Happy Feast Day Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat

Window of St. Madeleiine Sophie Barat with Child
once located at Barat College now in the Library at
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

Novena of confidence to Jesus' Sacred Heart 

through the intercession of St Madeleine Sophie

(composed 100 years ago by a Religious of the Sacred Heart)

Lord Jesus!
Through the intercession of
Saint Madeleine Sophie

To your Sacred Heart I confide

(this intention)
only look...
Then do what your Heart inspires
I count on it...
I trust in it...
I throw myself on its mercy.
Lord Jesus!

You will not fail me.

Wishing all a very Happy Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat today!  

Sacred Heart Alums Take the Polar Plunge

MER with Sarah Burke at Carnivale Restaurant
attending a Legal Reception for Special Olympics

Sacred Heart Goal #3: "A Social Awareness which impels to action" 

I ran into Sarah Burke (Sacred Heart alumna of Woodlands Academy) and current board member of Special Children's Charities, Special Olympics Chicago at a Legal Reception for Special Olympics hosted on January 28th at the Carnivale Restaurant. I asked Sarah why she got involved in this particular charity and she responded: "I am involved in Special Olympics because I believe every one of us should have the opportunity to live full lives.  Special Olympics brings athletes together through athletic competition but friendship, joy and fun are the ultimate goals.  There is no better feeling than knowing that Special Children's Charities/Special Olympics Chicago support athletes and their families experience all that our City, State and World have to offer." 

This Sunday, March 6th, marks the 16th annual Polar Plunge, a fundraiser for Chicago Special Olympics' sports programs and athletes.  The weather in Chicago promises to be a balmy 50 degrees.  There is still time to support this very worthwhile cause.  To learn how you too can make a difference by jumping into Lake Michigan and participating in the Chicago Polar Plunge - click here #MAKEASPLASH FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHICAGO!

Previous Polar Plungers have included Sacred Heart alumna Lady Gaga (91st NY) as well as, Taylor Kinney, Vince Vaughn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Jimmy Fallon.

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.

Celebrating the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola ~ IVC Morning of Reflection

Saint Ignatius

On Thursday, July 30th, the Ignatian Volunteer Corp of Chicago hosted a Morning of Reflection to celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola led by Bill Creed, SJ at St. Ignatius College Prep in Tully Hall.  

The theme: "Reflecting on our Images of God" drew 110 participants from all over Chicago and as far away as Naperville.  As we gathered in Tully Hall we began our morning with coffee and light refreshments.  This time gave us all an opportunity to meet and greet veteran and new volunteers, IVC alums, reflectors and friends of IVC.  A few representatives from Loyola Press were on hand too with a number of books and resources on Ignatian spirituality available for sale. 

Many thanks to Christine Curran, Chicago Regional Director of IVC and Jackie Fitzgerald, Program Associate who did an outstanding job getting this first (hopefully annual) retreat organized.  

The venue was very meaningful to me for a couple of reasons.  First, most every Sacred Heart alum knows that Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat's brother Louis was a member of the Society of Jesus. Many of those same alums with ties to Chicago have ancestors that attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart (now Woodlands) founded in 1858 which was located in Holy Family parish for over forty years. Today, many of our current alums from Sacred Heart Schools Chicago are students at St. Ignatius College Prep.

In small groups we gathered at our assigned tables to begin our morning with an opening prayer "Teach Me to Listen" (adapted by John Veltri, SJ) and then it seemed that the next few hours we spent with one another listening to Fr. Bill Creed and sharing in small and large groups went by all too quickly.  We concluded our day by celebrating the Eucharist followed by a tasty lunch.  The participants at my table all agreed that we enjoyed the time reflecting and in prayer with each other. We also look forward to IVC Chicago making this an annual event.

Micah 6:8: This is what God requires: Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with your God

A few photos of the beautiful St. Ignatius College Prep campus...
Note: The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located in Holy Family Church

Feast of the Sacred Heart: Prayer by St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Sacred Heart of Jesus 
originally in front of Old Main - Barat College Campus
Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - Lake Forest, IL

Prayer to the Sacred Heart

By St. Madeleine Sophie

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I come to Thee because Thou art my only refuge, my only but certain hope.  Thou art the comfort for all my sufferings, the remedy for all my miseries, the reparation for all my losses, the expiation for all my faults, the supplement for all that is wanting to me, the certainty for all my demands, the infallible source, for me and for all, of light, strength, benediction, constancy and peace.  I am sure that Thou wilt not weary of me, that Thou wilt not cease to love me, to aid and protect me, because Thou lovest me with an infinite love.  Have mercy on me, then, according to Thy great mercy, and do with me, and in me, whatsoever Thou wilt.  I abandon myself to Thee, with full confidence that Thou wilt never abandon me.  Amen

Taken from Special Devotions Compiled for the Children of the Sacred Heart

2014 Winter Wonderwalk and Holiday Boutique: December 9-10

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart

If you're looking to find some unique items for the holidays, while at the same time supporting Woodlands Academy Scholarship Program, then you must head up to Lake Forest, IL to the Winter Wonderwalk.  

Boutique opens on Tuesday, December 9th from 1pm - 5 pm and from 6 pm - 8 pm you can "Sip & Shop" the night away.   Wednesday, December 10th the Boutique is open from 9 am - 3 pm

Housewalk Tours on Wednesday, December 10, 2014 (10 am - 3 pm) will feature four spectacularly decorated estates. 

For further info and to purchase tickets - click here.

Crow Song by Zoe Keithley

Zoe Marhoefer Keithely, attended Sacred Heart Lake Forest (1947-1951)

The little child's bones

inside me rattle and cavort,

play music when I walk.

The eros of the great engine

is their familiar; and how,

never sleeping, it draws

the juice along to force it

through the many narrows.

Again the ancient seeds

sprout in the collar of silt.

Oh, I am the holy child dancing

on the rim of the earth.

Forever is my name.

Poem by Zoe Keithley taken from Crow Song, Roan Press, 2009 

For further info on Zoe Keithley and her upcoming Roots Writer Series & Workshop on April 26, 2014 in Chicago, IL ~ click here. 

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)

Celebrating National Women's History Month - Agatha Louise Pfeiffer, Musician and Composer

Mater Admirabilis Statue
originally located at the Convent of the Sacred Heart (Hilltop) - St. Joseph , MO
the statue is now at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart - Lake Forest, IL

During the month of March the National Women's History Project will be celebrating Women of Character, Courage & Commitment.  The NWHP "will honor the extraordinary and often unrecognized determination and tenacity of women".  

I'd like to personally honor a Sacred Heart alumna who wrote a song about Mater Admirabilis. 

Agatha Louise Pfeiffer (January 1, 1879 - June 1975) an alumna of the Convent of the Sacred Heart (known as "Hilltop" due to its location) in St. Joseph, Missouri was a teacher, musician and composer. Agatha played the organ at St. Francis Xavier church in her hometown of St. Joseph and for many weddings her song "O Mother Will It Always Be" was sung. 

"Pfeiffer's compositions included "Sacred Music" and "Piano Studies for Children", published by G. Schirmer, New York. Copies of Pfeiffer's music which are in the archives of the Women Writers Along the Rivers project include:  'All Spotless Heart', 'Bright Queen of Heaven', 'O Mother of Mercy', 'O Mother Will It Always Be', 'Our Lovely Queen of May', 'Raise Your Voices', 'Virgin Mother'."

From: Women Wtiters Along the Rivers 1850-1950

The statue of Mater Admirabilis (above) is the inspiration for Miss Pfeiffer's song "O Mother Will It Always Be".  A plaque next to the statue which is now located at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois reads as follows:

The restoration of Mater

Is a gift to Woodlands Academy

in honor of Gwen Gregory-Conzelman

and in memory of her mother,

Gwen Wheelock Lobus

The work is made possible by gifts from family,

students, and friends.

It honors the special devotion to Mater

Shared by Gwen and her mother.

This statue is very precious as it was

Sent from France by

St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

for the opening of the school in

St. Joseph Missouri in 1854

It was then sent to Woodlands when the

St. Joseph school closed in the late 1950’s

          O Mother Will It Always Be

O Mother will it always be 
That every passing year
 
Will make thee seem more beautiful, 
Will make thee grow more dear?

How near to God, how dear to God, 
Dear Mother thou must be –

We scarce can raise our hearts to Him, 
Unless we think of thee. 

O Mother thou art fair to see, 
More fair than starry night, 
Thy radiance is a tender beam 
From God’s own heav’nly light 

Ah this we know, how true it is 
That every passing year 
Will make thee seem more beautiful, 
Will make thee grow more dear 

All pure, all good, all sinless thou, 
Beyond mere human keen 

All tender and all pitying, 
Toward us, frail sons of men 

The more we seek to know thy heart, 
The more there is to learn – 
Like thee to be most rich in grace, 
We pray and hope and yearn

Written by Agatha Louise Pfeiffer

Spirituality and the Resilient Woman, Facilitated by Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ

Nancy Kehoe, R.S.C.J., Ph.D.
Alumna of SR '55 and DO '59

Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart is hosting a Day of Reflection on Saturday, March 8, 2014 - details and registration information below. This year the theme for the day will be "Spirituality and the Resilient Woman" facilitated by Nancy Kehoe, R.S.C.J., Ph.D.  

Dr. Nancy Kehoe, R.S.C.J. a Sacred Heart Alumna is a former Society of the Sacred Heart provincial team member and a recognized pioneer in psychology.  Currently Dr. Kehoe serves as the Director of Expanding Connections and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School.  Additionally, she serves as a Trustee at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart and is author of Wrestling With Our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness and the Journey to Wholeness. 

Woodlands Day of Reflection

"Spirituality and the Resilient Woman"

Saturday, March 8, 2014 from 9:30 - 5 pm

9:30 am - Registration and Coffee

3:00 pm - Sacrament of Reconciliation

4:00 pm - Closing Liturgy

Topics to include:

Women of Prayer: Old Testament and New Testament Models

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

Women of Prayer Today: Developing Our Own Lives of Prayer

Registration $50 (includes lunch)

Registration - click here.  

For further information contact: 

Maura Chamberlin, Associate Advancement Director and Alumnae Relations

847-234-4300 ext. 239

Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer (1923-2014): Sacred Heart Alumna, Lifelong Educator and Volunteer

Rosemary known by fellow Sacred Heart classmates as "Heidi" is pictured above in 2012 with
her daughter Betty Pozzi, BC '73 and below with Barbara Hinkes Coy, BC '72 

Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer a 1946 alumna of Barat College passed away Monday February 3, 2014 in Darien, IL, she previously lived in Mequon, WI. Rosemary taught in the Milwaukee Public School System, earned a Fulbright Scholarship, taught in England from 85 -86. Rosemary was active with the Miss Wisconsin Pageant. She moved to Plainfield in 1999, directed the Carillon Chorus for 12 years, and lifetime Girl Scout. She is survived by her children Mary Linari, John (Jinx), Betty (Joe) Pozzi, Bob (Nancy), Marjorie (Gunnar) Brinck, Thomas (Janet), William (Carrie), Terry (Brenda), James and Hung (Tuyet); 16 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren siblings Sister Marjorie Heidkamp B.V.M., Philip (Jean), Francis and Jerome (Donna) Heidkamp; many nieces and nephews. Preceded by her parents Herbert and Mary; brother Robert and sister Mary Lou McCall. Visitation Thursday 3 to 8 p.m. at the Anderson Memorial Home, 21131 W. Renwick Rd. in Crest Hill. Funeral Friday February 7, 2014 visitation 9 to 10 a.m. Mass to follow at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, 8404 Cass Ave. Darien. Donations in lieu of flowers to Sacred Heart Foundation (www.AASHNET.org) or Sisters of Charity B.V.M. (www.BVMCONG.org).  Published in the Chicago Tribune - to share a message, photo or video, click here.  

Note: The following is taken from the Barat Magazine - Spring 2004 (see top photo)-

"We hear every week of Barat alumni who, in part because their lives were transformed by Barat, have in turn transformed the lives of others.  In 2003 Rosemary Heidkamp Cramer was the well-deserved recipient of Barat’s Leadership and Service Award. 

Rosemary believes that education is a life-long journey, which takes place within and beyond institutions: in the family, in the neighborhood, and in the community. Her commitment to the service of others began early. During her years at Barat, surrounding the Second World War, she assisted the Red Cross by logging 500 volunteer hours of wrapping bandages. She volunteered for Hull House in Chicago caring for pre-school children of working mothers. She worked with the Ladies of the Grail from Holland as they prepared Adlai Stevenson’s Doddridge farm for European Jewish refugee children. She also worked with the Girl Scouts in many capacities – as camp counselor, leader and board member of the Sybaquay Council of Girl Scouting – all this while attending Barat College, earning her Bachelors Degree in Psychology in 1946.

Rosemary spent 35 years as an educator in both the Chicago and Milwaukee school districts. Her experience ranged from teaching at the Spaulding School for the Orthopedically Challenged to receiving a Fulbright Scholarship in 1984, which took her to England. Rosemary taught English at the Northampton Middle School from 1985-1986.

She also had the honor of being presented at Court and she is proud to say that she enjoyed high tea with Elizabeth, the “Queen Mum”.  Rosemary’s dedication to service and volunteerism continued throughout her professional life. While working in real estate sales, she helped to build two “Habitat for Humanity” homes in Milwaukee as a member of the Realtor’s Association. She remained active with the Barat College Alumni Association and the Associated Alumnae/Alumni of the Sacred Heart (AASH). She also served as president of the Milwaukee area Sacred Heart Alumni Association. During that period, she reinstated a Barat Scholarship for a Milwaukee resident. She was a national delegate to the AASH for six terms. While raising ten of her own children, Rosemary and her wonderful family opened their home to numerous runaways, displaced and homeless women, children of addicts in rehabilitation, five veterinary students from Purdue University and international students requiring housing. Rosemary happily states that her home was always open to anyone in need. As Rosemary reflects upon her enriching experiences, she “feels privileged to have had the opportunity to share in the diverse cultures of all these individuals. ”Presently, Rosemary shares her many talents with the Carillon, Illinois Community Chorus and Theatre Guild as their director. The chorus consists of 70 members ranging in age from 55-89 years of age. They entertain four times a year within the community of Carillon, but their greatest pleasure is presenting their musicals to nursing homes, rehab centers, churches, hospitals and senior centers.

Rosemary has created a Barat legacy within her family. She has three daughters, a granddaughter and grand-son-in-law who are all Barat graduates!

There is no doubt that Rosemary Cramer has touched numerous lives with her enormous generosity, compassion, intelligence, beauty, energy and wit."

Having attended the beautiful and most memorable funeral mass on Friday, February 7th, I'd like to share part of the program (see below from the mass booklet).  The mass was a true celebration of a remarkable woman who led by example.  Rosemary's faith was a most obvious guiding influence that impelled her to persevere throughout difficult times in her life.   I kept seeing her smiling throughout the mass and eulogy. I'm certain that Rosemary would have been very proud of the way her closing act was choreographed by her ten children!  Kudos to those that carry on her spirit and love of God!

ROSEMARY

 A constant presence in our lives.

A scout on life's journey pointing the way to womanhood.

Generous optimist able to see possibilities where shadows blinded others.

Creative-almost god-like-in making 

something out of nothing.

Standing up to crushing burdens and emerging with deepened faith 

in an ever present God

Hardworking imaginative career choices kept family together against all odds.

World traveler seeing the Ritz in every hostel.

Musical dreamer from backyard song fests, 

through Girl Scout "Singing Lady" 

To Carillon Community Chorus.

Music! Music! Music!

Faith-filled child, adolescent and adult seeing

with a believer's eyes,

GOD,

Present in every sorrow and every joy.

Woman of hospitality whose door was always open

Whose table always had an extra chair

Whose roof could always shelter one more.

Vulnerability

Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend.