V.I. grads hosting fundraiser for the famed Grotto

Edward Shea (l.) and Peter Bishop, both graduates of Vincentian Institute, are running a fundraiser Nov. 10 for the famed V.I. Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. (Mike Matvey photo)

Two Vincentian Institute grads are reuniting to throw a party to benefit a place that is near and dear to their hearts.

Peter Bishop, Class of 1970, and Edward Shea, ’71, along with Susan Tobin, ’72, have organized a complimentary brunch on Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Italian American Community Center (Washington Ave. Extension) to benefit the Vincentian Institute Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes. Although the brunch is free, the suggested donation is $25 per person.

The Grotto, which is known to many in the Diocese, especially V.I. alums, was modeled after the Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine in France and was built in 1916. The Grotto, which is located at the corner of Ontario and Yates in Albany, is in need of much internal repair — such as resetting the front doors, a new electrical system, and the leaded windows need repair and re-leading — and 100 percent of donations will support refurbishing the base of the fountain of the grotto which is located behind the altar.

Bishop, who is part of the Friends of V.I. Grotto, has been publicizing the need for repairs for years, but it wasn’t until recently that Shea read about a meeting at the Grotto on Facebook and got in touch with his old V.I. buddy.

 “I saw it on Facebook … I thought it would be a great idea if we can get a lot of people together and raise some money to keep this place as beautiful as it is right now for the future,” said Shea, whose mother and grandparents were married at the Grotto. “Hopefully we have a great turnout for Nov. 10. I think it would be one of the greatest days and one of the last days that all the V.I. people, the alumni, get together. The school has been closed for 47, 48 years. Hopefully a couple hundred of them get together and reminisce about all the good times. I think it is a great thing for the school and for the Grotto.”

For reservations, email Tobin at [email protected]. RSVP by Nov. 6. Cash or checks can be sent to Friends of V.I. Grotto, P.O. Box 38168, Albany, N.Y., 12203. For questions, call Tobin at (518) 366-6213.

“We are trying to keep the Grotto with a heartbeat. It doesn’t have a heartbeat right now and we are just trying to keep it going,” Bishop said.