Sacred Heart Schools Chicago Celebrates the Feast of Mater Admirabilis with 8th Grade/Alumni Liturgy

Pictured above:  Fr. Mark Bosco, SJ and Hardey Prep 8th graders;
Joey Yao, SRAA President and Carolyn Hall Napelton, Alumni Relations;
Mary Ann Ligon, Head of Lower School and Stephen Puricelli, Head of Middle School
distributing Medals and Ties; smiling 8th graders.

Today, Sacred Heart alums all over the world celebrate the Feast of Mater Admirabilis.  I am grateful for the opportunity to live close enough to three of our Sacred Heart Schools - Sheridan Road, Josephinum and Woodlands.  So today I attended the 8th Grade/Alumni Liturgy hosted at Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago.  

What a treat to witness the 8th grade boys receive their Ties emblazoned with the Hardey Prep crest and the 8th grade girls from the Academy receive their Sacred Heart Medals with red ribbons during mass.  

Prior to mass beginning Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools welcomed Mary Bernstein, RSCJ who serves as a Trustee for the school and  Zhang Yuemin, RSCJ who is visiting from China and currently studying at DePaul University.   Nat then briefly spoke of Pauline Perdrau, the young postulant who painted the fresco of Mater Admirabilis in Rome in 1844.  He remarked at not only the significant number of people who have been touched by Pauline Perdrau's fresco of Mater Admirabilis but more importantly how much devotion has grown from this beautiful image of our Mother Mary over the last two centuries.  

Nat then asked the 8th grade class of 2014 to "leave a trace and do something this year that will distinguish each of you as individuals and your class from all the other eight grade classes that have graduated from Sacred Heart.  Ask yourself as you are wearing your Medals and Ties this year - how am I leaving a trace? Let Pauline Perdrau inspire you!" 

Fr. Mark Bosco, SJ gave a wonderful and upbeat homily based on the Gospel reading "The Parable of the Persistent Widow".  He spoke of the importance of perseverance and having high hopes. Fr. Bosco even used modern technology to get his message across by playing the song "High Hopes" from his iPod!

For me it was truly a wonderful way to celebrate the Feast of Mater!  For your inspiration below is a YouTube video of Frank Sinatra accompanied by young boys and girls singing the song "High Hopes". It is sure to lift your spirits! 

Sacred Heart Schools Chicago - Honors Joanne Barranco Steenveld, ASH '56

Sacred Heart Reunion Liturgy Celebrant: Fr. George Lane, SJ 

Sacred Heart Schools Chicago hosted its annual Reunion Liturgy and Luncheon at its Sheridan Road campus on Saturday, April 20.  Fr. George Lane, SJ celebrated mass and, during his homily, he noted that he too has a long history with Sacred Heart education.  Fr. Lane's mother, Jewel Kenny Lane, was a 1925 graduate from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, aka Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart.  The oldest of seven children, Fr. Lane told us that he and his brothers all attended Loyola, and his two sisters are alumna of Sheridan Road.  The family grew up in St. Gertrude's parish.  Fr. Lane spoke of his appreciation for all that his mother had done for him as a young boy and how humbly she once remarked that any mother would do the same for her children.  An "attitude of gratitude" was the theme of his homily; stressing how important it is to recognize that everything is a gift.   It was truly a day filled with many gifts and blessings. Alums from the classes of 1951 to 1993 gathered for the annual Reunion Liturgy and Luncheon.  The food was scrumptious!  The program was prepared and presented by the Staff and members of the SRAA Board. Many thanks to Kathy Fivelson, Parent and Alumni Relations Director; Sophie Streeter, Parent and Alumni Relations Associate; newly hired Alumni Relations Associate, Carolyn Hall Napleton A'00; all the SRAA Board Members: especially President, Kwaben Komai A'83, and President Elect, Joey Yao H'88. 

Joanne Barranco Steenveld, ASH '56 – 2013 Recipient of the Catherine I. Seiker, RSCJ Award –  expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon her.  SRAA President Elect Joey Yao introduced "Mrs. Steenveld," one of his Hardey Prep teachers who had a very positive influence in his Sacred Heart education. Kwaben Komai and Joey then presented her with a statue of Mater.  Joanne, who was surrounded by many classmates from Sheridan Road and Barat College – as well as friends and family – held up the beautiful statue and said, “Today is "Prize Day" for me.”     Joanne thoughtfully reflected on her Sacred Heart education and her teaching career.  She spoke of Primes and the many occasions she received a card with the word "Bien" written on it. Joanne concluded by expressing gratitude for St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Mater for her education and the gifts she has received.  To read more about Joanne and the award click here.  

Also, in attendance at the Reunion luncheon was Rosemary O'Neil an alumna of both Sheridan Road '42 and Maryville College '46 and most notably the 2013 Cor Unum recipient from the Central Region at the 39th AASH National Conference hosted in Omaha on April 13.  

It was definitely a day full of gratitude for all things Sacred Heart!

An "Attitude of Gratitude" was evident at the Luncheon 

Primes: Originally the first exercise of the week in a school of the Sacred Heart, Primes was the assembly of students and religious at which judgment on the previous week’s conduct, good or bad, and results of the previous week’s tests were announced. Medals for politeness, for order, and for excellence in various academic subjects were also awarded, to be worn for a particular week. But Primes was also an exercise in poise. Each class was called, formed two by two, and advanced toward what could seem an intimidating group of black-garbed nuns. After forming a semicircle in front of the religious, the class curtseyed and waited for “notes” to be read. A card imprinted Tres Bien signified “very good” in behavior; a card with Bien meant “good;” a card with Assez Bien meant “good enough,” or rather “not good enough.” If a student was not bien at all, she did not receive a card, simply an oral report of “no notes,” a judgment to be dreaded. A student was expected to answer with graciousness and dignity any comment or question of Reverend Mother. This weekly practice has been replaced with monthly/quarterly, annual assemblies.

Prize Day: Sometimes referred to simply as “Prizes,” Prize Day brings a formal end to the school year in some Sacred Heart schools. Students are recognized for their academic achievements throughout the year and, in some schools, for character formation. The school community comes together for a formal assembly to distribute the prizes. In former days, the prizes usually consisted of books; now the prize can often be a certificate or award recognizing specific achievement. From the youngest to the oldest, the students are taught to accept awards graciously and to applaud the skills and talents of others. This practice continues in most of our schools today. In some schools the term Prize Day has been replaced with “Sacred Heart Awards” or some other title.

L'Esprit de Sacre Coeur ~ Tenth Anniversary

L'Esprit honored Care for Real
as their 2013 Goal Award Recipient

Saturday, February 9, 2013 Sacred Heart Schools Chicago celebrated their Tenth Anniversary of L'Esprit de Sacre Coeur with a Carnivale theme.  Nat Wilburn, Head of School introduced former Head of School, Sr. Susan Maxwell, RSCJ who was in town and gave a very beautiful blessing before dinner.  Sr. Maxwell read in part the following reflection (below) by Sr. Maureen Glavin, RSCJ and explained that the U.S. Conference of Bishops has named the month of February - the month of Philippine as part of their observance of the Year of Faith.  

Kudos go to Maria Cieciura, Michelle Krage and Claire O'Grady who did a fantastic job as Co-chairs of the event.  The night was filled with lively entertainment, a delicious dinner, and auction items that created a lot of excitement, as well as revenue for the school.

Editors Note: If you wish to read the entire collection of reflections on St. Rose Philippine Duchesne this month ~ please click here.  To see more photos of the L'Esprit Tenth Anniversary hosted at the Fairmont Hotel  ~ click here.

Reflections on St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Philippine: Woman With A Global Heart Philippine Duchesne had what I like to call a Global Heart. Because of this, I find Philippine to be a particularly inviting model for our 21st century world. A global heart is simple enough to understand: it is a heart that has moved from lingering lovingly in an ego-centric place, through a group-centric place (my tribe, my race, my social group, etc.), to a world-centric place. A global heart has shifted the focus of interest and compassion from “me” to “us” to “all of us”! This development describes an emergence of consciousness and compassion into ever-expanding circles of whom is defined as “one’s neighbor” or into ever-expanding circles of people with whom one is capable of truly empathizing. A global heart has an inclusive, wide tent and a porous boundary! Philippine Duchesne was constantly expanding the borders and boundaries of her heart. As a child she yearned to reach out to the poor of Grenoble, as an adolescent and young nun she dreamed of working with native peoples across the ocean, and as an old woman she longed to travel to the Rocky Mountains and beyond—even to China. Philippine courageously crossed borders and boundaries that were not just geographic or political; she crossed borders and boundaries of social class, language, culture and customs. Philippine’s circle of compassion was as wide as the world. Her deep desire was to bring the Love of God, which she had come to know so intimately, to those in the world she thought were most removed from it. Philippine had a Global Heart. So what of us? How broad is the tent of our own inclusion? How wide is the circle of our compassion? How porous are the boundaries of our hearts? For whom do our hearts hurt? If the answer is too narrow or parochial, it is useful to know HOW Philippine’s Heart BECAME so GLOBAL. How? She opened her heart and spent copious amounts of time allowing God’s Love, through Christ, to fill her, to form her and, ultimately, to transform her. Her Heart thus became increasingly beautifully revelatory of Christ’s Heart. And AS Christ’s Heart, her heart encompassed the globe.  Maureen Glavin, RSCJ

Mass at Sacred Heart Schools Chicago with Francis Cardinal George

His Eminence  Francis CardinalGeorge, Archbishop of Chicago

Last month while having coffee with Nat Wilburn, Headmaster at Sacred Heart Schools Chicago he mentioned that Francis Cardinal  George would be coming to the school in the New Year to celebrate  the Feast of the Epiphany(*) with the students and I would be welcome to join them for mass.   

So this afternoon I returned to the school and witnessed the gym filled with over 700 students, faculty, staff, a few board members, RSCJ and guests that gathered to attend the Epiphany Mass celebrated by His Eminence Francis Cardinal  George, Archbishop of Chicago.   

The Cardinal and I greeted one another in the hallway as I hung my coat.  We first met in May 2000 when I served as a member of the Barat College Board of Trustees and the Cardinal received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the Commencement Exercises.  We last saw one another in 2008 when the Cardinal was being interviewed by Chicago History Museum President Gary T. Johnson as part of the Catholic Chicago exhibit.   (To view the interview click here)

As many know,  the Cardinal was undergoing chemo therapy for a recurrence of cancer discovered last August. He told the students how last year the doctors had advised against being near kids and how happy he was to be at Sacred Heart and celebrate this special feast day with them.  

I sat in the back and was impressed with the attentive behavior of the young girls and boys as the Cardinal delivered his homily and spoke of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  He also spoke of the importance of truth and love and from my perspective left us all with a very uplifting message.

Afterwards as the students headed back to their classrooms many of the adults walked over to the beautiful Driehaus Center for refreshments and an opportunity to meet His Eminence.  I especially enjoyed visiting with Liz Hartigan Connelly, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Sacred Heart Schools Chicago and board member Maureen Sippel as well as many of the wonderful administrators and staff.

It was a special afternoon and I am grateful to have been invited.  And, to our dear Francis Cardinal George,  I will pray that your health continues to improve and I wish you many blessings this New Year!

(*) Note: The actual Feast of the Epiphany was on January 6, 2013

Sheridan Road / Hardey Prep Alumni Reunion 2012

Photos taken after the Reunion Liturgy at Sheridan Road 

Oh what a wonderful day I had attending the Alumni Liturgy and Luncheon for Sacred Heart Schools Chicago aka Sheridan Road on Saturday, April 21st!  The highlight for me was meeting Fr. Patrick Dorsey, SJ.  who had four Aunts enter the Society of the Sacred Heart in the 20th century. The "Dorsey Sisters",  Viola, Mabel, Marion and Elvira were well known in the Chicagoland area.  I hope to write more about them in a future blog.   

Nat Wilburn, Head of Schools welcomed all in attendance and had this to say; 

"Welcome back to Sheridan Road…it is my privilege this morning on behalf of 703 students, parents,  faculty, administration, Board of Trustees, and the Religious of the Sacred Heart to welcome you back among our/your community of Sacred Heart.  For many of you, this is the first time you have been back here in our restored chapel.  Students gather here in their divisions every week for a chapel service or mass.   Religion teachers use it throughout the week, and staff, faculty, parents and administrators are nourished often here with a moment of quiet reflection.   Our chapel is, as it was in the original school building, at the center of everything we do.    It is so fitting that we begin our weekend together here.

There are many reasons for us to celebrate in reunion this weekend, but as we gather for this liturgy I would like us to remember one of the core beliefs we hold tight from the teachings of St. Madeleine Sophie.   Each of us believes that children have something to give world.  And it is our mission, just as it was when St. Madeleine Sophie founded the Order to educate each child to give back, to transform the world.   Every one of over 100 faculty and staff understand that one of our primary roles as Sacred Heart educators is to help each and every student know that it is his/her responsibility to make the world a better place.

For 136 years, Sacred Heart School has been working at that mission here in Chicago.  And each of you, like all our graduates for those 136 years, has learned that she/he has something to give the world.  So before all the other celebrations, congratulations, and memories begin, I say thank you.   Thank you for being back among us.  Your presence here is a testimony of your ongoing commitment to the mission of Sacred Heart.    While this weekend will be nourishing for you, it is very nourishing for those of us working here as well.  You are a model of the effect our education has in the world.  And your on-going relationship with us is very, very precious to our continued work.  

I want to especially welcome back our graduates of 1962 who this year celebrate their 50 year reunion.”  

Editor's note:  The Reunion Mass was hosted on Saturday, April 21st - and I apologize for getting the photos on line so late.  MER :)

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!