AASH End of Fiscal Year Appeal

Dear Sacred Heart Alumnae and Alumni,

Last month in Omaha we celebrated the 80th Anniversary of AASH at the 39th Biennial Conference.  The conference theme Celebrating our Legacy in the Heartland was aptly presented with an array of activities and speakers that left us feeling intellectually and spiritually fulfilled.  Eighty years is truly a milestone in our history of uniting alumnae and alumni in “federation, spirit and service.”  In the past your generous support has helped us to remain connected and to grow this wonderful organization.   I am writing to ask for your support as our fiscal year ends May 31st.  All gifts will be recognized in the summer issue of Esprit de Coeur, which will highlight the 39th Biennial Conference hosted inOmaha. 

Please know that your contribution allows us to meet our commitment to alumnae and alumni throughout the nation.  That commitment includes networking through our national website and our publication, Esprit de Coeur, and assisting alumnae and alumni associations around the country.  Your gift also enables us to continue our support of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the very important ministries of the Religious of the Sacred Heart.

We count on your financial support to help us stay financially strong and continue to improve the services we offer as an association so that we will flourish for the next 80 years.  I’d like to suggest that in honor of this momentous and special anniversary year, please consider a gift to AASH, either in honor or memory of a loved one: someone you wish to recognize, to show your appreciation and gratitude – a parent, a friend, a sibling, RSCJ, or mentor.

This month is special in many ways as we mark the end of our fiscal year, celebrate Mother’s Day, the Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, and welcome graduates from twenty-two Sacred Heart schools throughout the United States as the newest members of AASH.  The tribute video Sacred Heart: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and RSCJ is a photo compilation of Sacred Heart Alums, as well as, the many RSCJ who taught us. The video is meant to pay homage to these wonderful woman and St. Madeleine Sophie Barat foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart.

Please know that AASH is grateful for your gift in any amount. You can save time and postage by donating online now (click here) - our website www.aashnet.org.  You will notice a matching gift tab listing thousands of companies that will double or even triple your gift!  If you prefer to send a check, make it payable to "AASH" and mail to: AASH National Office, 801 S. Spoede Road, St. Louis, MO 63131. 

On behalf of the AASH 2011-2013 Board of Directors, I thank you for your support!

Warm regards in the Heart,

     Maureen Elizabeth

Maureen Elizabeth Ryan

AASH President 2011-2013

Enjoy the You Tube Video - Sacred Heart: Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and RSCJ

And the video Legacy in the Heartland... shown at the 39th Biennial AASH Conference in Omaha can be viewed if you click here.

Johnny's Cafe ...Omaha's Original Steakhouse Since 1922

MER with Kari Kawa Harding A85

If you plan on attending the 39th AASH Biennial Conference in Omaha this week and your in the mood for some great food - I recommend Johnny's Cafe.  Johnny's Cafe has been around since 1922 and is known as Omaha's Original Steakhouse. Located at 4702 S. 27th Street - Call for reservations 402-731-4774.

Frank Kawa opened Johnny's Cafe in 1922 and his two sons took over the daily operation after he passed away  in the 1960's.  In the 1990's, Kari Kawa Harding and Sally Kawa both alumnae of Duchesne Academy in Omaha joined the restaurant as the third generation to run Johnny's Cafe. My dining experience was exceptional!  What I liked best was the delicious and complementary liver pate and cottage cheese spread; the classic cocktails and delicious steak with mushroom wine sauce.  And if you are in the mood for dessert try the Ice Cream Turtle Pie! 

Lenten Reflections by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Artwork and Reflection by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

Let us make room for God

during this Lenten Season

by choosing not to do some things (Fasting) and

choosing to do other things (Feasting) 

Fast from harsh or mean words

Feast on words that encourage and support others

Fast from anger,

Feast on patience

Fast from worry,

Feast on God's love and care

Fast from sadness and depression,

Feast on joy and peace of mind

Fast from complaining

Feast on appreciation and gratitude

Fast from bitterness

Feast on forgiveness

Fast from resentment

Feast on acceptance

Fast from jealousy,

Feast on being oneself

Fast from self-centeredness

Feast on compassion for others

Fast from excess

Feast on moderation

Fast from acquiring

Feast on generosity

Fast from apathy

Feast on caring

Fast from discouragement,

Feast on hope

Fast from judging others

Feast on finding Christ in them

The above reflection by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ can be found on Looking Out My Window.  Sr. Bearss is Head of School at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, MI and will be speaking at the 39th AASH Biennial Conference being hosted in Omaha, NE on April 12, 2013. 

AASH - Esprit de Coeur Winter 2013 Call to Conference Issue

Esprit de Coeur Magazine - PDF copy

More about the cover of the Winter 2013 / Call to Conference issue below.

PRESIDENTS of alumnae chapters of Sacred Heart colleges and academies,
attending meetings  of the Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart in 1933.

Pictured above from left to right: Back Row - Miss Elizabeth Herberman, New York City; Mrs. Austin King, Rochester, N.Y., Mrs. Vincent Carroll, Philadelphia, PA., Miss Elvira Mejia of San Francisco. 
Second row - Mrs. E. P. Hammond, Grosse Pointe, MI.; Mrs. George Reardon, Kenwood, Albany, N.Y.; Mrs. John B. Bremner, Chicago and Lake Forest, IL.; Mrs. Geoffrey Kimball, City House, St. Louis. 
Third Row - Mrs. Frank L. Markey, Manhattanville, N.Y.; Miss Alice Maginis, Boston, Mass.;  Mrs. Walter Keenan, The Rosary, New Orleans, LA.; Miss Margaret La Farge, Norotan, CN.; Mrs. C. S. Tuttle, Sacred Heart St. Charles, MO.
Front Row -  Miss Anita Mulgrew, New York City; Miss Marjorie Gauen, Villa Duchesne, St. Louis; Mrs. George S. McLaughlin, Providence, R.I.; Mrs. L.F. Crofoot, Omaha; Mrs. Walter Ibold, Clifton College, Cincinnati.

Dear Alums…

This issue of Esprit de Coeur has details of the upcoming 39^th Biennial Call to Conference being hosted in Omaha April 10-14.  Suzy Kratochvil, Conference Chair and her committee, as well as the alumnae and current students, faculty, staff and administrators of Duchesne Academy are eager to welcome you to their beautiful school.  Duchesne has just completed a state of the art five-story addition connected to the original building built in 1881. And, since we are celebrating our 80^th year anniversary, it is most fitting that this issue is filled with many stories of Duchesne alumnae  - past and present – to help bring our history alive, as we Celebrate our Legacy in the Heartland.  And speaking of Legacy, read about the heartwarming generosity of Shelagh Mary O’Dwyer, Point Grey ’38 on page 13.

About the cover, it was in 1933 the Very Reverend Mother Manuela Vicente, Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart when solicited for a little word about the first reunion, sent the motto “Pietas, Caritas, Magnanimitas”.   And during the initial meeting, the Very Reverend Robert S. Johnston, S.J., President of St. Louis University gave the opening address. In part he stated; “When we inspect the programme to learn the subjects of the “Papers” for this convention, we find that the titles are “Federation,” “Spirit,” “Service.” The mere choice of subjects so appropriate and so vital seems in itself a guarantee of the success of the Convention.  And their initial letters, F S S, offer at least a passing suggestion of a holy phrase, - “F.SS.,” “Filiae Sacratissimi,” “Daughters of the Most Sacred.” 

After the first meeting was hosted, AASH president Sara Chambers Polk wrote to Mother Mary Reid stating, “We think it is of vital importance for the success of our undertaking that each individual member be made to realize that she is an integral part of the Association, a link in the chain, and we can only be strong as our links are strong.”

We count on your financial support to help us stay financially strong and continue to improve the services we offer as an association so that we will flourish for the next 80 years.   I’d like to suggest that in honor of this momentous and special anniversary year, please consider a gift to AASH either in honor or memory of a loved one –someone you wish to recognize and show your appreciation  and gratitude - perhaps a parent, a friend, a sibling, RSCJ, mentor. Remember to check out our website for the list of corporations with Matching Gift Programs. Your dollars may be doubled or tripled, so check it out.

A very special note of gratitude to the following:

·       Beth Lowry Speck, AASH Past President and Nominating Chair along with her committee for putting together a very talented slate of nominees for the next biennium. 

·       Patricia Kolojeski, Cor Unum Chair and her committee for the stellar selection of award recipients. 

·       To the Estate and Friends of Shelagh Mary O’Dwyer, who made a Legacy Gift of $95,000.

·      And last, but not least, to the many alums who, at the end of the year, so generously responded to our annual appeal.

In this issue you will note that a very special award was created this year - the Janet Erskine Stuart Spirit Award recognizes individuals who through their work continue to strengthen the spiritual and educational mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  A reminder that the Society of the Sacred Heart will host their 5^th Spirituality Forum, Janet Erskine Stuart: Spirituality and Education for the 21^st Century, will be held July 10-14, 2013 at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, CA.  Details and a link to register can be found on the AASH website.

I look forward to seeing you in Omaha!

To continue reading more about the history of AASH and its first meeting in 1933 visit my blog often, subscribe (upper right hand corner) or follow me on twitter - click here

Don't Forget Daylight Savings Time Ends at 2 AM

Sunday, November 4th at 2 am Daylight Saving time ends

Just a friendly reminder to set your clocks back one hour this Sunday. And, don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors! Daylight Saving Time was born of necessity during World War I and II. Going to bed hours after sundown, people relied upon artificially generated light, depleting fuel reserves. Germany realized that this precious commodity could better be used to serve the war effort, and instituted the first daylight saving laws in 1915. England followed suit in 1916, and the United States, in 1918. We will spring forward on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 2 AM. One month (April 10-14, 2013) later I hope to see you in Omaha at the 39th Biennial AASH Conference!  For more info click here.

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

Photo taken by MER in the gymnasium of
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart ~ Omaha, Nebraska
Site of the 39th AASH Biennial Conference ~ April 10-14, 2013

August 13, 1833 ~  Philippine writes to her sister Euphrosine, "I thank God for having disposed of all things by His adorable Providence so that you and your husband can spend your days in peace and happiness.  Adieu, dearest Sister.  My love to all your dear ones, especially to your husband. The love of my heart for you will never grow cold."

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

New look to their Website.....Academy of Duchesne - Omaha, NE

Duchesne Academy - Omaha, Nebraska

Last Saturday, some of you will recall I did not post anything and that is because I was busying trying to add all of the Alumnae/i Association sites and more Sacred Heart Alum book authors to my blog.  As I did this I discovered that Duchesne Academy in Omaha, NE has a new look to their website.  Also, you will read news of their Capital Campaign Groundbreaking.  Check it out!  

While in Omaha last June, I had the pleasure of attending some of the Reunion weekend (June 3-5, 2011) events seeing many familiar faces from both Duchesne College and Duchesne Academy.  Photos taken at the Wine & Cheese reception on Friday, June 3rd have been posted to a flickr album.  To view them click on the photo to the right side of this blog and enjoy the sideshow!

Mark your calendars and plan on attending the 39th AASH Biennial Conference being hosted in Omaha April 10-14, 2013!  The campus will be completely transformed and all of the alumnae in the area are looking forward to hosting us!