BJC FAMILIES - PLAN NOW FOR THE FAMILY PICNIC ON SEPTEMBER 11

To our Families:  Be sure to make every effort to attend this year’s BJC Family Picnic, Saturday, September 11, Knights of Columbus Council 3914 Marian Hall in Riverton – same location in 2009.  We do want our Families there earlier with registration beginning at 9:00am.  A mass mailing to BJC Families is on its way with more details and lunch buffet reservation information.  Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door.  Children five and under are free.  The catered meal consists of pulled pork, grilled chicken pieces, augratin potatoes, chips, rolls & butter, green beans, cole slaw, tea and lemonade.  Soda and water are free.

When you receive your mailing about the Family Picnic, please make plans to attend and return your Registration Form and check as soon as possible to: 

  BJC Development Office
  2508 St. James Road
  Springfield, IL 62707
  217-747-5905
  development@brotherjamescourt.com
  www.brotherjamescourt.com
  
This year we are inaugurating an Annual Meeting between 10:30am -11:30am.  We’ll recap the ministry of the Franciscan Brothers; provide an overview of the operation of BJC pointing to more than 100 professional and experienced staff; and stress our operational needs and increasing dependence on our Families to help ensure a solid financial future for BJC.

There will be fresh baked goods from the Weber House.  The BJC commemorative book will be available.  The Association of BJC will have their raffles and you could win a cash prize! Everyone can sing, clap and dance to live music.  And, best of all, we can visit in a very relaxed atmosphere. 

There’s plenty of paved parking.  Marian Hall in Riverton is just 3 miles from BJC’s front door!  See you September 11!
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Commemorative Book

Click here to see final book cover. Price is $25, inc. S&H.  Click here to purchase book.

The full title of the work is “The Spirit of Devotion for St. James Trade School Tradesmen and the Men of Brother James Court”.  It’s a chronicle of the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross and their missions in Springfield, IL, since 1928.  Our partner in this endeavor is Arcadia Publishing, which is dedicated to the preservation of local heritage, making history available to all.  We will mail your book to you or you can stop by Brother James Court during regular business hours, 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday, and pick up a copy.  Just call 217-747-5905 or email development@brotherjamescourt.com in advance of your coming to BJC.
 

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3rd Annual St. James Trade School Reunion

Sunday, June 27, 56 alumni, many with members of their families, and some widows and family of alumni who have passed, created the largest turnout ever for a St. James Trade School reunion.  Over 100 attendees enjoyed the comradery of former classmates representing 23 Classes that spanned 1936 to 1972:
 
1936     1946     1958     1965     1970
1940     1949     1959     1966     1971
1942     1952     1960     1967     1972
1944     1955     1962     1968
1945     1957     1963     1969

 
The Mass at 11:15am, was celebrated by Father Vincent, OFM, in St. Joseph the Worker Chapel, constructed by the trade school students and faculty during the period 1954-1959.  Music was provided by the St. James Parish Choir conducted by Bro. Anthony Joseph.
 
Immediately following the Mass, a lunch and program were provided in St. Joseph’s Hall.  Special guests included Father Roger, OFM, Chaplain and Religion Instructor for over 30 years at the trade school, and Bro. David, Principal from 1968-1972, and a former administrator of Brother James Court.  Other Franciscan Brothers attending the event included Bro. Stephen, Bro. Joel Marc and Bro. Roman.
 
There were lots of reminiscences shared and everyone sang a couple of choruses of “Good Old St. James”.  A tour was conducted of the Springfield Developmental Center, which is the remaining complex from the era of the trade school.
 
Almost 2 dozen copies of the new commemorative book were purchased by alumni, who came from Springfield, the surrounding area, many communities across Illinois and Washington State, Wisconsin and Ohio.
 
If you are a trade school alumnus and have not had any communications from us, please make yourself known and we’ll be glad to put you on our mailing list for future events and activities. 

Contact:  Development Office, Brother James Court, 2508 St. James Road, Springfield, IL 62707; development@brotherjamescourt.com or 217-747-5905.

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16th Annual BJC Benefit Auction & Dinner...and Mark Your Calendar for 2011

Nearly 350 patrons supported our annual benefit auction and dinner on Saturday, April 10, 2010, at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center in downtown Springfield.  They were treated to a reception with live music and appetizers while they browsed over 100 silent and live auction items, baskets and packages.

Almost 40 of our men were present and they helped to kick off the evening as they held aloft a US flag that had been flown in Afghanistan.  Two of these were donated to BJC by one of our families.  One remains with BJC and the other was auctioned off to help support our facility.  We recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang our National Anthem prior to opening remarks by Ron Wampler, BJC Administrator. 

IL Secretary of State Jesse White was on hand to represent his Life Goes On organ and tissue donor program.  He designated our benefit as Springfield’s commemorative event for April as National Donate Life Month.  One of our men, Tim, received a life-saving kidney transplant 15 years ago.  Later Tim sang two Beatles selections and his original gospel tune “Him & me”.

Our new commemorative photo essay book was released that evening with a signing by the authors and a photographer who had donated hundreds of photos to the St. James Trade School and Brother James Court over several decades.

Patrons could purchase a book, or take a chance on a bottle from our wine cellar donated by many friends of BJC.  There was a raffle on a Lotto Tree.  Hand-decorated ceramic ornaments from 25 of our men were available for sale, along with glass ware that was hand-decorated by a friend of BJC.  The Association of Brother James Court offered 73 Grab Bags and each had a distinctive surprise item inside. 

Our 3-course banquet was a hit with everyone and was served with the utmost care.

THANK YOU for your support of this event.  If you missed it, please mark your calendar for Saturday, April 9, 2011.  Commemorative program booklets are available while they last.  Just contact:  Development Office, development@brotherjamescourt.com, 217-747-5905, BJC 2508 St. James Road, Springfield, IL 62707.

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Both of BJC’s major passenger vans are now proudly announcing our facility to the greater community.  We’re bold and beautiful and on the road every day for special outings or to go to the doctor.  Hey, when you see us, honk if you can’t wave!

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Messenger Newsletter

Click here to view/print the latest copy of our newsletter.

Read about Brother James Court’s donation to First Night Springfield.

--Bakke: Grieving parents to thank for fireworks
--First Night Fireworks Saved by Donation
--Our Opinion: Thanks to Brother James Court