In Memory of Sister Marge Seitz, RSCJ on the Feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque

Photo Credits: Ada Stevens, Maureen E. Ryan and Mary Schumacher, RSCJ

Margaret T. Seitz, RSCJ

Date of Birth: April 13 1936

Date of Profession: July 22, 1965

Entered into Eternal Life: October 14, 2015

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, born in France and known to have learned from "a vision of our Blessed Lord that it was His divine will that a liturgical feast be kept in honor of His Sacred Heart and in reparation for man's gratitude". 

This feast day reminds me of a beloved RSCJ named Margaret T. Seitz, known to her students as Sister Seitz and to family and many friends as  "Marge".  Sister Seitz died suddenly of a heart attack on Wednesday evening surrounded by members of her community in Florida.  The Carrollton community writes that they are comforted by the memories of "her wonderful sense of humor, her love of teaching and her love of the students. A true educator." 

Mr. Olen Kalkus, Head of School at Carrollton of the Sacred Heart writes: There will be a viewing from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. this Sunday, October 18 at the Maspons Funeral Home, 3500 SW 8th Street. A Mass celebrating her life will be offered this Monday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Hugh’s Church. All are welcome to attend.
 On Tuesday morning our students and faculty will celebrate the Feast of Mater, as planned, keeping the memory and spirit of Sr. Seitz close to our hearts.
 I ask you all to join me in keeping Sr. Seitz, and her family and loved ones in your prayers.
 Yours in Prayer,
 Olen

For more information about Sister Margaret T. Seitz, RSCJ, please visit rscj.org

"I need nothing but God, and to loose myself in the heart of Jesus." 

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Amazing Sophie by Dacia Van Antwerp

Amazing Sophie by Dacia Van Antwerp, BH'48, MC'52

Dacia Van Antwerp is no stranger to the story of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart. After all she spent 16 years being educated by the Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) and is an alumna of both the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield, Michigan and Manhattanville College.  After graduation Van Antwerp decided to become an RSCJ and joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. She taught for 17 years in various Sacred Heart schools until a life altering event occurred and she chose another life path.  She discusses her journey in the book she wrote entitled You Go Girl: Life and Adventures of a Former Nun. 

Upon making a retreat in Joigny, France, the birthplace of Madeleine Sophie Barat,  Van Antwerp was so inspired that she decided to write a book for children about the Saint whom she admired so much.  The story of Amazing Sophie is a delightful children's book that tells the story of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, complete with illustrations by Carla Maria Melendez Relli, ASH, 2020. All of the net proceeds of the book will go to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield, Michigan. 

The above video was recorded on October 20, 2012 (Feast of Mater Admirabilis) during the AASH Central Regional Meeting hosted in Detroit, Michigan.  To oder a copy of Amazing Sophie click here - Info/Order Book

Sacred Heart Alumna Elaine Stritch Has Died at age 89

Elaine Stritch
1925 - 2014

July 17, 2014

Elaine Stritch,  a 1943 graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Detroit, Michigan  (Lawrence Ave.) and Duchesne Residence School in N.Y. has died of natural causes.  Elaine lived for  many years at the Carlyle Hotel in New York where she performed at Cafe Carlyle.  As her health was failing,  Elaine decided to move back to her hometown in Michigan last year so that she could be near her sister's children.  Elaine was married to John Bay who died in 1982.  Her parents, George and Mildred Stritch, as well as, sister's Georgene Moran and Sally Bolton all predeceased her. 

A documentary on her incredible life and career was released earlier this year and the DVD "Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me" was released on June 24th. 

AASH Giving Thanks From the Heart of the Midwest

Friday, October 19th members of AASH .... introductions and later tours 
at the Academy of the Sacred Heart ~ Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. 
The highlight was a Mater Play in the school Auditorium!

Giving Thanks From the Heart of the Midwest was the theme for our AASH Central Regional Conference hosted by alums from both Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe.  The following nine RSCJ were in attendance on Friday: Bridget Bearss, Ann Eppig, Meg Canty, Mary Lyman, Martha Curry, Rosemary Roney, Muriel Cameron, Shirley Miller, and Nancy Kehoe.  Our Friday afternoon at Bloomfield Hills started with introductions and a little sharing from alums who came as far away as Jacksonville, Florida!  

At 2:30PM we headed to the auditorium to watch an encore presentation of Mater.  This darling Play was preformed by Ms. Spicer's 2nd grade class.

After the Mater Play we gathered in the Chapel and Sr. Meg Canty led us in a beautiful reflection appropriate for our special day. We received a warm welcome from Sr. Bridget Bearss, Head of School at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, followed by Sr. Shirley Miller, Director of Mission Advancement for the U.S. Province who gave us an update on the campaign.  Sr. Nancy Kehoe concluded with observations and remarks that concluded with her giving thanks to her Sacred Heart sisters and most especially Sr. Miller for the all she has done for the Society.

We then headed to Oakland Hills Country Club for a spectacular evening.  More on our Friday evening in another blog.  Enjoy the video and please take the survey on the right to weigh in on how you celebrate the Feast of Mater!

A special thanks to Virginia Kratage Antakli, BH'56, MC'60
for hosting us at Oakland Hills C. C.  

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.