From: "Tom S. Hoderny" 
Subject: A voice from the past

Dear Ray,

    Greetings and much Peace in the Lord!

    Reference your Venard '61 yearbook, freshman class: Tom Hoderny.

    Enjoyed your "memories" from the Maryknoll Interchange. Thank you.
Those rector's conferences by Fr. Allen were absolutely priceless - a
real character. The "Bull" died about 20 years ago at Maryknoll, a
very popular man. The "Sav" was eventually ordained for New York(?);
died of cancer a few years ago. The "Dew" - what a saint! He died in
Peru many years ago. The "Rat" is a very good friend of mine to this
day. He was the one who greeted myself and my family when I first
arrived at the Venard. George just spent Christmas with me. He's
almost 79 and full of energy despite a years worth of health problems
- made a great come back. "Simple Bill" died a few years back of
cancer, I believe. Fr.  O'Connor is not a Maryknoller any more; he a
pastor somewhere in Indiana or Illinois.

    I can identify with "your AGONIZING over staying or leaving
Maryknoll. I left Glen Ellyn in '66 - tough decision. Ended up in the
Air Force and eventually back in Maryknoll in '72. Was ordained in
'79.  Got sick in Venezuela, came back to the States and, because of
my own health problems and my parents' health problems, decided to
incardinate into the Diocese of Erie in '83. Am now the pastor of two
small parishes in Crown(St. Mary's) and Marienville(St. Ann's) - in
the Cook Forest State Park vicinity near Clarion, PA.

    Am also a guitar player. finger picker - still learning. My
'children': a Gibson C-1-D [Classical] (37 years old); a Martin D-35 I
bought in '74; a Gibson electric classic; a Taylor 414-KCE. Have some
arthiritis which has cramped my stlye significantly in the past year
or so.

    Anyway, thanks for sharing the memories. Abundant blessings on you
and your family, Grandpa! Who'd a ever thunk?

Peace, Tom

P.S. Did the Pirates suck or what?


Tom Hoderny
St. Mary Church
P.O. Box 41
Crown, PA 16220