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Past Events

4^th Annual SVD Alumni Dinner - Chicago Area

Techny, Illinois

In Honor of Bros. Jim Fisher, SVD and Gary (Bruno) Burr, SVD

November 17, 2001

Alumni Gather at Techny to Honor
Bros. Jim Fisher, SVD, and Gary Burr, SVD
By Ellen Macuiba

        On Saturday, November 17th, my family and I had the opportunity to attend the SVD Alumni Association's Annual Reunion dinner at Techny. This year's dinner was honored my brother, Jim Fisher, and his good friend and colleague, Gary Burr. I knew the event would be emotional, yet very memorable. The sudden loss of Jim three years ago is still a heartache for my family.

        We began our evening in the African chapel with Father Sam Cunningham, SVD, and Fr. Joe Bugner, SVD, celebrating the Mass. We were all asked to reflect on "what gives us life" in our daily lives and openly express our thoughts with each other. I left Mass feeling very uplifted.

        After Mass we shared a wonderful dinner together where there was much conversation and laughter. I enjoyed looking through all of the old yearbooks and photo albums and reminiscing about great times visiting Jim and Gary over the years at East Troy and Epworth.

        Father Cunningham spoke of how Jim always offered a welcoming touch to everyone he met with an "arm around your shoulder" and laughter on his lips. Before Jim's death, he ministered at St. Anselm's Church on the South side of Chicago. Jim was always willing to lend a helping hand for any project thrown his way, and he worked very hard to develop an after school program. He knew that the church was sometimes the only safe haven for many of these neighborhood kids.

        Father Don Ehr, SVD, had the opportunity to work with Gary at St. Elizabeth's Church, which is St. Anselm's sister church. Gary was a great role model to kids of all ages. He was well known in the neighborhood and could go anywhere, day or night, in his "blue mobile" tending to his parishioners' needs. Like Jim, Gary also started up an after school program and open gym time to keep the kids off the streets and away from the gangs.

        Lenny Uhal, our evening's most gracious host, read a letter E-mailed from Bro. André Hotchkiss, SVD, who is at a mission in Nairobi, Kenya. My family has remained close to Bro. André ever since Jim started in the seminary, so we were delighted to hear his thoughts. The letter described Jim and Gary as two exceptional people always working to better the community around them.

        Jim and Gary gave so much of themselves to their church, to their community, and touched so many lives. I hope that knowing these two wonderful men may inspire me to generously open my heart to others.

        My family and I were so glad to be able to share this special evening with Jim and Gary's SVD family. My family would like to extend our thanks to the SVD Alumni Association for honoring them in such a heartwarming way.