Bro. Joe forwarded this note: I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to accept the award for Bro.(Conall Benedict) John Norton last Saturday evening. The saga of his attempt to send on his remarks to me has reached epic proportions. At 7am this Monday morning a folded copy of a Fax sent to the Bros House at Bishop Loughlin 4/14 was in my mailbox. For the past 2 years I have lived in a Bronx Community(w/no Fax). I found 5 phone calls on my office phone late 4/14-15(school holiday) from Bro John wondering whether I had received it. He gave up waiting for a return call for me on Thursday evening and, at a young 83, drove from Narragansett to Providence with a copy of the talk to hand-deliver to me at Bro. David Detje's 50th Anniversary as a FSC celebration at Manhattan College Saturday. Unfortunately, the talk was accidentally left at La Salle Providence. A flurry of cell calls later had one Bro up there Googling the address of Mater Christi. I had hoped they might remember that it was now SJP. All was pronounced well as I made my way later to Astoria. When the Principal, Bill Higgins, checked the office Fax machine at MC as I arrived there was nothing from Bro. John by way of Providence. I suspect it might have ended up in Australia - when you Google! Bro John's remarks follow -

I was pleasantly surprised when I received the letter from Frank telling me that I was chosen to receive an award for my involvement with the Mater Christi Drama productions. I was surprised because events of 40 or 45 years ago usually fade away from our memory and are replaced by more recent events and associates. To take time out this evening to memorialize those wonderful high school years when somehow you became involved with each other in the Drama Club is inspiring and heart warming. It shows that the admiration and love you had for each other was genuine as it has stood the test of time. It shows that the Drama Club spirit which you developed years ago continues to enrich your lives.

Before I go any further I want to recognize those generous youngsters on my stage crew. They worked tirelessly including Saturdays and Sundays in a frantic effort to complete the sets on time. Then, their work continued as they had to perform countless tasks during the show. They also had to destroy the sets after the show was over while the performers looked on with tears in their eyes. I am glad to single out Tony Leto who for four years was unsurpassed in his competence and determination to insure the success of our work.

I can't help but reflect on how fortunate all of us were to be at Mater Christi during those precious years when we were associated with the Brother Eugene Finley productions. He gave us the opportunity to test our confidence and God-given talents before an audience that came to be entertained. It must be said that we accepted every challenge that came our way and as a result we were able to provide wonderful entertainment for thousands of people.

I must remember Brother Eugene before I close. We were the best of friends. It was a pleasure to know him and to be so closely associated with him. I will never forget the occasions when we assembled in the Music Room for the pre-show pep talk. His performance deserved a special award as he exhorted everyone to give an excellent performance. Who can forget how we waited to hear him say 'NOW we have a SHOW' 

In conclusion I want to tell you that it was a pleasure for me to be associated with all of you and it gives me great satisfaction to think that I had a small part in making your young lives meaningful and memorable. Be assured that I have fond memories of those years which I don't intend to forget. My only regret is that I didn't have the time to get to know every one of you personally.

I pray that the good Lord will continue to bless each of you and that all of you will continue to find strength and happiness in each other's company

P.S. I want to apologize to Rich Sabellico for leaving that double-headed nail exposed on the OLIVER set.