Lady Gaga and Oprah - Launch the Born This Way Foundation at Harvard University's Sanders Theatre

From Cynthia Germanotta

Hi Maureen, I'm here at Harvard University's Sanders Theatre with my daughter, Lady Gaga, and Oprah. We're getting ready to take the stage to officially unveil the Born This Way Foundation. Remember, you can take part by watching the official live stream on our brand-new website. We're kicking things off at 4:00 p.m. EST: Click here to watch

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

February 27, 1820 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "I have just received a letter from you well calculated to rejoice a heart as sensitive to affection as mine is.  My heart suffers in knowing you are so isolated at the country home.  May you find peace for your heart and solace for your soul! These graces often make for happiness in the midst of suffering."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Sacred Heart Alums gather in Naples, Florida

February 25, 2012 ~  What a beautiful day it was in Naples, Florida where sixty-four Sacred Heart alums gathered for lunch and fellowship.  The venue was the Imperial Golf Club, which has now become an annual gathering spot for alums living and traveling to the Southwest part of Florida. After luncheon expenses are paid all extra monies will be sent to the Society of the Sacred Heart for the RSCJ retirement fund.  

The day started at 11:30 am and for about thirty or so minutes everyone enjoyed time to socialize and meet. A delicious lunch was served and then as we were enjoying our desert a microphone was passed from table to table so that all in the room could introduce themselves and give a brief history of the schools they attended and what they were doing now. The attendees included a very diverse group of women and one very comfortable man! Many spoke of their current jobs or what types of volunteer activities are keeping them busy. A few proudly mentioned having grandchildren in a Sacred Heart school. One alum who graduated from our school in Dublin said that her grandchildren will be the 5th generation in her family to receive a Sacred Heart education! The youngest alum in the room was a 2008 graduate of Bloomfield Hills with a passion for baking.  And, the lone man in attendance was Michael Dougherty, Head of Josephinum Academy (Chicago, IL), the newest member of our Network of Sacred Heart Schools in the United States.  

Co-chairs Carla Grieve and Lynn Shunk are to be congratulated for organizing this luncheon every year and told us to mark our calendars for February 23, 2013.  I plan to be there and hope to see you too!

   

Society of the Sacred Heart Spiritual Journey

Ash Wednesday 2012 ~  Today I am sharing news from Rome and Paula Toner, RSCJ and the US Provincial Team

Society of the Sacred Heart 

JPIC Spiritual Journey 

From Lent to Pentecost

artwork by Noëlle Favet, RSCJ   

Reflecting on the Constitutions: 

Through the Lens of 

Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation

Dear Sisters, associates, collaborators, alumnae/i  and friends,

The Society of the Sacred Heart throughout the world and our extended Sacred Heart family are embarking in February 2012 on a journey together “into the deep.” It is a spiritual journey into something that is at the heart of our charism, our congregation’s gift from the Holy Spirit: the call to justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

The purpose and flow of this process are explained in the attached letter (also below) and will be further elucidated in the materials (see below) that are being prepared. In the near future, there will be a member of the province appointed as the contact person for all of us in the United States to facilitate our networking and sharing and our contact with the international Society. We welcome you to participate and look forward to the new life that will come to us all as we share in our charism and mission in this new adventure.

With love and prayer,

Paula Toner, RSCJ, and the Provincial Team

Society of the Sacred Heart Spiritual Journey - website (click here)

Click here to read the letter from our Superior General in Rome, Sr. Kahtleen Conan, RSCJ 

To download a copy of the materials (booklet) click here

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

As seen in the Shrine at St. Charles, MO

February 17, 1839 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Barat, "He warned us that this would mean carrying His Cross, but He also promises endless happiness in return for our struggles and sufferings.  We can always live in His friendship if we accept His conditions.  I am often troubled at the prospect of a useless and infirm old age, but I am not there yet, for the lack of hired servants leaves me plenty to do."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Barbara Dawson, RSCJ, US Provincial-elect names Provincial Team

 Barbara Dawson, RSCJ
US Provincial-elect

Today I received a letter from Barbara Dawson, RSCJ, US Provincial-elect announcing members of her Provincial Team.


Below is a copy of her letter - 


                                                                                                                              February 16, 2012



Dear Friends and Colleagues within the Sacred Heart family, 

I am happy to share with you that I have named a Provincial Team. Sisters Sheila Hammond, Diana Wall and Meg Causey have agreed to join me on our new provincial leadership team that will take office on August 1, 2012. I have also asked Sister Melanie Guste to serve as the Director of Planning with specific responsibility to oversee our planning work with the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and the Sacred Heart Commission on the Goals and Criteria (SHCOG) as well as oversight for strategic planning for the province as a whole.

I thought it might be helpful for you to know a little about our new leadership team. 

Sheila Hammond is currently the Director of Pastoral Care at Saint Louis University Hospital. Prior to this, Sheila has been Director of Chaplaincy Services at Mass General Hospital in Boston, Director of Formation for the US Province and a member of the provincial team under the leadership of Sister Kathleen Hughes. Sheila is a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor and her graduate degree is in Theology. 

Diana Wall is currently Director of Institutional Advancement at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Seattle. Diana has worked at the Rosary in New Orleans in Development and oversaw a great deal of our provincial work in eldercare in Albany, New York. Diana worked for a number of years in business management prior to entering the Society. Diana has a degree in nursing as well as an MBA. 

Meg Causey is on the current provincial team with Sister Paula Toner. Prior to this service she worked in administration and curriculum at Bloomfield Hills, started the Duchesne Center at Manhattanville College and has taught ethics and theology. Meg has extensive experience in Network Schools and was head of Oak Hill School at Villa Duchesne for several years prior to entering the Society. Meg has a PhD in theology. 

Melanie Guste is on the current provincial team. Melanie has extensive experience in planning, both within the province as well as with various organizations primarily in Louisiana. She is currently the team's liaison with SHCOG and has served on the Institutional Task Force that has been reviewing planning and structural issues of the Network in relationship to the province. Melanie has her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems and Master's degrees in Educational Administration/Supervision and Applied Spirituality. 

I look forward to meeting with you and working with you to further the Society's mission and charism in our country and beyond.  These are exciting times. While there are many challenges in our church and in our world, these same challenges give us the opportunity to renew our commitment to the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie and to search together for new ways to show forth the love of God in a world that longs for God and hungers for meaning.

This brings a promise of prayer for you and for your family,

Barbara Dawson RSCJ

Provincial-elect

To her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin

Windows from the Thabor Wing of Barat College, Lake Forest, IL
circa 2007

February 16, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her cousin Josephine, "We are perfectly happy here at St. Charles, for we have found the Cross, which we expected.  But since the truest crosses are those we do not choose ourselves, God has prepared for us many unexpected trials." 

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

September 1945 - Sacred Heart Lake Forest, IL

February 15, 1819 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to Mother Barat, " If our Sisters in France imagine us surrounded by savages, they are quite mistaken.  I have seen only a few old ones . . .  But to compensate for our disappointment we have new employments: we dig in the garden, water the cow, clean out her little stable, carry away manure - and we do all this with as much joy as we would have if we were teaching Indians, for God wills it this way."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

Saint Valentines Day

Artwork by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ and Head of School at the
Academy Sacred Heart Bloomfield Hills

Let Love Live...

"In the end, there are three things that last... faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love" 

                                                                                                                                  -1 Corinthians 13:13

Originally on this day we honored early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. By 1969 Pope Paul VI  had this holiday deleted from the General Roman Calendar.  Now, due to all the commercialization, cards, candy, flowers and perhaps a romantic dinner is on the agenda for today.  Some relish this holiday and others may dread it.  I suggest we embrace it and take time today to remind those that we love how grateful and appreciative we are that they are in our lives. 

I am grateful for all of the RSCJ and especially for Sr. Bridget Bearss, RSCJ whose artwork and blog I drew inspiration from.  To read Sr. Bearss' blog "Looking Out My Window" and her reflections on today and the upcoming Lenten season - click here.

L'Esprit de Sacre Coeur 2012 hosted at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago

Photo highlights from L'Esprit de Sacre Coeur 2012

What a fabulous evening as parents of students from Sacred Heart Schools Chicago, alums, friends and RSCJ gathered together for L'Esprit de Sacre Coeur 2012 - the most important fundraising event of the year hosted once again at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.

This annual benefit is sponsored by Parents of the Heart, Sacred Heart's parent organization.  The evening includes both a live and silent auction, a scrumptious dinner and dancing.  

Sr. Donna Collins, RSCJ and former Principal from 1996-2003 at Josephinum Academy gave the blessing before dinner.  SRAA Board Officers on hand this evening were: President, Kwaben Komai, A'83 and President Elect, Joey Yao, H'86

The best part of the evening is the presentation of the Schools' prestigious Goal Award.  

Goal 2: a deep respect for intellectual values

This year's recipient was Josephine Lee, President and Artistic Director of the Chicago Children's Choir.

Josephine Lee in the Middle School Art room
Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road

All proceeds directly benefit the unrestricted annual operating needs of the Academy and Hardey Prep. Kudos go out to the many organizers who made the evening possible especially the CO-CHAIRS: Andrea Garber, Mary Beth Hopp and Colleen Mygatt. 

Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools since 2009 was delighted that Gerald J. Grossman, Head at Woodlands Academy and Michael Dougherty, President of Josephinum Academy (the newest member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools) were able to attend the L'Esprit benefit.  All three men trace their Sacred Heart connection to California where they worked with each other at our Sacred Heart School in San Francisco.

A truly special evening! And, believe it or not next week the Parents of the Heart will start planning for next year!

Josephinum Academy hosts 3rd Annual Winter Luncheon at the Woman's Athletic Club

Attendees at the Woman's Athletic Club ~ Chicago, IL

Earlier today, Sacred Heart Alums and Friends of the Jo (Josephinum Academy) gathered for the 3rd Annual Winter Luncheon hosted at the Woman's Athletic Club.  Sanay, a sophmore at the school thanked the attendees for helping her to achieve her goal of an education in the U.S. 

Josephinum Academy is the newest member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools and is located at 1501 North Oakley Boulevard, Chicago, IL

UPDATE on Barat College property and Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

Barat College campus circa 1995

To read the full story as printed in the Lake Forester, Trib and Patch  -click on the links below

Woodlands master plan required for Barat property Lake Forester “Without that, no activities will occur on the Barat property. ... the Woodlands Academy Campus may only be redeveloped as residential.

Woodlands school gets tentative OK to expand onto Barat property TribLocal Barat College's property owners, who purchased it in December, want to raze Old Main, located at 700 Westleigh Road, before donating it to Woodlands, ...

City Council Approves First Reading of Barat, Woodlands Land Merger Patch.com Second reading on the Woodlands Academy-Barat College project is to be presented at the Feb. 21 City Council meeting.

Adult Moral and Faith Devlopment in Everyday Life: How Do We Make A Decision?

M. Margaret "Peg" McDonnell, RSCJ

Adult Moral and Faith Development in Everyday Life: How Do We Make A Decision?

Facilitator: M. Margaret McDonnell, RSCJ Harvard educated Sr. Peggy McDonnell is a Religious of the Sacred Heart, nurse practitioner and ethicist. She has worked in acute care, long-term care and primary care as both clinician and ethicist. She has worked with hospital systems, also in urban settings and in migrant health. Her recent ethics experience has been outside of the traditional healthcare institution as Founder/Director of The Center for Ethics and Advocacy in Healthcare. In this capacity she has been free to develop non-traditional approaches to meeting the needs that surface in the "gap" between the healthcare institution and the neighborhood.  See www.healthcareethics.org Dates:   Saturday, February 18, 2012               Saturday, March 3, 2012               Saturday, March 24, 2012               Saturday, March 31, 2012               Saturday, April 14, 2012

(Please note these are not consecutive Saturdays.) Times:  9:30 am - 12:00 (Must have minimum of 10 people) Tuition: $180 per person, which will include all seminars and Reading Materials - due by Feburary 10, 2012 Register by: Friday, February 10th, 2012 Description: The course focuses on the applied aspects of one's faith and moral development, not the theoretical aspects. The ideas explored during the course will identify: What do my faith and spirituality (These intersect but are not the same) have to do with my moral development? What do my faith and spirituality tell me about how I understand right and wrong in a particular situation? Spirituality has to do with my lived faith and my relationship to God deeply within. We do not always think about the fact that we are developing NOW in the areas of faith, spirituality and morality. Sometimes these are in sync and sometimes not. The course will offer the opportunity to explore these questions and answer: How do our opinions of what is right and what is wrong affect our behavior in the immediate situation? These issues define both who we are and who we have become. Who have I become and how? How would I describe myself?

Program Requirements: The course attendance is required at all seminar meetings as indicated in order to facilitate learning objectives. The readings assigned will include a weekly reading and 1 (2) page reflection paper that will be required each class exploring your personal reflections from the readings and lectures each week. The paper is due at the beginning of each seminar and should be handed in as a hard copy not via email or fax. Program size will remain at no fewer than 10 students. Some handouts wil be available in class and books will be on reserve at Techny  Registration Form: If you have any questions, please contact: The Center for Ethics and Advocacy in Healthcare (847-509-9130) or www.healthcare-ethics.org

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

The Sacred Heart of Jesus window
by Frei Glass Company
originally located at Barat College, Lake Forest, IL

February 1, 1818 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "In leaving France I carry with me my memories and my love for my dear sisters and their children. You will pray for me, as I for you.  At this moment when I am sacrificing all to work for the salvation of souls, I pray ardently that you may all cling to the one thing necessary.  I shall always be closely united to you in the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne