into the world of philosophical speculation and the challenges of cataloging library books, Joyce sent me pictures of her baby son, Sean. I admired Joyce and Mike's dedication to their new baby and couldn't imagine the demands of raising children. I didn't dwell on it for long since I had vowed to remain single for life. For now, my sister, Zoe, and I would admire babies from afar.
In the spring I managed to finish the instructor's course in first aid. It would have been handy for summer camp when I was working in the infirmary. The skills I learned helped years later at Wheatland High School.
As the school year ended, I sent a letter to Mom and Dad congratulating them on their Silver Anniversary and giving them an update about my grades. I was amazed at my grade in Metaphysics after a marathon exam: a three hour comprehensive written exam followed by an oral exam. Each student entered a private office where we met with the head of the philosophy department and two other professors. Thirteen cards were spread out face down on a table. I chose one which corresponded to one of the thirteen theses I had studied in Metaphysics. I picked 'substance' and proceeded to recite all I could recall on that thesis. It helped to say some of the key definitions in Latin. When I finished, the three examiners asked me random questions about the thesis. After I finished, I felt shell shocked and remembered that I had two more semesters with oral exams to go before graduating.
Don Bosco College group shot June 1966:
I was glad that summer when summer arrived. I had told Mom and Dad that I wouldn't be back in California for summer camp. Instead, I joined my classmates for a few weeks at Mount Mongola, our summer camp near Ellenville, NY. Putting academics behind, I joined John Rasor on a 50 mile hike on carriage trails past Jewish resorts on Lake Awosting and Lake Minnewaska. We were determined to beat the seminary record of nearly 12 hours. We did it in 9 hours and 37 minutes running most of the way. We only stopped to drink water from a nearby stream until we reached Lake Minnewaska. There we ate a candy bar and rested our legs for a few minutes before facing a 25 mile return trip. Our fellow campers were shocked when we returned hours before we were expected. We celebrated until later that evening when we both developed a high fever and were vomiting until we couldn't anymore. Someone sent for a doctor who suspected Giardia or food poisoning. He told us we were lucky to be alive. Then we recalled that we had been drinking stream water below a horse stable. At least the record was broken, and we had put academics behind us.
In August, I joined my classmates on a special retreat before renewing our vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We had survived the academics of DBC and were approved (not 'black-balled) for this three year renewal by our superiors. Those who were not approved disappeared quietly.
1966 - 1967
After finishing summer library work, I was appointed executive secretary to our librarian, Fr. Snarowski. All that meant was that I would open and organize his mail, continue as head cataloger, and lead the library crew. It also meant I would have special access to the library collection and the electric typewriters to do reports and term papers. We encouraged library patrons to keep a record of what they had read. I hand maintained a list for the years that I spent with the Salesians. With very little TV time, reading books was our main source of entertainment: The List
Library Crew 1967
My senior year flew by. I can't recall too many details. But I found a newsletter from 1968 that describes DBC seminary life around that time: May 1968. After all the exams, I wrote to Mom and Dad about flying back to California, my grades, Joyce and Mike's second baby on the way, a sermonette and a speech. I do recall one graduation celebration. My classmate, Mike Perry, jumped into the pool by the fountain, cassock and all, after his final exam. His mom and dad attended our graduation and took all the graduates from California to a nearby restaurant, The Newtonian, for dinner. I also recall that Fr. Sarnowski had written a letter to USF asking for a waiver of introduction to library science. I was glad that it was accepted but I late had to take another class to complete credential requirements.
Soon I was on a plane to San Francisco for a visit to family, friends and relatives (with a special stop to see Joyce and Mike's new baby, Maureen). Then I would commute from Richmond to USF to study library science for the rest of the summer. In the fall, I was assigned to teach at St. Francis High School in Watsonville. This would be the first of a three year practical training period (tirocinium) before the final stage of seminary life, four years of theology.
Joyce and Mike with Sean & Maureen; back with family
Visiting Grandma Scherer; Harley Guys: Kevin, Tom, me, Jerome, John, Tom Sr., Dennis, Patrick, Grandfather
More great Don Bosco College pictures and stories (Dominic Vautier)
Next: 1967 - 1970 Teacher Brother