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Thursday, March 15, 2012

On the Ides of March 1819 - Mother Duchesne writes to her niece, Mother Contance Jouve, R.S.C.J.

Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne
banner as seen at Villa Duchesne/Oak Hill School
March 15, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her niece, Mother Constance Jouve, R.S.C.J. "I have been slow about answering your letter, but I love you none the less.  At such a great distance from each other we can meet often only in the divine Heart of Jesus.  How greatly you should love Him, now that He has shown you the extent of His love for you in the grace of your First Communion! Treasure always the fruits of this wonderous act and never be ungrateful to Our Lord.  I love you tenderly in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Philippine"

Taken from the book:  "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne"

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Kate O'Flaherty Chopin, Sacred Heart Alumna to be Honored in her Hometown - St. Louis, MO

Bust of Kate Chopin by Sculptor  Jaye Gregory 
March 11, 2012 ~  Today in St. Louis, Missouri, the Central West End Association will unveil the bust of Kate Chopin to be on display at the Writers' Corner in the city (the intersection of Euclid and McPherson).  

Catherine (Kate) O'Flaherty was born in St. Louis, Missouri on February 8, 1850.  Her father Thomas had imigrated from Ireland and was killed in a railroad accident when Kate was a young girl leaving her to be raised by her mother, Eliza Farris O'Flaherty of St. Louis and her mother's family who were of French decent. She was very close to her great-grandmother Victoria Verdon Charleville who spoke only french and taught Kate the art of story telling.  Kate's great-grandmother died at age 82 in 1863. Shortly thereafter her half-brother George O'Flaherty died at the age of 23 of typhoid fever. He had been serving in the Civil War as a Confederate soldier. Her grandmother Athenise Charleville Faris died at age 89 in 1893 thus outliving both Kate's mother and husband.  

The many strong woman who influenced young Kate also included the Relgious of the Sacred Heart.  Kate attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Louis from 1855 - 1868.  She graduated with a blue ribbon and was a Child of Mary.  While a student at the Academy one of her teachers Mother O'Meara encouraged Kate to write.  She wrote a poem The CongĂ© – 1867 which made reference to both Mothers' Hamilton and O'Meara, as well as, one of her best friends Kitty Geresche who later entered the Society of the Sacred Heart.

As a young girl Kate found that writing was a great way to express her feelings and as a young widow she again found writing to be therapeutic.  Her family doctor encouraged Kate to write as a means of therapy and financial support.  

To learn more about Kate Chopin, click here  - Kate Chopin International Society.
Catherine O'Flaherty Chopin
1850 -1904

Monday, March 5, 2012

Twenty-Fourth Annual Florida Gold Coast AASH Luncheon

Photos taken at the Sailfish Club on March 3, 2012

One of my all time favorite Sacred Heart luncheons to attend the first Saturday of March is the annual Florida Gold Coast AASH Luncheon. Since 1990 when I was first introduced to Mimi Morgan Phelan Welsh (Mother Morgan's niece) and Jean Ward (both Manhattanville alums) and heard that out of their love for the retired religious they had decided to organize an annual gathering of Sacred Heart alums for lunch and then give the proceeds to the Pax Christi community of retired religious living at Kenwood in Albany, NY.  I was hooked!

Today the monies are sent directly to the Society of the Sacred Heart for their "In Mission for Life Campaign" which is in its fifth and final year.

During the past twenty some years I have met so many wonderful Sacred Heart alums.  This past Saturday was no exception. Attending were many familiar faces and many new faces. Some alums came with their sisters and some with their daughters. Many spoke of the generations of family members educated in Sacred Heart schools all over the world. As each and everyone went around the room introducing themselves there was one common sentiment conveyed. A deep sense of gratitude for their Sacred Heart education and being united in federation, spirit and service.  

Sr. Joan Magnetti, RSCJretired headmistress of Greenwich said grace before lunch and afterwards  gave everyone an update on the "In Mission for Life Campaign" on behalf of Sr. Shirley Miller, RSCJ Director of Advancement for the Society.  


Maria Cristina Garcia, AASH Southern Regional Director and I enjoyed the opportunity to be at the Sailfish Club on Saturday and plan to return next year when they will host their 25th annual luncheon. So if you will be in Florida on March 2, 2013, please plan on joining us in Palm Beach, Florida.  It is sure to be a wonderful event!

Sacred Heart alums from Vero Beach gather on First Friday

Photos taken by MER on March 2, 2012 at John's Island Club
Many Sacred Heart alums living or vacationing near Vero Beach, Florida gather every First Friday from November - April for Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church and then lunch afterwards.  While in town I joined them and was treated to a wonderful day!

Next month they will gather on Friday, April 13th.


Also next month .... Tuesday, April 10th ~ 5 pm at the Sea Oaks Community Center
Kathleen Balet Hill, MC '62 a highly regarded novelist and award winning short story writer will discuss, "Who Occupies This House" - a lyrical evocation of three generations of her Irish-American family, just out in paperback, was selected as an Editor's Choice by the New York Times.

For further info or to reach Kathleen Balet Hill click here