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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter, 2013 ... A poem by Kimberly M. King, RSCJ




photo by Shirley Miller, RSCJ

Easter, 2013

Let the Easter I proclaim be

the simple extraordinary

time and again and ultimate

resurrection of hope.

Hope in you, who gave everything;

Hope in you, who calls me to do likewise;

Hope in you, love beyond reason and measure.

Let me live with this

singing within and steadying me,

saving and challenging me

to praise you always and everywhere:

Risen, rising, and yet to come.

~ Kimberly M. King, rscj

Saturday, March 30, 2013

A Passion for Life and Giving Back - Mary Kay Tracy Farley


On March 2, 2013 the Gold Coast Sacred Heart Alumnae hosted their Twenty Fifth Annual Sacred Heart Luncheon.  Proceeds for this annual event go to the RSCJ Retirement Fund.  This was a special anniversary in many respects. The idea of a luncheon was first conceived by Jean Ward and Mimi Morgan Phelan Welsh two alums from Manhattanville.  

During the luncheon we honored Mary Kay Tracy Farley an alumna of Grosse Pointe and Manhattanville.  As her business card reads Mary Kay is a "Wife, Mother, Sportswoman and Philanthropist" but most of all she has a passion for life and giving back to causes that are near and dear to her.  The Society of the Sacred Heart has held a special place in Mary Kay's heart.  Mary Kay openly talked about her recent diagnosis with pancreatic cancer and gratefully told us that after many months of chemotherapy and the Whipple operation in September 2012 she is on the road to recovery.  She then asked the cancer survivors in the room to stand.  What a powerful moment this was as every table had at least one or more Sacred Heart alums who proudly stood to be recognized as a cancer survivor.  A true testament of their courage and faith. To learn more about Mary Kay and her incredible journey - click here to read her Caring Bridge Journal.

Julianne Mattimore, President of the Gold Coast AASH invited Shirley Miller, RSCJ Director of Mission Advancement for the Society of the Sacred Heart to give an update on the Society.  Sister Miller gave highlights of the In Mission for Life campaign which began five years ago and concluded successfully with a very generous pledge of $8,000,000.  Sister Miller expressed the deep gratitude of all the religious and said, "thank you all for your generous support of the Religious of the Sacred Heart and our elderly sisters for 25 years and so faithfully connecting with one another all these years and keeping the Sacred Heart mission alive".


Sister Miller shared the following:

·      "Today in the Society:
o   330 RSCJ in US, 2,500 world-wide – 18 RSCJ in Canada
o   We live out the educational and spiritual mission of the Society in many ways:  Network of Sacred Heart schools, in universities, and other educational institutions, in spirituality centers, with groups working directly with the poor, in provincial administration, at Oakwood and in Albany with our elderly sisters, as counselors, chaplains, administrators in parishes
o   International service – Rome at the mother house, Kathleen Conan, an American, is superior general and in Uganda, Kenya, Mexico, Haiti, Indonesia
o   50 retired sisters at Oakwood in Atherton, CA
o   30 retired sisters in Albany – at Teresian House, Abba House and Avila
·      The larger Sacred Heart family:
o   48,000 alums
o   135 associates
o   1,000 Children of Mary
o   12,000 students enrolled annually in SH schools
o   At least 24,000 parents
o   2,000 faculty and staff
o   400 trustees
·      That’s a lot of love being poured out on the world.

This “little Society” as St. Madeleine Sophie called the Society, has expanded over the years to include all of these groups and benefactors and friends and colleagues, greatly enlarging the 213 year old mission of MAKING KNOWN THE LOVE OF THE HEART OF CHRIST.

Although there are fewer RSCJ, the new wine of hundreds of thousands of lay people has burst from the old wineskins and alumnae and alumni, families, friends, collaborators, associates, Network schools, benefactors- are all involved in the educational and spiritual mission of this great little Society."

Friday, March 29, 2013

Alums Gather in Palm Beach, Florida

An evening in Palm Beach, Florida with Sacred Heart alum

Earlier this month alums and husbands gathered for cocktails and conversation at the home of Peggy Brennan Hassett and Jack Kehoe.  It was a wonderful way for the locals and the many snow birds to get together in the spirit of the Sacred Heart.  The night was a pre-celebration of the 25th year that alums have gathered together annually for lunch in the Palm Beach area.  The next day we would honor Mary Kay Farley at the Sailfish Club. All proceeds from the luncheon benefit the RSCJ retirement fund. The luncheon is always hosted on the first Saturday of March and is a great way to spend the day with fellow alums.  The highlight for me was to see Kathleen Hartigan Connelly - BC'61 and husband George who have known me all my life. Kudos to Peggy and Jack for hosting a very special evening!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

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. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Treasure Coast AASH Gather for First Friday Mass & Lunch

Alums gather for lunch at the Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club
after First Friday Mass in Vero Beach, Florida

For the second year in a row, I traveled to Vero Beach, Florida to attend the First Friday Mass and Lunch on March 1st with the Sacred Heart Alums who are members of the Treasure Coast AASH.  The group meets the first Friday of every month from December through April for Noon Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Afterwards a luncheon is usually hosted at a different club in the area. This is a great way to meet up with the locals and snowbirds alike.  

Patricia Leary Dowling, NC'56 was the sponsor for our no host lunch at the Sea Oaks Beach and Tennis Club. A scrumptious lunch was served and during dessert Mariclare Nicholson Beggy, MC'62, President of the Treasure Coast AASH made general announcements and then introduced me.  It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces especially my Sacred Heart friends from Chicago.  I wish to thank Mary Fran Peez Griffith, GP '44 who so graciously chauffeured me to the luncheon.  It was a spectacular day and so meaningful to spend it with fellow alumnae. 
 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Our New Pope Francis I

St. Francis Assisi
How befitting that yesterday amidst all the excitement of the news of our New Pope that I should receive an email with a link to the following poem by Vashel Lindsay - American Poems.


St. Francis of Assisi



Would I might wake St. Francis in you all,
Brother of birds and trees, God's Troubadour,
Blinded with weeping for the sad and poor;
Our wealth undone, all strict Franciscan men,
Come, let us chant the canticle again
Of mother earth and the enduring sun.
God make each soul the lonely leper's slave;
God make us saints, and brave.

- A poem by Vachel Lindsay - American Poems


Jorge Mario Bergoglio, SJ was born on December 17, 1936. He is the first Jesuit and the first from his country to be elected Pope on March 13, 2013. Taking the regnal name of Francis, after St. Francis Assisi. Pope Francis I is the first Pope born in the Americas and the first non-European Pope in history.


Of special note is that St. Madeleine Sophie Barat's brother Louis was a Jesuit priest. It is well known that her older brother Louis had a positive influence and served as her mentor.  He taught Sophie as a young girl and prepared her for religious life.  To read more about St. Madeleine Sophie - click here.



It was an honor to listen to Sr. Clare Pratt, RSCJ former Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart give commentary during the ABC News broadcast as we awaited the news of our New Pope. Last evening on the late news Cokie Roberts an alumna of Stone Ridge and ABC Correspondent was recapping the events on Nightline. So very proud of our Sacred Heart family!




Monday, March 11, 2013

Clare Pratt, RSCJ - Commentator on ABC News During Papal Conclave in Rome

Clare Pratt, RSCJ
Former Superior General 2000-2008

News from U.S. Provincial Team....


The U.S. Provincial Team asked me to share with you that Clare Pratt, RSCJ has been asked to be live on air with Diane Sawyer as a commentator throughout the papal conclave. We are not sure when the commentary will begin, who else will be commenting or how often it will be on, but we thought that you would want to know in order to tune in to ABC, particularly for their morning coverage.  Obviously, this opportunity is both an honor and a huge responsibility.

The following was posted to the RSCJ.org website this morning. 

Friends of the Society of the Sacred Heart might recognize one or more of the people providing commentary for ABC News during the papal conclave this week. Clare Pratt, RSCJ, will occasionally be on air with Diane Sawyer throughout the time the Cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church are sequestered to elect a new leader of the worldwide Church. She will also be available to provide information and perspective during the days following the announcement of the next Pope.

As with so many details about the conclave, it is unclear at this time how often Sister Pratt will appear, or for how long. She is one of several experts that ABC News has available for commentary. Sacred Heart alumna Cokie Roberts is an ABC News Contributor and will be involved in the coverage from Rome.

A native of Washington, DC, Sister Clare Pratt was the first American to lead the international Society of the Sacred Heart as superior general, 2000-2008. She also served as a member of the U.S. provincial leadership team, 1988-93. Currently, she serves as the community director for Oakwood Retirement Center in Atherton, California, where many Religious of the Sacred Heart in prayer ministry live. Sister Pratt is a graduate of Sacred Heart schools: Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, in Bethesda, Maryland, as well as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart, Purchase, New York and Newton College of the Sacred Heart, Newton, Massachusetts. Her masters in religious education came from LaSalle College, Philadelphia.

The U.S. provincial team invites prayer for this historic and important moment in the life of the Church.

For further info on the ABC News Special Coverage "The Papal Conclave Choosing the New Pope" click here.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Elaine Stritch Documentary

Elaine Stritch, BH'43

A documentary on the incredible life and career of Elaine Stritch is in the works.  Currently there is a campaign to raise funds to finish the documentary titled "Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me" which is being produced by Chiemi Karasawa who founded Isotope Films in 2005 to develop and produce content based on true stories.  The film has been accepted for a world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.  If you wish to learn more and help with the funding of the film - click here.  

Elaine graduated in 1943 from the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Detroit, Michigan (Lawrence Avenue) and currently resides in New York.  She is most recently known for her television appearances on NBC's 30 Rock playing Jack Donaghy's (Actor Alec Baldwin) mother Colleen.

Click here for Video clip.



Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Joan Curley, Newton College of the Sacred Heart Alum Author

Joan Hanlon Curley, NC'57 ~ Children's Book Author


LUCIAN'S BOAT The Story of a Boy's Life by the Sea is a simple, elegant story about growing up, and the cyclical nature of time. It was inspired by a painting called "Low Tide" by Tom Cardamone. It is a story of growth, and the continuing cycle of renewal in children’s dreams for the future. This story can inspire children, parents and others who touch children's lives to discover the world again and watch as children's dreams today become tomorrow's reality.


Joan Hanlon Curley is a graduate of Newton College of the Sacred Heart ('57) where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She received a Master’s of Education Degree from Boston University. Curley continued to earn graduate credits at Tufts University, Salem State College and the University of Guam. She is twice the past President of the Naples Press Club and is currently Treasurer of the Circumnavigators Club, Naples Chapter. The author has received numerous awards including the Woman of the Year Award from the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Massachusetts. For their outstanding service to the people of Guam, she and her husband have been awarded a commission from the Governor of Guam to become a member of the Ancient Order of the Chamorri. Curley has had a lengthy career in education, serving as a fifth grade teacher, a guidance counselor and a school principal. She is originally from the North Shore of Boston and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The author has traveled extensively – circumnavigating the globe twice -- and has lived in Bermuda, Guam, and Cairo, Egypt. She currently lives in Naples, Florida where she is active in many community organizations. This is Curley’s seventh book.  

Additional book titles by Joan J. Curley. NC'57  include: "All Boats have Pretzels"; "Lili, the Orphan Hen"; "Tanika and the Kiskadee"; "Tarek and the Talking Egyptian Horn"; "The Dandelion Slayers".