Moon Landing Memories from St. Al's

As we celebrate the 50 ^th anniversary of the moon landing on July 20, 1969, former Chapel Rat Jim Legault says his most memorable moment during the summer of 1969 took place that day.

His fiancée, now wife, Sandy, was visiting and the couple along with Fr. Don Shiroda (1968-1971), did not want to miss the historic event. “Fr. Shiroda invited everyone back to the residence to watch it on TV. That small apartment was packed, and a memory was created.”

Legault became a Chapel Rat at St. Al’s when the 1971 civil engineering Michigan Tech graduate was required to take a summer quarter of surveying and needed a place to stay. When friend and fellow Chapel Rat Erick Sedenik (who passed away in 2006) suggested he stay at St. Albert the Great University Parish, Jim accepted, even though he was not Catholic.

As the lone summer Chapel Rat, Jim did janitor work and got to know and appreciate Fr. Shiroda. “He was a remarkable man and a mentor for me regarding the Catholic faith.”

“Aside from the friendship of Fr. Don, Jim’s memories at St. Al’s include making French fries from fresh potatoes each day and riding his motorcycle through the Copper Country. “Over the July Fourth holiday, I rode my motorcycle without a shirt. It was a beautiful sunny day and that combined with the wind toasted my back to a crisp which translated to a lot of pain, blisters and peeling for two days.”

Jim and his wife, Sandy, were married June 13, 1970 and celebrated 49 years of marriage. He and his wife attended weekly Mass for 47 years, raising their three daughters in the faith. Two years ago, Jim went through the RCIA program and joined the Church.

After graduation, Jim worked as a structural engineer before going to work for Consumers Energy, a Michigan-based utility company. He retired in 2010 after 22 years of service.

He says even though his stay at St. Al’s was only for a handful of weeks, the memories will stay with him forever.

“Thanks for maintaining a wonderful Chapel Rat ministry that has touched, and will continue to touch, the souls of impressionable young men. God bless you all.”