Memorial Mass
When a loved one passes, sometimes the most valuable ministry is someone who will just listen and understand. For over 10 years now, the Sisters have fulfilled this ministry by holding the annual Memorial Mass and brunch. Those whose loved ones have died and been enrolled in the Memorial Association in the past year are invited to the Memorial Mass in November. Each year the Notre Dame Chapel is filled with singing, praying and remembering on the first Sunday of November. After the mass, all join in a breakfast of rolls, fruit and juice. Much of the healing happens at the brunch where visiting and remembering continues. This is a time when those who have died are remembered and honored.

The October 15th Alumnae Boutique drew hundreds of visitors to Notre Dame. Visiting alumnae signed a scrapbook as they entered. The scrapbook will be filled with pictures from this year’s event and used as a sign-in book again in 2006. Visitors found many new and unusual items for sale. Sr. Rosalee Burke hosted a “Twice is Nice” table of donated art objects. Sr. Stephanie Matcha displayed a table of her exquisite calligraphy. Sr. Dolores Pavlik and Sr. Perpetua Kubicek opened the Gift Shop and sold many doilies, sets of tea towels, Christmas decorations and baby sweaters. Margaret Malone Faciszewski ’54 was here to sign copies of her new book, which can now be purchased through the Notre Dame Gift Shop (all profits donated to the Notre Dame Sisters). It was a fun day and over $3,500.00 was raised for the retired Notre Dame Sisters.

The star of the Notre Dame Garage Sale held on June 4, 2005 was the more than 1,000 kolaches bought by hungry bargain-seekers. The proceeds of the sale benefited the Safe Homes project to support transitional housing, life skills training and day care for women and children seeking to escape a violent situation. Notre Dame Sisters, Associates and many volunteers collaborated to make the day fun and successful.

More Notre Dame Academy Alumnae photos from the Garage Sale

Sr. Mary Beth Kubesh grows roses as part of the landscaping for Notre Dame Convent and Seven Oaks of Florence. She has spent many years cultivating roses and knowledge about roses that grow well in the midwestern United States. This year for the first time she entered some of her roses into the Omaha Rose Show. She was quite surprised to bring home six blue ribbons, eight second place ribbons and two third place ribbons. She received a blue ribbon and the Queen Mother Traveling Trophy of the Omaha Rose Society for her Victorian Rose entry, a purple and white striped rose named "Variegata di Bologna." Her entry "Livin' Easy" rose took Best of Show for the best floribunda spray.

Belvedere School Pen Pals Visit Seven Oaks of Florence

Four years ago a teacher began a project with her first grade students at Belvedere School in Omaha. The purpose of the project was to give the students practice in reading and writing, and in writing a letter. The students wrote letters to the residents of Seven Oaks of Florence. Six or seven of the students were paired with a pen pal at Seven Oaks.

Now there are 24 sets of pen pals at Belvedere School and at Seven Oaks of Florence. Five or six times a year the students come to Seven Oaks to visit. They bring books and games with them, and spend the afternoon with their pen pals. There is usually an activity planned for the afternoon. Once the students and residents decorated flowerpots and planted seeds together. Often they make ornaments or decorations if the visit is near a holiday. When the students visited in May of 2005, they made ice cream sundaes with the residents. Once a year the residents who are pen pals visit Belvedere School to attend a music program.

Strong friendships have formed between pen pals. When one resident could no longer write because of her health, her Belvedere pen pal was so sad that he declared he would never write to another pen pal. But Frank, another Seven Oaks resident, was up to the challenge. He wrote the student a long encouraging letter, and the student wrote back. Now Frank and his new pen pal are good friends, too.

Another student found out that his pen pal was in the hospital. He asked his parents to take him to the hospital for a visit. The pen pal program has been a wonderful experience for the students and the residents.

On May 10th, 1910, five Notre Dame Sisters arrived in New York harbor from Bohemia and began their trek to the Midwest, ultimately establishing their headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. Thus began the ministry of the Notre Dame Sisters in the United States. Led by Mother Qualberta Krivanec, Sisters Nothburga Komrska, Karoline Babacek, Xavier Hava, and Qualbertina Vanek planted the seed of the Omaha province. Their courage and daring in the early years as they cared for the spiritual and physical needs of the Czech immigrant, set the stage for the manner in which the Notre Dame Sisters have continued to meet unmet and neglected needs in the Midwest.
On May 8th, 2005, the Notre Dame Sisters and a few of their Associates, gathered for a day of renewal and celebration not only to remember these five pioneer women, but also to reflect on their spirituality and giftedness and to renew their own dedication to the mission and charism of the Notre Dame Sisters.

Seven Oaks farmhouse, 1924

Notre Dame Convent, Florence, Nebraska, 1926

Hessoun Orphanage, Fenton, Missouri 1911

The day began with a Liturgy prepared by Sisters Veronica Jo Posekany and Dorothy Rolf and attended by many of the Sisters and Associates. A brunch followed. Sister Margaret Hickey, Provincial President, then gave a short presentation on the spirituality of the five Sisters which strengthened them as they left family, community and homeland, endured the struggles of a new foundation, and persevered in establishing the Notre Dame Sisters as leading educators in the Midwest. Given a few readings and a set of reflection questions, all spent a few hours in private prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. When all returned from prayer, the Sisters and Associates divided into five groups, each focused on a different pioneer Sister. After a time in dialogue reflecting on the biography of each Sister, each group created a prayer, song, poem, or collage to symbolize the gift of the Sister. The day ended with a festive supper and wonderful memories.
As the Sisters of the U.S. province now move forward anticipating the 100th anniversary of their province in five years, they do so with a strong sense of mission and a determination to assure the continued ministries of the province.

Catholic students at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska, now have a permanent home. The blessing of the house at 317 East 10th Street, which was purchased by the Archdiocese of Omaha, was held on May 3, 2005. The house, which is located near three Wayne State residence halls, will be called the Wayne State College Catholic Newman Center. This is the first permanent residence for ministry to Catholic students during the program's 30 years at Wayne State College.

Sister Cynthia Hruby will live in the basement apartment of the house. The house also has space for a campus ministry office and library, a general gathering space, and a kitchen. The house is in good condition but there are a few improvements needed, such as making the entrance and first floor restroom handicap-accessible. Anyone who wishes to help by donating may send a donation to the Anniversary Fund at the Catholic Newman Center, 317 E. 10th St, Wayne, NE 68787

More pictures and information:
http://www.wsccatholic.org/

We are spiritual beings becoming human – we care for our bodies so we can continue to grow in our humanity. ~ Sr. Stephanie Matcha

A year ago Sr. Stephanie obtained blood pressure equipment for Mary Our Queen Parish through a state grant. Blood pressure screenings are now offered at Mary Our Queen three or four times a year following Masses. Once the screenings became a regular part of parish life, Sr. Stephanie felt called to build more health awareness around them. The Mary Our Queen Health Fair, now in its second year, gives people of the parish the opportunity to share their professional talents with their parish. There are currently 26 health care professionals who are acting as a consulting resource for the parish through some aspect of the Health Care Program.

One purpose of the Health Fair is to alert people to the need to care for the body, since through the body the spirit thrives and is able to continue the mission of Jesus. ~ Sr. Stephanie

Notre Dame Development Dinner April 24, 2005	Mother Qualberta Award Awarded to Renee & Dick O'Brien Seekers of Justice
Dave Webber, Emcee	Mary Kay Meagher, ND (right) and friends enjoy the dinner.
*For photos of Notre Dame Academy Alumnae Volunteers

Sr. Corona honored for 10 years of service

Ministering to the hospitalized and homebound is a much needed and appreciated service. Patients who receive this service and the gift of Holy Communion often feel like they have been given new light, and new hope to continue to get well. At a program entitled "Where Christ is Born" held at St. Cecilia’s Lay Apostolate Center Sunday, December 5 those lay and religious who participate in this program were honored for their commitment to this work. The theme incorporated the light of Jesus in our lives, and candles were used to visualize this light throughout the program.

One EME gave a touching story about her 6 month stay in a hospital due to multiple health complications. She told of how her life was transformed in those 6 months because she put her faith in the Lord. Without daily Holy Communion, she didn't know if that transformation would have been possible. After her recovery, she decided to become an EME so that she could help others like herself.

Following her touching story, those EMEs in the group who had been in service for 5 and 10 years were honored. Each honored person was given a candle to symbolize the light that they bring to the patients each time they minister. Sr. Corona Humple was one of those receiving recognition for 10 years of service.

Time was given for others to share their stories, and all present were touched and inspired by the experiences of others. All present were honored with music, both instrumental and vocal; food and fellowship.