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

Preparing Our Students for a Year of Learning

Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart Education

"It is not merely for our sakes that we should try to become interior souls; we should have constantly before our eyes the children who will come to us, help that without prayer we shall never be able to give them."  - St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Now that we are in full session, it is wonderful to see your daughters so engaged and so excited about this new year of learning.  As September begins, let's take a moment and focus on St. Madeleine Sophie Barat's vision of Sacred Heart alumnae, women who live lives rooted in informed, active faith.  From this foundation of faith, Sacred Heart women draw the courage and confidence necessary to be women of communion and compassion.

How do we prepare such women?  I urge you to review the Goals and Criteria of Sacred Heart education so that you know the essential values we educators hold.  Sacred heart education aims at educating our daughters' minds and their hearts.  First, we believe that every moment counts in the education of your daughters.  We also believe that each age level has unique needs; therefore we design the curriculum to be age appropriate and focused on developing skills and attitudes essential to learning to learn to think. We emphasize concepts and recognize each academic discipline as a way of thinking. 

Of course, the challenge for all of us as educators and as parents is designing the program so that each student  -- no matter her age -- comes to know herself in relation to God, and, at the same time, to be faithful to St. Madeleine Sophie's vision.  In the coming days, you will attend Back to School Nights which will give you and insight into our hopes and dreams for your daughters this year.

Taken from a 2007 excerpt of "The Sacred Heart Experience ~ A Collection of Messages From the Headmistress",  by Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ   Red Envelope ~ 2001-2011

Memorial Day 2012

Wishing all a peaceful Memorial Day 2012

Today I wish all a peaceful and relaxing holiday as we remember our veterans and all those who have served our great country.


Below is a prayer that was forwarded to me by Paul Parker, Chair of Sacred Heart Spirituality at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.

PRAYER FOR VISITING A GRAVE

Lord God,

whose days are without end

and whose mercies beyond counting,

keep us mindful

that life is short and the hour of death unknown.

Let your Spirit guide our days on earth

in the ways of holiness and justice,

that we may serve you

in union with the whole Church,

sure in faith, strong in hope, perfected in love.

And when our earthly journey is ended,

lead us rejoicing into your kingdom,

where you live forever and ever.

Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

May they rest in peace.

Amen.

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, USCCB Publishing

Happy Mother's Day - Celebrating Sacred Heart Alum Mother's and their Daughters

Photos taken at Duchesne Omaha Reunion Weekend  ~ June 2011

Quiet Conversations with Your Daughters (2002)

"Yesterday's Mother-Daughter event began in prayer.  The daughters asked that God continue to bless their mother's...

" ...with joy, love, laughter and pride in their children."

The mother's asked that their daughters be blessed with...

"a love that grows wider and deeper, and a knowledge and perception to recognize what is best." 

This exchange points to the profound responsibilities we adults have to your daugthers.  It falls to us to inspire in them a profound sense of hope that is rooted in the reality of their experiencing genuine relationship.

Given the increasing reliance on electronic modes of communication such as texting and Facebook, we need to model how one engages in mutual respectful love.  Such love is rooted in active listening.  By active, I mean that quality of listening that occurs only if one's mind is silent long enough  to hear what dreams, ideas and hopes the younger persons are expressing.  It is equally true they need to know your hopes, dreams and insights.  In such exchanges your daughters experience the reality of legacy.  Family legacy is essential to young people; as they move forward into the future. Please remember the essential need your daughters have at all ages to experience the values in which your families believe.  Quiet conversations about the different choices you face can help your daughters draw deeply from the legacy of your families.

Such conversations help your daughters recognize the values of their school. Sacred Heart is another legacy from which your daughters draw.  While they have daily opportunities to learn the values of this legacy, we recognize the need to afford you, as parents, moments designed specifically for you to learn and explore the values of the Sacred Heart education.  We know these values first attracted you to Carrollton.  We hope all the parent-daughter events are such opportunities."

Taken from: "THE SACRED HEART EXPERIENCE, A Collection of Messages From the Headmistress (Red Envelope -2001-2011)"  copyright 2011 Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ

Carrollton celebrates its 50th Anniversary... Miami style!

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart

I have just returned from a wonderful weekend in Miami at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart celebrating with alums, current and past faculty & staff, RSCJ, parents and students.  Many more photos to be added but for now here is a litle "taste" of my Saturday evening touring the Jay Weiss Art Gallery after having had dinner with the 17 RSCJ who came from far and wide to join the festivities. 

Loving gratitude to Sr. Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ and all who were involved with organizing and coordinating this special reunion weekend! 

Sacred Heart alum's HBO film won Best Documentary at Tribeca Film Festival - now you can own a copy!

A beautiful way to celebrate the holidays! 

The Emmy-nominated HBO film won Best Documentary at Tribeca Film Festival and is currently airing in over 30 countries around the world.

MONICA & DAVID is the love story of two adults with Down syndrome and the family who strives to support their needs. Directed & produced by Sacred Heart alum, Alexandra Codina.

EDUCATIONAL EDITION DVD--For schools, companies, libraries & organizations to share with groups in their community. On sale now - please visit the MONICA & DAVID website (see link below).

HOME VIDEO DVD--online sales start Tuesday, December 13th

**Both DVDs are fully accessible & bilingual, with Audio Description (for people who are blind or vision impaired) and enhanced Subtitles (for people who are deaf or hearing impaired) in both English & Spanish.**

**Educational Edition includes 5 bonus features on: employment, independence, sexuality, relationships, and reflections on society.**

MONICA & DAVID will also be airing again on HBO this month!  Tune in or set your DVR for 12/12, 12/25, 12/28 or 12/29.  Check your local listing for times.

Copies are available at:  http://www.monicaanddavid.com/see-the-film/distribution/

I first saw this incrediable documentary in Miami at the AASH National Conference last April.  Ali Codina a Sacred Heart alumna has done an extrodinary job capturing the real life love story of Monica & David.  This film will touch you!  Congratulations to Ali for producing and directing a documentary that is both insightful and inspiring!  All my best to Monica & David and their families.

Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart - celebrating their Golden Jubilee!

Pictured left to right: Laurie Nuell, '75CA  2011 AASH Conference Chair;
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ Headmistress of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart and
Maria Cristina Garcia, '00 CA, Director of Alumni Relations and
also serving a second term as AASH Southern Regional Director

The above photo was taken during the evening attendees of the 2011 AASH Conference were hosted at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.  The evening was billed as a Tropical Night Under the Stars.  Carrollton sits on a beautiful piece of property and the night we were being hosted, the warm night air was filled with music, laughter and lots of good food!  As many of our Sacred Heart schools are preparing to open their doors for yet another school year, this particular one comes to my mind as they celebrate their Golden Jubilee!

I want to thank Laurie,  Sr. Cooke, and Maria Cristina and the entire conference committee for the wonderful hospitality and all that they did to make the  2011 AASH Conference so enriching and enjoyable! If you are in the Miami area I encourage you to visit and learn more about this vibrant school and its rich history first hand.  

Congratulations to Diane Brooks, class of '87 who designed the above Anniversary Seal for Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart.  Click here to learn more about the symbolism behind this beautiful seal as well as the schools history - http://www.carrollton.org/page.cfm?p=2153