From the desk of the Alumnae President

Calling you home...........!

2011-05-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

This is a picture I took of the front campus last year at Alumnae weekend, Saturday afternoon, after we got a sudden shower. The sun came out and seemed to be making up for lost time -- so much sunhine that it felt the grass, trees and even the buildings were totally saturated. It remains a favorite picture of mine!

This time next week, I will be home -- back at MSJ, getting ready for the weekend -- and just taking in the peacefulness and quietness that always prevails.

So far, we have 64 registered for the banquet -- but we are hopeful for more! If you are still wavering as to whether or not you want to come..........just know we would love to see you!!!

See you SOON!!

The Bonding of Mount Girls

2011-05-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

A week ago, Tina Weber Smith (74) started a Face Book page entitled MSJ Girls. Today, a week later -- there are 125 members! Everybody came out of the woodwork. It's been a memory fest! I have been scanning and uploading pictures from The Mount as fast as I can -- other people have been digging through their albums and closets to find pictures. Granted, this is probably the "younger" crowd (as in Mount girls from the 70's and 80's) but we'd love to have anybody from any year! It's a blast! It's so cool to see people sharing such a broad range of memories and pictures!

Once again, I am so struck by the special bond we have. It's something we can't describe to anyone who went to a regular high school. It's a bond that pulls us together over time and distance -- a bond we share even when we have gone there different years!!

It we were just now starting an Alumnae Association - -it would be a Face Book page! As it is, we have a wonderful Alumnae Association in place -- and Face Book is simply another means of communication for us. It's another way of staying connected. Another way to share the memories and keep in touch.

For the past week, every morning before I go to the office, I've run to my computer to check if anything new has been added. And, I rush home in the evenings to do the same. And I will admit that I am one of the chatterboxes. Rose Turnquist (who only came our junior year) and Julia Gosser (who came the first 3 years) and I have been MSJ Girl Face Book page junkies this week. I can't remember the last time I have laughed so hard and so much. It's probably the best medicine I've had all year!

But take Rose, Julie and myself -- our paths have gone many, many directions -- we have not talked to each other since 1972!!! And now, we can't run out of things to say, to share, to laugh and talk about. I can't say we were best buds in high school -- we were friends -- we were classmates. Now, there is a strong bond there that will stay, and keep us connected.

It's great to share the memories -- but it's even better to find a friendship that is for TODAY.

If you aren't on Facebook with us -- email me and I'll get you going!

(cscecil@sbcglobal.net)

Laughter and memories

2011-04-26T21:39:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of most of my freshmen class -- 1969-70.

The last few nights, I have been on FaceBook on a newly created page (Thanks, Tina) called MSJ Girls. In a matter of 2 weeks, we have 117 members! People are coming out of the woodwork - -it's so cool! Memories and names are flying around like crazy. "Has anybody heard of......." "Where is.........?" "When was the last time you talked to........"

Suddenly everybody is digging into their memory banks and wondering about friends and classmates they haven't thought about in years. Everybody is dusting off memories and tripping down memory lane. It's rather amazing what can be remembered by a group of people -- stuff one person alone can't recall.

Last night Rose Turnquist ('73) started a post with "who remembers JUG" -- ! 90 comments later........we are laughing our heads off -- laughing til we cried.

Seems some Mount girls were real felons -- running with dishwater!!!!!

Tonight, the post "who remembers Mount Buns" -- and 86 comments later, we are nodding off and saying good night to each other.

People are throwing in the words of songs ("run, run, run, I think I hear a nun...!")

Seems there were lots of people sneaking smoking.......

The Dungeon, the duck, the stoop, the Madonna Room........

Names of faculty.....

There's so much to talk about!

Shared laughter, shared memories -- over a range of many years. It's a deep and almost magical bond that we share that I have not seen any place else in my life since my days at the Mount. It is incredibly unique and unbelievably special. How did we get to be so lucky?

Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh......

2011-04-16T18:36:00.000-07:00

Christopher Robin and I walked along
under branches lit up by the moon.
Posing our questions to Owl and Eeyore
as our days disappeared all too soon.
But I've wandered much further today than I should
and I can't seem to find my way back to the 3-Aker Woods.

So, help me if you can I've got to get
back to the house at Pooh Corner by one.
You'd be surprised there's so much to be done:
count all the bees in the hive,
chase all the clouds from the sky.
Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh.

Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do,
got a honey jar stuck on his nose.
He came to me asking help and advice
and from here no one knows where he goes.
So I sent him to ask of the Owl if he's there,
how to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear

So, help me if you can I've got to get
back to the house at Pooh Corner by one
You'd be surprised there's so much to be done:
count all the bees in the hive,
chase all the clouds from the sky.

Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh,
back to the days of Christopher Robin,
back to the ways of Pooh

This song was popular when I was about a sophomore at The Mount. Not sure why it popped into my head when I pulled up this picture from last Alumnae Sunday, but it seems to fit. We had a planning committee meeting today and it got me excited about being back at the Mount in about a month's time! It's been a long winter -- too much illness, too much snow, too much cold, too much stress -- literally and figuratively. It makes my heart smile to know I can be back at the Mount soon -- to take in the peacefulness, the quiet -- to find some rest among friends and memories. Home.

I was thinking about how some people always return to the Mount, and others never do. And that's why that song popped in my head. I think some people do not have good memories from their days there and they have no desire to return (to the 3-Aker Woods). Some have good memories, but life carried them away in many other directions and the memory is just left behind. Scheduling conflicts, family needs, distance -- lots of good reasons it can't happen that they find their way back to the 3-Aker Woods.

Then there's those of us who felt the pull to go back -- and wanted to get back to the 3-Aker Woods, the house at Pooh Corner..... (Home). So much to be done -- count all the bees in the hives, chase all the clouds from the sky -- walk around campus, breathe deeply, see old friends, reconnect to our roots.............yes, reconnect to our roots from those many years ago, roots that made us strong and set us on our way.

For me, it's a comfort to go back to the Days of Christopher Robin and Pooh, to the Holy Ground, to stand on the shoulders of the ones who went before us.......back to roots so our wings can soar......oh, the song list just goes on and on!!

And the interesting thing about that photo at the top is that some of us had not seen each other in 37 years when we came together last year. We had finally got back to the House at Pooh Corner by 1! Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh........!

St. Michael's Hall

2011-04-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hey, Mount Girls!

St. Michael's Hall is slated for demolition later this year -- so we want to gather any and all memories you have of St. Michael's Hall! We plan to have a "farewell" prayer service Saturday evening during Alumnae Weekend -- and we are looking at ideas on how to utilize physical things from the building (bricks, wood, etc...) into some memorabilia!!!!

So, send us some emails, comment on this blog, contact us on Face Book -- contact us!!!

Planning in Process

2011-04-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

This was taken last year -- but we are some of the same crew making the plans again this year. We are having a meeting on Saturday -- my, how the year has flown -- to finalize our plans for Alumnae Weekend for this year! Hope you can be there!! I can't wait!!

St. Michael's Hall

2011-04-14T16:30:00.000-07:00

Here is another angle of our beloved St. Michael's Hall. The magnolia tree has been there for as long as I can remember -- and I'm talking about going to the Mount to visit "The Aunt Gods" as we called my many Great Aunts who were Ursulines (4 on my mother's side and 4 on my dad's side -- !!!) when I was a very little girl. There use to be gold fish in the brick enclosure around the bottom of the tree - -but they froze one winter and they were no more! Isn't that a funny thing to remember after all these years?!

The Gossip Tree

2011-04-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

It's a little worse for wear after The Ice Storm a few years ago, but it still looks beautiful, with the sunshine warming its old branches! The stories it could tell.....!

The Stoop

2011-04-14T16:26:00.000-07:00

Just to take you down memory lane a little bit -- bet you've got plenty of memories around this place (aka The Student Shop)!

St. Michael's Hall

2011-04-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start posting some pictures of St. Michael's Hall. Hard to believe that in a few more months, it will be gone. It was where so much happened for us while I was in high school at MSJ. Most of my classes were there: Latin, English, Biology, Chemistry, French, Religion, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, History, homeroom...........! This is Holy Ground!

Walking around the grounds....

2011-04-14T16:18:00.000-07:00

Today wasn't quite as crazy as yesterday, so maybe that's why, in a quiet moment, all of a sudden I could picture being on the Mount grounds......taking in the peacefulness and quiet.....! In another few weeks, I actually WILL be there for Alumnae Weekend -- ! I can't wait!!

Gail Patricia Westry, 1954-1994

2011-03-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

A strange chain of events brought me the news last Saturday that my classmate from my MSJ high school years had died -- in 1994!! She was only 40 years old! Even several days later, I am so stunned -- and sad. Gail was a great friend and a great person -- she added so much to our class. I feel sad to know she's gone.

She came our freshman year to The Mount from Rocky Mount, North Carolina and I honestly cannot recall if I ever knew how in the world she found Mount Saint Joseph Academy and what brought her to us. She was a top-notch student and very talented. I recall she played piano, sang -- we were second sopranos in Chorus. We were "Class Representatives" together our Freshman year for our religious organization - -which got renamed S.O.U.L. that year (Students of United Love -- replaced CSMS and Sodality.) Together, we put on a freshman talent show -- the same show in which she and Freda Danhauer performed Bill Cosby's "Noah." I can still just fall on the floor laughing remembering how hysterically funny she was in that!

She and Stephanie Warren were editors of the Mount in our Junior/Senior years -- and she was good at that as well.

We have learned that Gail went to College at Chapel Hill, North Carolina -- graduated with a journalism degree and went to work at the Orange County Register in California! Later, she worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Oregon! And she was there when she was diagnosed with stomach cancer....and died December 21, 1994.

She left behind a son, Desmond, and her newspaper set up a scholarship fund for him. Gail's brother raised Desmond. We also learned that her colleagues at The Portland Oregonian established a summer journalism internship program that went from 1995 until 2007 in her name! What a legacy!

On the day we graduated - -May 26, 1973 -- I remember Gail saying to me, "This is really sad. We'll never see each other again." I denied it!!! I said of course we all would see each other again and again -- that's what Alumna Sunday was for!!!! I have thought of this statement repeatedly over the years -- because it made me so sad when she said it. I realize she was just being realistic because of the distance she lived from The Mount (as opposed to me, who grew up in its backdoor!)

It's a haunting statement to remember now. And I'm still sad about it - - because Gail was a wonderful friend and I adored her. She always have a fresh and sensible perspective on whatever we were doing, and I loved hearing what she was thinking. It was a delight to have known her - -and I wish I could have seen her again.

But, our 4 years together were wonderful and fun -- full of laughter because she had a fabulous sense of humor. And how about the fact that she was once the Editor of The Mount - -and went on in a journalism career!!!! How cool is that??!!

My life is better because I knew Gail Westry! I'm so glad she came to the Mount those 4 years!

Happy Snow Day!

2011-02-05T10:22:00.000-08:00

I have not forgotten about this blog -- the winter has just left me without inspiration and I figured readers did not what to hear me whining about being cold or the ice or the snow or being tired.........so I didn't!

But, this morning, we (the Officers, Marian, the planning committee and anybody else we could gather from the highways and the byways) had our first conference call to begin planning in earnest for our next Alumnae weekend -- drum roll -- trumpets -- chorus singing!!!!

It was fun, what can I tell you? What a fabulous group! They certainly brought a lot of wonderful love and energy to my day!

Meanwhile, it snowed again this morning.......after our ice and snow from Monday. In the past 7 weeks, we have had 5 snow storms. This is not normal winter weather for St. Louis. We might get a snow or two -- but it's been a few winters since we've had this much snow. And we are like 11 inches over our norm. Even the schools don't want any more snow days -- a sure sign there has been enough snow!

So, in the midst of it falling, we had our meeting and made some plans - -and it's going to be a great weekend! I can't wait!

So -- MARK YOUR CALENDARS: May 14-15! Tell everybody you know! We don't want anybody to miss out on the fun!!!!!!

Christmas programs

2010-12-11T19:20:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to a Christmas Program at my youngest daughter's High School - Rosati-Kain -- here in St. Louis, from which she graduated 2 years ago. Of course, when she attended, I went to every Christmas program (she played trumpet her freshman year and was also in the Freshman chorus), just as I went to every Christmas program at my oldest daughter's high school (Notre Dame) when she was in high school. Both high schools are all girls, so it always caused me to travel back in time as I sat at their programs, basking in the beautiful voices and Christmas music.

I remember my freshman year at the Mount, the Monday I headed down to "Glee Club" after classes and being told this was the week that we would have practice until 5 pm because it was "Dress rehearsal" week for The Christmas Pageant. I had no clue what it meant -- but jumped in with both feet because I loved music and I loved all our activities.

Well, it was the most fabulous thing I had ever experienced! Not only had we been learning some beautiful music -- but there was a play to incorporate the music within!

We did pieces like......

Long is Our Winter

Silver Bells

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Drummer Boy

Angels We Have Heard On High

Silent Night

O Come All Ye Faithful

and.........................................our ultimate piece: The Hallelujah Chorus!!!!

We sang alto, soprano and second soprano -- wonderful arrangements, directed by Sister Mary Durr. Claudino Anido was our accompanist my freshman year. Other years......Becky Collins, Phyllis Kesler, Tina Weber......that's all I can remember. There were probably others. It was my ultimate dream to accompany chorus on the piano, but I never got to. My piano skills weren't strong enough (and then I spent the next 16 years of my life playing organ at Liturgies!).

It was all magical and beautiful!

The tradition at Rosati-Kain's Christmas program is for all Alumnae present to come up on stage to join the Chorus and sing Silent Night (and the audience joins in as well) as the final number of the evening. Alumnae present included the school's current Principal and President! It was very touching to see -- and something that we would have done. There is a strong Alumnae presence there, like we have at MSJ. I enjoyed the kinship I felt.

It was a beautiful program -- one I enjoyed because of the beautiful voices and music there, and one I enjoyed for the beautiful voices and music it reminded me of back at MSJ!

Saturday, Nov. 6

2010-11-15T21:10:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning rose bright and clear! There was a definite nip in the air -- crisp and gorgeous!

Paula, Stephanie and I had a wild night at the Guest House! (Okay -- all 3 of us gave out by 10 pm and were in our rooms snoring the night away! Growing old bites!)

Paula and Nancy at our table -- what a delicious meal we had! Lasagna to die for, broccoli, corn, salad, bread, cookies -- I can still taste it! It was soooo good! Of course, the only thing that could have topped it was.........Mount rolls!!!!!

Aren't the tables lovely? Nancy always does a fabulous job coming up with ideas to decorate!

The Sisters and guests are gathering for food and talk and good times!

Saturday, November 6

2010-11-15T21:02:00.001-08:00

I took a walk out to the cemetery, Saturday morning before our Memorial Mass for our deceased alumnae. As I walked through the cemetery, reading the names of those holy women who touched my life, it became a litany of saints.....

Sister Theresa Ann

Sister Jean Marie

Sister Mary Jean

Sister Caroline

Sister Mary Charlotte

Sister Charles Marie

Sister Joseph Carmel

Sister Rose Emma

Sister Barbara

Sister Emily

Sister Ann Victoria

Sister Joseph Volk

Sister Agnese

Sister Lucita

Sister Ursula

Sister Mary Andrew

Sister Charles Mary

Sister Victoria

Sister Cleophas

Sister Aloysius

Sister Antonia

Sister Alicia

Sister Mary Bertrand

Sister Mary Boniface

and on

There were some that I stopped and read their name with surprise -- I did not realize they had died. But all, I read with gratitude......for the gifts they had given, the love they had shared, the sacrifices they made for all of us.

We were blessed to have known them, we are better because they were in our lives!

Friday evening gatherings

2010-11-15T20:56:00.000-08:00

Friday evening, after a fun supper with Sisters and friends coming by to visit at our table, we finally headed upstairs to the chapel to practice our music. Here, Sr. Mary Eileen and Jenny Speaks McGee gathered for a smiling pose. Sr. Eileen was at the keyboard and Jenny shared her beautiful voice with us, Sr. Rose Mary and I had our flutes - - and we spent 2 intensive, wonderful hours working on the music for Saturday's Memorial Mass. It is always a gift to be with talented people!

Stephanie and Sr. Mary Etta worked on readings!

Paula Chandler Gray is checking the books and programs. Yes, we are ready!!

My trip to the Mount - November 5-6, 2010

2010-11-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

My computer bit the dust, so I haven't been able to upload my pictures, let alone post anything! At last, I am on a loner, so I can play catch up!

So, 2 weeks ago......it was good to get to the Mount!

I arrived late afternoon, and took a quick stroll around campus before supper. Up until this point, weather had been so warm (70's!) -- and no real hard frost had happened. This afternoon, the chill was on because a frost was on its way. So, it was cloudy and overcast....and the earth was definitely starting its preparations to bed down for the winter....

It was good to walk around and take in the peacefulness and serenity of the autumn campus.

It was good to be home....

Thursday, November 4. 2010

2010-11-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hey, Mount Girls!

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go..........." Well, almost! Heading to the Mount tomorrow for our Alumnae Memorial Mass on Saturday! I am hoping for pretty weather- -it's a pretty easy drive from St. Louis to The Mount. I also want to walk around campus tomorrow and take some picures to post -- we'll see if the weather cooperates....!

Stephanie Warren, Paula Chandler Gray and I (all A'73) are planning on spending the night at the Guest House at the Mount tomorrow - -for the fun of it, and to simplify our lives since we'll have an early start on Saturday to get ready for our special event. When I was a freshman at MSJ, a select group of Seniors lived in the Guest House. We were in awe of these seniors to begin with, so throw in the fact that they lived across the campus in "The Guest House" -- well, even today it seems to hold a special aura about it. I know the three of us will enjoy spending the night in this sacred space!

I'll let you know how it goes............!

District Judge Maria Ransdell

2010-11-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have a feeling we have many distinguished Mount girls out in the world, working for justice, spreading peace, spreading the Gospel in their daily lives, teaching, preaching, loving and doing wonderful things.

One that I happen to know about right at this moment is Judge Maria Ransdell -- Class of 1971! From all that I have read and seen, she has a distinguished record, and her peers and constiuents have only good things to say about her. (no surprise there!)

She is running for re-election.........and hopefully the results will be in in a few hours!

I have memories of her being President of the Student Council my sophomore year, and generally always being very active, very vocal, very dynamic and very intelligent.

Maria, you have my vote!
Go Mount Girls!!

Planning for Saturday

2010-11-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

We had a conference call last Wednesday night -- the MSJ Alumnae Association officers. I got home from work that evening and several other appointments and was ready to tell the world to go away and leave me alone! But, the call was scheduled and plans needed to be confirmed. On we go!

So, the call came and we all got on the phone -- Marian, Stephanie, Tina, Nancy, Paula and myself - -and before long, I realized the call and contact with these great ladies was the great gift of the day. There was lots of laughter and fun, in with the serious planning and pinning down of details for this coming Saturday. What a great group of ladies! The hour ended and I was refreshed and revitalized and grateful for this gift from God! And it was a lovely gift that day!

See you Saturday!

THE MOUNT - Vol. 47, No. 1 - October 24, 1969

2010-10-27T14:13:00.000-07:00

New Atmosphere Evolves from Old Climate – Happy Faces Carry Spirit
By Cathy Hayden and Becky Mulligan

One, two, three, red light? No, one: Sister Mary Charles Mary; two: Sister Susan; three: Sister Rosemary. Red light? No. Also brightening the lights of the campus this year are Sister Johanna, Miss Sue Atherton and Miss Stella Clemons. Green light! That’s what those smiling faces mean – new spirit, new dimension and new color. There’s a certain climate that follows them wherever they go. You don’t have to look very carefully to notice those second glances everyone has been giving them. They certainly do deserve those glances because we think they’re special. Welcome to MJS!First of all, there’s our all new and all true principal, Sister Charles Mary. Seldom is she not smiling and she seldom has moments of peace. If you don’t believe me, just sit in her office one day and observe. Busy at her desk, she is constantly interrupted by phone calls, or a girl with a problem to be solved, or a question to be answered.

Having taught the first through the twelfth grades, she has her way of knowing a few answers. However, she does admit that her first impression was one of utter confusion – which isn’t hard to understand.

When asked what she liked about hew ne job, she replied, after being interrupted for the third time, “Undoubtedly, it would be the spirit of the girls. The thoughtfulness and the cooperation with one another and the faculty is just great!”

It’s quite clear that the girls are very pleased with her spirit. The new changes are bringing about a greater responsibility and a greater feeling, a better attitude all around. Three cheers for our principal!

Equally new and eager are Sisters Rosemary and Susan. Sister Rosemary is the new Junior homeroom teacher, Mount paper adviser and also the religion teacher of the lower three grades. For the past five years, she taught in Lincoln, Nebraska in an adult CCD religious education program. A graduate from MSJ, Sister said that it was a thrill and a challenge to be back as a teacher. One of the things she would like to see improved however, is growth. In her words, “since we have such a unique community here, I’d like to see better communication with schools in the surrounding area.”

Sister Susan is the new math teacher. She recently taught at Sts. Joseph & Paul, has an A.B. and M.A. in philosophy. She says that she enjoys it very much and loves to work with this age group. She supports the new changes but says she would like to see an opportunity for more meaningful liturgy for the girls.

New to the Junior and Sophomore English class is Sister Johanna. The greatest thing to her are the girls. She loves teaching and has had quite a bit of experience at it, recently teaching young sisters in the novitiate for several years. She too agrees that the cooperation and the response of the girls is just the best!

Misses Atherton and Clemons, the new French teachers, are both Senior students at Brescia College. The work they are doing at the Mount accounts for their student teacher. Sister Maureen, head of the Brescia French Department, directs them in their work. According to them, the cooperation of the girls is super cool. They’re in love with the whole idea!

With the great faculty we already had and with these new boosters, we can’t miss. We’ve got a groovy thing going!

The Mount - Vol. 47, No. 1 - October 24, 1969

2010-10-27T08:25:00.001-07:00

(Caption under the picture: Beauty and tradition are displayed in the Mount Court. Clockwise are: Paula Wethington, Nancy Mills, Judy Wedding and Alice Wedding. Queen Rachel Towery is in the center.)

FAIRY TALE COMES TRUE
MIGHT SENIORS VICTORS

By Faye Hoffman

Once upon a time there were four classes at Mount Saint Joseph: the frail freshmen, the silly-billy sophomore, the jolly-olly juniors and the mighty powered seniors. One day, while they were playing out in the yard, the editor of The Mount was all alone. She had nothing to do. A few of the girls decided they would have a newspaper. Then the Mount Editor could lead them and they could express their feelings and tell of exciting happenings during some school days.
Jubilant Janet, the Mount editor, jumped up and was filled with glee. She called all the girls together and told them the news. “To make our MOUNT paper successful, we must sell as many subscriptions as we can!” All excited, they hurried to their stationery to write relatives and friends. Each one felt her class was to win. There were also companies and businesses to write to see if they would like to put ads in the girls’ newspaper. Meanwhile Jubilant Janet was busy finding a printer and making sure all the articles were just right.

Finally the deadline arrived and the subscriptions and ads were totaled. The frail frosh showed lots of spirit by bringing in $245 with 7.0 per capita but were still a bit weak because they came in last place. Luckily, they have 3 years ahead of them. The silly-billy sophs giggled as it was announced they had brought in $265 with a per-capita of 7.8. They were proud and laughed with joy.
Bringing in $699 was a delight for the jolly-olly juniors. Their per-capita was 20.7. At hearing, this the mighty powered seniors jumped up and down. They had won the Mount Drive with the grand total of $1353 and 20.8 for their per-capita.

The following Sunday, which was October 12, the Mount crowning took place. At 2:00 p.m., Rachel Towery, a mighty powered senior, was crowned queen because she brought in $975. Her court was senior Paula Wethington with $166; runner up junior Alice Wedding with $392; sophomore Nancy Mills with $34 and freshman Judy Wedding with $34. What a grand day it was. Everyone was so enthused and lived happily ever after!

A blast from the Past........

2010-10-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

Last night, several of us were on Face Book (Mary Ann Shrewmaker Payne A'72 and Tina Weber A-74, plus Rita Fay Thomas --sorry I can't remember your married name or find it just right now...!-- A'72) trying to remember the name of a Mount girl in the class of 1972. Just determined to remember, I pulled out my old "Buzz Books" and Mount papers from my years there (1969 to 1973)! What a fun trip down memory lane that was!!!!! (And no, I did not find her name -- we are still working on that!)

I was just wishing I could find a way to share some of these stories and articles from those precious newspapers........and think I have come up with a plan.

I tried scanning the articles and pictures - could not upload a pdf, so I figured out how to scan it as a jpeg.......but then it was just too tiny and blurred to read. So -- Plan B. I am scanning the pictures and drawings and typing in the text....and seeing how far I can go with this.

I hope you will enjoy reading these articles and seeing names and faces from years past!

Keep watching........I will post articles and pictures as I can!

The Gift of Music

2010-10-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

So, today I am put the polishing touches on the music selections for our Memorial Mass set for November 6, 2010 at the Mount. I have a call into Sr. Mary Eileen, left a message for Sr. Mary Etta, emailed Marian Bennett, Sr. Rose Mary (Flute!) and several other people. Sr. Mary Etta called me back and we went over my music selections and she paid me such a nice compliment! She said I always do a good job with the Liturgy planning.

Well -- it all started at the Mount! Really, it did! Sr. Robert Maria -- now Sr. Mimi -- Ballard -- taught me to play guitar when I was going into the 8th grade at St. Alphonsus (along wtih Stephanie Warren, also A'73) -- and we began playing our guitars for our school Masses at St. Alphonsus.

We continued when we went to The Mount for our school Masses! And it was there, the whole idea of mass planning was started for me. My memory is playing games with me, but I would guess Sr. Rose Mary Keough and Sr. Susan Kerr. Joe Wise, Ray Repp and such guys were coming out with some exciting and wonderful new music -- that moved us beyond Faith of our Fathers, Holy God we Praise Thy Name and Come Holy Ghost (hymns we still use and love, of course!). It was a fun and exciting time.

And thus began my days of Liturgy Planning. It is something I carried with me back to my parish (St. Alphonsus) and the 16 years I played organ (and some guitar) there, then a few years at Precous Blood Parish in Owensboro. When I moved to St. Louis, I did not become part of my parish Choir (St. Margaret of Scotland) but I kept getting drawn into the liturgy there (handbells and such) and somehow always ended up still planning liturgies! And I'm happy about that! I consider it a gift to get to continue to do it!

So, it has come full circle with me now planning liturgies for our Alumnae weekend Mass and our Memorial Mass.

I would be so interested in knowing how many Mount Girls took their love of music and instruction in music back to their parishes and still use it today! I know there are many, just from talking to friends. What a wonderful gift we received from the Mount: MUSIC!

Memorial Mass - November 6, 2010

2010-10-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars and plan to attend if you can! The Memorial Mass this year is Saturday, November 6, at 10:30 am in the Motherhouse Chapel. We will gather to remember all our alums who have died in the preceding year. The past few years when I have attended, it has always been very prayerful and peaceful and a lovely commerative Mass.

Sister Ann Victoria

2010-10-19T13:51:00.000-07:00

I was trying to copy and paste Sister Ann Victoria's picture here, but technology refused to cooperate with me.......!

At any rate, I did want to include Sr. Ann Victoria on my blog page for anyone who might read it and not have known otherwise. Sr. Ann Victoria was one of those sweet, sweet nuns who touched so many of our lives. Not only do I remember her from high school days, but also from the summers when I worked in the Laundry and cleaned dorms my high school years. A big part of our work day was our lunch hour -- and eating in that area back where Sr. Ann Victoria worked, and always talking to her. She was always so cheerful and happy -- always came by to talk to us and see how we were doing -- and she made sure we had plenty of food.

I was a little surprised to read her obituary, to learn that she had no family. Well, no blood relatives. Her real family was us, all of the Mount Girls. What a beautiful soul! She blessed our lives and we are richer for having known and loved her!

+ + + +

Sr. Ann Victoria Wasylina
June 14, 1924 - October 12, 2010

Birthplace: Ukraine
Resided In: Maple Mount KY USA
Visitation: October 13, 2010
Service: October 14, 2010
Cemetery: Mount Saint Joseph Cemetery

Maple Mount — Sister Ann Victoria Wasylina, 86, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Oct. 12, 2010, at Mount Saint Joseph, in her 56th year of religious life.
She was born Irena Wasylina in Duliby Stryj in the Ukraine, then a part of Poland. In 1942, during the Nazi occupation, she went to Austria, where she lived and worked with a farm family until coming to the United States. She came to Mount Saint Joseph in March 1950 with her friends the Stelmach family, and became a sister in 1954.
She ministered at St. Columba Convent in Louisville and at Mount Saint Joseph, where she was in charge of the dairy for 29 years. The butter and cottage cheese she produced were legendary. From 1986-88, she served as minister to the sick in Grants, N.M. >From 1988 until her retirement in 1995, she served in pastoral care and in hospitality at the Mount Saint Joseph Guest House.

She had a beautiful singing voice and often inspired the sisters and friends by singing her favorite hymn to Mary in Ukrainian.

She is survived by the members of her religious community.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Wednesday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m.

Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Owensboro, is in charge of arrangements.
Gifts in memory of Sister Ann Victoria Wasylina may take the form of donations to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.

Rose comes to St. Louis!

2010-10-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to sit down and write about this for several weeks, but time has a way of flying out from underneath me!

A few weeks ago, I got a phone call at work from one of my MSJ classmates that I had not seen since our junior year (1972-73) -- Rose Turnquist Mann! We had only recently reconnected on FACE BOOK -- and I had found out that she has a daughter who lives in the same area of St. Louis that I do (South City). Rose made my day with that phone call!

I had known Rose for years before she came to The Mount because she lived a few houses down from my cousins in Morganfield, Kentucky. And even those memories I have of her are one bubbly, happy, vivacious spirit. When she came to the Mount our junior year, a real friendship was formed.......and then our paths went separate ways. I had not seen or heard from her until a few months ago -- and now she was in St. Louis!

When I got home from work that day, I called Rose back and she and her daughter immediately invited me to join them for dinner. I drove a few blocks down the street and got to meet Rose's son-in-law and wonderful little grandson. A friend of mine at the office remarked (when I told her that I was going to meet up with a friend from high school that evening, whom I had not seen or talked to in 37 years) -- "So, what are you going to talk about after the first twenty minutes?"

Well, let's see -- I got there about 6:00 and I finally left after 11:00 pm!!!!! Clearly, my office mate didn't know ME (or ROSE!) well at all! We had so much to talk about! In fact, I think we could have gone on all night.

It was such a joy and delight to see Rose again and to catch up with each other's lives. There was so much to talk about, so much to laugh about, so much to share! I am still smiling when I think about that evening.

There is a special bond that Mount girls share that only another Mount girl can understand. After I graduated from the Mount, went to Brescia for a year, then Owensboro Business College, then began working in Owensobro in the business field, I always felt a certain envy of people I worked with because they knew so many people in the work force from their high school days. I felt a little left out, because most of my high school classmates were from everywhere from Owensboro!! But I have to say that I still would not trade going to the Mount for anything. THIS is better -- to meet up with a friend from Mount Days after 37 years and find there is a unqiue and incredibly special bond and spirit still there. Miles will separate us, but that friendship is a sacred gift.

There is nothing more special than being a Mount Girl -- and the friends that we made!

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us.....

2010-09-20T17:50:00.000-07:00

I flipped through my mp3 player this morning to find that song:

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us
They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends
We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge
When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end

It seemed to fit my mood, thinking of Carol. Carol was a junior when I was a freshie and I so looked up to the juniors and senors that year! I remember her as being so kind and sweet -- always smiling. I haven't seen her since 1971 -- but I can still see her smile. I hadn't thought about her in years -- now I wish I had seen her again, gotten to talk to her and see who she had become. But it's okay because even without that, I carry a lovely memory of high school days with her.

From messages I have seen on Facebook, her classmates carry the same memories -- memories of a lovely friend who touched our lives with goodness and grace.

Could anyone leave a better gift with all her friends that such a memory?
Thank you, Carol!

Carol Carrico Roby

2010-09-20T17:49:00.000-07:00

Carol Carrico Roby

Memorial for Carol Carrico Roby
Born in Owensboro, Ky. on Jan. 9, 1953
Departed on Sep. 17, 2010 and resided in Beaver Dam, KY.
Visitation: Tuesday, Sep. 21, 2010 & Monday, Sep. 20, 2010
Service: Tuesday, Sep. 21, 2010
Cemetery: St. Lawrence Cemetery

Carol Carrico Roby, 57 of Beaver Dam, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Friday, September 17, 2010 at her home surrounded by her loved ones. Carol was born on January 9, 1953 in Owensboro to the late Charles E. Carrico and her surviving mother Mary Virginia Carrico. She was a member of the Catholic Church and a graduate of Mount St. Joseph. Carol loved playing games with family and friends. She loved to paint, but most of all loved her animals on 'Born Free' the farm where she called home. In addition to her father she was preceded in death by her brother Sam Carrico.

Carol is survived by her husband of 11 years, James Herman Roby; her children, Beth Hurm Hatchett of Rockport, Indiana, and Sherri Hurm of Owensboro; three grandchildren, Jonathyn, Sydney, and McKenzie Hatchett; Siblings Pat (Charlene) Carrico, Jeanette (Eddie) Smith, Lucy (Tom) Goetz, David (Judy) Carrico, Phil Carrico, Judy Bielefeld, Mark (Mary Alice) Carrico, Frank (Michelle) Carrico, Janice (Bill) Walker, Rick Carrico, Chris (Jamie) Carrico, Karen (Greg) Gilmore; many nieces and nephews.

Services are at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Stephens Catholic Church with Father Ed Schnur officiating. Burial will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery in Knottsville, KY. Visitation will be held at Haley-McGinnis & Owensboro Funeral Home from 3 – 8:00 p.m. Monday and from 8 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday. Sharing memories with the family will be held on Monday at the funeral home at 7:00 p.m.

Online condolences may be left at www.haleymcginnis.com

Back to School

2010-09-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

Somehow the summer managed to fly by without many posts from me. Many days I would get home from work and sit down ....... and the brain would stop. I was too tired to think of anything that I felt was worth sharing. But then again -- maybe what I have shared before wasn't worth sharing to anyone but me! (smile)

But it's back to school time. Since I work for the Department of Special Education for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, I am very aware of the school year, particularly the beginning of a new school year. There's a seemingly endless list of tasks that I have to tend to through the summer in preparation for a new school year, in getting parents situated and set up with tuition and financial aid, payment plans, scholarships, parish subsidies, invoices, credit memos, etc...etc...etc... My goal is always to make it all work for our families and their children with their special needs.

And back to school time holds a special place in my heart anyway. When my girls were in grade school -- and even high school -- it was a magical time of getting the needed school supplies, and did their school uniform from last year still fit -- and on and on. Then the excitement of the first day of school, school calendars getting posted on the refrigerator, schedules, backpacks, lunch boxes -- you know the list.

But mostly it takes me back so vividly to my excitement when I was in high school at The Mount. The summer would seem to stretch on endlessly as I anxiously awaited returning to school -- and to my friends. We wrote letters to each other (remember letters and mail boxes and postage stamps?) but the time away was long and lonely to me. I cherished my friendships so much and missed being away from the Mount.

The restart of school was a very happy time for me. I remember how my cheeks would ache the first days -- because all I did was smile!!!

The first week of school was always orientation week -- and I was just happy to be with everyone again. I vaguely remember the things we did -- games, sing-a-longs, talent shows. But I clearly remember feeling so happy to be back at The Mount and with my friends.

I was always glad for actual classes to begin -- because I loved school and I loved my teachers. I really thought I was at the best place in the world and life could not be any better than this.

I remember thinking my first week of school in my freshman year that this was indeed a very special place and time -- and I told myself to cherish every single day. Really -- I'm not making that up. I look back and kind of marvel at myself for thinking that. And I did cherish every single day.

And I still do.

So, this time of year causes me to remember and smile. I'm so grateful for those memories and those days........that shaped the rest of my life!

The Blessings of Friends

2010-08-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

Last Wednesday, I made another trip to Kentucky. I am keeping the road "hot" these past few months, that's for sure! It's all been for celebrations, though.....celebrations of life and and love, family, friends and joy, all blessings from God: MSJ Alumnae weekend. a family reunion, a wedding..........and now Lilly's funeral. A celebration of a wonderful life.

It was a sad trip to make because just one week earlier, I had gotten the news that Lil had been diagnosed with cancer and given 6 months to live. Clearly, Miss Lilly (and God) had other plans. While none of us who knew her and loved her were in any way ready to see her go, we would all tell you in a second that we were glad she went so quickly -- did not linger in pain and misery.

Lilly was an Ursuline Associate but I knew her because she took my job as receptionist at the Catholic Pastoral Center in 1985 when I was moved to another position. She immediately found a permanent place in our hearts. She came in with her warm and loving heart, welcoming all, mothering us all, showering us with her love and care. I can't even begin to tell all the stories we have.........but the theme is always the same: LOVE. Lil was love. And as sad as I am that she left too soon.....just thinking of her makes me smile. And then giggle. And then laugh. That's what she gave me when she was here, and she won't stop now: love and joy.

I was so glad I came in for the funeral. It was wonderful to see her beautiful family again, to talk to them, be with them, and share our stories. As I sat in Blessed Mother Church during the funeral, I looked at all her children and grandbabies sitting there in front of me.......and smiled. She left so many wonderful gifts in them. Her legacy lives on and will never die! What an incredible gift she has left behind in all of them, in all of us!

I can't help but hope that when I die, I will leave behind as much as Lil has.

My Friend, Lil

2010-07-21T17:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, dear sweet little Ruth died. Last night, I found out that my friend, Lil, is very sick and will not live but a few months (but what do the doctors know?). I worked with Lil for about 6 years when I worked for the Diocese of Owensboro and I love Lil. She was my friend, my mother, my sister, my confidant. She picked me up when I was down, made me laugh, listened no matter what. She blessed me by being in my life.

I have kept in touch with her since moving to St. Louis. Christmas cards, birthday cards -- an occasional surprise visit when I was in the area. I did that one time in the past year when I had dashed back to Owensboro for somebody's funeral -- she was so surprised and so delighted. I was delighted to see her. She said to me, "You know, you are like one of my own children." She could not have said anything more precious to me.

So tonight I'm going to sit down and write to her and tell her how much she means to me, how much I love her and how blessed I am to know her. If she doesn't already know that, I want to make sure she carries that with her these days. I do hope to get back to Owensboro to see her again.........but tonight I feel that I did not send her enough birthday cards, or call her enough, or even get by to see her enough. Suddenly the days are too short and the miles way too long between us.

Of course, I know even when she leaves this earth, she will very much still be with me in an even deeper way....but tonight I feel sad and teary because there are so many wonderful people in my life and I can't see any of them enough.

Sweet Ruth

2010-07-20T18:17:00.001-07:00

I wrote a prologue to my previous post........but decided it fit best at the end of it (the previous one.) So I direct you there tonight.....

time to just..........sit

2010-07-18T18:26:00.001-07:00

Since January, every Saturday about noon, I climb in my trusty van and head across the bridge to Granite City to sit a few hours with a sweet little lady named Ruth. She is about 80 and has numerous health problems -- dimentia, parkinsins, to name a few. She still lives at home with her husband, Lewis, who cares for her tirelessly and with great love. They have been married since 1950......have 5 wonderful children........had their share of trials and troubles to live through and work through and survive these past 60 years. Ruth was a wonderful wife and mother -- a fabulous cook; she sewed; she did all those special things a mother does; she even went to work at the age of 42 as a social worker. She took care of her children and grandchildren; traveled with her husband. She took care of him when he lost his job and felt the burden of helplessness and despair. She was their strength. Now -- it is their turn to take care of her because she is slipping away....mentally and physically.

I go on Saturday afternoons to relieve Lewis for a few hours -- so he can get out and do a few things with his buddies, and just recharge his batteries a little bit.

Ruth and I sit and watch NCIS, or Golden Girls (her very favorite); we laugh at the silly commercials. Sometimes she cries and worries about how Lewis is going to be able to continue to care of her. Sometimes she sees people in the living room who are going to hurt her -- and I sit by her and assure her that I will NOT let them hurt her. I tell her if they come near her, I will spit on them -- and that always makes her laugh.

She is a prim and proper little lady -- the kind who would have always worn her hat out (when hats were required) -- and gloves. Her favorite color is pink so I made her a "snuggli" that was pink. Her husband lovingly dresses her every day in a pink or lavendar turtleneck and slacks; even her socks are pink and that makes her smile.

Sometimes she sleeps a lot. Sometimes I'm not sure she knows who I am. Other times, she turns to me and says so clearly, "you are a very nice person." Especially if I have just made her laugh about something. In those moments, I know she realizes I am trying to keep her comfortable, happy, distracted from any pain or worries....even though she may not be totally sure who I am. It doesn't matter if she knows who I am -- I just want her to not be in pain, to not be afraid -- to be happy for a few minutes.

If I mention her children by name (by the way, one of her daughters if my very best friend in this world) -- her face just lights up and glows. And to mention Lewis's name just makes her shine. Just pure love. Pure love lights up her entire being. So, no matter how disconnected her brain is becoming, LOVE still connects and still remembers.

Ruth worked so hard all of her life and now...........now is her time to rest. She can't get out of her chair by herself -- or go to the bathroom by herself. She can't dress herself; and sometimes when she tries to express a thought, it just won't come out with the right words. She sits in her chair, feeling she needs to get up and clean the house, or cook a meal -- but her body will not cooperate.

I did not know her in her younger days -- but I know the person she was. She is her daughter who goes around helping everybody and taking care of everybody -- she is me, running around doing all the things that need to be done.

I think about my Grandmother in her later years, who use to sit........just sit. After years of being so active.

Am I looking into that Magical Looking Glass and seeing my own future? I fear I am. And I wonder who will help me to the bathroom, help me dress, feed me so lovingly and carefully........but mostly I wonder why. Do I have to get to the point of not being able to be creative and do all the fun and life-giving things I love to do now? Will my words get all mixed up when I try to speak (well, they do some days NOW!). One day, will I just SIT?

I'm sure it's all a part of the weaving of our lives, and an important part of life that I just don't understand (or accept) yet. It troubles me and worries me. I'm not sure how to reconcile this. I know it makes me sad to see so many in my life suddenly growing older...........people who were all my life young and vibrant and busy and productive. Suddenly all of my aunts and uncles -- even my parents -- are growing older. Some days I think they are going to outlive all of us kids -- they are a hardy bunch -- but the fact remains that I see a lot of lives getting closer to their end........and it makes me sad. I don't want to see their lives end........and I don't want to see my life wind down.

But maybe that just means I am not ready to just sit.........yet. My time to be creative is still in the now, so I will dance and twirl and let the creativity flow in all the ways it does in my life....... Perhaps when it is time for me to just sit.............I will be happy to do it because.........I will be tired. It's just very hard to imagine right now.

I think sometimes Ruth is content to just sit........other times, she feels she needs to get up and continue to take care of everyone. But the real story going on is......now it is time for everybody else to take care of HER. Maybe that's what her life is really about now: giving others the chance to take care of her.

I know the Angels are all around here these days, and I know God will take her home when it is time. In the meantime, I will continue to sit with her..........and try to understand........a time to just........sit.

= = = = = = =

Tuesday, 20 July 2010.

This morning, sweet little Ruth, slipped away in her sleep into Heaven, into God's arms and He welcomed her safely home. I'm sure He told her she had worked long enough and hard enough. I'm sure Angels greeted her with great joy and love. I'm sure she is free of pain and happy and at peace. We are glad she is out of pain.....even though earth will be a little less because she has gone. But, we are all better because she was here.

I will smile every time I think of her........and I will cry with Mardi and Lewis and all her family over the next few days.

Please keep them all in your prayers!

Summer Days

2010-07-18T18:14:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how it got to be mid-July so quickly -- seems like I was just at the Mount for Alumnae Weekend last week!

There were 3 trips to Kentucky from May 14 through June 12 -- so I spent a few weekends after all of that was over just recuperating......pulling my life back together here at home. It was fun going "home" to Kentucky and visiting with 3 different groups of people -- people I knew from my life there, people I cherish and love. But while stepping back in time to reconnect with those folks, I still had to keep my current life going -- and somehow balance the two. It's a strange place to be in sometimes -- it's like having several separate lifetimes mixing all together. It's a rich blessing of people I have gotten to know and make part of my life, and a curious balance to maintain. My friends and family in Kentucky do not know my friends and family in St. Louis -- but their lives are connected through mine. The people here in St. Louis are richer because of the people I have known and loved in Kentucky. And vice versa.

I love this journey called my life and all the wonderful people who have/do/will walk with me and bless me with their lives.

Birthday ice cream

2010-06-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I had yet another birthday celebration (people have been taking me out to eat for 2 weeks now -- it's been wonderful!). This one was with 3 little 3-year-olds and their older sister, Greta. Yes, triplets. They have been a big part of my life for 3 years now. Their parents were part of my Small Church Community and when the triplets were born, we decided that instead of having our regularly scheduled meeting every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month, we would go over to their house and help them on those evenings.

Well, I did that once and decided that was the easiest thing I had done all year! So, the next day, I called Angie and told her I (and my daughter) could come over any evening to help her hold and feed the babies. We lived 3 blocks away and could just walk over any time she needed some help. (think about it -- she and her husband have 3 newborns and an 18 month old!!). Angie was hesitant to take me up on such an offer -- thought it was asking too much. I told her to just pretend I was one of her sisters. The 3 of them lived 30 minutes away and had their own families and really could not drive down and help her. I told her I would be a surrogate sister for her. She said, "well, we'll play it by ear."

So, that night, I called when I got home from work and asked what time did she estimate would be their last feeding that night -- and Christy Rose and I walked over to help. Christy Rose took Rudy, I took Otto, Tom (Dad) took Naida -- and Angie got to spend some time with Greta (the 18 month old) putting her to bed, reading to her and having some quality time. And, with 2 other adults helping feed, burp and change diapers and put the 3 newborns down for bed, the very weary and sleep-deprived parents actually got to go to bed a little earlier than they would have otherwise.

At that point in time, Tom and Angie were feeding the little guys (weighing all of 4 pounds) every 2-1/2 hours. And it took about an hour plus to do that. Do the math -- about an hour or so would pass and they would start it all over again. Around the clock. At least with us there, they could get it done in 30 minutes -- go to bed and get a little extra sleep.

The next night when I got home from work, I called and asked what time was their last feeding -- and we walked over and repeated the process.

The next night..........same thing. And so it continued. It became part of our daily routine. I made sure my evenings were free and planned my life around it because.......it became that important to me to do it.

The days passed, the weeks passed, the months passed -- and the feeding times became farther apart and Tom and Angie actually got to sleep a full night's sleep -- but we continued to help with that last feeding because it gave one of them the opportunity to have special time with the older daughter. Tom and Angie told everybody that we saved their lives by doing this. Well, the truth is -- they saved MY life.

I was working in a horrible job situation at that time -- and would come home so depressed and exhausted and beat. I would walk over to help them -- spent 30-45 minutes holding and feeding one of those precious little ones -- and by the time I walked home, I was at peace and whole again. It was like spending an hour holding Pure Love, an Angel -- God's newest creation who radiated Love in every ounce of their being. Every night, those little guys gave me my life back.

So, for the first 12 months of their lives, my daughter and I walked over almost every single evening and gave them their last bottle, held them, talked to them, loved them -- and put them to bed. They gave me life. We gave Tom and Angie some rest -- but I feel like I got the greatest gift.
For the next 6 months, we continued to go over almost every night, just to help. Tom had to travel out of town a lot at that time, so it was an easy thing for us to do. I lost by job during those 6 months, so I was even able to help them at times during the day when unexpected things came up.
By the time they were 18 months, things were easier, so we started going a few times a week; by the time they were 2, about once a week. Now, I try to go over and see them about once a week -- just to give Tom and Angie a break, to stay connected to these little guys that I love so much - -and who love me!

Tonight when I went over -- I had not had the opportunity to go over for 3 weeks -- and they were a bit rowdy because they were so excited -- I understood. They had invited me over for homemade ice cream -- and to sing Happy Birthday to me -- it was just very precious.

When I had to leave (and it was getting close to bedtime) -- Otto cried. "When are you coming back?" he sobbed. How about tomorrow? Okay -- a few days. Is there anything better than someone WANTING you to come see them?

God sends so many wonderful people into our lives. Some irritating ones (like the one in my office yesterday that still rankles me to think about) -- but most are special gifts. These babies are special gifts for me. Even now -- no matter what kind of day I have had, I always leave at peace, feeling whole again -- because of Love. They are all about love. And I am so grateful for such a wonderful gift!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Dad, Daddy, Father, Fa, Dad'l, Pops, Papa, Pawpaw, Gramps, Granddad, Granddaddy, -- are a few names I have known and heard in my own family. Just saying them conjure up so many faces and thoughts and memories -- and all of them centered around a loving man tending to a loving child. Especially the grandfather ones.

My Wathen cousins called our Grandfather "Pawpaw" -- but, for some reason, my brothers and sisters and I were trained to call him "Granddaddy." Not sure why we were more formal -- but we were. I can still hear my cousins calling him "Pawpaw" and with that word, I can see feel the warmth and love he had for all of us.

One of my best memories of my Granddaddy Wathen was one Sunday when they had come to visit, sitting on the couch looking at a photo album with him. For some reason, this one picture of somebody standing at a fence tickled my funny bone. Well, I giggled -- and he giggled -- I giggled some more -- he laughed -- I laughed -- he laughed -- I howled -- he howled -- and we couldn't stop. Tears came, we were laughing so hard! I remember thinking that it really wasn't that funny -- but there was something so magical and contagious about us sitting there laughing together. Of course, everybody around us just shook their heads at us and walked on by. But we couldn't stop laughing. We shared a silly moment and it still makes me smile to think about it.

I was 9 years old -- and he died a few months later. I'm glad to have laughter as a memory.

Now my own Dad -- we were pretty much scared to death of him growing up. He was the one whom mother warned, "wait til your father gets home" -- and we knew when we heard that statement, that things would never end well (and they didn't!). Whatever we had done that day, when he got home from his 2 jobs, he would line all 7 of us all up (equal opportunity minded, he was!) and start down the line with his switch. Of course, he kind of wore out as he got down to the youngest and they barely got a whack but that's another story!

He was the disciplinarian and we were scared (and rightfully so!). He worked hard -- not only at 2 jobs in "town" but at home with the yard and 2 huge gardens we had; he could fix anything that was mechanical, electrical, plumbing-related; he could build anything. He kept all of our vehicles running as we got older and began accumulating cars. Even after we left home, we knew he was the master fixer-person. In fact, even the grandkids know to this day that Granddad can fix anything.

He was a devote man, who took us to church every Sunday at 6 am (yes, 7 kids -- count them!) -- to church every Friday in Lent; he knelt us all down to pray the rosary every night before we went to bed. He was a generous man who would help anybody. A very fair man. A very hard working man. I could go on and on.

But here's the real point of the story. We were scared of him growing up. As we became adults, he softened. And then we started learning how there was nothing he hated worse than having to spank us; how he hated coming home to find out he had to line us all up and give us a spanking for whatever we had done that day. That's why he would pretty much be barely touching the littlest bottoms at the end of the line. He didn't want to do it -- but did not know any other way at that point in time.

I never will forget that look at his face as he sat there that day, kind of sad, very reflective, saying, "I never wanted to come home and have to give spankings to anybody. I hated doing that." I remember the passion in his voice when he said, "I hated doing that!" I was astounded and so surprised -- and began seeing my father with new eyes.

In his heart was more love than he knew how to give. But before that, it was his job, his responsibility, his duty, to take care of us. To keep us clothed and fed, a roof over our heads, and to raise us to be good Catholics, good honest, hardworking, responsible people.

He did all of that rather sternly -- and once we looked like maybe we were getting there, he softened and we started seeing the sweet, gentle heart that was inside of him. Such a good man, and such a gentle soul.

I know all my cousins knew that side of him all along -- because he could be funny and sweet and loving with them. He wasn't responsible for their "raisin'" -- ! But with us -- he had a job to do.

I'm glad the job is over and now we can see the sweet, gentle, funny side to him. That's the only side the grandkids know. They are so lucky to have him!

So Happy Father's Day to all....no matter what kind of father you had or are. All are gifts, all contribute to our journey, good or bad. I am sad for those who have sad stories to think of on Father's Dad -- and I know those are out there -- and I send you healing. And I am happy for those who have good stories to share. They all make up this weaving called our life and we send our thanks to our Master Weaver (God) -- !

Birthday Meeting

2010-06-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

Can you think of a more fun way to start your birthday than meeting with this great group of ladies??

Saturday, June 12, we met at Cracker Barrel to do follow-up from our Alumnae Meeting and set dates for meetings for next year's weekend -- and celebrated my birthday in the meantime!

We had some great comments on the evaluation forms about the meeting -- which are very helpful to us. Negative comments help us to improve the next meeting -- and the positive ones just make us feel good. Okay, they also let us know what works and what doesn't! We want the weekend to go well, to be fun and to create a great memory.

The rest of my birthday was fun, too. My sister and I dashed over to Reid's orchard for some peaches and jams and homemade bread, then we loaded the "kids" into the van and headed out to my nephew's wedding. For months I've been joking about the fact that my nephew was getting married on my birthday -- well, it was my party really and I was just sharing the gifts and cake and music with Ryan and Jen!

The wedding went great. St. Mary Magdalene church was packed (they are both St. Alphonsus kids, but the church was already booked) with family and friends. It was very neat to see so many people gathered so lovingly around them as they started down this new path together.

The reception was at my brother's farm (Gary, married to Imelda Warren, A'71) -- about 2 miles from The Mount. And yes, it was very hot - but it was time to celebrate so we pretended not to notice the heat.

After we could stand the heat no longer, we went back in to my sister's house -- and she surprised me with a cake. Yes, trick candles on it, of course! Fun presents from her and from my girls -- and a nice end of another birthday.

So much to be said about birthdays! I share many of the same sentiments that Sister Kathleen Kaelin does about Birthdays: no day is more important! Birthdays were special days when I was growing up -- you always got the cake of your choice and candles! And probably a present.

My Grandmother Cecil always remembered my birthday. She had 30+ grandkids -- yet she always remembered me. One year she gave me a little brown zipped change purse -- I thought I was the luckiest child in the world. When she was older and her memory not so sharp, my Dad went to see her on HIS birthday (May 9) -- which she had totally forgotten until he pointed it out to her. Do you know how she responded: "Well, Carolyn Sue's birthday is next month!" Even then, she remembered my day!

Birthdays have come and gone which no one remembered, but they were always important to me. I am not 29 and holding, or 39 and holding or 49 and holding. I am 55 this year. I claim each year proudly. I think everyone should. We have been given the gift of another year of loving and living and growing and learning -- and we are starting into yet another year of loving and living and growing and learning. It is much to be celebrated.

This year, I have been taken out to eat by 5 people to eat dinner at some special restaurant for my birthday. And one night this week, I'm going to go have birthday cake with my very favorite triplets. These are all precious gifts -- friends who care about me so much. And another year of living.

Birthdays are a wonderful way to celebrate life!

Family Reunion

2010-06-01T12:57:00.001-07:00

2 weeks ago, I was at the Mount for our great Alumnae Weekend. This weekend found me getting on I-64 and heading east once more.......! This time was for a Cecil Family Reunion. My cousin Tracy (well, she's married to my cousin, Mike -- so that makes her my cousin in my book!) got this bright idea to have a family reunion. So, last year, she set a date -- said she and Mike would host it (they now live in our grandparents' old home) -- told everybody to mark our calendars and just plan to come!

They were gracious and generous to make such an offer -- and it seems everybody appreciated it! I rolled in with my crew about 12:30 -- and the field was already filling up with cars, people and food were gathering and filling up the tables and chairs, finding name tags and greeting everyone.

And they continued to roll in and gather over the next hour -- and, as you can imagine, we had enough food to feed about 100 more people than the ones who came! That's just a typical gathering in that area of the world. Mike had barbequed chicken and pork -- and people brought every other kind of dish imagineable: potatoes, beans, salads, casseroles, vegetables, fruits, chips, dip, -- and then the desserts! Well, that table was the longest -- of course!

Uncle Marion, Aunt Rose Therese, Mother and Daddy and Sister Mary Irene were there. Missing -- Aunt Maxine who died 2 years ago this July.......and Uncle Martin who died in 2000. (And we still miss them!) Uncle F.G. and Aunt Winnie were just too feeble to make it, but they are still with us. Of those great ones who head this line of nuts called the Cecils were a lot of their kids -- and they came from all over.

Most from Owensboro, but some from North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, me from St. Louis. It was great to see cousins I had not seen..........well, since the last funeral! But even more neat were all the babies -- the grandkids and great-grandkids. I looked around and realized we were no longer the young ones........but there were plenty of young ones to take our places and continue the story.

Later in the afternoon, a bunch of us piled onto the wagons Mike had hitched up to his tractor and he drove us out to St. Alphonsus to visit the rest of our relatives.........in the cemetery.

I'm sure we were an entertaining sight -- a tractor pulling 2 trailers of laughing, squirming, giggling Cecils -- who descended upon a certain end of the cemetery like ants at a picnic.

I was standing there looking at those graves and, of course, had to sing the song (once again):

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS
by Joyce Johnson Rouse

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me
I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words
I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future
I am grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us
They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends
We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge
When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end

They lift me higher than I could ever fly
Carrying my burdens away
I imagine our world if they hadn't tried
We wouldn't be here celebrating today

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me
I am honored by their passion for our liberty
I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer
And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me

They lift me higher than I could ever fly
Carrying my burdens away
I imagine our world if they hadn't tried
We wouldn't be so very blessed today

It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, up on that hill where we all had grown up with the grandparents we loved. How precious to have such a history and how precious to see the story continuing.

=-=-=-=-=-=

Oh, and by the way -- this gathering was 2 miles from The Mount. This is where I grew up. And let's start counting the Mount Girls at this gathering:

my mother (Mary Louise Wathen Cecil, C'50);
myself and my two sisters:
Mary Lou Cecil Storm
Diane Cecil Bowers;
my sister-in-law: Imelda Warren Cecil (A'71)

aunts:
Sr. Mary Irene Cecil,
Aunt Rose Therese O'Bryan Cecil;
Aunt Winnie Cecil Riney;
(deceased: Aunt Maxine Riney Cecil - she was with us in spirit!)

cousins:
Anna Osborne Cecil;
Joanne Drury Cecil;
Pam Riney Higdon;
Betty Cecil Medley;
Janice Cecil (sorry, I can't remember your married name);
Mary Cecil Fogle;

Then, there were the ones who couldn't make it:
Alice Ann Cecil Biscopink (Aunt Maxine's)

all of Aunt Winnie's girls:
Ann Riney Roby
Linda Riney O'Nan
Becky Riney Reisz
Cathy Riney McClish
Judy - Sister Judith Nell Riney
Winnie Lynn Riney Cohen
Carol Riney
Kay Beth Riney
Laurie Riney
and daughter-in-Law: Leslie Miller Riney.

Then there were all my Cecil Great Aunts - Sister Alicia, Sister Celestine......okay two more whose names I will have to search my memory for.....

And not present were other Cecil cousins (Mary Ruth Knott Cecil, Mary Ann Cecil Ebelhar, Cathy Cecil Eblhar, Lynn Cecil Hofer, Faye Cecil Riney, Jane Cecil Thompson, (not sure if Christy or Marcie got to go to the Mount) - I'm telling you the list is endless........!

We could have had our own MSJ Alumnae Meeting!!

thought for the day

2010-05-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

"If we just worry about the big picture, we are powerless. So my secret is to start right away doing whatever little work I can do. I try to give joy to one person in the morning, and remove the suffering of one person in the afternoon. . . . That is the secret. Start right now."

~Sister Chan Khong

May 26, 1973

2010-05-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Do you ever stop and go…………..”10 years ago today, I was doing such-and-such."

Or, "Now, if you had told me 10 years from now I would be doing this, I would have said you were crazy?”

I do that all the time. I stop and look at my life – where I am standing now – where I was standing this same time a year ago, 7 years ago, 20 years ago……….and am always amazed. ALWAYS amazed!

Today……………37 years ago today I was graduating from Mount Saint Joseph Academy. I can still picture the day so clearly – lining up in our white caps and gowns, with our red rose…..marching into the chapel.....our graduation Mass, the music, Bishop Soennecker conferring our diplomas, celebrating!

Today………37 years later………..I drove out to the Rigali Center here in St. Louis (where my office was located until 2 months ago) for a Curia meeting with the Archbishop. I got there at 8:00 to set up and get ready for the Mass – because two of my fellow workers at the Catholic Education office and myself were asked to do the music.

Who would have thought? If you have told me 37 years ago that I would be doing the music at a staff Mass with the Archbishop of St. Louis on this very day – I would have just not believed you!!!!!!!!

The music went fabulously! I played keyboard, Ken joined with clarinet; then he and I did a solo (me on flute, him on clarinets) at the Offertory. Everyone in our office (Catholic Ed Office) were just beaming. They said we did them proud. Usually, they bring in the Big Musicians from the Cathedral if the Archbishop is saying any kind of Mass for us. But this time – we (as his own staff) were asked. That was a huge compliment I suppose. It was joy and delight for us – because we like doing it and have done it for our office staff masses for the past 2 years.

So, that’s how I spent my day. 37 years ago I graduated from MSJ; today I played the keyboard for a Mass with the Archbishop.

Wonder what I will be doing 37 years from today on May 26……?

I'm ready for any adventure!

The Legacy of the Gossip Tree

2010-05-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is a beautiful poem that Madelyn Denniston Keach A-60 wrote and shared with us this year at our Alumnae Awards Dinner. I just love reading it over and over! It is so worth sharing:

Birds fly with urgency
Under the cloak of maple trees,
Chattering, singing, sharing
Their migrating odyseys.
The old gossip tree gently sways
Leaning to hear more sacred stories
As it has done for over 100 years.
Secrets forever carved into its spirit
While its sap freely flows
With laughter and tears.

My muses swirl within my head
As I smell the scent of roses,
Dogwood and lilac trees.
I can hear girls chattering,
Laughing, sisters’ rosaries rattling,
Chapel bell ringing, silence beckoning
Wisdom blooming, prayers ascending!

For all of us, Mount St. Joseph is
Our shelter, safe haven and abode.
The spirit of Maple Mount leads us to
The true meaning of home.That spirit nurtured, taught us
To find inner strength in the women we
Were becoming.
St. Angela Merici fostered our femininity
Through her community of sisters,
Urging us to travel all roads,
Fearlessly spreading the word.
Like the gossip tree, let us listen
to one another’s chatter, joys and sorrows,
all the while honoring the person each has become
through the spirits that have led us thus far,
Still burning within us.
May we continue to weather the years,
mindful of our gifted moments,
Hopeful for moments yet to be.
Growing gracefully,
Let us lovingly lean to embrace each other’s journeys
And all God’s wondrous mysteries. Indeed!
Let us honor the legacy of our gossip tree.

Madelyn Denniston Keach A’60

Facebook and blogs and twitters and such

2010-05-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Last summer, we had gone to Owensboro for a graduation party for all the nieces and nephews (with 7 of us "kids" and 24 grandkids -- there are a few every year now!). One of the things we got to discussing was Face Book. Well, the "younger kids" were a bit aghast at us "old folks" being interested. In fact, my own two daughters told me that you had to have 'secret password' to get on Face Book. Of course, I fell for it -- and they loved it.

But, lo and behold -- I got a Face Book page and the fun began. Now, I told my youngest daughter she did not have to be my "friend" -- nor would I ask any of HER friends to be my friends. She can have her privacy. But what I am really enjoying is all the people who are coming back into my life whom I have not seen or heard from in YEARS.

I never forget anyone who has touched my life. I'm funky like that. I remember people who were a big part of my life -- through grade school, high school, college, business college, jobs. I remember people who had a small part in my life, who passed through in a class or a job and never touched my life again. I doubt if they ever think of me -- but they were a part of my life and I remember them.

They were all a part of the weaving of my life -- and I consider their color, their texture, their moment important.

So, it really delights me when someone reconnects to me. It doubly delights me if I find out that they had not forgotten me -- thought of me as I had them.

I see Face Book and this blog as a way to connect to people - and I love connecting. I love being connected to the people I love -- and I love staying connected.

Reconnecting is a precious gift!

Holy Ground

2010-05-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

We Are Standing On Holy Ground-
Bill Gaither

When I walk through the doors I sensed His presence
And I knew this was a place where love abounds
For this is a temple the God we love abides here
Oh we are standing in His presence on holy ground

We are standing on holy ground
For I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
For we are standing in His presence on holy ground

In His presence I know there is joy beyond all measure
And at His feet sweet peace of mind can still be found
For when we have a need He is still the answer
Reach out and claim it for we are standing on holy ground

We are standing on holy ground
For I know that there are angels all around
Let us praise Jesus now
For we are standing in His presence on holy ground

Let us praise Jesus now

For we are standing in His presence on holy ground

The ones who went before us.......

2010-05-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS

by Joyce Johnson Rouse

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me

I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words

I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future

I am grateful for their vision, for their toiling on this Earth

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us

They are saints and they are humans, they are angels, they are friends

We can see beyond the struggles and the troubles and the challenge

When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end

They lift me higher than I could ever fly

Carrying my burdens away

I imagine our world if they hadn't tried

We wouldn't be here celebrating today

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me

I am honored by their passion for our liberty

I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer

And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me

They lift me higher than I could ever fly

Carrying my burdens away

I imagine our world if they hadn't tried

We wouldn't be so very blessed today

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me

I am honored by their passion for our liberty

I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer

And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me

a new week

2010-05-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

I had such a great time at the Mount last weekend. I love being there. There is a peacefulness that settles in my soul when I am there………and it was hard to drive away from it, back to St. Louis on Sunday evening. Of course, it is there to return to – and I carry it in my heart – but it was still hard to physically leave it. When I returned to the office on Monday (after being gone for 2 work days) – well, you know that routine. Lots to catch up on. The week was exhausting and draining. As a result, I could not find it in my heart to write anything here.

But, it is time to share some things from the weekend……….

A blessing

2010-05-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

"May today there be peace within.

May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.

May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are.

Let this knowledge settle into
your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

Alumnae Weekend 2010

2010-05-17T17:39:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon, after I got drenched taking some pictures, the clouds passed and the sun came out. This is the front campus -- what was the library when I was there, sophomore dorm above, then junior dorm above that. Now, lovely rooms.

Kathy Komp (Krump), Stephanie Warren and Nancy Mills.

Gathering for our evening prayer in the front campus....

Sister Mary Etta, leading us in prayer....

Paula is checking out the yummy and gorgeous-looking food spread at our evening reception in The Madonna Room.

Sunday's Banquet -- the class of 1973 gathers in the colorful former gym.

Sister Julia Head, Sister Rose Marita, Sister Helena and Sister Kathleen Kaelin, from the class of 1960, being honored by their classmates.

The class of 1972 - Dorothy, Rita Faye, Mary Ann, Sarah, Carolyn, Nancy, Patty, "Duck" -- I think I have them all!

The class of 1970 - Becky Henderson, Chris Schwartz, Jenny Speaks, Beth Calhoun, Kathleen Ford and Patricia Wooldrige.

Marian Lanham, Krump and Nancy Mills.

Alumanae Sunday, 2010

2010-05-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

There is so much to post, so much to write about and tonight I am too tired. But, I have to post at least one picture. This is the class of 1973 who were present: Debbie Alvey, Paula Chandler, Marian Lanhan, Stephanie Warren, Kathy Komp (Krump) and me. The years have carried us in many directions, on many adventures. 40 years later, here we are again......in the place where we started.

Country Roads, take me home..

2010-05-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I have my dress in the van. Funny story behind that. Last year, I decided what dress I was going to wear and had it hanging on my bedroom door for 2 weeks. And somehow it faded into the woodwork so when I packed the van and made my way to the Mount.......the dress still hung on my bedroom door. I didn't realize it until I took my stuff to my room when I got to the Mount that afternoon........with few free moments in my schedule. So, Friday night about 8:00, I went flying into Owensboro to the Mall and found a new dress to wear on Sunday before it closed at 9:00. Well, it was a cute dress and I was happy to add it to my wardrobe, but it was a little unnerving.

In July I went to my cousin's wedding -- and remembered my dress, but forgot my silk shawl. So it became the family joke. I was ordered to leave a dress in my van at all times from that point on. When my niece got married in October -- yes, I managed to get there with my dress and shawl.

So, tonight - my dress is in the van. Hopefully I will remember the rest of my stuff tomorrow morning when I get ready to leave. If not, there is always the Mall.

Last year, when I came for Alumnae Weekend, it was sandwiched in between my youngest daughter's high school graduation activities. On Thursday evening, we had the Awards Convocation; Friday morning I left for The Mount. Sunday evening I returned home to guests for the Graduation ceremony on Monday evening. This year -- her first year of college has ended and she is heading home......as I head out to The Mount for my weekend. It will be interesting to see how this weekend continues to play out in our lives.

I am excited about heading to The Mount for the weekend. It's home. It's a place that feeds my soul and brings me peace to be there. It'll be good to be there. My soul needs it.

Alumnae Weekend coming........

2010-05-11T20:38:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day...one more thing

2010-05-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

And I did not forget all those who mother those 4-legged, furry ones we love.......Happy mother's Day to all pet-lovers and caretakers!

More on Mother's Day....

2010-05-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am a few days late. I had this fun thing about Mothers but did not get a chance to post it to this blog until Monday. Then, after I posted it, other thoughts kept roaming around in my brain as I went about my daily life. So I thought I would sit down with a few of them.
I think Mother’s Day can be a tough day for many people. If you have a wonderful mother, it’s a marvelous day. If you have wonderful children, it’s a marvelous day. But, if you have a difficult relationship with your mother, or your children, it’s a difficult day. If your mother has died, it is a lonely day. If you want children and haven’t been able to have children, it’s a heartbreaking day. If you have lost children, it’s a sad day. If you are a single person, it’s just an annoying day.

While a day set aside to honor mothers is a great idea, I also see the need to be sensitive to a lot of hurting people on this day.

I send prayers of healing out to all of those people…..

The other place my brain went on this whole mother’s day topic was to all the people we have in our lives who have been like mothers to us who are not our biological mothers – and how could we ever have gotten along without them?? For those I am most grateful. I have several wonderful, wonderful aunts (my Aunt Maxine, who died 2 years ago that I still miss very much; my Aunt Rose Therese whom I do not get to see much at any anymore; my Aunt Winnie); I also have wonderful ladies whose paths have crossed mine, who gave me mothering when I needed it at different times in my life: Alma McBride, Marie Conn, Lil Wilson, to name a few.

I think many of the sisters at the Mount were mothers to me while I was in high school – in their love and care, support and affirmation. They were role models I will never forget!

Probably, by the same token, I have been mother to more than just my own two girls – and I have loved that. Right now I have Otto, Rudy and Naida (triplets) whom I claim as I my own because I went over to help give them their last feeding for the first 14 months of their life, and still see every week (or as often as possible) because they are the loves of my life.

Mothering is an important thing – and we can never have too many mothers loving us and caring for us. Therefore, we should also send that love back to others at every opportunity we get. Everyone needs some mothering. And, our ultimate role model is God:

“With a shepherd’s care, God leads us.
With a father’s strength, God guides us
With a mother’s love, God nurtures us
And cradles us in gentle arms.”

So, pretend every day is Mother’s day……….and spread some motherly love to everyone you meet!

Mothers

2010-05-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

To all Mount Girl Mothers:

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

flowers

2010-05-09T19:00:00.001-07:00

"In April, we cannot see sunflowers in France, so we might say the sunflowers do not exist. But the local farmers have already planted thousands of seeds, and when they look at the bare hills, they may be able to see the sunflowers already. The sunflowers are there. They lack only the conditions of sun, heat, rain and July. Just because we cannot see them does not mean that they do not exist."

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

hyacinth for today

2010-05-07T16:00:00.001-07:00

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

~Elizabeth Kübler-Ross

Sister Johanna

2010-05-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Sister Johanna was a beautiful, loving, wonderful teacher I had my junior and senior years for English Literature. She always seemed a bit fragile to me -- so sensitive and gentle. She gave me a fabulous gift.

Early into our first class with her our junior year, she challenged us to look for the beautiful. She told us to start a notebook in which to collect beautiful quotes. The quote that she gave us for inspiration:

"If I had two hyacinths, I would sell one for bread and save the other to feed my soul."

And thus began my quest to find beautiful, wonderful quotes that would inspire and touch the heart,...and feed my soul.

In the next two years, I filled a notebook and started another one.

I still have those notebooks and I still collect beautiful quotes.

In fact, when I repainted and redecorated my art room a few years ago, I painted that quote about hyacinths on the wall.

To this day, I still love hyacinths.

And I love beautiful quotes.

Today's quote:

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn,
whatever state I may be in, therein to be content."
~Helen Keller

The Class of 1970

2010-05-06T19:35:00.001-07:00

The Class of 1970 were my heroes. To this day, I still think about them -- the seniors of my freshman year. They were amazing young women, full of spirit, incredibly gifted and talented --they were amazing role models for us little freshmen. I think we all idolized them. They were leaders and and they were also our friends. They were our big sisters. They nurtured and cared for us. They were in fabulous plays and sang wonderful songs and played the piano, did wonderful speeches, wrote incredible things; they ran the Student Council and other groups; played sports. There was nothing they could not do -- and do well!

One week into our freshman year, they gave us a special "party" just for us new girls. They were worried about us being homesick, and they were worried that we did not have enough school spirit. They pulled us together and did special things just for us, to draw us out and to try to tap into that unique spirit they knew we had. They had managed to observe our special gifts in a matter of a few days and managed to give us "awards." I remember Carol Cagle seemed to have used up more than her quota of napkins at mealtime, so she was awarded "Napkin Girl." It was silly things like that. Mine? "Shy or sly?" was the slogan for me. (And the answer was: shy. Very, very shy.)

I was bowled over by their creativity and caring. I will never forget that.

At our Spring Party that year, we freshmen did a great skit -- Graduation. Each one of us had a senior to imitate. We observed them carefully, then proceeded to take one special characteristic they had -- and we made sure we showed it off. Whoever did Faye Hoffman, made sure they flipped their long hair the way she did; I did Curly Wooldridge -- who had said she was going to give the Bishop the peace sign when he handed her the diploma. I did it -- also imitating her unique walk -- and it brought the house down. (Freaked her out a bit, I think!). Each one of us played our senior to the hilt and they loved it. It was fun and funny -- and our tribute to the deep regard and respect and admiration we had for them.

There was an incredible spirit and energy to that Class of 1970. I have carried that gift with me all these years -- remembering them, emulating them, honoring them.

I thank them and I salute them!

Honors

2010-05-06T19:20:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago, I went to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where my youngest daughter is a freshwoman. She was being inducted into Phi Eta Sigma - a national honor society that only invites college freshmen with a GPA of 3.5 or higher (she is 3.8). She said, ever so nonchalantly, "you can come if you want to." With a shrug. Well, of course I went! And it was a big deal! She has done great her first year in college!

It made me remember NHS in high school (which she was also a member). I remember so clearly that spring day in May, my freshman year at The Mount, when Sister Charles Mary announced over the PA the new members who were being invited to join. My name was called out! I was amazed and humbled. In that same week, I had been announced as having scored "Summa cum laude" on the National Latin exam we had taken earlier in the spring. Sister Lucita was excited beyond words. I don't think I really realized what a big deal it was -- especially to Sister Lucita. I scored a perfect score. And a few days later, I was a new member of NHS. I don't think I had ever gotten so many honors, or so much recognition in my life -- and two big ones in one week.

It is one of those memories that stands out so vividly -- not because of the "great" accomplishments -- but because of the affirmation. And the nuns at the Mount were always alike that for me: very affirming. That was an incredible gift to me. A gift I still treasure and draw from. I know every girl (or guy) who went to a Catholic School can tell hilarious stories about the mean nuns -- and we all laugh. But the truth for me is -- the nuns at MSJ during my high school years were loving and affirming and supportive and caring. They were wonderful women who touched my life is such deep and marvelous ways. I will always be grateful!

So, the real story behind "honors" are the wonderful people who got us there.

In the morning of my life......

2010-04-21T17:18:00.001-07:00

I do not remember what year we sang this song in Chorus -- but I LOVED the words!!! Still do! I recently did the words in calligraphy (something I started at MSJ, thanks to Sister Mary Diane!) and made it into a wall hanging for my office:

In the morning of my life, I shall look to the sunrise
At a moment in my life when the world is new
And the blessing I shall ask is that God will grant me
To be brave and strong and true
and to fill the world with love my whole life through.....

In the evening of my life, I shall look to the sunset
At the moment in my life when the night is due
And the question I will ask only I can answer.....
Was I brave and strong and true?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Be Kind to everyone you meet.....

2010-04-16T21:23:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard that quote that goes something like......."Be kind to everyone you meet because you do not know what heavy load they might be carrying."

I really came to appreciate that quote this week. Last Friday morning, after I got the news about my great-nephew dying, I was upset/sad/rattled/grief-stricken/shocked/lost -- a myriad of things. Then I went out to get in my van to go to the office.......and I had a flat tire!!!!! Well, that was too much. I fell apart and the tears flowed.

I managed to call AAA who promised to send someone over within 20 minutes. He actually got there in about 10 minutes and was just the nicest man possible. But the tears were still flowing -- and this kind man was so concerned. " Don't worry, 'mam' -- I WILL fix your tire, I promise!" I had to laugh -- and assured him I believed him but had gotten some very sad news which were what the tears were really about.

But I was so touched by his kindness and sweetness to me. He didn't know me from Adam -- and was really just doing his job of fixing my tire -- but more than that, he was a kind man and he made sure he took care of my problem on my van with the utmost care and consideration.

I needed his kindness that morning. He was a gift from God.

After I got the tire fixed (just a wayward nail I had managed to pick up -- a patch job!) I got to the office and began checking my phone messages from the morning. Quite a few demands and one parent in particular had left 2 rather impatient messages. Before I could even return her call, she called again and began yelling at me for NOT answering her phone call. I explained to her that I had had a death in my family, a flat tire and had just arrived at the office. She immediately became contrite and apologized and expressed her condolences.

Now wait a minute! It was okay to be impatient and irritable and angry with me when she thought I was just going through a normal day? Why not offer some patience and understanding just because it was the kind thing to do? While I appreciated her condolences, it did not mean a lot. Not half as much as the kindness of the man from AAA who was kind just because.

He didn't know what kind of day I was having -- but he was kind anyway. I will never forget that!

When I got back from Kentucky, emotionally exhausted from the funeral and grieving, I returned to work only to be bombarded by a lot of phone calls (more than usual) of people with questions, needs, complaints and requests. Again, the quote came to mind. None of these people I talked to knew anything about my personal life or the emotional funeral I had just been through. Some of the people I talked to were angry and difficult. More were kind and friendly. Others were appreciative of the help and assistance I was able to give them. But, as I took care of the calls that came across my desk the next few days, I just really realized how important it is to BE KIND to everyone you meet. I did not know what kind of day any of them were having -- but what if they had just gotten some heartbreaking news? What if someone they loved had just died, or was gravely ill?

It's a small thing, but it can make all the difference: kindness.

Be kind to everyone you meet........

The Length of our Days.....

2010-04-12T18:01:00.000-07:00

I went to a funeral today -- a funeral for a little guy who blessed us with his life for four short years. From all that I saw and heard, clearly Patrick managed to do more in his four years than some people do in 80 or 90 years of life.

I was touched and moved by all the people who gathered around Patrick's parents -- my nephew Eric and his wife, Tisha. Eric and Tisha clearly inspired everyone by their devotion and care to Patrick. They never complained or considered him a hardship just because he was special needs. They considered him a blessing every moment, every day and cherished their time as his parents.

Patrick made friends with everyone. Even all the other children in his daycare considered himself or herself to be his best friend -- a prized slot to hold! They shared everything with Patrick and could not love him enough.

How could a little guy who could not even talk make so many friends? Because he communicated love by his very being. His laughter and smile reached out to everyone. He knew he was loved and he had only love to give back.

One of the ministers who spoke at his service today was honest and spoke the question he was sure that many were asking: WHY? Why would a child die so young? Why would a child have such a hard life? Why? He said we know the answer is NOT because God does not love us. He said we know the answer is NOT that God does not care about us. So what is the answer? He had no answer -- just the love of God to offer as comfort.

Well, I was thinking on the long drive home about Patrick's short life and the question the young man asked this morning: Why. Why? Why?

Why? Because we assume that God is thinking like we are thinking.

Do you feel like laughing at the absurdity of that yet?

Think about it. WE decided somewhere along the way that the only way a life can be lived to the fullest is if it is 80 or 90 years long. WE decided that a life is good only if it has no hardship or pain. WE decided certain choices have to be made, certain paths followed, or the life has been wasted or is not good.

What is wrong with us anyway?

A life lived to the fullest can take a few hours, a few days, a few weeks........4 years......16 years.........22 years...........92 years. It depends on the person and the plan God has for him or her. It's not about length -- it's about fullness.

And a life without hardships or pain? How would we ever learn compassion if we never had a hardship? If our hearts were not broken, how would we find more room to open it up and let in love? How would we learn the true meaning of friendship if we have not been alone and in need of a friend? How would we know how important it is to give support and love to others if we had not ourselves suffered the same (or similar) hurt or loss?

Hardships and pain form us and shape us into loving, compassionate souls. They open us up to God's love and care.

And that wonderful gift God gives us called free will allows us to make choices and to live life that perhaps others don't agree with or think is good -- but sometimes it is that very path that leads us right into God's Loving Arms.

Who are we to say a person has to live a certain amount of years or that it is all wrong? Who are we to say a person has to make the choices we think they should make in order to have a good life? We have no right to decide that. The path to God is different for each one of us.

Today, once again, I saw a life lived to the fullest in 4 short years. I have known others: Eric lived out his life at the age of 11; Jason at 4; Neil at 16; Jose, 16 years; Aidan, 7 days; Erin, 22 years; Logan, 6 months; Matthew 5 months 3 weeks; David, 6 years; My list goes on.

Isn't it amazing and inspiring to realize how much work some of these sweet souls did in such a short amount of time?

Don't you wonder why it's taking some of us so long?

Just kidding.

Everyone's time is unique and special to their own gifts and life.

So, let us celebrate life, no matter how long or how short.

Let us thank God for all the people who have blessed our lives with their life and love.

Let us thank God for Patrick and other sweet souls who have taught us so much about God's love.....!

The Gift of Love

2010-04-10T20:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it only takes a phone call to turn your day, your plans and even your life totally upside down...and it's never ever the same again. I got one of those phone calls Friday morning.

My phone rang at 6:30 a.m.....way too early for the phone to be ringing at my house. It was my mother calling to tell me that my great-nephew Patrick had died. He had not been sick or having any difficulties recently. For some reason, his little heart just stopped beating in the night and he slipped into heaven quietly and (I'm sure) happily.

Patrick was born 4 years ago March 17. He and his twin brother, Aidan, got in a big hurry to get here -- and so they arrived at 24 weeks, weighing in at a slight 1 pound and 8 ounces. Aidan fought gallantly, but did not have the strength to continue after a week. We buried him one sad day in March. Patrick continued the good fight.......for over 4 years. He spent the first 6 months of his life in the hospital, charming nurses and doctors and managing to pull through various surgeries and procedures until he was strong enough to come home.

I got to hold him and talk to him his first weekend home. What a sweet little bundle of life he was. And he came to see me last spring (well, his mom and dad and some other family came along as well.) I never saw a lot of him in between, but I always kept close track of him -- my very first great-nephew!

Patrick did not have an easy life. He had trouble breathing, eating, sleeping. He could not sit by himself; he could not crawl or walk. But, his parents were amazing and wonderful in their love and care of their precious little boy. Tirelessly and with great love, they cared for him through all his trips to the hospital and doctor, through every little step of progress he made and every time he slipped backwards. I admire them and applaud them for their deep devotion and unwavering love. Did I mention how much I admire them?

Of course we all know he is in heaven, running and playing like he never would have gotten to here on earth -- with Aidan, his twin brother. They are happy. As I looked out my back door this morning at the flowers blooming in my back yard, I was sure I heard them giggling in the spring breeze. But, our hearts are sad at his leaving. His mom and dad's hearts will be sad for a long time. Tomorrow we will gather around them and shower them with our love and support -- which will never take the place of their Patrick's sweet face -- but we will be there for them.

Amazing how a phone call can stop your plans in their tracks -- and also totally shift your list of priorities. 24 hours ago, I was wrapped up in phone calls, registration papers, invoices, sewing jobs, a yard that needs mowing, even plans for the Alumnae weekend...........now all I can think about is a little boy who spent 4 years just being LOVE. He brought love, he gave love, he was just all about love.

Some of us take 80-90 years to live our lives, to do all the things we need to do, all the things we came to this earth to do. Patrick only needed 4 years. And his gift was love.

Easter Sunday -- The Hallelujah Chorus

2010-04-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

This morning at our Easter Morning Joyous Celebration Mass at St. Margaret of Scotland, we had our usual incredible choir leading a church full of people willing and eager to sing, accompanied by a brass section, the piano, organ, violin, flute and cello and percussion (all members of our parish and part of our normal ensemble!) -- and the hand bells which we bring out for special occasions. My college daughter and one of her former St. Margaret's grade school classmates (who is also in college) both came home for the weekend so they could play hand bells with us!! It was an incredible celebration.

We closed it all with the Hallelujah Chorus. Once again -- full circle -- back to the days at MSJ. My freshman year at the Mount, for the Christmas pageant, our chorus (all girls) sang the Hallelujah Chorus. Now I had never been in a chorus before coming to high school and because I loved music so, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Not only did we get to sing beautiful music, but we sang it in parts: soprano, alto and second soprano.

We had "chorus" 3 days a week after school in the gym with Sr. Mary. My freshman year, our pianist and accompanist was Claudina Anido (who was amazing!); other years, I remember Becky Collins playing. I am fuzzy on who else did. But it was something I looked forward to and enjoyed so much.

So the year we did the Hallelujah Chorus was amazing. It was so beautiful. We did such an incredible job that we pulled it out again for the spring concert -- and then for graduation for that fabulous Class of 1970. Singing it in the chapel was absolutely astounding!

One of the things I remember from it was that Sister Rosemary cried every time we did it.....because it was so beautiful. That became my measuring stick. How beautiful was something? Was is so beautiful that it made you cry? Then it must be VERY beautiful!

I had not sung the Hallelujah chorus since freshman year. Of course, I had heard it time and again -- but it was never again like singing it in chorus that year.

A few years ago, our music director at St. Margaret's pulled it out at Easter to do. It was almost a painful thing -- pulling out a precious memory that had been put away and seemed to just belong to that time in my life. But, it was pulled out and dusted off from my memory shelf and soon that current performance melded with the one from my freshman year until both became a beautiful thing to hold in my heart.

I directed my Youth Hand Bell choir that year to perform it -- and the adult hand bell choir has continued to do it every Easter for about 7 years now. Each year, the glorious joy is still there -- in performing it and in hearing it.

At St. Margaret's, the entire parish is invited to sing it with the choir and that is an incredible experience as well. Throw in the men's voices and it is amazing. Throw in brass, organ, every instrument we have -- and hand bells -- and -- drum roll -- yes, it makes me cry. It IS that beautiful!

So, I send Easter Alleluias and Easter Hallelujah's out to everyone reading this and I hope you get to hear something that makes you cry......because it is just so beautiful!

Music

2010-04-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

The other night, on my way home from the office, I stopped by my parish here in St. Louis (St. Margaret of Scotland) to pull out the hand bell music we needed for Easter Sunday morning. I was so tired from work that I could hardly move, but a few minutes in church and working with the music and I started feeling refreshed and energized again.

It all started at The Mount. The summer I was going into the 8th grade, Stephanie Warren and I went to the Mount every week (I do not recall what day -- maybe a Wednesday afternoon, or something like that) to take guitar lessons from a young sister in the noviate, Sister Robert Maria. (Now we all know her as Sister Mimi.) I can still feel and taste those summer afternoons, in that room. Every week she had some new songs and new chords for us to learn. It was so much fun! She gave us a wonderful gift!

As budding young musicians, Stephanie and I began playing guitars for our school masses. Little 13 year olds! Up there playing "Sons of God, hear his only word..." (how politically incorrect now, but it was the beginning of new music and we liked it!). I look back and wonder how we were so brave -- and fearless! It just seemed to be the most natural thing to do -- and so we did it!

Then, we went on to high school at MSJ -- and continued to play our guitars for school masses. I had this little red guitar that Mother and Daddy bought me at some discount store in Henderson, Kentucky, that is no longer around - -and it cost $10! That $10 guitar took me through many Masses and retreats at the Mount.

And that was only the beginning. At the Mount, we learned about planning Masses, the liturgy -- praying and singing. I took piano and then went on to organ, and then began playing the organ in my parish in my junior year of high school. Kay Beth Riney (a very talented musican!) and I traded Sundays playing at the 8:00 Mass at St. Alphonsus. Believe it or not, people sang their hearts out at that Mass. "Faith of our Fathers" "Now Thank we all Our God" - wish I had a nickel for every time I played those songs!!

I continued to play the organ, guitar and do music at Mass, TECs, school and parish retreats of every sort for another 20 years. Then I moved to St. Louis. My parish did not need an organist so I took the view from the pew for a few years. Learned lots of new music and enjoyed every minute of it. Then, when Peter decided he wanted to start a Hand Bell choir -- I was first in line. I had not played that one! I was game to learn something new! Plus -- I had missed being a music minister, and have that special role in leading people in prayer/song as praise and prayer at the Liturgy.

So, my oldest daughter and I learned to play, while my youngest daughter kept begging to join us. As soon as we had an open slot, she joined us!

My daughters and I have continued to play hand bells for a number of years. I even taught a youth hand bell choir for a few years. The joy of being a music minister has never stopped.

Then I decided at the old age of 50 I wanted to learn to play the flute .... so I took lessons from a dear young lady named Sarah and enjoyed 5 years of lessons while she worked on her doctorate from Washington University if Musicology. She was a delight and is a fabulous flutist! What a privilege and delight those years were!

When I began working for the Catholic Education Office for the Archdiocese of St. Louis 2 years ago, lo and behold, we have staff masses. Once a staff member found out I could play several instruments -- I got pulled in. As it turned out, 2 other staff members were song leaders and another was a clarinet player. The first staff Mass -- we wowed everyone! And they were so thrilled and happy to have music to help us pray and worship together. Even after 2 years, everyone still appreciates and treasures the gift of music we bring. It IS so important! We have become quite a 4-some -- to the point of even doing music at Masses for the entire archdiocesan staff at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

What a ministry this has turned out to be for my life. And it all began at The Mount. So many good things in my life seem to have roots there. It never surprises me. I am so grateful for the gift of music and so grateful to all those who nurtured me and touched me with their lives and the gift of music and ministry: Sister Mimi, Sister Mary Durr, Sister Rosemary Keough, Sister Susan Kerr, Sr. Maureen Griner (Voice, at Brescia), Sister Mary Henning, Sister Mary Eileen, Sister Marie Julie, Sister Catherine Marie, Sister Julie Marie Head -- and probably more that I am not remembering right now. (I'll add you later!)

Thank you for the gift of music!

In-between

2010-04-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

"Birth and death, old and new, mourning for what was while waiting expectantly for what is to come. "In-between times" can have an abundance of opposites. It is best to be in such times of transition gently and quietly, not rushing the process but taking it a day at a time."

~Ruth Hanna, M.Ed., LPC

Spring!

2010-03-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

I took this picture in my own backyard this afternoon when I got home from work. My forsythia bush is only a year old, so it is not full....but a little scragga-ley (yes, I made that word up!). But I like the lines. And it reminded me of a forsythia bush one year at the Mount. It was in full bloom -- and it snowed! It was beautiful -- those gorgeous yellow blooms caressing those wet snowflakes and enjoying every moment of their dance together.

I remember spring at the Mount. The forsythia, the dogwoods, the redbuds, the azaleas, tulips -- and new leaves on all the trees. There was a little tiny pink dogwood down in the valley that I looked for every year.......and enjoyed its delicate pink beauty against the green, green new spring grass in the valley. Last spring I noticed it had grown into quite a good size tree. Isn't that sweet little tree a lot like our lives......so tender and delicate those high school years so many moons ago, and growing stronger and more beautiful every year?

I hope that tree is still there.

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

2010-03-28T16:17:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a trip to North Carolina to visit a dear friend of mine. When I was looking at the map to plan my route, I spied a town that I had not thought of for years: Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Gail Westry was from Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I had never heard of Rocky Mount, NC until she came to the Mount as a fellow freshman. Gail still stands out in my mind as one of the neatest people I ever knew. She was fun and funny, a good friend; she always had something unique to add to any discussion. We worked together in several organizations through our 4 years ago; she was dependable and competent. She was talented and creative and smart! I admired her and loved her!

That was one of the things I still tell people that was so special about attending high school at the Mount: getting to know, go to school with and become friends with people from all over the United States. In my 4 years, there were girls from Chicago, St. Louis, all over Kentucky (not limited to and including Russell Springs!), Rocky Mount, NC (of course!) and even South America. What a gift and a treasure. At that time (1969-73 for me), we did not live in a technologically advanced society. All we had were radios and TVs and the old fashioned newspaper. What we knew about life, we learned from the people around us. We could not "google" anything we wanted to know about any tidbit of information, or read about other cultures or be exposed to unlimited viewpoints. It happened with people -- the people we lived with, went to school with, cried with, walked down All Saints Avenue with, ate with, cleaned the dorms and did the laundry with -- the people we disagreed with and loved and cared about. It was a special time and we were given such a special gift in each other.

Girls like Gail Westry touched my life and changed me forever. I will always be grateful for every single person I got to know from my days at Mount Saint Joseph Academy!

Carolyn Sue

Monday Muse

2010-03-08T19:04:00.000-08:00

Hey, Mount Girls!

Tonight, we (the officers of the Alumnae Association) had a conference call meeting. So nice to be able to conduct business long distance. It saved me a 3-1/2 hour drive from St. Louis to the Mount; Mary V. a 2 hour drive from Louisville; and Paula a 30 minute drive from Poole -- something none of us were able (or had the energy to do) on a Monday night. Ah, modern technology is a wonderful thing.

We worked out more details of the Alumnae weekend in May. Exciting news: looks like our celebrant at our Mass on Sunday will be the new Bishop of Owensboro -- Bishop Medley!!!!!

We talked about the mass, music, ministers, details of the dinner on Sunday (we got a better price this year), decorations -- just all those little details that go into making it a beautiful and fun weekend that flows smoothly for everyone.

We also are moving right along with the Cookbook-- which will make its premier Alumnae Weekend! It will be full of wonderful recipes, memories, tidbits and stories. You will want a copy!

Bottom line, girlfriends -- it will be a great weekend! We'll make sure all the details are taken care of -- you just plan on coming and having a great time!!

Carolyn Sue

Valentine's Day!

2010-02-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

Hey, Mount Girls!!!

Valentine's Day is coming.........and it brings some memories of my days as a Mount girl immediately to mind!

One great memory was in our sophomore year. It was our turn to host the Valentine party!! (Freshman hosted the Spring Party, Sophs hosted the Valentine party, Juniors hosted the Halloween party and Seniors hosted the Christmas party......am I remembering that correctly?) I know we had a skit of some sort -- always had skits, songs, games and food! I played the piano (Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet -- that was a big hit in those days) and in the middle of it, my music went flying off of the piano. So, I had to stop, grab the music and resume playing. I do not remember what was going on while I was playing (maybe somebody was dancing?)

I remember doing some silly skit some great talent in our class had written with Carol Cagle and Cindy Conn.......and somehow we got tickled at what our lines were -- and got to laughing so hard we could hardly go on. Have no idea what it was all about -- but I just remember how hard we laughed -- and how everybody kept laughing at us laughing -- so we laughed some more-- and they laughed at us some more and we got even more tickled -- it went on forever. Laughter is a great thing to remember. Laughter is a great thing to have shared.

We shared so much as Mount Girls.......a unique and incredibly special time together, in a time and place that could never be recreated or even fully described to someone who did not go there. It's really hard to describe to someone else. Maybe there are those who do not hold good memories from their Mount days -- and those we probably don't hear much from. But I think the greater majority of us treasure that special bond that only Mount Girls know.

That bond is important enough to keep us together, to keep us members of the Alumnae, and to keep us going back when we can to that special place called Mount Saint Joseph at Maple Mount, Kentucky.

Welcome to our new BLOG!!! And check out our Face Book page!! We have so many great ways to now get back in touch, to keep in touch, to share our memories and our lives!

Carolyn Sue Cecil
Academy '73