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Yesterday afternoon I had an endearing conversation with a group of Eighth Class young women who signed up to have an after school goûter with me in the conference room. This afternoon I am doing the same with a group of our young men.

What struck me in yesterday’s conversation is that, over and over again, these young adults referred to this place as a second home! Given the fact that the early religious were referred to as Mothers, I was indeed delighted to hear their reflections.

Our soon-to-be graduates also enthusiastically recalled their all-time favorite traditions―some of which have already been experienced this year: Christmas Basket Liturgy, Congé, Mission Day and our Feast Day celebrations.

Today I’d like to highlight some of the precious memory-making moments coming up in the next couple of weeks. All of them create a heart-connection with this school because they evoke a sense of our history, steep us in our spirituality, highlight our desire to build community, and/or celebrate the qualities and characteristics (scholarly, socially and morally) which we want to nurture in our children. So, in the next few week we happily and hopefully anticipate the following: 

FIELD DAY
With a focus on fun, Field Day is a long-running Academy tradition that celebrates student successes and builds community. Liturgy is followed by a parade, picnic lunch, games and activities and closes with an awards ceremony.

MAY CROWNING
This special liturgy in Rauch Memorial on Thursday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m. honors Mary. Students are chosen from grades P‒8 to take part in the procession that concludes with the crowning of Mary by an Eighth Class girl.

MAYPOLE
Following the May Crowning liturgy, we gather on the soccer field for the Maypole dance with our soon-to-be graduates and our Second Class girls. It’s a beautiful and memorable event.

CLOSING AND PRIZE DAY CEREMONIES
Prize Ceremony formally ends the school year and applauds students for the development of strong character traits and academic performance.

Along with our Eighth Class friends, I look forward to these time-honored activities and anticipate seeing you ‘round campus in the days ahead!

 

One of the great strengths of the Academy of the Sacred Heart is the support of our parents. We experience that support academically, spiritually, relationally and financially. I see that support in very concrete ways as I walk around the school at this particular time of year. Consequently, my heart is overflowing with gratitude. So much so that words do not begin to capture the depth of my appreciation.
 
Part of the reason I am so grateful is that I am convinced that our world needs this kind of education. I am also convinced that this kind of education will become more and more valuable as our world becomes less gentle, less gracious, less reverent and less aware of the sacred nature within us, between us and around us.
 
So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU!
 
Thank you for:

• spending time decorating
• typing the auction bid sheets or auction item descriptions
• creating baskets or setting out baskets
• counting raffle tickets
• setting up the tables or risers
• putting together auction items
• donating items
• sponsoring the auction
• sending in ads for the Auction Book
• cleaning up the day after
• attending the auction
• bidding high!

Thank you for doing this as you are also making sure homework is getting done, volunteering for field trip duty and assisting in a multitude of other ways (such as supporting all of our Goal III efforts).
 
As I said last year, as is worth saying again, it is not ONLY the income from the auction which supports this education (which it does and which is needed to fund our unique program features, since tuition alone does not cover our costs) BUT, it is the attitude of generous service which supports this education!
 
By BEING role models with good hearts, giving hearts, open hearts and generous hearts, you are supporting this education of the HEART!
 
Looking forward to seeing many of you on Saturday night!
 
United in the Heart of God,

—Maureen Glavin, rscj

What a marvelous celebration of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat we have had this week!
 
On Tuesday and Wednesday, her story was theatrically retold by our Sixth Class students to our Third through Eighth Class students. This morning we continued to celebrate our dear St. Madeleine Sophie in Eucharist, prayer and song.
 
In the Sixth Class’ touching and endearing dramatic presentation, we were reminded that Sophie:
 
·         was born and brought up in a rural wine-growing area of France during the time of the French Revolution

·         was a loving and intelligent little girl

·         was given the gift of an extraordinary education because of her older brother Louis

·         had a deep attraction to God

·         moved to Paris to continue to grow in her life of study and prayer

·         eventually used her education, her intellect and her deep inner life with God to form and shape, as foundation stone and First Superior General, the Society of the Sacred Heart     

After 65 years of stewarding the growth of the Society of the Sacred Heart (which during her life grew to 3,539 religious in 99 communities in Europe, the Americas and Africa), she passed from life into Eternal Life, fully embraced by Love’s Very Self in 1865. Her holy life was recognized by the Church to be so exemplary that she was canonized as an official Saint in 1925.
 
We honor her today in our all-school liturgy, but we also honor her in our Mission Day efforts. As the children raise money for those in need, this holy woman, who spent her life trying to address the needs of her day, is being remembered by example.
 
Saint Madeleine Sophie, we hope and pray that through our lives, through our attention to our study, through our attention to our inner lives and through our courageous act of goodness and kindness in our relationships, may we always try to be like you who always tried to reflect the Mind and Heart of Christ. Amen!
 
In union in our collective efforts to raise the hearts and minds of our children to God,

—Maureen Glavin, rscj