Memories from 1961 Class
Roland (Rocky) Raab, Stanley Thein, and Eugene Wojcik at the Catholic Boy Scout Camp - Marquette Trail in Eureka circa 1959
It is my theory that of the millions - ca-zillions of memories that we have buzzing around in our heads...that those memories that continually come into our consciousness are those that spurned us on to become who we are today. To give an example...when I was in 3rd grade Mrs. Fisher let our class put on little one-page plays that were at the end of our English book - Voyages in English. I clearly remember being so excited at the prospect of "putting on a play." I remember it had something to do with a talking fish and turtle. I was the fish so I got my Grandpa's white, silk scarf to mimic the action of a fish swimming. Vernon (Buddy) Barcum was my co-star. He was a turtle. I don't remember much about 3rd grade...but I often think back on my acting debut! Was that "the universe" giving me a nudge to spurn my interest in theatre, acting, and storytelling? To test my theory I asked my classmates if they had any childhood scenarios that could be linked to who they are today. I received three that I'd like to share....
Eugene Wojcik circa 1954
INFLUENCE OF MSGR. SCHINDLER IN MY LIFE AND VOCATION
Although my parents and family are the cradle of my vocation to the priesthood. Msgr. Clement Schindler, our pastor, played an important and vital role in my decision to become a priest. There are, of course, the obvious connections of the example of a wonderful priest dedicated to his calling; his interest and ongoing support of my vocation in grade school and high school and college seminary; and his presence in my life as a caring and devoted mentor and Spiritual Father. But the story of my vocation and his significant role starts much earlier and in a more peculiar way.
We have all grown up with neighbors; some of those neighbors may have been farmers, electricians, plumbers and even housewives. But unlike most people, during my toddler and Preschool years my next door neighbor was a priest. Before St. Albert the Great Parish was located at the intersection of highways 159 and 50 and during that brief ribbon of parish history when the Sacramental and parish activities were celebrated and conducted at the "Barn", Msgr. Schindler was for six years living on North Illinois Street and quite literally was my next door neighbor.
It was during this time, that I was best able to observe the then "Father" Schindler from our family yard and when the occasion would arise (and my parents were not looking or concerned about my bothering Father) I would often speak or visit with him when he was outside working. Occasionally, I would assist him in pulling weeds from his flower gardens or to help him pick up small fallen limbs from the trees in his yard. I am sure that the conversation of a four or five year old was less then stimulating and the assisting yard work was more of a hindrance than a help; particularly, after a long day for a busy priest starting a parish from scratch. To this day, I have no recollection of what we ever discussed or talked about and it really does not matter or make any difference. However, I am quite certain that it probably was an endless and unrelenting series of innocuous questions from a child about God and the Church in a most annoying and disorganized manner.
It is the fact, that he would even bother to listen and to take the time to share part of his busy life with me. Combining this with his seeming interest and kindness that left the endearing and lasting memory and impression on me as a small child. My parents were always there for me, but this was the first real adult outside of family who demonstrated an interest and concern about the things I had to say.
It was also, for me, the enduring image and unique combination of observing Monsignor perform presbyteral and sacramental duties at church and at the same time also be just an ordinary person doing ordinary things that left the earliest remembrance of my desire to be a priest. It was my first encounter, close-up, with a priest and became one of the seeds of my vocation to the priesthood. Other wonderful and supportive priests would journey into my life at St. Albert the Great giving of themselves and sharing their priestly journey with me, but none quite so memorable as Monsignor.
I would carry this image and example of Monsignor through my seminary formation and it would help me better understand the gifts of a priestly vocation. Even today when I visit the Preschool children in my school, I always take the time to speak and more importantly to listen to them, because you never really know where or when a vocation begins and how it will be fostered.
Monsignor, thank you and Requiescant In Pace.
Take care, Marilyn and God Bless,
Fr. Gene Wojcik
..."I was tempted to include a summary of my life since 1961, but realized that it would be of little or no interest to anyone there, most likely. Worse, it might seem arrogant or presumptuous. Suffice to say that I've had a rather amazing life, the roots of which I can trace to a former cow barn that I hold all of you in my trove of fond memories.
Oh, one more thing, if there is a chance, raise a glass with me in memory of my favorite teacher of all time, that dear, sweet Mrs. Krebs.
Nostalgically, Roland Raab
PS, I picked up the nickname "Rocky" in high school, and have used it ever since. (it stemmed from his interest in rockets). If you Google it, you'll discover a few things, all factual.
I had email Rocky and asked if he remembered a time when he did a rocket demonstration as part of a science class. I wasn't sure if that was a manufactured memory. This was his response:
Your memory is accurate. I was very interested in rockets and may indeed have done a demonstration of some kind. My nickname is actually a shortened version of "Rockets" in fact. It was that fascination that steered much of my life, starting from the very first space launches. My science interest played right in, and during the Voyager flybys of Jupiter, I was at Jet Propulsion Laboratory to help handle reporters. Several of the scientists complimented me for being able to grasp and interpret images that they themselves were seeing for the first time. I'm still math challenged, but I "get" the basics of science. (You may have heard Rocky's memorable voice when you watched the space launches. He was often the one to count down "10-9-8.....3-2-1...Blast off!" Yes, that was our Roland...er...Rocky!)
One memory from Mrs. Fischer's class was the time she brought in a wire recorder and had us all record our voices - and the shock that none of us recognized our own! That led me to an interest in broadcast and voices. I've not only done thousands of interviews, but have also worked as a DJ and as a voiceover artist for radio commercials. I still do a couple dozen character voices.
In talking with Stanley Thein I asked him about his Fourth Degree as a charter member of the St. Albert's chapter of the Knights of Columbus. He said that St. Albert's didn't have a chapter when we were kids, but his interest in the KCs was spurned from an incident that happened while in the 8th grade. His family attended a funeral and the deceased was a Fourth Degree Knight. His chapter came in full regalia and did an impressive ceremony. Stan remembers that day very well. When St. Albert the Great decided to have its own chapter in 1978, Stan was there to become a member. He worked his way thru the different degrees until he too can proudly stand next to his fellow Knights.
And now, as Paul Harvey once said... for the rest of the story
Roland (Rocky) Raab, Stanley Thein, and Eugene Wojcik at the Catholic Boy Scout Camp - Marquette Trail in Eureka circa 1959
Three Divergent Paths
The campground at the Marquette Trail in Eureka, Missouri was littered with thousands of pup tents filled with the thousands of Catholic Boy Scouts who came to attend the Jamboree.
