Saturday's Squirrel.

Nibbling in peace and quiet

While students may be away, taking a break, our furry friends are holding down the proverbial fort. Yes, our furry friends haven't hopped in a car, bus, or plane, jetting off to here or there. No. They are staying put and "keeping an eye" on things. But before we feel sad for our friends, know that they are enjoying a deserted campus. Having free range of everything, they can finally go about their business, whatever that may be, in peace and quiet. On having campus all to themselves, this furry friend took a break from nibbling and non-verbaled, "Don't you have some place to be?"

During the Octave...

Behold the tree...

.... of Christmas, let's take a gander at Fearghal, the Hall's Giving Tree. Fearhgal arrived at St. Ed's completely bare, but now, he's full of multicolored lights and bright ornaments. Its beauty is not simply the result of decorating a bare tree but rather the generosity of the Gentlemen. Donating whatever they could to the Hall's Christmas charity, the Gentlemen where able to decorate Fearghal the tree AND make Christmas possible for ten children in the South Bend area. In the span of two weeks, $935 was raised, and Christmas wish lists were filled, wrapped, and delivered. Special thanks to Jack Kaspar for heading up this very special project! Merry Christmas to all!!!

Merry Christmas!

The Christmas crèche and tree in Main Building

To all Gentlemen, St. Ed's families, and friends of St. Ed's Hall, Merry Christmas! May the Christ child fill your hearts with joy this Christmastide and his blessings throughout the NewYear. Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve...

...and all through the Hall, not a creature was stirring, net even a... well, the picture says the rest. Make sure to get that last minute shopping done and those much needed groceries... so that you, like our mouse, might be able to stop your any and all stirring!

Best of...

...the Gentlemen's Monthly. Yes, three years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the past!

And then...

Nothing going on here, really.

...there was none. Yes, with everyone away, it's a little slow at St. Edward's, but fear not, the blog will continue on, bringing you the life and times of Notre Dame's oldest residence hall!

The word in the hallway is...

It's too quiet...

...well, since it's Christmas Break you will have to come back in a couple of weeks to hear what the word is. Yes, with Finals' Week over, the Gentlemen have scattered to all parts of the country and world for a bit a of down time... AND the Hall is COMPLETELY EMPTY. Well, maybe a cockroach or two still hanging around. On Christmas Break, well, let the picture speak for itself!

We know when...

St. Ed's: It's quiet

...the residents leave, but when does the rector leave. Great question. Some think that Fr. Ralph stay for the entirety of Christmas Break. Others think that he stay around for bit and enjoys the quiet.  Still yet, others think that he leave minute after residents do on Saturday... 2:01PM. Well, what is it? On what he does during Christmas Break, Fr. Ralph said, "No. I don't stay for the entirety of break. When the kids aren't around, the Hall is just plain scary. Do I stay and enjoy the quiet? No. I do leave at 2:01PM? I would, but unfortunately, I am contractually bound to stay for a bit longer than that. So, there's no one answer, but whenever I do... it's never soon enough!"

So that everyone can rest and relax as Christmas Break begins, the Gentlemen's Monthly will go on "break mode" publishing every other day.

Your Sunday picture...

Yes. It's cold.

...from Notre Dame. Here's view of campus looking north from the 7th floor of the new Duncan Student Center. Set to officially open in January 2018, the Duncan will house a myriad of student services, new campus eateries, and much more- including the new recreational center that will replace the Rolfs. Suffice it to say, it will be the new "must see"of campus. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Oh, let my...

A scene that we took for granted 

Christmas tree go! With the Hall now closed and students dispersed around the country and world for Christmas Break, a painful and bitter reality must be accepted, and that is, we have lost. Yes, Risk Management has won the battle with our Christmas tree. This development is jarring and incomprehensible. A sense of betrayal wafts in the air. Et tu Notre Dame? 

How did it come to this?

It started on the very day the tree was going up. It was a day of great expectation and happiness. Smiles abounded. Peace and good will were in ample supply. And then, like in the movies, everything came to a crashing halt, when suddenly, like lightning bolting down from the heavens, the agents of Risk Management came out from their tower, Grace Hall, unleashed pandemonium. They spoke of dangers... dangers that hadn't happened but could happen... and to prevent what could happen, they stopped what was happening from happening. In the name of safety and security, they threw a dark and vacuous blanket over all of us, choking out joy, suffocating common sense, and confounding logic. And in the ensuing confusion and commotion, something DID happened... Christmas died. Again, how did it come to this?

Yes, the battle might be lost, but the war must continue. It cannot end this way. Though the sting of defeat is painful and heartbreaking, the righteous anger felt from within is stronger and spurs everyone of common sense and decency to rally for this noble and honorable cause. 

In the meantime, as our forces reorganize, let us draw hope from the posting of a Stedsman, Scott Jarvie '11, who posted the following:

 

On the incomprehensible and unimaginable, Fr. Ralph said, "I don't know how it came to this. I really don't. But I do know one thing. Justice will be had."

More to come...

It still may be...

At an end: Finals Week 2017

...snowing, but one thing that is coming to an quick end is Finals Week. Yes, Finals Week ends today, and so, for some, that last exam slot of 3pm cannot come fast enough. It's been a demanding, trying week for all, so much so, that outside the traditional "letting off of steam" from 10 to 10:15pm, you could hear the proverbial drop.... or maybe in this case, the snow fall. So, when those who have 3pm exams finish, there will be roar across campus of accomplishment and freedom. On Finals Week, Fr. Ralph said, "This Finals Week was the easiest one yet... I didn't have any exams, papers to write, or group projects to rescue. Still, for those who had them, I am sure you did great... well, pretty sure... or more likely than not... you all did great."

During these drear...

2017 Corec Whiffleball Champions 

...days of fighting for the Hall Christmas tree, some good news. Now, if you are thinking that Risk Management has seen the light and reversed their roof directive, then I have some bad news for you. Sadly, they continue in their error. BUT amid the bad news, there IS good news... Steds is the 2017 Corec Whiffleball Champions! Yes, they have may taken away our exterior Christmas tree, but they have not taken away our weltanschauung, or in other words, our joie de vivre. The spirit of Steds cannot be fettered or stifled, and thanks to the Steds seniors, Alex Schelhorn, Brandon Ryan, Jon Carr, and Tim Sherman (pictured above), we can see just that! On winning the whifflebal championship, Sherman said,  “We hit it where they ain’t. Schelly’s defensive game was Ozzie Smith-esque, and my life has now hit its apex. Et, sic temper tyrannis!”

Despite on the going...

Haag with the hand off to Oh while Kimlinger photobombs

...battle with Risk Management, a battle that has held our Hall's Christmas tree hostage, Santa Nicholas still managed to pay a visit to Gentlemen. Suffice it to say, St. Nick's visit was brief, but rest assured, his visit brought smiles and buoyed spirits. Still yet, his visit was a memorable because he left a gift... a St. Edward's coffee mug. Now, the Gentlemen can drink in class... literally and figuratively! On receiving his St. Nicholas Day gift, Albert Oh, Steds junior, said, "On a cold winter South Bend day, all you need is your St. Ed’s cup and some brothers by your side… and everyone’s spirits are raised!”

St. Edward's bespoke mugs

A sight to...

Fearghal: all dressed up and ready for Christmas 

...behold is the St. Edward's Giving Tree. If you remember, the Giving Tree was selected by a committee during Thanksgiving Break, and despite it not being Advent, it was erected over Christ the King Weekend. Bare in the beginning, the Giving Tree slowly became decorated as the Gentlemen donated, whatever fit their budget, for the families that the Hall adopted for Christmas. As the donations came in, the tree became prettier and prettier until it was ready for its official unveiling at Stedsmass, the last Mass of the year before the Christmas Break. After briefly telling everyone how it was selected and named, Conal Fagan, Steds freshman and resident Irishman, officially lit the tree- Fearghal, up to the amazement of all. On the lighting of Fearghal, Fagan said, "Fearghal is the finest of all European trees. He radiates a sense of sophistication while provoking a serene sense of warmth and affection at Christmas time. In the end he is an admirable and adequate reflection of the men of St. Edward's Hall."

Santa's Workshop...

Kaspar (in foreground) with some of his helper elves

...has moved south and taken up residence at St. Edward's Hall. As the Gentlemen took a break from their studying to wrap gifts, the Flounge became Santa's Workshop. After raising funds, $935 to be exact, and shopping at the local Target, the Gentlemen wrapped gifts for 10 kids that they had sponsored through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. The good news is the Christmas wish lists were fulfilled, but as for wrapping those wishes, well, let's say the Gentlemen gave it the old college go. On watching the wrapping, Fr. Ralph said, "To be honest, I am not sure if this was so much a Christmas workshop as it was a medieval barber's room... it was a mess. The presents looked better if they had NOT gone under paper and scissors of these wannabe gift wrappers!" Still, on the success of making Christmas happen for these 10 kids, Jack Kaspar, Steds Junior and Christmas Commissioner, said, "The support from our Stedsmen has been remarkable. Together we have made Christmas a reality for the kids --and that itself is pretty special."

Your Sunday picture...

It's still cold...

...from Notre Dame. Here is a picture of the first snow fall of the school year that dusted Mary and the Main Building earlier this week. Whatever the sky, and even if there is snow, this is always a sight worth taking in. Enjoy Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Hope they didn't go to waste...

Where were you? I went to see you, but you were not there. I searched the park, and I could not find you. In desperation, I walked about God and South Quad to find you, and again, you were not there. But I would not give up. Like the Israelites sojourning through the desert, I walked through places unfamiliar and having no name in search of you, but sadly, my endeavor was in vain. You were not there. Did I say something? Did I do something that offended you? Where did you go my furry friend? On walking for 30 mins and seeing no squirrels- not even one- on campus, Fr. Ralph said, "There must have been a convention or something." 

It happened...

Bundle up!

...overnight. No, the Christmas tree did not mysteriously appear on the portico. We all wish that was the case. Rather, what happened overnight was that it snowed. And for many, even for those from warmer climates, the snow was a soothing balm, taking their thoughts away from on going war with Risk Management and Finals Week. The first snow fall of the school year made the Last Day of Classes and the start of Reading Days especially beautiful as campus was covered with a blanket of light snow. On there being fresh powder on the ground, Eddie Johnson, Steds sophomore and resident Southerner, said, "Snow looks great from inside the dorm room until you realize you have to walk through it to get to class. That's a gamer changer... and down with tyranny!"

The war...

Rahill: Doing his part for King and Hall… and Christmas tree

... with Risk Management continues, but let us take a break from the fight. Indeed, let's us leave the front lines for a bit and return to the home front for rest and refreshment. And what better place to do that than at everyone's favorite residence hall eatery... Ed's! Yes, what’s cooking at Ed's? Well, not much since operations are winding down for the semester. Yet, Ed’s customer service representatives are serving whatever is left with customary smiles and NOW with a word of encouragement as well.  This coupled with exemplary customer service is buoying the spirits and strengthening the resolve of many a Stedsman as this idiotic war drags on. On what makes his customer service distinctive, Dan Rahill, Steds sophomore and Moms' Weekend commissioner, said, "I strive to make Ed's the fine dining restaurant that is is by tailoring every order at Ed's to the customer. Because my customers are my peers, I work have to be professional at all times AND give them (sometimes more than) their money's worth. And now, I do my part to fuel the war effort... Steds can't fight on an empty stomach!"

A Saint Nicholas' Day...

St. Ed: Let my tree go...

... present for all is being had. Despite the recent Risk Management directive preventing all persons from any and all roofs, porticos, etc. at Notre Dame, the Steds Christmas tree will not be grounded, relegated to the first floor. Perish the thought! The Steds Christmas tree is on the move and has taken up residence in room 209. This move has allowed the tree to not only be closer to its traditional perch over the portico but also be seen by more persons who happen to walk through St. Edward's Park. On giving sanctuary to the Christmas tree, Bailey Hennes, Steds sophomore and resident of room 209, said, "With three engineers and a pre-med student living here, the tree has given us more peace than this room has seen this year. And down with tyranny... sic semper tyrannis!" while fellow sophomore and resident of 209, Seth Cattanach, said, “The 313 guys keep saying their room is better, but...do they have a Christmas tree? I didn’t think so...”

Cattanach hosting the Steds Christmas Tree

The battle...

Stop the Insanity!

...continues. Notre Dame's Risk Management's recent directive, prohibiting all persons from all campus roofs, is keeping the Steds Christmas tree from its usual roost above the main portico. A misguided and shortsighted directive for sure, it will not prevent Steds from expressing their Advent and Christmas sentiments and tidings. As the battle rages to bring down this ill-timed and un-welcomed directive, the Steds Christmas tree has taken up residence in Fr. Ralph's apartment. On having the tree in his apartment, Fr. Ralph said, "A sign of protest, an act of defiance or beacon of hope... it's all of this and much more! As the Carson Show said during commercial breaks... 'More to come'. More to come indeed!"

What's wrong...

Help

... with this picture? It's plain as day. Where are the Christmas trees??!! Yes, where are the trees with their white lights? Where are the wreaths with their red bows? Yes, pray tell, where are our Christmas decorations? There is an answer, and it will shock you. All these items are in the Flounge because Risk Management has banned all persons from all roofs at Notre Dame. We can only infer that this ban includes porticos too. On the VERY day that our decorations were going up did Risk Management implement this ban. On the grounding of the Steds Christmas trees and wreaths, Fr. Ralph said, "Risk Management tear down this ban, and for the love of the kids, put up the Christmas trees and wreaths."

Your Sunday picture...

Happy Sunday!

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of the setting sun as seen from the 10th floor of Flanner Hall. With the "perma cloud" retreating, we have enjoyed many beautiful sunsets on campus. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Taking cover...

While groundkeepers at Notre Dame like to maintain a tidy campus, keeping the fall foliage on the ground to a minimum, our furry friends would like that they do just the opposite. Yes, the squirrels would like the fall leaves to hang around on the ground for as long as possible. Why? Well, several reasons. Fall leaves are great for making their winter nests just a bit warmer, but more importantly, they provide great camouflage. And having a lot of camouflage is really important especially when you have a hawk sharing your neighborhood. Yes, there's a hawk hanging about God Quad! On hanging about the leaves, our furry friend non-verbal, "Get lost! You're drawing attention to me."

We have...

Steds: We have a tree!

... a Christmas tree! With the help of the Assistant Rector, Connor Bagwell, a Christmas Tree Select Committee was formed, consisting of himself, sophomore Paul Youssef and freshmen Alex Moran and Conal Fagan. Their charge: find the perfect tree for Steds. Receiving their charge, and after transport was secure, the committee made their way to the Roseland Garden Center. There was no shortage of trees at the garden center; however, selecting the one, prefect tree proved to be a most challenging task for this young and ambitious committee. It was only after Fr. Ralph intervened and broke a tie was a tree selected. And the tree that was chosen? The one that had caught the eye of the Hall’s resident Irishman and European, Conal.  But it wasn’t enough to select the tree, he also had to select a name for it. On giving the tree its name, Fagan said, “Fearghal (pronounced Fer-gal) has been chosen as the name for the Steds Christmas tree this year. The name, which is common among the Irish population, means "man of valor.” It is a fitting name for the tree which is situated within the Hall of the Gentlemen.”

Fagan, Bagwell, Moran, and Youssef with Feargahl