What are they...

Mullaney and Rankin back the homeSted

… up to? Yes, what are Jim Mullaney ’09 and Dennis Rankin ’09 up to? Recently, both of them were back on campus this summer, reminiscing about their past days at Steds no doubt. On their recent visit to their campus home, Mullaney said, “Dennis is working on his fourth Notre Dame degree.  I’m working on traveling to and drinking a beer from all 50 states (I only have Alaska left on the list).  Both of us are happy with our choices.”

On Assignment: Continued

Learning about Guinness: Kathy and Fr. Ralph

Continuing to assist with at the Newman University Church in Dublin, it is important to take in the sights, smells, and the food and drink of this city. Suffice it to say, visiting the Guinness Storehouse was the first stop. Before ascending to the Gravity Bar on the eight floor of the Guinness Storehouse, offering a 360 degree view of the city, I noticed someone who looked familiar. Sure enough, it was none other than Steds mom, Kathy Michael, mother of Kevin Michael. After completing the self guided tour, we all reconvened on the eight floor for refreshments. 

On the chance encounter, Kathy said, "It was such a pleasant unexpected surprise to run into Fr Ralph at our Dublin Guinness tour on our recent family vacation.  A wonderful time - spreading St Edward's cheer around the globe!"

And Kevin added, “It's great to see another member of the Steds family anywhere, let alone Father Ralph, even all the way in Ireland. I couldn't imagine a better person to randomly run into and spend a few minutes with in the Dublin Guinness factory!"

Finally, Fr.Ralph added his two cents and said, "Moms' Weekend 2019 Dublin? It would be fun. And when in Dublin... sláinte!"

Bending the elbows: Fr. Ralph and Kevin

What's going on...

Badin Hall and its new chapel

... at campus? Curious? Well, a lot of things. After a one year renovation, the new and improved Badin Hall is now complete and ready for the "Lady Bullfrogs" to return. Sadly, they won't be the first to return as the hall is being used to house summer campers. Still, when the ladies return they will have many improvements from room upgrades, new common spaces, and believe it or not, a real chapel! More to come on that later. On the new and improved Badin Hall, a resident speaking on the condition of anonymity said, "After my tour of the new and improved Badin Hall, I said to myself, 'It looks like Steds!'" 

Well, resident speaking on the condition of anonymity, as they say... imitation is the highest form of flattery. We'll take it!

What are they...

Class of 2018: Already reminiscing 

… up to? Yes, what are the Stedsmen up to as they summer? Today, we get yet another installment of work, service, and fun away from the HomeSted. 

Recent 2018 graduates, John Haley, Chris Scott, Alex Schelhorn, Jackson Herrfeldt, and Tim Sherman, have already held their first mini-reunion since leaving campus and Steds in May. The five Stedsmen caught up with one another as work, the weekend, and pre-work summer made all their paths cross in the "Old Line State," Maryland.  

On the mini-reunion, Haley said, “You can take the Steds out of the Gentlemen, but you can’t take the Gentlemen out of Steds.” 

Enjoy your summer wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

An Irish flower

I really tried to fine an Irish; however, I could not. Matter of fact, I haven't one squirrel since coming to Ireland. While our furry friends at home and abroad take a break from center stage, here's a picture of some the beautiful flora and fauna from Kylemore Abbey in Ireland's Connemara region. You may heard of Kylemore Abbey as Notre Dame has a global gateway there, offering studying abroad opportunities and summer programs. Walking around the paths of the abbey, I encountered this most unique flower all by itself in the woods. Like the abbey, it's one of a kind!

Kylemore Benedictine Abbey

Where has the...

Continued success wherever you may be!

... time gone? It seems like year that these Stedsmen stepped out on the Steds portico on Graduation Day. In truth, it has been five years! Yes, it been five years for these Stedsmen- Turner, Ryan, Ferruolo, Sullivan, Chuang, Simms, and Moran who graduated in 2013. On this graduation photo Fr. Ralph said, "Unfortunately, we can't do this anymore, take pictures from the portico. But fortunately for these guys, they could,and what a great photo it is!"

On assignment:

Still soaking it all in...

...in Dublin, Ireland. Leaving campus and Newport Beach behind, operations have moved across the pond to a less warm and sunny location but nevertheless an exotic place. Assisting at Notre Dame’s Newman University Church just off of St. Stephen’s Green, operations will be in Ireland until the end of July. Surprisingly, not only has the weather been great but the also the food. Really. I am not lying. On moving operations, St. Ed said, “Again, I really do wish there was a way for me to be at two places at once.”

Your Sunday picture...

All alone

...from Notre Dame. Summer is in full swing with visitors and summer campers all about campus. Still, every now and then you do get a quiet moment like this one on God Quad. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

What are they...

Spesia: A single with no malaria

… up to? Yes, what are the Stedsmen up to as they summer? Today, we get yet another installment of work, service, and fun away from the HomeSted. After leaving Los Angeles,  Frank Spesia ’16, one of the newest incoming assistant rectors at Steds, is making his way back to ND, and as he does, he recently made a stop in Malawi. Yes, Malawi. In the past, Spesia and his family have done much service work in Malawi. On his recent visit, Spesia said, “While in Malawi, I was grateful for protection against potentially harmful mosquitos. While it was tough to tell which Stedsman’s mullet funded my net, I am sure that it was a better haircut than anything terry bradshaw could come up with Thank you Mullets Against Malaria!”

Enjoy your summer wherever you may be!

You say goodbye...

2018: Chris with Fr. Ralph

...I say hello. Yes, there were a goodbyes said during May, and many graduating seniors wondered when they would return to campus. While he may be off to Washington D.C., Chris Scott '18, Stedsman and former Hall senator, did not ask that question, knowing full well what the answer was. And what was the answer? Football season of course! Still, Chris' dad, Tom Scott, said it best when he said, "Never the end. It's the end of the beginning!"

2014: Tom, Fr. Ralph, and Chris

Your Sunday picture...

Looking good as usual.

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of Mary and the Main Building from the green between Alumni Hall and the ND Law School. What more can I say that this picture has not already said? Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

A most unique...

McCarthy's 2018 exit

... exit. Time flies when you're matriculating at Notre Dame and living at Steds. They tell you that it's time to leave, but it feels as if you only just arrived last year. Though a constant, time does give the feeling that it moves just a bit faster, especially at Steds, in the month May. It was time for Kevin McCarthy '18 to say goodbye and make his exit from campus, but he couldn't do so without having a picture taken with Fr. Ralph. On wanting a photo, McCarthy '18 said, “Wow, it really have been four years. Fr Ralph was the first person that I saw upon entering Steds my freshman year on Move In Day. It would only be fitting that he would be the last person I saw as I left the hall!” 

McCarthy's 2014 entrance

Happy Birthday America!

Stars and Stripes FOREVER!

For being 242 years old, you look marvelous! Wherever you may be this 4th, from sea to shining sea, enjoy your day of family, fireworks, and freedom!

Best of...

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

Cleveland Calling.

Cleveland- it's not Detroit

During some recent vacation days, the Rector of Sted's, Fr. Ralph, traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, and visited his extended family. On visiting Cleveland, Fr. Ralph said, "You know, everyone thinks that America's playground is Toledo, but it's really not. It's Cleveland."