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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Provincial Barbara Dawson, RSCJ Elected 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ   (photo taken on May 25, 2013 in Atherton, CA) 

August 2, 2016 ~ Today in Nemi, Italy the Religious of the Sacred Heart at their 2016 General Chapter meeting announced that Barbara Dawson, RSCJ current provincial of the United States - Canada Province has been elected as the 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  Sr. Dawson will succeed Kathleen Conan, RSCJ (2008-2016) as she becomes the third American to serve consecutively an eight year term as Superior General.  The first American elected was Clare Pratt (2000-2008) a native of Washington, D.C.  General Chapter 2016 began on July 7th and will conclude on August 10, 2016.  

Sister Dawson who is currently serving a fourth term as Provincial in the United States-Canada province, is an alumna of Lone Mountain College, now University of San Francisco where she also  received her law degree. She earned a masters degree in international comparative education from Stanford University.  For further background info: click here

Please join me in prayer as Sister Dawson selects members of her General Council and begins her term as 17th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart.


To St. Madeleine Sophie

St. Madeleine Sophie, wonderfully chosen by God to make the Divine Heart of Jesus known and loved, and ever faithful to that apostolate, accept this day our confidence and prayers in proof of our allegiance. Guide us in the path of meekness and humility; set our hearts on fire with the zeal with which thine own was devoured; protect us, that we may deserve to see our names written in that most Sacred Heart, and to make in It our home for time and for eternity. 
Amen.


Sunday, July 31, 2016

Morning of Reflection to Celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola


"The Pilgrim"
Ignatius of Loyola
1491-1556

July 31 ~  Celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola via a Morning of Reflection organized by the Ignatius Volunteer Corps of Chicago is fast becoming my annual mid-summer treat to myself.  I so enjoyed the first retreat hosted last year at St. Ignatius College Prep that I looked forward to attending this year; the theme was "Pragmatic Mysticism: Ignatius Loyola and the God of Now" led by Fr. Pat McGrath, SJ.  During the break it was a pleasant surprise to run into fellow Sacred Heart alumna, Sr. Mary Bernstein, RSCJ who currently is working at Josephinum Academy.  On a sunny morning in July it was a pleasure to enter the gate of St. Ignatius College Prep and walk past the beautiful flowers into Tully Hall. To learn more about this great venue with its meaningful location and why I like it so much click here.   





Kudos to Christine Curran, Chicago Regional Director of IVC and Jackie Fitzgerald, Program Associate and their many helpers who once again organized a very successful and enjoyable morning followed by a delicious box lunch. 





Thursday, June 30, 2016

WISHING A VERY HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY TO MARTHA CURRY, RSCJ



June 30, 2016 ~  Today a very treasured friend, mentor, former English professor and fellow alumna of Barat College celebrates her 90th birthday.  Yes, it is true Sr. Martha Curry, RSCJ is celebrating her 90th birthday! This past Sunday many friends and family members gathered to kick off this milestone celebration with Martha and her fellow RSCJ community in Hyde Park.  What an enjoyable afternoon we all had as we reminiscent and paid tribute to her.  

For those who still wish to purchase a copy of Sr. Curry's book, BARAT COLLGE: A Legacy, A Spirit and A Name - click here for more info.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat ~ Feast Day Celebrated on May 25th

Sacred Heart Chapel Roehampton,England

"Let Love Be Your Life For All Eternity"

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat


The above statue of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat is located in the Sacred Heart Chapel in Roehampton, England.  The statue was donated by former pupils in 1925 after her canonization and  the buildings that were bombed are held in her hands.  

Friday, March 4, 2016

Sacred Heart Alums Take the Polar Plunge

MER with Sarah Burke at Carnivale Restaurant
attending a Legal Reception for Special Olympics

Sacred Heart Goal #3: "A Social Awareness which impels to action" 


I ran into Sarah Burke (Sacred Heart alumna of Woodlands Academy) and current board member of Special Children's Charities, Special Olympics Chicago at a Legal Reception for Special Olympics hosted on January 28th at the Carnivale Restaurant. I asked Sarah why she got involved in this particular charity and she responded: "I am involved in Special Olympics because I believe every one of us should have the opportunity to live full lives.  Special Olympics brings athletes together through athletic competition but friendship, joy and fun are the ultimate goals.  There is no better feeling than knowing that Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago support athletes and their families experience all that our City, State and World have to offer." 

This Sunday, March 6th, marks the 16th annual Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Chicago Special Olympics' sports programs and athletes.  The weather in Chicago promises to be a balmy 50 degrees.  There is still time to support this very worthwhile cause.  To learn how you too can make a difference by jumping into Lake Michigan and participating in the Chicago Polar Plunge - click here #MAKEASPLASH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHICAGO!

Previous Polar Plungers have included Sacred Heart alumna Lady Gaga (91st NY) as well as, Taylor Kinney, Vince Vaughn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jimmy Fallon.







Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Josephinum Annual Winter Lunch at Union League Club of Chicago


"Your example, even more than your words, 
will be an eloquent lesson to the world" 

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat (1779-1865)


To view additional photos click on the photo album link
(right column of my blog)
 


Alumnae from Josephinum Academy, various Sacred Heart Academies and Colleges, as well as, many of Chicago's finest civic and corporate leaders eagerly arrived to the Union League Club of Chicago on Tuesday, February 16th to attend Josephinum Academy's annual Winter Lunch. 

Supporting Scholarships for Exceptional Young Women 

Kudos to Co-Chairs: John and Ellen Engel & Kevin and Janice Lee, along with their stellar Host Committee: Michael and Cathy Brennan, Doug and Lee Ann Hoover, Ben and Maureen Kelly Ivory, Alan and Janet Lougee, John and Liz McEnaney, Rich McMenamin and Patty Mulvihill, Kenneth Venzant and Desiree Pepper-Venzant, R. Matthew and Jacque Simon, Robert and Jean Spence.

The highlight of the luncheon was Keynote Speaker, Elizabeth Hartigan Connelly, Sacred Heart alumna and former Board Chair of Sacred Heart Schools Chicago (her alma mater) who spoke eloquently on Women in Leadership.  

The student Keynote Speaker, Stefany Rendon, is a current senior at Josephinum Academy and member of the Peace Exchange. Stefany having applied to nine colleges plans to study sociology and was returning from a college visit when a delay at the airport prevented her from joining us in person.   As a member of the Peace Exchange, last summer Stefany traveled to Nicaragua exploring solutions for peace and nonviolence with community leaders and other student activists. 

Stefany was named an Illinois State Scholar this past December and is the president of Josephinum's National Honor Society.  She was also featured in the Allstate "Good Starts Young" film series about her involvement with the Peace Exchange.  While we were not able to personally meet Stefany we were treated to a clip of the "Good Starts Young" Chicago's Peacemaker film which premiered at the Aspen Ideas Festival





Josephinum Academy is an all-girls Catholic high school located in the heart of Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood.  It is one of twenty-four Network of Sacred Heart Schools located in the United States and Canada.  For 125 years, "the Jo" has been educating and empowering young women to become confident, faith-filled leaders.  Every day young women travel from 40 zip codes around the Chicagoland area to receive the quality education that prepares them for college and life after academia.  
  • Currently 88% of students receive additional financial aid and/or scholarship support
  • Josephinum will offer 60 scholarships (nearly $330,000) to the incoming Class of 2020
  • 100% of 2015 graduates were accepted to college and awarded $6.9 million in merit-based scholarships 


Save the Date: October 1, 2016 


Gala Co-Chairs: Celeste and Alan Denton & Maureen and Ron Sippel ask you to mark your calendars and plan to join them and Keynote Speaker: Archbishop Blasé Cupich in supporting Josephinum Academy at the Intercontinental Hotel for dinner and dancing on Saturday, October 1, 2016 




Friday, January 1, 2016

Prayer by Janet Erskine Stuart

Sacred Heart Chapel - Roehampton, England
October 11, 2014


PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR

"Heavenly Father, unseen Companion of our life, give us faith and eager expectancy as we begin this fresh stage of our journey.  Take from us all fear of the unknown and teach us to wrest treasures from the darkness.  As the days come and go, may we find that each of one is laden with happy opportunities and enriching experiences; and when this year is ended may our best hopes be more than ever fulfilled."

Janet Erskine Stuart RSCJ (1857-1914)
6th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart