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.

Remembering Sacred Heart Alumna Former Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne

Jane M. Byrne
(May 24, 1933 - November 14, 2014)

"The way to do much in a short time is to love much.  People will do great things if they are stirred with enthusiasm and love."

Janet Erskine Stuart RSCJ (1857-1914)

6th Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart

The above quote is taken from the perpetual spiral-bound calendar "The Life Lived" which celebrates the Centenary of Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ.

The above quote by Janet Erskine Stuart has me thinking of the funeral I attended for Barat College alumna and former Mayor Jane Byrne today. 

Margaret Jane Burke was the second of six children born to William P. and Katherine Nolan Burke. All four of their daughters (Jane, Carol, Mary Jill, and Donna) and daughter-in-law (Julie), would graduate from Barat College.  Additionally many of their grandchildren and great grandchildren are Sacred Heart alums.  

The story below describes my impressions of how the Sacred Heart education Jane Burke Byrne received, prepared her to be elected Mayor of Chicago in 1979, as well as, the similarities between Jane and Philippine Duchesne who was canonized in 1988. 

On November 17, 2014 Chicagoans lay to rest their first and only elected female mayor of this great city!  And, it was 35 years ago on November 18th (Feast of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne) that Carol Kleiman, reporter for the Chicago Tribune wrote:"Barat's Brightest they learned they could be anything - even the mayor".  While I was not aware at the time this article was published the significance of its date, I never forgot the story headline.  Earlier that spring I had volunteered to work in Jane Byrne's south-side campaign office located in the 18th ward.  Later in the fall of 1979, I transferred to Jane Byrne's alma mater Barat College. While Jane Byrne becoming mayor had nothing to do with my decision, the article that was written about her life and especially of the Sacred Heart education that she received at Barat College has stayed with me to this day.

According to the Tribune article the Barat College of the 1950's was considered "the school for Catholic women, especially those of Irish descent.  "It was known, even then, for telling women they could be anything they wanted to be. At the same time, Barat very traditionally emphasized the importance of being a good Catholic wife and mother." Janie Burke was a premedical student and in addition to taking the required courses in literature, art and music, she was required to take six biology courses to complete her major.  Dr. Janet Towne, a close personal friend of Jane's mother Katherine was her mentor and role model.  While the studies at Barat were rigorous, the RSCJ nuns did arrange for their girls to attend mixers at Notre Dame.  It was not uncommon for a busload of girls to head south to Notre Dame and perhaps meet a potential husband.  So while she graduated with a premed degree it was rather providential that on one of her many trips to Notre Dame during her junior year that Jane Burke met handsome William Byrne. 

Kleiman writes "much of the mood and atmosphere of Barat in the '50's was a reflection of the strong personality and intellectualism of Sister Margaret Burke...” Margaret Burke, rscj served as President of Barat College from 1954-1975 and while not a relative of Jane Burke the two women were friends during Jane's college years and beyond.  

"Jane Byrne was different. 'Jane was a pioneer, ' says Sister Burke. 'She had a foot in two worlds: She was interested in getting married one day, and at the same time she was premed, which was unusual for Barat.  I was all for her being a doctor. She was a libber in those days: The role of women then was to be intelligent and well-educated - but not to be carried away."

Thirty-five years later after attending Jane's funeral today and as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne on November 18^th, I see many similarities between these two women.  Both Jane Burke Byrne and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne were pioneers and trail blazers.   They would also be characterized as strong willed, tenacious, and determined.  While appearing tough as nails, they were both caring and loving women. Both women were small in stature, yet they had big ideas and certain circumstances impelled them into action.  Duchesne's desire was to come to the United States and teach the Indians. Upon taking office as Mayor, Byrne pledged in her Inaugural address "...to bringing a new renaissance of neighborhood life and community spirit, a renewal of confidence in the future of our city and a revival of opportunity for all Chicago."    

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was hosted in St. Vincent De Paul church where Jane's grandparents worshiped decade’s prior. Monsignor Kenneth Velo gave the homily, which was spot on. Velo stated that Jane Byrne "loved Chicago and was proud to have served as its mayor".

Mayor Rahm Emanuel thanked Jane's daughter and Sacred Heart alumna, Kathy Byrne for "sharing your mother with us." He continued his remarks by saying that "we are a better city today because of her life, one devoted to serving and strengthening the city that we all love."  Emanuel went on to say that Jane Byrne should be recognized for the many steps she took to improve our city.  He emphasized how grateful we should be to Jane Byrne for her dogged and determined optimism.  Emanuel said Byrne blazed a new trail for our city and was the first mayor to: "formerly recognize the city's gay community and march in the pride parade; sign an ordinance to get hand guns off the city streets; started the Taste of Chicago, envisioned the Museum campus, and began the revitalization of Navy Pier."

Grandson Willie, alumnus of Hardey Prep recited a favorite quote of his grandmother by Robert F. Kennedy. 

Kathy Byrne summed up the spectacular life of her 81 year old mother in her words of remembrance. She stated throughout her mother's life she would be described as having  "tenacity, confidence and a delightful sense of fun" in whatever she did and when there was a real problem her mother was a "dragon slaying, problem solving, 24/7 guardian angel". Kathy concluded her remarks by saying that her mother "loved every minute as Mayor, she loved and knew this city and knew its people as no one ever has and she was privileged every day to serve it.  Even more than the city, my mother loved her family...she loved each one of us uniquely and she loved each one of us loyally."  

When the mass concluded Byrne's casket left the church as it entered it: draped with a flag of the City of Chicago. The Bagpipes & Drums of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police Department in single digit temperatures preformed beautifully.  It was awesome to see the street filled with the many Chicagoans that loved Jane standing in the freezing cold as the wind blew the orange colored funeral flags on each of the cars lined up for her funeral procession to Calvary cemetery. The funeral procession took a detour south into the loop and past City Hall and then past her former residence on Chestnut Street before heading up north to Evanston.  Just as we arrived at Calvary cemetery, snow began to fall softly.  Monsignor Velo asked the family and friends gathered to huddle together as he gave a final blessing and we all recited The Lord's Prayer.  Yes, our dear, demure, feisty, tenacious, lovable, former Mayor Janie Byrne was laid to rest today!

She has left an indelible mark on the city ... One Chicago = Jane M. Byrne = Cor Unum

Sources: 
Barat's Brightest by Carol Kleiman -  Chicago Tribune (1963 - Current file); Nov 18, 1979
Mayor Jane Byrne Inaugural Address, 1979 - Chicago Pubic Library

A poem by Louise Imogen Guiney - "John Brown: A Paradox"

Louise Imogen Guiney
(1861-1920)
Alumna of Sacred Heart 

John Brown: A Paradox

BY LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY

Compassionate eyes had our brave John Brown,

And a craggy stern forehead, a militant frown;

He, the storm-bow of peace. Give him volley on volley,

The fool who redeemed us once of our folly,

And the smiter that healed us, our right John Brown!

Too vehement, verily, was John Brown!

For waiting is statesmanlike; his the renown

Of the holy rash arm, the equipper and starter

Of freedmen; aye, call him fanatic and martyr:

He can carry both halos, our plain John Brown.

A scandalous stumbling-block was John Brown,

And a jeer; but ah! soon from the terrified town,

In his bleeding track made over hilltop and hollow,

Wise armies and councils were eager to follow,

And the children’s lips chanted our lost John Brown.

Star-led for us, stumbled and groped John Brown,

Star-led, in the awful morasses to drown;

And the trumpet that rang for a nation’s upheaval,

From the thought that was just, thro’ the deed that was evil,

Was blown with the breath of this dumb John Brown!

Bared heads and a pledge unto mad John Brown!

Now the curse is allayed, now the dragon is down,

Now we see, clear enough, looking back at the onset,

Christianity’s flood-tide and Chivalry’s sunset

In the old broken heart of our hanged John Brown!

Source: She Wields a Pen: American Women Poets of the Nineteenth Century (University of Iowa Press, 1997)

Sacred Heart Alumna Virginia Bueide Awarded a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant

Virginia Randolph Bueide
Barat College 1960

Virginia Randolph Bueide, an alumna of Barat College majored in Fine Arts and graduated with Art Honors in 1960.  Her love of art began as a teenage portrait painter and after graduation from Barat College she had studios on both the east and west coast. Her various travels especially to Italy and France inspire her. 

Currently Bueide resides in Minnesota and having had a long, successful art career was recently named recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant for 2014-15. Bueide is the only Minnesota artist to receive the award this year, and the first since 2011.  Below is the press release with details.

Farmers Market (40x60) acrylic on canvas 2011
Click here to learn more about artist Virginia Randolph Bueide and her artwork 

Minnesota painter Virginia Bueide awarded a Pollock-Krasner Foundation grant

The Pollock-Krasner Foundation's mission is to recognize and award those individuals who have worked as professional artists over a significant period of time. Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has awarded over $58 million dollars to artists in 75 countries. It allows recipients to concentrate time for studio work, and prepare for exhibitions, purchase materials, document work, and otherwise build their artistic practice.

Bueide has been a Minneapolis-based painter for six decades. She’s since exhibited nearly everywhere you can in the region – the Walker Art Center (where she was selected for a group exhibition by none other than Donald Judd), the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Plains Art Museum, the Duluth Art Institute, and, most recently, at the Minnesota Museum of American Art as part of their acclaimed Studio Sessions exhibition in 2013. This is not to mention the dozens of galleries, universities and project spaces where her work has also been shown, in one-woman and group exhibitions – Suzanne Kohn Gallery, Grand Hand Gallery, the Kilbride-Bradley Gallery, and the galleries of St. Thomas and St. Catherine colleges. She’s also had studios in New York City, Los Angeles, and Texas, and her paintings, prints and drawings are included in museum, corporate, and numerous private collections throughout the United States and Europe. In her professional journeys, she’s encountered everyone from New York Times critic Hilton Kramer, who singled her out for merit in an MIA show when she was scarcely out of college, to Minnesota painter George Morrison, a good friend and colleague for many decades. Of her work, Morrison once said, she “paints from the inside out.”

Her paintings have portrayed the physical landscape with a keen eye for detail, sensitive brushwork, and a wry sense of humor – everything from farmer’s markets, swimming pools, lakes, farms, and kitchens to barnyards, skating rinks, city scenes, and gardens. These landscapes are sometimes peaceful and still, and sometimes energized by the presence of all sorts of creatures: curious chickens, busy children, errant flocks of sheep, and the occasional self-portrait.

Bueide will be using the funding to create new work, as well as catalog and document her earlier works. The Foundation recognized the “exceptional quality” of her work as well as the “extent of [her] artistic achievement,” and this funding will give her a chance to create this remarkable body of work into the future. 

For further info: Contact, Andy Sturdevant, 651-503-6456

Lady Gaga and The Muppets 2013 Thanksgiving Special Will Air on ABC

Sacred Heart Alumna Lady Gaga with Kermit the Frog sing a duet

I'm looking forward to watching Sacred Heart Alumna and Born This Way Foundation Founder, Lady Gaga as she and the Muppets team up for her second holiday special.  Lady Gaga and the Muppets' Holiday Spectacular will air on Thanksgiving night (Thursday, November 28) at 9:30 pm EST on ABC.  

Sacred Heart alums may remember in 2011,  Lady Gaga hosted her first holiday special on ABC, A Very Gaga Thanksgiving was partially filmed at her alma mater, Convent of the Sacred Heart in New York.  

The Ladies of the View featured a sneak preview.

Sacred Heart Alumna, Mary Foster Celebrates 100 years!

Mary Catherine Schmitz Foster, HI '31 attending the annual Sacred Heart Reunion in 2005

August 20, 2013 is a special day for Sacred Heart alumna Mary Catherine Schmitz Foster. Mary is celebrating her 100th birthday!  I had the pleasure of meeting Mary at the Convent of the Sacred Heart (St. Joseph, MO) annual reunion.  The school known to most as "Hilltop" closed in 1960 but the spirit of the alums is very strong.  Every year on or around the Feast of Mater (October 20th) the girls from the "Hilltop" gather together for lunch and mass.  I have had the pleasure of attending a few of the luncheons and still enjoy hearing from and seeing alums from the Hilltop.  Thanks to Joyce Sherman Comfort, HI'48 for keeping us in the know on this newsworthy event in Mary's life! To view more photos taken at the 2005 Reunion just click on the photo to the right of the blog or click here to view.

This past Sunday, the News-Press featured a story about Mary turning 100 and how she would celebrate her special day!  Click here to read the news article.  

Mary, may you have a very happy 100th birthday celebration with your family and friends!  

Sacred Heart Alumna Wins Fiction Contest with Theatrical Mystery Novel

Elizabeth McCormick Ireland, BC'73

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Barat Alumna Wins Fiction Contest with Theatrical Mystery Novel and Incorporates Theatrical Experience in Novel Series

Barat alumna and former faculty member Elizabeth (McCormick) Ireland’s first mystery novel, Death Takes Center Stage won the 2012 fiction contest sponsored by Atlanta publisher BookLogix.  The winner was announced last fall at the Decatur Book Festival, the country’s largest independent book festival. 

Death Takes Center Stage combines mystery, strong characters and historical events to create a definite page turner – the perfect summer read.  Written as a memoir of 19^th century actress and amateur sleuth, Lillian Nolan, who foregoes her upper class Chicago upbringing for a life in the theater, it chronicles her career and adventures from the point of view of her personal and professional life.  The book tells the story of the death of the great tragedienne, Irene Davenport who is murdered onstage during the opening night of one of the greatest and haunting plays by Shakespeare.

“I’ve always had a passion for American theater history and wanted to blend that with my favorite type of fiction.  Since I grew up outside of Chicago and the vibrant theatrical world there, it was a natural blend of elements,” said the author Elizabeth Ireland, a former associate professor of theater at Barat in the Theater and Dance Department.

The first in the Backstage Mystery series, Lillian investigates crimes in the theatrical world of the 19^th century through the help and hindrance of her clairvoyant abilities. “Because so many died during the Civil War, many families wanted to make contact with their loved ones; giving rise to an interest in bridging the veil between life and death and spawning the Golden Age of Spiritualism.  I wanted to include that element as well in the book so I gave Lillian some intuitive abilities,” said Ms. Ireland.

About Elizabeth Ireland:  Author, screenwriter and ghostwriter, Elizabeth Ireland is an alumna and former professor of theater at Barat College where she taught for ten years.  Her career continued at The Disney Channel where she worked in the Atlanta and Burbank, CA offices.   Her nonfiction work, Women of Vision: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Lives, was published in 2008. Her work has also been published in a collection of paranormal short stories, Paramourtal: Tales of Undying Love and Loving the Undead.  She has also written screenplays, two of which have been optioned.  Her screenplays have been quarter-finalist and semi-finalists for the Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowship in screenwriting sponsored by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  She lives in metro Atlanta with her ever-patient husband, an amazing teen-aged daughter, and two quirky dachshunds.

For further info about the author and book signing events - click here.

Sacred Heart Alumna President Park of South Korea Addresses Joint Meeting of Congress

Sacred Heart Alumna Park Geun-hye
South Korea's First Woman President

Sacred Heart alumna and recently elected President Park Geun-Hye of South Korea was in Washington, D.C. this week and addressed a Joint Meeting of Congress on May 7, 2013 after a summit meeting with President Obama.

Park Geun-Hye was elected president of the Republic of Korea on Dec. 19 2012. She is the first woman president in the history of Korea. Park attended middle school from 1965 to 1967 and continued on to high school graduating in 1970. She is remembered by fellow classmates as academically outstanding, frugal and compassionate. President of KASH (South Korea Alumni of the Sacred Heart), Young-Soon Change sent the following news to AMASC.  "Throughout the presidential campaign, the alumni created a strong bond. Everyday groups were formed to travel to different cities campaigning from morning till midnight. Although our graduates are small in numbers compared to other schools, we realized the influence of one graduate was enormous. We became confident our Sacred Heart education will bring about change in our society.  KASH organized a lecture twice a year to increase participation in various activities among college and high school graduates. The subject of the lecture was opera. This became very popular last year and many requested it again. This year we will invite a famous expert on the lecture subject. The alumni living abroad have formed an organization in various countries. They send news of their activities to Korea. Through this, we are planning to make an effort to find and contact more alumnae. As always, we are seeking ways to make our younger alumni participate."

The AMASC XV World Congress will be hosted in Scottsdale, Arizona from November 6-9, 2014, the theme for the Congress: 'Listening with One Heart'.  For further info on the AMASC XV Congress click here.

Sacred Heart Alumna Author - NEWORK: WorkLife. Transition. Balance. by Katherine Kammer, RA'65

Katherine Kammer,  RA'65 ~ Blog and More Info

Whether you are a young alum about to graduate, in a transition, or interested in a promotion you will find Kit Kammer's book NEWORK: WorkLIfe ~ Transition ~ Balance  very helpful.  She provides the tools, tips and techniques required for making a career transition in the 21st century.

Katherine (Kit) N. Kammer, MSA, CMF, is an international leadership, team and career coach, author, and speaker. Kit is an alumna of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans (The Rosary). For more than 20 years she has helped thousands of individuals realize their performance potential and achieve their dream jobs. Kit has been featured on television, radio, and in newspaper articles. In 1993, she founded Kammer and Associates, Inc., a boutique consulting firm based in Atlanta. Kit served as past president of the Atlanta Chapter, Association of Career Professionals International. She believes in service to her community and profession, is a lyric soprano and a laughter club leader.

For further info on Katherine Kammer and her recently published book - click here.

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 Congé – 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