Since moving in, I call my older sister quite often. Last week on our call, I mentioned going to my Moreau instructor’s house for a class dinner. She found the idea of this dinner intriguing. She also was once a freshman Gateway student, but during the height of the panic of 2020, when building community was difficult.
My Moreau class was excited to socialize outside of the classroom. On Sept. 22, we met at Main Circle to wait for our Ubers to take us to Mike Comuniello’s house. As we walked into the backyard we were greeted by our instructor and his lovely family. A bubble machine was on full blast, which gave a fun vibe to the night. While some students played cornhole, others enjoyed soft drinks while sitting on the porch.
For dinner, we helped ourselves to bread, salad and baked ziti. Comuniello was kind enough to bake gluten-free ziti for me as well. Before indulging in the Italian dinner, my Moreau mate Nate Ritz led us in grace. The dinner was so delicious that many, if not all of us, had seconds. After finishing dinner we ate ice cream and birthday cake for our classmate who had recently celebrated his birthday.
When the night wound down, we ordered Ubers back to campus, and four of us hopped into an Uber together. We were all (illegally) smushed like sardines in the backseat, because the passenger seat was full of junk. It was definitely a bonding experience for us. It was at this point that I started using the term “Moreau family” when referring to my Moreau class.
We appreciated this gathering. When we see each other at our Moreau class at 8 a.m. on Fridays, most of us are sleep-deprived, and the main thing on our minds is, “When can I get a coffee?” Socializing on a Monday night was a great way to see everyone in a more energized state.
My Moreau mate Elizabeth LeSage said, “I loved the opportunity to get to know my classmates and their lives better … and it was a great break from the dining hall.” Martin Mzeche added, “I liked the social aspect of the dinner!”
I asked my instructor why he hosted the class dinner. He explained that he tries to host one dinner for each class that he teaches for two reasons. First, to expose his students to the South Bend community, and second, for his family to meet his students. He brought up the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where they gather to break bread together. “I aspire to live an integrated life — one in which my professional life, experience of community and faith are inherently enriched by one another. No doubt, seeing my students in my home or together with my family fosters this sense of integration, and, I hope, serves as a model for my students.”
The class dinner was an unforgettable night. Other Moreau classes have also been partaking in similar activities outside of class — for example, having brunch at the dining hall and going out for ice cream. It is a blessing that we are able to have these community-building opportunities that contribute to the community aspect at Notre Dame.
Thank you to all these Moreau instructors and Moreau peer leaders for taking the time to create an environment where the classes can become like family, and a special thank you to Comuniello, his wife, his daughter and his dog for hosting the section 70 of Moreau!
