Heaven's New Bard

Perhaps you know that Reina means queen in Spanish.  And so our Sr. Mary Reina was in the hearts of many of us who knew her well and not so well.  As you probably know by now (after over 10,000 hits on a Facebook announcement of her death), Sister has gone home to her Lord and heavenly friends, including all the other members of her immediate family.  Sister died about six weeks shy of her 99^th birthday.  Whoever would have known that she was that life-wise, given her active mind and ready spirit? 

What follows are some thoughts from the obituary the Sisters will keep on record.

Among her many friends were students at Notre Dame Academy whom she drew to pray a decade of the Rosary each morning in the school chapel shortly before the first bell.  Some of these students brought their lunches up to eat with Sister occasionally.  Also appearing at Sister’s noon lunch were a number of graduates who obviously were quite devoted to her and treasured her significance in their lives.

Regarding Sr. Mary Reina’s enormous influence as it connects to the use of her gifts, Sister was constantly honing her skills at watercolor and calligraphy, her two strengths as a practicing artist.  The two for her were very much related as she used her calligraphic lines in the scenes she painted.  This was a technique she taught, and if her students caught it, their work was so much the stronger.  After her “re-tiring”, that is, getting new tires for continuing her journey, she taught informal classes to several different groups—the children at NDUEC, a small group of  Sisters, and a group of friends.  After playing cards at recreation, Sister often turned to  practicing a technique or creating a paper sculpture, etc., that she could teach one or other of these groups. Sister made dozens of greeting cards over the years for Sisters, family members, and friends.  One can imagine that many recipients of these little gems may well be bringing them out now to admire and show to friends.

How much more could be recorded by those of us who have lived with Sister over the years—so many entertaining accounts of her little adventures in life.  Just a few here.  The cook would often serve “soft boiled eggs” for breakfast.  These were, in fact, barely “having-been-there” in terms of boiling.  Sr. M. Reina would, on such occasions, put them in an ample pocket and take them down to the art department to finish boiling on her little burner.  Needless to say, this was courting danger.  Yes, one morning she forgot about the egg and sat on it.  Messy lesson learned.

As many will recall, Sister kept a dog, Barney, in the art department with her for safety and companionship in the hours she spent there alone.  However, there were times when she wanted to work without her furry guardian angel who shadowed her everywhere.  Resourceful as always, Sister’s solution was to walk over to the provincial center, St. Joseph Heights, and leave him at a side door.  She would then walk through the building to another door and return to the academy without Barney seeing her.

Sister M. Reina’s store of stories was quite well stocked, and she could move from one story to the next with much glee.  How we will miss that run-on of sparkling wit and giggles! That's why we think that her stories will continue to be retold in the context of singing God's praises, to the delight of her God and all her family members and friends. But don’t forget, Sister M. Reina, to take a breath or two, to pray for all of us on this side of eternity.  Actually, we’re pretty sure you won’t forget.  How could you, after having been with us for nearly 99 years?

A May Flower

Memories like birds--fleeting.  One must grasp and hold in heart's hands.

As you may recall from your own years at NDA, and maybe from last year’s May blog, we have each May a crowning of Mary.  This devotion features a student whose essay on Mary was chosen by a faculty group.  This year Malea Rolfson, senior, wrote the winning essay.  Excerpts follow.

            " 'And Mary said, Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word.' Luke 1:38. When I think of Mary and her impact on my life I often reflect on this passage from Luke. When I was younger Mary was like the sun to me: warm, encouraging, and a constant source of love. I saw and still see her today as not only a role model to be looked up to, but as a mother as dear to me as my own, a teacher, and a friend.

"… I imagine Mary's love like the gravitational pull between the moon and earth; I am drawn to her grace. It is a kind, gentle undercurrent. In a world where women are often made to harden their hearts so as not to get hurt, I see Mary as the calm voice that calls us not to be sad, but hopeful, not to be tough, but strong…. When Mary said yes, she knew she would face ridicule by her peers, but instead of choosing fear she chose courage. It takes this Marian courage to make the difference we all seek to make. It takes courage to put others above ourselves, and Mary teaches us the courage.

"…I desire a soul, like Mary's, so enflamed with the love of the Holy Spirit that others’ souls cannot help but catch fire when they see God’s love in me. I often doubt if I am worthy of such a flame, such a power. Mary was perfect, and I am not even close to that. But I believe Mary, much like a mother cheering on her daughter, wants me to try. She wants me to try to live her gentle lessons of love, grace, and acceptance.

"… I believe if you all look closely, you will realize that softly, gently she has been teaching you these same things all along. And with these teachings, this Marian courage, and our souls on fire, we can surely make a difference."

Beautifully expressed, Malea.

Strike "The Gavel"

Memories like birds, fleeting--one must grasp and hold in heart's hand.

“The Gavel”—news keeper, memory jogger, keep sake, attic stuffer; name it what you will, it may be all of the above for alums.  It’s been around since the 1920s, so it’s close to its 100^th birthday.  That’s pretty impressive for a student publication.  “The Gavel” even replaced the yearbook for 20 years, 1954-1974. In the years leading to this development, the publication was the work of a club.  Clubs come and clubs go, so this one went when the interest in the required work waned.

“The Gavel” has undergone mutations, sometimes being a newspaper and sometimes a magazine, and masthead styles, as the photos demonstrate.

Times change and call for changes in style as well as content.  The articles in the early issues were very informative with less “fluff” than what was found in later years as student tastes changed.  Publication today is done in class with class, bringing back some gravitas along with lighter hearted news. Mr. Rory Glynn is in his second year of managing the publication, bringing his expertise from years in newspaper work. 

As with so many forms of media, our school publications are found online.  You can access the issues of “The Gavel” by going to the school web site ndapandas.org and typing the word publications in the find box.  By checking on The Gavel you will get access to issues from the past five years.  Enjoy!

Some Old Names Neither Fade Nor Move Away

 Memories, like birds, fleeting--one must grasp and hold in heart's hands.

 Recently blogger was looking up some information requested by a few relatives of deceased alumnae and was struck again, as in many times past, at how many last names from more than a century ago are still so recognizable today.  How’s this for samples: Von Handorf, Kirn, Bechtold, Hardebeck, Bankemper; or these: Grote, Steltenkamp, Muething, Kuhlman, Lewin?

If they all sound familiar, it’s either  because you have been around for a while or because you know someone from one of these families, or both.  Of course, the list could go on to include Isphording, Witte, Wolking , Darpel, Gleason, Andress, Bunning.  Not surely that we are finished with such lists, but because the list could continue for quite a few more lines.  This certainly is a reminder that the area was settled mostly by German immigrants, and so the list includes many names beginning with Sch…

Lots of interesting first names show also: Fritz, Wilhelm and Wilhelmina, Lonetta, Leona, Clemens, August, Cyrill, Apolonia, and on and on.  While most of these names are somewhat familiar (maybe Grandma was Wilhelmina), very many names that are familiar but seldom used now are in abundance.  Many have made a comeback, such as Emma.

Well, we all have names that are inscribed in zillions of places nowadays--it's the nature of our times. Here in these hallowed halls, we cherish the names that linger in the air we breathe and in the annals we hold in the archives.  What is in a name?  Lots!

Alumnae Anniversary

Memories, like birds—fleeting.  One must capture and hold in heart hands.

February, 1911

The following is from the Sisters of Notre Dame’s Annals.  These were written at the Fifth Street Convent and Academy (recall, all occupied the same building).

The month of February brought us another celebration. The proverb found its application, ‘What is lasting long, is good.’  For years, the Alumnae of the Academy had been trying to organize themselves as had been done in other institutions.  Finally it was done.  The idea of organization had been proposed to students of the first years, many of whom were now mothers and housewives.  They all showed much interest and a meeting was held during which a committee was elected and a president, vice-president, secretary, etc. were appointed.  Several meetings followed during which much love and promise of service prevailed.  The day of founding the organization was set for February 27, 1911….  It had been no easy task to track down former Alumnae members since many had moved far away.  Eighty former members came for the occasion.*  To enhance the festivities, the boarders had prepared many humorous and edifying recitations.  After the celebration, which took place in the auditorium, all went to the decorated dining room.  Several classrooms were draped in white and blue, the colors of the Academy, and old photographs and small banners with ND signs were displayed….  It was a wonderful get-together after so many years away from school and all felt at home again with the Sisters.  Many had to tell about the first teaches …Our Most Rev. Bishop delighted in eating with the young ladies and had perhaps an occasion to practice zeal for souls.  In is talk he mentioned that in a Christian family the mother can exert the greatest influence on the child and she is indeed the priest’s helper…  The ten or fifteen priests had a good time among themselves …

            As soon as the Bishop left, Father H. Tappert and Father Ahmann came to honor the Alumnae members…  Father Tappert said that he felt it an honor and joy to have for thirty-five years been in close contact with the Sisters of Notre Dame.  ‘You call yourselves Alumnae, and I will call myself Alumnus…’   The celebration ended with the song ’I love Thee, O Mary,’ and then ‘Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.’  The ladies decided to come together oftener during the year to entertain each other and also to help the Sisters in a material way.

*The writer was evidently including more than just the girls who had graduated after 1906, the formal beginning of the high school.  There had been from very early days, evidently, a commercial school.  Even considering that fact, the number seems high.  It may have included all of the grade school girl graduates also.

So, CONGRATULATIONS, ALUMNAE.  HAPPY 105^TH ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      The photo showing a typical celebratory event in the school cafeteria, is from a later date (no 1911 photos available--it would have shown gas lights, no doubt).

Maybe Curling Could Be Next…

Curling?  Well, why not?  The girls would develop focus, muscle, cooperation, sportswomanship, as well as good old American competitive spirit, and it is an Olympic sport.  Hmmm, maybe, but most people won’t warm to it, blogger is pretty sure.

However, whoever, 50 years ago, would have thought we’d have archery in the 21^st century.  But we do.  It is listed among the winter sports along with basketball, bowling, and swimming/diving.  Archery was born here in the winter of 2014, and is popular enough to attract about 40 students—it’s a “no-cut” sport.  This is great for individual competition, but because teams must have both boys and girls, our group can’t qualify for team competitions.  There’s light at the end of the tunnel—yes, the one that runs from NDA to CCH (figuratively speaking)—since CCH is in the process of forming a team.  While all problems aren’t solved thereby, it is possible that something can be worked out.

How do we handle shooting arrows indoors?  Actually, pretty simply.  The gym allows for enough space to hold competitions since the distance between the archer and the target is about half the width of the basketball court.  A tournament was held here during the holidays drawing many teams and individuals.  In the latter division, our archers came in third.  (Side note: if you want to do it up big this summer in your back yard, you’ll pay about $150 for a good straw target.  If you want to go for less, you can use multiple layers of corrugated paper—our practice material.)

 The other sport that, perhaps, may be even more surprising to our readers, is the spring sport of bass fishing.  But, lest you get to longing for warm breezes off the river along with comfy spot under a shading tree, etc., too soon, we’ll save that for another month.

In the meantime, blogger wonders what the next century will bring.  Maybe polo will make it, if it’s still around.  Then again, we must think 22^nd century: maybe it will be training for something in space or in deep ocean, although drawing a cheering crowd will be somewhat of a challenge with either, one would think.  For now, girls, grab your quivers and bows.  We’re off to another competition.

What Child Is This...?

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“What Child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” And so we sing reverently during Christmastide to the rather haunting melody of Greensleeves.

While the melody dates back to the 16^th century, and words, to the late 19^th century, we still cherish the song in the 21^st.  That’s a pretty good record.  The Christmas crèche dates back, we are told, to the time of St. Francis of Assisi in the 12^th century.  So lots of the old to relish here.  At the academy we have many very old things (for us Americans, 19^th century is very old) that we carried from 5^th St., Covington, in 1963.  Among them and relating to Christmas is an image of the Infant Jesus.  This one, probably dating to the early 20^th century, was the favorite of Sr. Mary Agnetis, the first principal of NDA as a high school (1906-1946).  Anyone knowing Sister and looking at the Infant can imagine Sister’s reaction to it—it so embodies the side of her shown frequently in her gracious responses to others.  Today the image seems saccharine sweet, but in its day it signified popular and sincere devotion.

As said above, many old things were carried from the “old” academy.  At least two sets of crèche figures are in storage during the year.  Currently, one is in the large display case in the entrance foyer, waiting for the Infant to be placed in the crib. 

And so we wait, as Advent bids, for the coming of Christ at Christmas, his birthday.  While we know that for us that should mean a readiness to meet Christ as he comes to us daily, perhaps in the guise of an infant, but in all kinds of guises, some not very appealing.  Advent then stretches our faith, just as the crèche images may.  Advent—a call to faith, a call to accept Christ in the many ways he comes to us.