Shout-out from Amy
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! On behalf of myself and the Alumni Board and Council, we want to take a moment to thank all of the past students and their families for helping shape and strengthen our alumni community.
In the coming year, I am looking forward to showcasing our alumni's impressive and exciting milestones in the Alumni DeTales so please remember to "Share Your Story" with us. The link can be found on our website under the Alumni tab.
Over the holiday break, our class ambassadors are kicking off their initiative to gather the most up-to-date and accurate contact information from former SFD classmates. Do us a favor, put "touch base with St. Francis DeSales" on your New Year's to-do list. Again, you can do so by visiting the Alumni tab on our website or by filling out the google form that may have been sent directly to you from a class ambassador.
Be sure to add "Visit SFD" to your to-do list as well! We have an alumni gathering at the Watterson rivalry basketball game on January 25th and our All-School Reunion is in July. The goal is to draw a stronger crowd of attendees to our alumni events in the coming year.
We are in the heart of our annual Holiday Giving season and our alumni are a vital component to our growth and vitality. With your continued support and participation over the next year and beyond, we will go on building the best St. Francis DeSales imaginable, together. If you would like more information on how to contribute, please email me at faulkner@desales.co.
Wishing all of you a blessed holiday season - here's to a fantastic 2019!
Connecting the past, strengthening the present, and promoting the future,
Amy Faulkner
Director of Alumni and Family Engagement
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Stallion Notes
Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Flint! Rebecca Borer '03 and Bryan Flint '08 were married on December 1, 2018 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Sunbury.
Alumna Jane Grote Abell '84, Chairwoman of the Board of Donatos Pizza, was honored at the Junior Achievement of Central Ohio's Business Hall of Fame Dinner - an annual event bringing together 500 business leaders from around Columbus to honor community leaders in central Ohio. For thirty-one years the Business Hall of Fame has inducted Laureates who demonstrate business excellence, courageous thinking and action, vision and innovation, inspiring leadership, and community-mindedness.
In Memoriam
~James Sayre, class of 1966, passed away on November 30, 2018.
~Jayne (Barry) Condo Chrystal, class of 1967, passed away on December 11, 2018.
May the angels lead them to their eternal resting place in heaven and may perpetual light shine upon them.
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Success Story
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M.A.S.H. Pantry and Resource Center was founded by a Navy Veteran in 2014 and is located in Grove City, Ohio. The center's motto is
"No Veteran, military family or survivor will go hungry on our watch." When the pantry first opened, it served 4-5 Veterans a week. It now serves upward of 25 Veterans weekly. We are honored to highlight the success of alumnus Ralph Smith '65 for his involvement with the center's mission.
Ralph holds multiple roles at the M.A.S.H. pantry. He sits on the Board of Directors, is Treasurer, and most importantly, is a Lead Volunteer at the center. He finds great joy and reward in working one-on-one with the Veterans to provide them with physical and emotional support. Ralph said his role can be emotional, especially when some Veterans come in with tears in their eyes not knowing where the next meal will come from, but he is honored to be a part of the cause.
Ralph was drafted in January 1968 while a student at Franklin University. He enlisted in the United States Military, first attending Food Supply school. He was deployed to Vietnam, where he used his training to supply food to troops at war.
Ralph feels blessed to be able to now thank those who served on a regular basis by serving them at the pantry. The St. Francis DeSales community would like to take this opportunity to thank Ralph and offer him our support as well.
At our upcoming Alumni Social on December 27th we will be collecting pantry items to support Ralph and the M.A.S.H. Pantry and Resource Center!
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Stallion Spotlight
A highlight on current SFD teachers, coaches and students.
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Spotlighted for her most recent work on the annual Christmas in the Courtyard event is Director of Campus Ministry, Mrs. Allison Grosik. Allison serves our school community in many capacities with faith and service always being at the forefront of her mission. This past Tuesday Allison chaired an amazing event that touched the hearts of many. Children from St. Stephen's Community House came to SFD where they made crafts, enjoyed dinner and snacks, received gifts, and were even able to see Santa. The atmosphere was full of great joy and gratitude, especially for the seniors who volunteered their time to make the special evening possible. It was an occasion that made the true reason for the season come to light.
Allison not only plans special community events, she also coordinates and attends all of our school Masses, prayer services, and retreats. She is wonderful at working through God to touch the lives of our school community. She helps students through times of stress and sadness, and is also there to celebrate when students achieve spiritual or academic success.
Her knowledge, faith, and leadership are invaluable. We are grateful that she was a student here (2011 grad!), and even more grateful that she continues to bless the SFD community today as a faculty member.
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Special Announcements
With the Christmas holiday approaching quickly and the season of gift giving upon us, we hope you will consider a gift to the students of St. Francis DeSales High School. Your gift makes it possible for the school to immediately act on programs and opportunities, including faith life, advancing technology, scholarships, co-curricular programs, and improvements to our campus.
Make a tax-deductible gift of any size prior to December 31!
May the spirit of this peaceful Christmas season touch your heart and bring you joy.
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Social Gathering
Thanks to Sam '82 and Pat '84 Chapman, Matt '81 and Paula '81 Stranges, Terri '75 and JP '74 Slupski, Pakie McGinnis '74, and Pat Rossetti '66, all SFD alumni are invited to come "Mix and Mingle" over appetizers and drinks. Please bring a pantry item to donate to the M.A.S.H. Pantry and Resource Center (see story above about SFD alumnus Ralph Smith). We look forward to celebrating another year of faith, family, and tradition. THERE IS NO NEED TO RSVP TO THIS EVENT! If you can make it, great! If you can't, watch for details on our next get together.
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Spiritual Reflection
This Advent, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with Your presence from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays and gifts to be given, r
emind me of the gift You gave when You sent Your Son from Heaven.
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