A former classmate recently sent me this photo. Nineteen of us began our discernment in Holy Cross in 1974. A couple of men attended Holy Cross College, most of us began as freshmen at Notre Dame, a few others were sophomores or juniors. I was the only one to be ordained a Holy Cross priest out of this group.
As far as I know, four of these men have died. Neil, third in front row, died at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Mark, fourth in front row, was ordained a priest in Buffalo, and died almost ten years ago. One man died of AIDS in the 1980’s and another died of cancer way too young.
Most of these men left after a year or two of formation. I have kept up with only four or five since. God scattered us across the globe. We look more like inmates than classmates in this unflattering photo. However, we all desired good things.
I hardly recognize myself in this photo after 47 years. I am second in second row. However, I remember this day like yesterday. I pray for these men, no matter where they are today, who wanted their lives to matter, to count, in service of others. I would love to hear the stories.
Broken But Not Divided 
I pray for you each day and thank God for your ministry. You made the right choice!
I recognized you immediately! I have enjoyed reading your posts and your art work is fabulous. You’ve made a difference.
Thank you for sharing this Father
On Tue, Aug 31, 2021, 4:18 AM Broken But Not Divided wrote:
> Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C. posted: ” A former classmate recently sent me > this photo. Nineteen of us began our discernment in Holy Cross in 1974. A > couple of men attended Holy Cross College, most of us began as freshmen at > Notre Dame, a few others were sophomores or juniors. I was the o” >
OMG—The same smile, but—–aren’t the early photos of our youth interesting–everyone looks so YOUNG now and yet we were so confident of our selves as really on top of it all.
Your choice has been blessed and prayers for continued Grace.
Great photo, and you’re the most charismatic of the lot! Also, love those seventies haircuts.
Thanks for posting this pic, Fr. Ron! I was leafing through my ND scrapbook and thought you might enjoy this memory! I’m in the 2nd row on the far right. I noticed that several guys including myself are wearing those spike crosses that we were given, a real 70’s thing! It was a hot and humid day in September at the beginning of our Freshman year, gosh I’ll never forget it! God bless you Fr. Ron, and I join you in praying for all these classmates, living and deceased.