Steds Senior Moms: Cindy Olmanson, Debbie Ryan, Joanne Herrfeldt, Lynette Roemer, Stacy Carr, Katrina Haley, Charlene Sherman, and Maria Schelhorn
After our Soirée Bienvenue, Welcome Soirèe, at the Jordan Hall Gallery, it was time for Déjeuner, breakfast, at North Dining Hall. Yes, it was a departure from brunching at South, but we were happy to move to North so that the fire code was broken by exceeding the maximum capacity of South. Still, North Dining Hall's recent renovation was an added consolation. After brunch and a free afternoon, it was on to Dîner d'honneur, honorary dinner, at the Downes Club at Corbett Hall. Suffice it to say, it was unbelievable location to host a dinner for our honored moms. With a string quartet, a wondering magician, and photographer taking formal photo of moms and sons, Moms Weekend was a active affair. Still, a pause was taken for dinner which was followed a game of "Know your Mother." It was a fun filled event, and it was sad to see it end. On the evening, Steds senior mom, Debbie Ryan, mother of two Stedsmen, Connor '13 and Brandon '17, said,
"Today brings to a close my final Sted’s mom’s weekend. It was just four years ago that I met my son’s best friends from the dorm and their moms at my first Sted’s mom’s weekend.
Since that time, those Stedsmen have become like sons to me and their mom’s like sisters. We have supported each other, carried each others burdens, celebrated our son’s successes and prayed together as we and our sons faced opportunities and challenges. We’ve had tailgate parties and slumber parties. We’ve watched basketball games packed in hotel rooms at the Morris Inn and watched football games ‘together’ on live text stream from our respective homes in all corners of the US... from New York and DC to Chicago and California. We have hugged each other and laughed together. We have laughed a lot!!
Today, in Mass, we sat together, we sang the Alma Mater together, we prayed together and we cried together.
Reflecting on this last Sted’s Mom’s weekend, I wanted to say how grateful I am. I am grateful for Notre Dame, for St Edward’s Hall and for Fr Ralph - Sted’s guiding hand and loving spirit. I am grateful for both of my (biological) Sted’s sons and for all my Sted’s sons and I am grateful for their mothers...my Sted’s Mom sisters.
In a few short weeks our sons will graduate from Notre Dame. They are going hither and yon to pursue their destinies. Yet, I have great faith that our Sted’s family shall remain strong forever!"
