FITCHBURG — Over 100 alumni from the St. Bernard’s High School classes of 1936 to 1963 gathered earlier this month at their alma mater for a celebratory luncheon.
Among those who attended were dozens of veterans that were honored at the Nov. 10 occasion, including several in their 90s and one that is 105 years old. Most of the alumni are from Fitchburg and Leominster and some traveled from outside the area to be a part of the event put on by the Bernardian Association, an organization comprised of volunteer alumni, current and past school families, students, and friends of St. Bernard’s.

St. Bernard’s Board of Trustees member Kathy Krysiak, who graduated from the high school in 1990, said they wanted to hold the first multi-class get-together for alumni who graduated sixty or more years ago as a way to “reconnect and celebrate being part of the Bernardian community.”
“Attendees shared smiles, hugs, and plenty of laughs and reminiscing,” she said. “It was incredibly moving to bring so many Bernardians together, some of which had not been in the school since graduation or attended reunions.”
A large number of the alumni took a tour of the high school before the luncheon and entertainment. Krysiak said they honored 14 veterans, had extensive displays of photos and memorabilia, and that current students and alumni from classes in the 1970s, 80s and 90s volunteered to help out.

The lunch was originally planned for 2020 but Covid prevented it from happening.
“Many older classes do not have anyone to plan reunions, but still have members who want to come together,” Krysiak said. “This event was meant to facilitate that. Amazing does not adequately convey the feeling of community and warmth that was present in these few hours together as Bernardians.”
She said the Bernardian Association plans to hold more of these in the coming years and hopefully bring even more alumni together who were unable to attend this one. Alumni are encouraged to reach out to St. Bernard’s High School Alumni Coordinator Joanne (Taitano) Pagnotta ‘78 at 978-502-6993 or email BernardianAssociation@StBernardsHighSchool.org with updated contact information so they can be invited to future events.