Johnny's Cafe ...Omaha's Original Steakhouse Since 1922

MER with Kari Kawa Harding A85

If you plan on attending the 39th AASH Biennial Conference in Omaha this week and your in the mood for some great food - I recommend Johnny's Cafe.  Johnny's Cafe has been around since 1922 and is known as Omaha's Original Steakhouse. Located at 4702 S. 27th Street - Call for reservations 402-731-4774.

Frank Kawa opened Johnny's Cafe in 1922 and his two sons took over the daily operation after he passed away  in the 1960's.  In the 1990's, Kari Kawa Harding and Sally Kawa both alumnae of Duchesne Academy in Omaha joined the restaurant as the third generation to run Johnny's Cafe. My dining experience was exceptional!  What I liked best was the delicious and complementary liver pate and cottage cheese spread; the classic cocktails and delicious steak with mushroom wine sauce.  And if you are in the mood for dessert try the Ice Cream Turtle Pie! 

AASH - Esprit de Coeur Winter 2013 Call to Conference Issue

Esprit de Coeur Magazine - PDF copy

More about the cover of the Winter 2013 / Call to Conference issue below.

PRESIDENTS of alumnae chapters of Sacred Heart colleges and academies,
attending meetings  of the Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart in 1933.

Pictured above from left to right: Back Row - Miss Elizabeth Herberman, New York City; Mrs. Austin King, Rochester, N.Y., Mrs. Vincent Carroll, Philadelphia, PA., Miss Elvira Mejia of San Francisco. 
Second row - Mrs. E. P. Hammond, Grosse Pointe, MI.; Mrs. George Reardon, Kenwood, Albany, N.Y.; Mrs. John B. Bremner, Chicago and Lake Forest, IL.; Mrs. Geoffrey Kimball, City House, St. Louis. 
Third Row - Mrs. Frank L. Markey, Manhattanville, N.Y.; Miss Alice Maginis, Boston, Mass.;  Mrs. Walter Keenan, The Rosary, New Orleans, LA.; Miss Margaret La Farge, Norotan, CN.; Mrs. C. S. Tuttle, Sacred Heart St. Charles, MO.
Front Row -  Miss Anita Mulgrew, New York City; Miss Marjorie Gauen, Villa Duchesne, St. Louis; Mrs. George S. McLaughlin, Providence, R.I.; Mrs. L.F. Crofoot, Omaha; Mrs. Walter Ibold, Clifton College, Cincinnati.

Dear Alums…

This issue of Esprit de Coeur has details of the upcoming 39^th Biennial Call to Conference being hosted in Omaha April 10-14.  Suzy Kratochvil, Conference Chair and her committee, as well as the alumnae and current students, faculty, staff and administrators of Duchesne Academy are eager to welcome you to their beautiful school.  Duchesne has just completed a state of the art five-story addition connected to the original building built in 1881. And, since we are celebrating our 80^th year anniversary, it is most fitting that this issue is filled with many stories of Duchesne alumnae  - past and present – to help bring our history alive, as we Celebrate our Legacy in the Heartland.  And speaking of Legacy, read about the heartwarming generosity of Shelagh Mary O’Dwyer, Point Grey ’38 on page 13.

About the cover, it was in 1933 the Very Reverend Mother Manuela Vicente, Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart when solicited for a little word about the first reunion, sent the motto “Pietas, Caritas, Magnanimitas”.   And during the initial meeting, the Very Reverend Robert S. Johnston, S.J., President of St. Louis University gave the opening address. In part he stated; “When we inspect the programme to learn the subjects of the “Papers” for this convention, we find that the titles are “Federation,” “Spirit,” “Service.” The mere choice of subjects so appropriate and so vital seems in itself a guarantee of the success of the Convention.  And their initial letters, F S S, offer at least a passing suggestion of a holy phrase, - “F.SS.,” “Filiae Sacratissimi,” “Daughters of the Most Sacred.” 

After the first meeting was hosted, AASH president Sara Chambers Polk wrote to Mother Mary Reid stating, “We think it is of vital importance for the success of our undertaking that each individual member be made to realize that she is an integral part of the Association, a link in the chain, and we can only be strong as our links are strong.”

We count on your financial support to help us stay financially strong and continue to improve the services we offer as an association so that we will flourish for the next 80 years.   I’d like to suggest that in honor of this momentous and special anniversary year, please consider a gift to AASH either in honor or memory of a loved one –someone you wish to recognize and show your appreciation  and gratitude - perhaps a parent, a friend, a sibling, RSCJ, mentor. Remember to check out our website for the list of corporations with Matching Gift Programs. Your dollars may be doubled or tripled, so check it out.

A very special note of gratitude to the following:

·       Beth Lowry Speck, AASH Past President and Nominating Chair along with her committee for putting together a very talented slate of nominees for the next biennium. 

·       Patricia Kolojeski, Cor Unum Chair and her committee for the stellar selection of award recipients. 

·       To the Estate and Friends of Shelagh Mary O’Dwyer, who made a Legacy Gift of $95,000.

·      And last, but not least, to the many alums who, at the end of the year, so generously responded to our annual appeal.

In this issue you will note that a very special award was created this year - the Janet Erskine Stuart Spirit Award recognizes individuals who through their work continue to strengthen the spiritual and educational mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  A reminder that the Society of the Sacred Heart will host their 5^th Spirituality Forum, Janet Erskine Stuart: Spirituality and Education for the 21^st Century, will be held July 10-14, 2013 at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, CA.  Details and a link to register can be found on the AASH website.

I look forward to seeing you in Omaha!

To continue reading more about the history of AASH and its first meeting in 1933 visit my blog often, subscribe (upper right hand corner) or follow me on twitter - click here

Merry Christmas to Our Worldwide Sacred Heart Family

Hildreth Meière (1892-1961) 

AASH President 1957-1959

On behalf of the 2011-2013 AASH Board of Directors we wish all a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

The Story of Christmas ~ From Luke 2: 1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Artwork /Photo credit:  Hildreth Meière, Nativity, 1946, exterior terracotta relief, St. Mary's High School, Manhasset, New York.  Photograph by Hildreth Meière Dunn © 2009

AASH... Remembering All Souls and Especially our beloved RSCJ

Kenwood Cemetery ~ Albany, N.Y. 
September,  2005
MER with AASH Past Presidents: Marion E. Glennon
and Valerie Moore O'Keeffe

On the feast of All Souls Day most of us will attend mass and remember loved ones. Over the years, I have many fond memories of visiting cemeteries where our beloved RSCJ are buried. Many of these women educators I have never met, but I am always eager to hear their stories and to learn more about how they individually and collectively have made a difference in our world.  

Several years ago, the alumnae of Prince Street hosted a Conge for the retired religious who lived in the Pax Christi community.  It was in 2005 when the RSCJ were scheduled to move from the former Kenwood Convent to Teresian House.  Marion Glennon and Valerie O'Keeffe, both AASH past presidents and I decided to visit the cemetery located on the grounds of Kenwood and pay our respects.  We stopped long enough to take a photo in front of the large headstone where Mother Mary Aloysia Hardey, R.S.C.J. is buried. Mother Hardey was born in Maryland in 1809 and died in France on June 17, 1886. Her body was re-interned on December 12, 1900 in Albany, NY.  Mother Hardey is responsible for opening our schools in the eastern part of the United States as well as Canada and Cuba. In Chicago, a school for boys was opened in 1935 and Reverend Mother Rosalie Hill named the school Hardey Prep in honor of one of our first and most influential American born religious of the 19th century. 

This past July, I was fortunate to be invited to attend the Society's 2012 Assembly as a collaborator and the above video was shown. "On the shoulders of ..."  is a moving tribute in remembrance of the Religious of the Sacred Heart who have died since the 2009 assembly was hosted in Chicago. As you watch the video you may see someone you recognize or think about other RSCJ from your past.  I encourage you to pay homage to these wonderful women with a gift to the Society.  This year marks the last year of the "In Mission For Life" campaign and your gift in honor of a beloved RSCJ would be a fitting tribute. To learn more or to donate click here.

Wishing all Sacred Heart alums a very blessed Feast of All Saints and All Souls!

AASH... and more about MER

I attended my first AASH National Conference in 1991 (New York, NY) and since then have gone to many Regional, National and small alum gatherings all over the United States.

I am a very ardent supporter of all things Sacred Heart and have thoroughly enjoyed the various experiences since graduation that have lead me to meet Sacred Heart alums and RSCJ from all over the World! In this age of technology I hope to use this blog as a means of reaching out to many of our 51,000 alums, as well as, other individuals who have an appreciation for a Sacred Heart education and its rich history.

I was first elected to the AASH board in 2003 and served two consecutive terms as Central Regional Director. I returned to the board in 2009 and served as Vice President. Last April at our 38th Biennial Conference hosted in Miami I was elected President of the Associated Alumnae & Alumni of the Sacred Heart. I feel honored and blessed to have this opportunity to serve on the AASH Board. I look forward to meeting and hearing from you and I most especially hope to see you in 2013 when we will celebrate our 80th year anniversary of the AASH as an association at the 39th Biennial Conference in Omaha from April 10-14th.