Blessing of the Cupola: Dedication Ceremony Woodlands Academy and Barat College Campus Reunited

Barat College Cupola

Blessing of the Cupola

Almighty and everlasting God, may this cupola be a reminder to all that you gave us this land to expand our academy and build a college that carried the name of our foundress, Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat. May this cupola be a place of peace and repose, and may it remind us of the many who have served and studied on these sacred grounds. 

Pictured above l-r: Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ, Cindy Cox, Meg Steele,
Irma Patricia Reiss, RSCJ, Heidi Kuharich, Scott Eisenstein, Barbara Wood-Prince,
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ and Meg's mother, Tammy Mullen Steele, MC'65

The early morning thunderstorms and the threat of more rain did not seem to dampen the spirits of the attendees who traveled near and far to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart for a dedication ceremony and open house on Friday, September 18, 2015.  Yes, I did say far, as some attendees traveled from Boston, Indianapolis, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. just to attend this event.  The following Religious of the Sacred Heart were also in attendance: Susanne Cooke, RSCJ, Director of the Sacred Heart Conference; Martha Curry, RSCJ, Barat alumna and author of the book Barat College: A Legacy, A Spirit and A Name; Woodlands Trustees; Margaret McDonnell, RSCJ and Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ; and Irma Patricia Reiss, RSCJ, Barat alumna aka "Sr. Patsy", Religious of the Sacred Heart in Residence.

Ms. Meg Steele, who began her tenure as Head of School on July 1, 2015 greeted the seated guests outside the former Sr. Madeleine Sophie Cooney Library.  The former Cooney library designed by Dirk Lohan was the last building built in the late 1990's on the campus of Barat College. The college closed in 2005 and all buildings on the original 43 acre site were eventually razed with the exception of the Library. Ironically, I attended the Sister Madeleine Sophie Cooney Library dedication ceremony 18 years prior on September 18, 1997. The 20,000 sq ft. building has been beautifully repurposed and renamed the Gloria Dei Center. The Center will serve both the Woodlands and Lake Forest communities.

The Dedication Ceremony was spilt into two parts -  Part I: Lessons and Prayers and Part II: Blessing of the New, Expanded Campus.  The following were invited to the podium by Head of School, Meg Steele to give either a prayer or lesson:  Mrs. Amy Perlick, Director of the Woodlands Academy Global Education Center; Ms. Madonna Edmunds, Principal; Mrs. Barbara Wood-Prince, Chair, Board of Trustees; Mrs. Mary Gramins, Campus Minister; and Sister Irma Patricia Reiss, RSCJ, Religious of the Sacred Heart in Residence.  Sister Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, Director of the Sacred Heart Conference gave a celebratory reflection and final blessing of the cupola.  The cupola along with many other (internal and external) parts of the campus were salvaged during the demolition  of the Barat College campus. The restored cupola will rest in a prominent space on the front lawn and be surrounded by a garden.

It was a lovely day despite the cloudy skies and the threat of more rain. It was also a hopeful beginning to bringing this site that in the 19th century, the Fifth Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Mabel Digby, RSCJ envisioned would impart a Sacred Heart education to all who stepped foot on this campus in beautiful Lake Forest, Illinois to now be reunited in gratitude, generosity and grace.

Day of Reflection hosted at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

Day of Reflection hosted at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Spirituality and the Resilient Woman

The Woodlands Academy Alumnae Board (WAAA) hosted a Day of Reflection for all Sacred Heart alums and friends on Saturday, March 8, 2014. Upon arrival all attendees were warmly greeted by: WAAA President, Marni Soderland Mans,'90; WAAA Immediate Past President, Maureen Hogan Lang, '56 and WAAA Board member, Helen Bruns Ryan,'50.  A packet filled with our schedule for the day and supplemental materials along with two books "Excerpts from the Letters and Writings of Janet Erskine Stuart R.S.C.J." and "Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ A COLLECTION", as well as, a beautiful prayer card with the image of a statue of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat were prepared and ready to be collected at 9:30 a.m.   

After coffee and sweet rolls we began our day with Associate Director of Advancement, Alumnae Relations, Maua Chamberlin introducing our facilitator Dr. Nancy Kehoe, R.S.C.J. who aptly wove the theme Spirituality and the Resilient Woman into three topics: 

Women of Prayer: Old Testament and New Testament Models

Women of Prayer: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, St. Philippine Duchesne, Janet Erskine Stuart

Women of Prayer Today:  Developing Our Own Lives in Prayer

After Sr. Kehoe was introduced she told us of her background and deep roots in Chicago. She currently resides in Boston, serving as the Director of Expanding Connections and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School.  Sister is an alumna of both the Academy of the Sacred Heart Chicago and Duchesne College in Omaha, and Jeannette Kimball, R.S.C.J. (1914-1994) was her Aunt! Sr. Kehoe currently serves as a Trustee of Woodlands Academy, which brings her back to the campus on a regular basis. But most notably, Sr. Kehoe has authored the book, Wrestling With Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness. 

Everyone introduced themselves and briefly expressed what they hoped to gain from attending the Day of Reflection.  After discussing the first topic we broke for a delicious buffet lunch in the Faculty Dinning Room. In the afternoon our intimate group of twenty-four Sacred Heart alums and friends returned to the Haggerty Center to continue to nourish our minds and souls as Sr. Kehoe discussed the next two topics.  We concluded our day with group sharing and the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available before we ended our day with a closing liturgy in the Woodlands Chapel celebrated by Fr. John Trout the Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libertyville, IL.

Below one of the many prayers enclosed in our packet.   

IF I DID NOT PRAY

I could not move against this wind if I did not

pray.

And all that is said of me that is untrue 

would make lame my gait if I

could not free myself from 

the weight of other's 

malice.

I could not move against all His light

if I did not 

Pray.

See how things become: what a change

can happen, when we find a way

to keep Him

close.

Rabia (8th c. woman from Sufi tradition)

Prayer to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
1779 - 1865
Feast Day - May 25th

Prayer to St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Gracious God, as the Psalmist said, “Your plans hold good forever, the intentions of your Heart are from age to age.” We thank you that in your holy plan you chose St. Madeleine Sophie Barat as foundress of the Society of the Sacred Heart. During her long life (1779-1865) a life of joy, but also one often filled with struggles, trials, terrorism and with the opening and closing of loved schools, she consistently turned to You for inspiration and guidance, for energy & courage. Through our remembrance of her and through her intercession, we ask You Lord, our God, to continue to bless all of us in the worldwide family of the Sacred Heart.

With St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, enable us to grow in faith, which will shape and inform our choices and lives.  Enable us to deepen our love so that we might be creative and generous in our services to others. Help us also, Lord, to turn to You prayerfully with everything that touches our lives and our world.  We praise you Lord, and Thank You anew for the gift of all our loved ones.  We especially are grateful for St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, for the purpose and destiny of her life, which continues in your everlasting plan to touch and influence our lives.  Amen. 

Written by Patricia Reiss, RSCJ, BC ’57

Day of Reflection at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

In preparation for the Lenten Season, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart Alumnae Association hosted a Day of Reflection on Saturday, February 9th.  The theme chosen was Women of Forgiveness and Reconciliation facilitated by Lyn Osiek, RSCJ.  Sr. Osiek is currently Archivist, U.S. Province, Society of the Sacred Heart and former Professor of Scripture, Catholic Theological Union.  

It was a lovely morning and the experience was shared with a diverse group of women attendees including: mothers of current students; mothers and friends of alumnae; alumnae from as far away as New Jersey and Minnesota; and four RSCJ; Lyn Osiek, Patricia Reiss, Maria Cimperman, and Agnes Chimbayo. 

Sr. Lyn Osiek, RSCJ will be co-conducting a Pilgrimage retreat November 2- 12 with Sister Marianne Race, CSJ - for further details on this trip click here.

Below is a prayer that was in our packet.  

Prayer for the Beginning of Lent

I want, Lord, actually, I need for this to be a good Lent.

I need to start again with you.  I want to be refreshed.

It is time for me to take a spiritual inventory:

to count my sins and number your mercies.

You offer me a season of grace, Lord and my heart needs what you so freely give.

I have been here before so many times.

Like New Year's resolutions, my Lenten promises often fade away

before the ashes are brushed from my brow.

So, I offer you my past broken Lenten vows

and pray for your strong arm to keep me faithful this year

to my prayer, my fasting and my works of mercy.

I offer you all of my past false starts, and pray you will walk this Lenten path

with me from Ash Wednesday to Eater Sunday.

I offer you in advance whatever my Lenten failures might be, Lord, 

and pray that when I stumble your Spirit will pick me up, dust me off

and set me back on the path marked out for me, the path I pledged.

I offer you my ego, Lord, and pray I take no pride in being faithful this Lent:

sustain me in what I cannot do alone -- just one day at a time.

Help me pray, a day at a time, to sacrifice a day at a time,

to be merciful a day at a time.

As I walk this Lenten journey with your Church, Lord,

open me to the needs of others.

Whenever, wherever I might be merciful,

make me generous to others as you have been to me.

One day at a time, Lord, you and me, with the Church, in the grace of your Holy Spirit.

The Concord Pastor

Remembering Sr. Ida Rinne, RSCJ (1916 - 2012)

Sister Ida Rinne (1916-2012)

I first met Sr. Rinne on May 26, 2011 as I arrived at Oakwood for a visit. Like a guardian angel she was sitting in her wheelchair at the entrance and greeted me with a great big smile.  I introduced myself and asked her from what part of the US was she from.  She smiled and said "Chicago".  It seemed immediately that we felt a connection.  On Sunday, May 29th Sr. Rinne was there in the Dining Room anxious to hear about my visit and all of the festivities that surrounded graduation weekend for Sacred Heart Prep.  She noticed a silver medal around my neck and inquired if it was my "Child of Mary" medal.  When I said no and told her that it was in fact of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and produced in the 1920's after she was canonized she seemed intrigued.  Before I left to catch my flight back to Chicago, Sr. Rinne returned to the Dinning Room that Sunday afternoon with her "Child of Mary" medal in hand.  She told me she wanted me to have it and stated that Mother Eleanor Regan also from Minnesota had given it to her after she had entered the Society. May this loving "Child of Mary" rest in peace!  

To read Sr. Rinne's obituary: click here

Woodlands Academy Hosted Martha Curry, RSCJ

Sr. Martha Curry, RSCJ signs copies of her book at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

On Friday, October 5th, Woodlands Academy held their Sacred Heart Awards ceremony in the Chapel. Awards were based on Goal IV. A hearty congratulations go to the 1st Quarter Sacred Heart Award recipients: Freshman Diana Galarza and Arminda Downey-Mavromatis, sophomores Morgan Kohlmeyer and Laura Bartusiak, juniors Grace Carollo and Sarah Allen and seniors Yimin Zhang and Jeong Lim Kim. The adult award went to Chinese teacher Yu Gao.  

Before being dismissed Head of School, Gerry Grossman invited Sr. Patricia Reiss, RSCJ to the podium to introduced a special guest to the students.  Sr. Martha Curry, RSCJ  author of the recently published book, BARAT COLLEGE: A LEGACY, A SPIRIT AND A NAME was invited to discuss some historical highlights of her recently published book. Afterwards many Sacred Heart alums and invited guests adjourned to the Haggarty Center for a reception and to have their books personally  signed by Sr. Curry.

Click here for info on how to order your copy of BARAT COLLEGE: A LEGACY, A SPIRIT AND A NAME.

Patricia Reiss, RSCJ shares her thoughts on the future of former Barat College Old Main building

Sr. Patricia Reiss, RSCJ speaking in front of the Old Main building at the
Barat College  Commencement Exercises circa 1980's

Monday evening, the Lake Forest City Council hosted its monthly meeting.  On their agenda the property of the former Barat College campus.  The city council was asked to consider a recommendation from the Historic Preservation Commission to deny a request to amend the Lake Forest Historic District to remove Old Main, located on Barat Campus from the Historic District. After much discussion, the city council members voted 7-1 in favor of a wrecking ball to demolish the Old Main an American Colonial Revival style building built by Egan & Prindeville which has become a landmark for generations of Lake Forest residents since 1904.  The vote Monday evening ended the debate as to whether the building has reached its life expectancy and should be allowed to be demolished or should millions be raised and pumped into its interior all for the sake of preservation. 

Sr. Patricia Reiss, RSCJ an alumna from the class of 1957 who returned to Barat College as a religious and lived on the campus for 37 years stated the facts most eloquently when she stated at the city council meeting,  "Institutions, like people, have life spans. I passionately urge you to approve Woodlands' application leading to the demolition of Old Main - my home - so that the fullness of this gift to the Academy of the Sacred Heart may be realized." 

Lake Forest City Council Meeting ~ November 7, 2011

The video above demonstrates the passionate response from both sides on this very important topic.

To: St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

A beautiful bouquet of yellow roses and a
Welcome note from Sr. Patricia Reiss, RSCJ greeted me
upon my arrival to Oakwood on May 26, 2011 

July 26, 1838 ~  Philippine writes to Madeleine Sophie Barat: "By your letter of May 1, my incomparable friend, you arranged a most acceptable bouquet for me by giving me news of yourself and details about the interesting work for poor children which you are now carrying on at Sainte Marie.  How happy it makes me to know that this dear home of happiness continues to be a center of virtue where God can take delight!"

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne