Issue: #05
May 2016
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Happy Mother's Day! 

This year Mother's Day falls on the seventh Sunday of Easter where the Gospel of John reminds us that God loves us with the same love God shares with Jesus. Jesus refers to each one of us as a "gift" to him (John 17:24).

I want to thank all the mothers of Notre Dame, past and present, for sharing with us the gift of their daughters. We enjoy being with them each day and observing them grow by expanding their knowledge and by caring for one another. While they may not often verbally express their gratitude to you, from my conversations with your daughters, they are aware of your love for them, and are ever so grateful for the gift of having you in their lives. 

As this newsletter reminds us, we are preparing to welcome alumnae celebrating their class reunions dating from 1956. Several will arrive wearing their school ring which bears the crest of Notre Dame de Lourdes, enclosed in a circle. The same ring was presented to the Class of 2017, just last week. The bonds of friendship among alumnae and students encircled around Notre Dame remain close. 

To keep our tradition strong, I encourage you to consider making a financial gift to our school. This will help us continue to offer a first rate education to our students and enable them to be accepted into the colleges of their choice with academic scholarships. One hundred percent of the Class of 2016 have made their college selections and, as of today, nearly 90% will leave ND with an academic scholarship to college. 

As we look ahead to our 100th commencement on June 9th, 2016, we are blessed to remember that it is through the special protection of Our Lady of Lourdes and your generosity that our school remains vibrant and true to its mission of educating girls in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge. We treasure this gift of our mission and are happy to share it with you.  

Warm regards, 

Dr. Virginia O'Brien, S.U. 
Alumnae Reunion Set For May 13, 2016 


Next Friday, May 13, over 80  Chez Nous a lumnae representing six different decades will arrive on 13th Street to reminisce with classmates and friends, and celebrate all things Notre Dame. 

Alumnae from the milestone reunion years (ending in '1 and '6) along with their 
Chez Nous  sisters from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s will share stories and memories of their time at Notre Dame over delicious food and drink. Former teachers and administrators will join in on the evening's festivities as well.  

Alumnae will have the opportunity to take a tour of the school and hear about the Notre Dame of today from current students, teachers and administrators including President and Notre Dame alumna, Dr. Virginia O'Brien, S.U.  A special ceremony for those celebrating milestone reunions will be held as well as recognition of  Edith Dalton Marinucci '56,  the recipient of this year's Anne de Xainctonge Award for her outstanding dedication to the mission of Notre Dame, and Mary Frances Sheridan Delaney '56 who received the Chez Nous  Angel award earlier this year.   

Whether you attended Notre Dame on 79th Street, St. Mark's Place or W. 13th Street, know that Notre Dame will always be Chez Nous and you are always welcome back home. See you on May 13th! All alumnae are invited to attend. 

Members of the following classes have already registered: 
'56, '60, '61, '62, '65, '66, '68, '71, '72, '73, '75, '76, '86, '87, '91, '01, '06, '07, & '08

Ring Day 2016: Junior Class Rises to the Occasion

On Friday, April 29, the Class of 2017 celebrated Ring Day, a  Chez Nous  tradition that recognizes the work of the Junior Class as they rise to become Notre Dame seniors. The festivities began in the Sr. Mary Dolan, S. U. Arts and Athletic Center with a brunch held in honor of the young women of the Junior Class. 
Following brunch, the honorees were joined by the faculty, staff and administrators for the Ring Day Liturgy during which members of the class served as lectors and Eucharistic ministers alongside the celebrant, Fr. Rocco Danzi, S.J. At the conclusion of the liturgy, Dr.  Virginia  O'Brien, S.U. shared the history of Notre Dame beginning with the school's humble origins on 142nd Street. The long and storied tradition served as a reminder to the class of the generations of  Chez Nous  alumnae and dedicated faculty who forged the path for them   from a school of three students on W. 142nd Street to 79th Street, St. Mark's Plac e and ND's current home on W. 13th Street. 

Sr. Virginia went on to exhort the Class of 2017  to strive for excellence in their academic and personal lives and to be mindful of their role as mentors to their younger  Chez Nous sisters, particularly those entering as members of the Class of 2020 in the fall. 

At  the conclusion of her remarks, Sr. Virginia invited Principal Ms. Jackie Brilliant and the junior homeroom teachers, Ms. Crosson, Ms. Angioletti and Mr. Stordeur to assist in the distribution of roses and rings to the members of the Class of 2017. Join us as we congratulate the Class of 2017 as they enter their final year Chez Nous! 

The Notre Dame class ring features the crest of the school which mirrors the actual crest of Notre Dame de Lourdes from Lourdes, France. The crest pays homage to the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared to Saint Bernadetteduring the 1850s.