Sacred Heart Alums Gather in Naples, Florida

February 23, 2012 ~ The Southwest Florida Associated Alumnae of the Sacred Heart hosted their 20th annual luncheon in Naples, Florida at the Imperial Golf Club this past Saturday.  Fifty-nine Sacred Heart alums some of whom came with their sister, or sister-in-law, and/or college roommate spent a lovely afternoon having lunch and enjoying each others company. It was the 20^th year in a row that Sacred Heart alums have been gathering for lunch and fellowship in the Naples area. After the luncheon expenses are paid all extra monies are sent to the Society of the Sacred Heart for the RSCJ retirement fund.  

We enjoyed time socializing and then just before lunch was served I was asked to say grace.  I started by reading a portion of one of the daily reflections written about St. Philippine. Later while we enjoyed our desert a microphone was passed from table to table so that all in the room could introduce themselves and give a brief history of the schools they attended and what they were doing now.  A big thank you to Pat O’Rourke Leary (City House ’59 and Maryville ’63) who brought a beautiful Mater Statue to be given away at the end of our luncheon.  

Co-chairs Carla Grieve (Maryville College '62) and Lynn Shunk (Barat College '56) are to be congratulated for organizing this luncheon every year.  Mark your calendars for February 22, 2014 and plan to join us next year! 

Sacred Heart Alumna Author - NEWORK: WorkLife. Transition. Balance. by Katherine Kammer, RA'65

Katherine Kammer,  RA'65 ~ Blog and More Info

Whether you are a young alum about to graduate, in a transition, or interested in a promotion you will find Kit Kammer's book NEWORK: WorkLIfe ~ Transition ~ Balance  very helpful.  She provides the tools, tips and techniques required for making a career transition in the 21st century.

Katherine (Kit) N. Kammer, MSA, CMF, is an international leadership, team and career coach, author, and speaker. Kit is an alumna of the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans (The Rosary). For more than 20 years she has helped thousands of individuals realize their performance potential and achieve their dream jobs. Kit has been featured on television, radio, and in newspaper articles. In 1993, she founded Kammer and Associates, Inc., a boutique consulting firm based in Atlanta. Kit served as past president of the Atlanta Chapter, Association of Career Professionals International. She believes in service to her community and profession, is a lyric soprano and a laughter club leader.

For further info on Katherine Kammer and her recently published book - click here.

Dame Maggie Smith of Downton Abbey Interview on 60 Minutes ~ SH Alumna Show Producer

Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Grantham Dowager of Downton Abbey
60 Minutes interview and Season Finale airs Sunday, February 17th

Deirdre Naphin Curran, WA '83 is a producer with 60 Minutes and recently produced the segment featuring Actress Maggie Smith to be aired tonight (Sunday, February 17th) on CBS.  

Dame Maggie Smith a well known British actor is cast as the Dowager Lady Grantham on the new hit PBS series Downton Abbey. The season finale will be aired Sunday, February 17th.  In her 60 Minutes interview with Steve Kroft, Smith admits to never watching the show.  The 78-yr.-old actor says she may watch the series someday, but for now she doesn’t, because watching will only make her agonize over her performance.  “Because it's frustrating. I always see things that I would like to do differently and think, ‘Oh, why in the name of God did I do that?’”  To view an excerpt of her interview on 60 Minutes - click here.

Happy Valentine's Day from AASH

Artwork by Bridget Bearss, RSCJ

"Let us open our hearts to confidence, to the spirit of Joy" ~ St. Madeleine Sophie Barat

Wishing all our Sacred Heart Community a Happy Valentine's Day and a very blessed Lenten season!

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

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

Duchesne Academy Omaha - Virtual Tour of the New Addition

As the 39th Biennial AASH Conference is about to be hosted April 10-14, 2013 in Omaha, Nebraska Sheila Haggas, Head of School and the current students of Duchesne Academy are looking forward to showing off the newly constructed five story addition to all Sacred Heart alums.

 White Carrara Marble panel featuring the Sacred Heart Seal inset originally
designed by Daprato Rigali Studios for Barat College ~ Lake Forest, IL
was beautiful restored and is now located at Duchesne Academy Omaha

In the above video look for the white Carrara Marble panel with Sacred Heart seal inset.  This was originally part of an altar and produced by Daprato Rigali Studios. The altar may have come from the Sacred Heart Academy on Taylor Street (Holy Family Parish) and later was moved to Barat College of the Sacred Heart - Lake Forest, IL.  The marble panel was found in the basement of Dougherty Dormitory before demolition in 2007.  It now looks stunning in its new home!

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of AASH.  If you have never attended a conference before you should consider coming.  Bring your daughter/son, sister/ brother (yes there are Sacred Heart men!) spouse and/or a college roommate.  The reunion with alums from all over the U.S. will be enriching. Past attendees have said that getting together with fellow Sacred Heart alums is socially, spiritually  and intellectually stimulating.  Suzy Kratochvil, Conference Chair and her committee have put together an awesome program. So please plan to join us as we Celebrate our Legacy in the Heartland!  For further info, on the events, honorees and registration details click here.  

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

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne: Religious, Educator, Pioneer, Saint

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has named St. Rose Philippine Duchesne as the Year of Faith Saint for February.  To celebrate, members of the Sacred Heart family are sharing reflections, homilies, poems and prayers - something different each day of the month.  The Society of the Sacred Heart invite you to join them by visiting their site each day.  Click here to learn more.

To read the series of reflections, homilies, poems and prayers already posted - click here.

Woodlands Academy to host a Day of Reflection on Saturday, February 9th

For further info and to register click here

The Society of the Sacred Heart Announces the Successful Conclusion of the "In Mission for Life" Campaign

I received the following update from the US Society of the Sacred Heart  today and am happy to share with you!

In Paris in the early years of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Father Joseph Varin, a spiritual guide for the young Society, gathered with Madeleine Sophie Barat and her first companions each morning after Mass to discern and pray together about the spirit and charism of the Society of the Sacred Heart.  Father Varin posed the question, “What shall be its spirit?”  With one voice, they all said, “Generosity!”

It is with deep gratitude that the U.S. Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart announces the successful conclusion of the national five year $40,000,000 In Mission for Life campaign.  With God’s grace, daily prayer and the personal generosity of 5,600 benefactors and volunteers, the Society’s mission of discovering and making known the love of the Heart of Christ in our world will continue far into the future, and our elderly sisters will continue to receive the care they deserve.

At the close of the campaign, commitments totaled $38,400,000.  A very generous friend of the Society pledged her $8,000,000 estate to the future of the Society and its mission.  She was honored to be a part of helping us not only reach the goal but exceed it by $6,400,000.

We humbly and gratefully thank God, St. Madeleine Sophie, St. Philippine Duchesne and you for the amazing graces of our national campaign:
·        The relationships rekindled and deepened;
·        The Society’s spiritual and educational mission strengthened;
·        Our elderly sisters cared for in a manner which acknowledges their lives given in love.

Along with the Church’s Year of Faith celebrating St. Philippine Duchesne in the month of February, the Society is announcing a Year of Thanksgiving with moments of thanksgiving and celebration interspersed throughout the year.  We pray daily in gratitude for all supporters, living and deceased, who contributed in any way to this historic campaign.  Please watch www.rscj.org for further details.

We began in faith; we end in hope.  With one voice, the Religious of the Sacred Heart thank you for your great generosity.

With gratitude, love and prayer,

   Barbara Dawson RSCJ                                                               Shirley Miller RSCJ

Sister Barbara Dawson                                                                   Sister Shirley Miller
U.S. Provincial                                                                               Director of Mission Advancement

Congratulations to newly professed RSCJ

Saint Madeline Sophie Barat
(1779-1865)

Congratulations to Elisabeth Brinkmann, RSCJ and Lisa Buscher, RSCJ along with eight other Religious of the Sacred Heart who made their final vows on Sunday, January 20th in Rome.  Superior General Kathleen Conan conferred on the group name Renewed by Love, renewed for Love.  To read more click here.

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

Happy New Year...

photo taken at Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart

Wishing all Sacred Heart alums and their families peace, love, happiness and many blessings in the New Year!

January 1, 1827 ~ Mother Duchesne writes to her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin, "I beg the ever kind and generous Heart of Jesus to pay the debt I owe you and to give you a hundredfold for all you do for us."

Taken from the book: Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

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