St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman recently welcomed alumni from across the United States for its Annual Alumni Reunion, which featured a weekend of activities, camaraderie, and sharing cherished memories.

The festivities began with a golf outing, followed by alumni enjoying the local shops and an afternoon at Goat Island Brewery. The evening featured a delightful fish fry provided by Freddie Day Catering at the Abbey Byre, where alumni reconnected and shared stories.

Saturday commenced with a fabulous brunch in the St. Bernard Dining Hall, featuring a beautiful array of family-favorite recipes from the ladies in the St. Bernard Administration Building. Following the brunch, the monks of St. Bernard presented a town hall meeting discussing the monastery and school, its plans, and ongoing projects. Attendees were invited to tour the monastery, guided by Abbot Marcus Voss and Father Paschal Pautler, to view the progress on the extensive renovations now in progress.

“This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me,” said Deacon Pete Nassetta. “I have been associated with St. Bernard for at least 60 years and have never been inside the cloistered area.”

At 4 p.m. on Saturday, a special Mass was celebrated for the alumni in the Abbey Church. Then followed an evening event in the Byre honoring the college and prep school classes, with special recognition for milestone reunions. The evening included a dinner provided by Jim and Nicks Catering of Cullman. Alumni enjoyed a delicious spread of smoked turkey, beef brisket, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, cheese biscuits, banana pudding, and lemon bars.

Before dinner, alumnus Jim Flood, who was celebrating his 50th reunion, expressed his joy, saying, “My wife and I enjoy coming to Cullman as often as possible. It is always a pleasure staying on campus and feeling the peace, tranquility, and God’s presence. When I was a student here, I couldn’t wait to graduate, but now that I am older, I realize more and more every day how special Bernard is.”

On Sunday morning, the reunion concluded with a breakfast and a Mass at 10:30, providing a reflective and grateful close to the weekend before alumni departed for home.

St. Bernard Preparatory School is proud to have hosted such a meaningful and memorable event for its alumni and looks forward to future reunions that continue to celebrate the rich history and enduring spirit of its community.