Dad returns to ND in the fall of 1967 and his first stint in the seminary

When dad returned to Reno in January or February of his sophomore year, 1967, he was behind on credits and was not expected to graduate on time. I believe that his photo is not among the seniors of the 1969 yearbook (the Dome) because he was not expected to graduate on time. I believe that he took some courses outside of ND to transfer in to let him graduate on time.

Dad entered the undergraduate seminary with the CSCs when he returned to Notre Dame for his junior year in 1967. He lasted for a quarter before, as he told me, he convinced himself on a superficial level that he was an atheist and moved into a dorm. He told me later that he didn't really believe this at the time, but I suspect it was in the air. I doubt O'Malley was impressed by my dad's posing.

Dad said he was flabbergasted by the changes at ND when he returned as a junior. During his freshman year (1965-6) the CSC priests and brothers all wore their habits (cassocks with a short cape (for priests), rope for a belt, and their professional cross). Students were required to wear a sport coat and tie to dinner. All of that was gone when he returned. Religious dropped their habits and wore ordinary civvies. No more tie requirements. I believe that during his freshman year, and perhaps beyond, dinner was served rather than students going up cafeteria style, like pigs to a trough, as it was later.