A beautiful banner, designed by Brother Anthony Scotto, adorned the sanctuary at the De Salle Brothers Center, where friends and visitors gathered for the District Jubilee Celebration on Saturday June 20, 2009. Eight Brothers were being honored: Brother Joseph Ventura, his 70th year as a De La Salle Brother, Brother Peter Clifford - 65th, Brothers Joseph Reilly, John McMahon and William Kemmerer their 50th anniversary and Brothers Robert Wickman, Roger Chingas and Louis DeThomasis their 40th. Rev David Costa celebrated the Jubilee Mass and Father Charles McDermott, the community chaplain, concelebrated, as did Father Robert Joerger CP, AFSC, who gave the homily.<The Jubilarians renewed their vows during the Mass. Afterwards, each Jubilarian was toasted (and roasted, a bit).Bro Anthony Scotto spoke for Bro Joseph Ventura, Bro Vincent Pelletier for Bro Peter Clifford, Bro Dennis Cronin for Bro J P Reilly, Bro Ed Phelan for Bro John McMahon, Bro Ralph Bucci for Bro William Kemmerer and Bro Ed Shields for Bro Robert Wickman. At the end of Mass, Brother Michael McKenery, on behalf of the Brothers of the LI-NE District, presented Brother Edmund Precourt with a plaque which stated: We thank you for being our Leader. We thank you for living the Rule as the Visitor. We thank you for your being a model of openness to new challenges We thank you for being a visionary. We thank you for your patience, your honesty, and your encouragement. We thank you for being Brother to each one of us. Thank you for being the man who gives all and follows Jesus. The Brothers of the Long Island New England District of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools takes this occasion to thank you for your total dedication, availability, and generosity to your Brothers during your terms as Visitor of the LINE District from 2004 to 2009. The assembly then moved out to a tent on the front lawn for refreshments and a delicious dinner prepared by the Center culinary staff
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