There were tears, and laughs too, as about 200 residents of Ave Maria gathered Saturday to remember Michael Novak, the noted author and theologian who died in Washington, D.C., in February at the age of 83.
Mr. Novak spent most of the final years of his life living in Ave Maria before moving to Washington last summer to teach at the Catholic University of America.
After a memorial Mass at 11 a.m., Mr. Novak's brother, Ben, set the tone for the rest of the event where residents gathered at one of Michael's favorite places in town, the Pub and Grille, and heard remembrances from residents, colleagues and students. (left, Fr. Robert Garrity of Ave Maria University, remembering Mr. Novak at the pub - photo by Renee Beckner)
"I suggest that the theme of the rest of this day shall not be about remembering someone who is dead, but celebrating someone who taught us – and is still teaching us! – how to live," Ben said. And those attending proceeded to take his advice to: "Let's make this day remembered for many years to come, as the day Ave Maria resolved to make Michael Novak continue to live among us – as though he could never die – because Ave Maria will never let him die."
After a memorial Mass at 11 a.m., Mr. Novak's brother, Ben, set the tone for the rest of the event where residents gathered at one of Michael's favorite places in town, the Pub and Grille, and heard remembrances from residents, colleagues and students. (left, Fr. Robert Garrity of Ave Maria University, remembering Mr. Novak at the pub - photo by Renee Beckner)