26 April 2012

Reunion 2012, and enough photos for a week

Reunion 2012 brought back alumnae from classes ending in 2s and 7s for a weekend of smiles, laughter, reminiscing, and reconnecting. They came to see one another; they also came to touch base with the Sisters who had given so much to so many of them. Several were celebrating 60th and 50th reunions, while others were attending their very first: a five-year reunion. Events took place April 20-22 and included a Day of Reflection, Friday Night Happy Hour (for all alumnae, all classes), Saturday Luncheon, Saturday Dinner, and Sunday Family Mass. Bryn Mawr College President Jane Dammen McAuliffe '62 received the Margaret Mary Sheerin Award at Saturday’s luncheon. This award is presented annually to a deserving alumna, and takes its name from former high school and junior college headmistress Sister Margaret Mary--who bravely led the schools through the challenges of the Great Depression and WWII--and honors a woman who embodies her qualities of steadfast loyalty, selfless dedication, purposeful living, and leadership.

Throughout the weekend alumnae, beginning with Jane McAuliffe in her remarks as she accepted the award, reiterated how much the education, the nurturing, and the guidance they received at Visitation meant to them. Several brought family members to Sunday’s Mass to be introduced to the Sisters: another way of keeping their connection with the Sisters thriving across the generations.

Over the next week we'll post a new photo every day from Reunion 2012!


23 April 2012

One of Our Sisters Visits the Halls of Academe

Sr. Joanne Gonter traveled to the 35th annual Appalachian Studies Association conference at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She presented on March 25 as part of a panel titled "The Wide Reach of a Cloistered Order from 1848 to 2008: The Sisters of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wheeling." Dr. Joseph Mannard (first photo, center) a friend of our monastery thanks to his research here, was the panel chair, and Dr. Barbara Howe (r) from West Virginia University was part of the panel as well. Sister's paper was titled "The Closing of Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy, Current Locations of the 1848-2008 Records, and Continuance of the Academy's Alumnae Association." She shared the disposition of some of the Mount's treasures, including one of the chandeliers that is now in the Corning Glass Museum, and some of the beautiful paintings and the organ.