Your Sunday picture...

Worth a good look

... from Notre Dame. Moms' Weekend drew to a close today- and we'll hear more about that later- but for now, here's a view of the interior of the Golden Dome. The Dome is an wonderful example of Trompe l’oeil, an art technique that uses imagery to create an optical illusion to make objects appear three dimensional. Employed here, it  makes the interior appear larger and more ornate. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Moms' Weekend...

One great soirée

... is in full swing. ...for Moms' Weekend 2019! Last night with the Soirée Bienvenue, or Welcome reception, in the Galleria of Jordan Hall, Moms' Weekend 2019 got off to a great and lively start. With Pat Magner as commissioner, this year there are 108 moms in attendance with 24 aunts, sisters, grandmas present as well... and all of this makes for ONE FUN WEEKEND. On the reception, Chris Susco, Steds sophomore, said, “The reception is a great tradition and one of my mom’s favorite events of the weekend because she is able to catch up with the friends she has made as well as maybe meet some new ones. Knowing that, I didn’t mind helping Magner make it happen.”

There's a rush...

Quinlan: Finishing just in time

... on the Steds washing machines and driers. Really? Yes, and it's not a surprise because we're one day away from Moms' Weekend! As moms are beginning to appear, every washer and drier is being used by residents in an effort to have absolutely no dirty laundry about their rooms. After all, who would invite his mom, sister, grandma, or aunt into his room where dirty clothes are present? Not a Gentlemen of St. Edward's! On doing laundry before his mom arrives, John Quinlan, Steds junior and native Buffalonian, said, "It’s nice to have clean clothing... especially for Moms' Weekend.”

Getting ready for...

The Billiards Room: Santa's Workshop at Notre Dame

... the biggest weekend at the oldest and most storied residence hall at Notre Dame... St. Edward's Moms' Weekend! With two days before the big event, the Gentlemen have shifted things into high gear to make sure that everything is ready. Under the direction of Patrick Magner, the assembly of gift bags started in the Gentlemen's Billiards Room. On the near eve of Moms Weekend, Chris Susco, Steds sophomore, shared, "The excitement surrounding Moms’ Weekend is more than just the event, to me it’s wonderful to see my mom, but Moms’ Weekend also signals that spring is here. With spring, it means that the nice weather, moreover, it shakes off the gloominess of the winter weather!  Moms welcomed!"

It's official...

 The Morans with their Steds Family...

... Maggie Armstrong ’14 of Walsh Hall and PJ Moran ’13 of Steds were married at St. Nicholas Church in O'Fallon, Illinois this past Saturday. With Fr. Ralph witnessing and surrounded by family, friends, and their Steds family, Maggie and PJ tied the proverbial knot with a lot of emotion and joy. Suffice it to say, there were tears and smiles all around. On Maggie and PJ's wedding, Stedsman Chris Hunt ’13 said, “The wedding, doubling as a reunion, was a smashing success. I am happy to report today that the dance moves exhibited on Saturday night were no worse (yet no better) than the last time we stepped on the Mystic Blue" while his fellow Stedsman, Joel Moore '13, said, "It was a great weekend in St Louis at the Armstrong Moran wedding. Not only did I get to see a good friend get married, but it was a riot to reunite with so many St Ed's Gentlemen and see that they are all prospering!"

Still yet, of the couple, the best man, James Yurkovich '13, said, "I couldn’t be happier for the Capts. Moran on their special day and was honored and proud to be there with them to help celebrate. It seems like just yesterday that P.J. and I were defending the hall as RAs against rogue "neighborhoods" and defacing priceless murals…”

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. & Mrs. PJ and Maggie Moran!

Still yet... After the wedding, Fr. Ralph got to hang around and see the sights of STL.

What did they...

Don't mess with Texas or these Gentlemen!

... do? Yes, what did our Gentlemen do doing their Spring Break? Did they go to far off places in search of sun, sand, and surf? If not, then did they journey to home and hearth? And if not that, then did they simply enjoy the solitude of an empty St. Edward's Hall? Over the upcoming days, we will unpack what our Gentlemen packed into their break from classes and studies. Today, we take a gander at what Cole Casper, Steds sophomore, did, and it's not surprising. Casper went home to his native Texas, and as he did, he invited his non-Texans his roommates, Conal Fagan of Ireland and Josh Chapple of Virginia, to join him where everything is bigger and better. What did they do in Texas? Oh, Texan things of course... wearing cowboy hats and boots, eating Texan sized things, and going to the rodeo. On going to the rodeo, Casper said, "As a matter of fact, it was their first rodeo!” 

Caspar and Fagan enjoying a corn dog...

... while Fagan had room for a little more.

Your Sunday picture...

Spring Snowdrops 

... from Notre Dame.  Here's a sign that spring is slowly springing around campus. Around the lakes the snowdrops are coming out, a sure sign that winter is retreating. In the days to come, more and more spring flowers will be making an appearance. Stay tuned. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Confused squirrel

With the turn in the weather, our furry friends are out and about more than ever. They do whatever it is they do, and they are doing a lot of it right now. Currently, many squirrels are trying to remember where they buried their nuts this past fall. It is a real challenge to say the least. This squirrel was furiously digging outside of Steds when all of a sudden he stopped and took a long and dramatic pause. On the pause, this squirrel non-verbaled, "What am I doing here again?"

It was a Senior...

Jenkins with the Gentlemen Seniors

... Afternoon Tea to remember. Every Senior Afternoon Time is memorable; however, this one more so by the fact that a very special guest stopped by for a break from his labors. Yes, none other than the Fr. John Jenkins, CSC, President of the University of Notre Dame, dropped by the Steds Flounge for some Steds camaraderie and NCAA basketball watching. Amid all of this, Fr. John even found time to answers questions from our Gentlemen. I guess for Fr. John it was a "working afternoon tea" time. On the appearance of our special guest, Hall President Cole Edwards said, "Though we usually settle to fill ourselves with beverages and Chick-fil-A or Chipotle, this evening we took a page out of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and were filled with the Spirit, blessed with the presence of Father John Jenkins himself. 

Still yet, there's more! Today was the birthday of Peter Schelble, Steds senior (seated to the left of Fr. Jenkins in the above picture) and native Wisconsinite. On Peter's birthday, Fr. Ralph said, "Usually everyone marks their 21st birthday, but for Peter, I think that he will always mark his 22nd birthday instead as the President of Notre Dame came to his impromptu birthday party. C'mom! How many students can say that?"

Thoughts from...

Digenan lime scootering in the City of Lights

... abroad. This spring semester has seen a record number of Stedsmen studying abroad. If you name a study abroad program, then we probably have a Stedsman there. No lie! Today, we have an update from the Dublin where Steds junior, Patrick Digenan, is busy studying. Oh, but don't worry! Digenan may be busy studying, but he is not so busy so as not to traipse about the continent. Taking a break from the books and Dublin, Digenan traveled to Paris, where he took in the sights with the help of something that he couldn't find at Notre Dame, a lime scooter. 

On his time in Europe, Digenan said, "Spending time in Europe has been amazing and enlightening. I’ve been exposed to a fascinating new world, one that’s full of cigarettes, bathrooms that cost money, and people that have a predisposition to not liking my American pride. If I’m lucky, I may even learn how to dress like the people over here. All jokes aside, I have been having a great time away and have gotten to see some very cool things. As much as I like Europe, Steds will always be my true home."

Well said Digenan. Well said indeed!

It's almost...

Steds dads living it up with their Stedsmen for a change

... here! The most favorite weekend for the Gentlemen of St. Edward's Hall, Moms' Weekend, is almost here. Thanks to the Moms' Weekend Commissioner, Patrick Magner, and his diligent planning, Moms' Weekend 2019 is coming together to be once again a special, magical, and fun filled weekend. While this unique weekend invites moms, sisters, aunts, grandmas, and all special women in the lives of the Gentlemen, Steds dads are not. Suffice it to say, it causes some jealous and envy on the part of our Steds dads. On this, Diane Crudele, Steds mom to Devin and Kyle Crudele, said, “I snapped this group of Stedsmen and their dads during Junior Parent Weekend festivities. The dads are jealous of the fun we have at Moms’ Weekend, and so, just this once, a photo similar to those we take during that weekend was granted to them!”

It was a...

Looking dry now...

... surprise to say the least. With the cold temps of this winter, some of the pipes around campus have been comprised, and unfortunately, they are only discovered when they, well, break. That's exactly what happened at the Main Building. Comprised pipes broke in the ceiling of the north lobby entrance, causing an evacuation of the building and its ultimate closure for the day. Thankfully, this surprise was caught early, minimizing the damage as well as any inconveniences. On the broken pipes and flooding at the Main Building, Kyle Crudele, Steds freshman, said, "I hope it didn't affect the murals." 

...but earlier it was a different story.

Your Sunday picture...

Sun: Please come back tomorrow

... from Notre Dame. Here's a day when the clouds parted, and we enjoyed some sun. Fleeting as it was, it was appreciated and made many don their sunglasses. Here's the sunset over campus as seen from Flanner Hall. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday's Squirrel.

A perch with a view

Something else that our furry friends are is resourceful. And that's exactly what these two squirrels in the shadow of Grace and Flanner Halls are... resourceful. While time has taken its toll on their tree, reducing its branches to almost nothing, these squirrels aren't put out. Not in the least! Matter of fact, they are making the most of it by using the branch stumps as perches!.Resourceful. Resourceful indeed! On their tree perches, one squirrel non-verbaled, "Now only if it was sunny. Sun and view." 

What is...

Fr. Corby and the Corby Hall construction site

... being built? Yes, what is that construction site next to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart? It's the new Corby Hall, and it's really coming together. Knocked down in May, with reconstruction starting immediately, Corby Hall will be completed in the spring of 2020. During construction, Holy Cross moved Corby Hall "operations" to the Presbytery (small house behind the Basilica) and the famous statue of Fr. Corby, CSC, that was out in front of the old hall, has been moved across the road looking as if he is blessing everything.   

A view of the front of the hall...

... and view from behind.

What are they...

Schelhorn and Olmanson living it up!

... up to? While our current students are spring breaking, what pray tell are recent graduates, who are now for the first time NOT spring breaking, doing? Well, two graduates, Alex Schelhorn '18 and Nick Olmanson '18 found themselves visiting the largest Applebee's in the world! While Olmanson made the trek down from Boston to New York, Schelhorn decided to show Olamson the best that New York had to offer- Applebee's. A traditional favorite Friday water hole when they were seniors, Applebee's has lost no of its appeal. On the visit, Shelhorn said, "You can take us out of South Bend, but you can’t take the Applebee’s happy hour specials out of us!"

Look up...

Orion in the Notre Dame sky

... and you'll see something that will disappear soon. If you look into the night sky over campus, you will see the winter constellation of Orion. Named for the mythological Greek hunter, it is an easy constellation to spot because of its two bright stars Rigel and Betelgeuse and the three stars of the hunter's belt. Soon, the hunter will disappear as spring draws closer. On Orion's impending departure, Fr. Terry Ehrman, CSC, theologian and naturalist, said, "Enjoy it now." 

Best of...

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

Saturday's Fowl.

Their fifteen minutes of fame...

In the course of our day, we can often overlook the ordinary. Indeed, all too often we take it for granted. But if we didn’t have the ordinary we wouldn’t have the extraordinary! I think that Confucius said that. Anyway, here’s to you ordinary… ordinary ducks on St. Mary’s Lake! We wouldn't be the same without you.

Everyone needs...

Up, up, and away...

... a break, Spring Break to be exact. Yes, time to take a break from the books, classes and lectures, routines and schedules... and well, do whatever is needed in order to come back refreshed and ready for the final push to the end of Spring Semester and the academic year. What are the Stedsmen doing? Going here and there and everywhere. On his plans for Spring Break, Fr. Ralph said, "I am going to America's playground, Omaha, Nebraska, of course!"

Your Sunday picture...

Staying inside everyone is

... from Notre Dame. Here's a cold and gloomy look at the Duncan Student Center from the Mendoza College of Business. The picture captures this winter in all of its "wintriness." But hope has not been extinguished! May spring soon spring us out of all this dreariness! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Caught doing something 

Sometimes our furry friends are so busy doing whatever it is that they do, they don't take notice of their surroundings, including us. This furry friend, scavenging about on God Quad, found something, but he didn't realize that he had be found by our camera taking photos for the blog. Our friend was genuinely startled when he saw the camera. Was it a bad "tail day", or was it something else? On being photographed, our furry friend non-verbaled, well, nothing as he was so startled.

We have a...

An exuberant Vogel in the stands

... win! Tonight, Notre Dame's Men's Hockey team defeated Michigan State at the Compton Family Ice Arena. The game was scoreless up until the third period when the Irish took advantage of a power play and scored the one and only goal of the game. Helping the Irish defeat the Spartans was none other than St. Edward's very own freshman, Alex Steeves, who saw a lot of ice time in the first and third periods. On seeing a fellow Stedsman play in the rink, Peter Vogel '12 said, "What a talented hockey player! I can't wait to see Steeves play in the Olympics!"

Steeves was playing for keeps...

...holding nothing back...

...for control of the puck...

...but number 57 wasn't playing all that nice...

...and had to take a time out as Steeves watches on.

We have

Vinegar: A coffee makers best friend

... a problem. There was a problem in the Gregorian Mural Room today when the much beloved coffee maker went off line. The problem was quickly diagnosed as lime build up from the hard water of Northern Indiana. Next, AR Frank Spesia notified and handed off the problem to Fr. Ralph who then stepped in and provided the solution- a vinegar rinse. Using Heintz vinegar, the coffee maker was given a vinegar wash, dissolving the lime buildup and allowing a liquid to once again flow into the coffee pot. On hearing that the coffee maker was down, Joe Trzaska, Steds senior and Folgers at Four regular, said, "When I heard that the coffee maker was down, I was quietly happy because no longer would I or any other Gentlemen have to endure (Pat) Magner's burnt and vile brew that he passes off as coffee at Folgers at Four on Fridays. But with the coffee maker back in working order, residents be aware!"

Ash Wednesday...

A Lenten Basilica

... marked the start of Lent, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart was ready. With flowers and decorations removing, giving a subdued look, and the traditional color of Lent, purple, displayed, Lent is definitely in full swing. On the start of Lent, Fr. Ralph said, "It's Ash Wednesday, and it snowed today."

The man behind the...

Harris: Computer science and sandwich making are his games

... scenes at Ed's is someone whom the patrons of Ed's never see. Well, that's because he's behind the scenes, yes, but it is also because he only comes in to work one day a week, and then, it's only for a couple of hours. Jake Harris, Steds sophomore, computer science major, and resident San Diegoan, is the one and only sandwich marker at Ed's. Quietly, he works his magic to craft panninis that only a lucky few will be able to purchase. In a way, Harris is like the Easter Bunny because like the bunny, we never see him at Ed's, but we appreciate what he leaves behind. On his labor of love, Harris said, "Making paninis over the last couple months has taught me many valuable life lessons such as how to caramelize an onion and how to treat minor oil burns. There is no greater mix of emotions than making 20 paninis Sunday afternoon, just to have them all eaten by Monday night.  It has been an honor working at the finest food service establishment on campus, nay, in South Bend.

Well said Jake. Well said indeed! Thanks for all that you do!

He did...

Our Champ: O'Brien

... it! Dan "Pilgrim" O'Brien is a Bengal Bout Champion! Defeating his opponent in yet another unanimous decision, Dan clinched the championship for the 171 lbs division, making him a champion and bringing glory to his hall. Last year, Dan lost to a three time champion in the semi-finals, but history was not to repeat itself this year. Dan's technical boxing skills and patience made short work of his opponent to the relief of his parents, Cindy and Kevin O'Brien, who were in the stands, and the roar of the Steds fan base, assembled in O'Brien's corner of the ring. The atmosphere was electric and the cheering over to the top... it was as if we were all in the ring with O'Brien. It's difficult to capture the scene in its entirety. You just had to be there!

On his win, O'Brien said, "Winning the bouts was fantastic, but it's hard not to think of it as the punctuation mark on the end of a very long season. I'm incredibly grateful to Joe Trzaska and Matt Cyrs for beginning training with me back in October, and to all of the support from Father Ralph through the season. I already miss training, and it won't be too long before I'm taking the first steps to prepare for next year."

Congratulations to our champion Dan and all of our Bengal Bouts boxers. Thanks for getting out there in the ring, moreover, thanks for helping the Holy Cross missions in Bangladesh.  

As he enters the ring, O'Brien's video is played...

... and his Steds fan base goes crazy...

... cheering him on...

... and declaring him a winner!

Your Sunday picture...

Looking just a bit brighter

... from Notre Dame. It has been a surprisingly cloudy winter at Notre Dame. So cloudy has it been that when it is sunny, one must get out, take a short walk, and soak up some rays and vitamin D. Still, when the sun comes out, it makes campus look all prettier. Here's a late winter view of Mary and the Dome on a sunny day. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday Squirrel.

Dumpster dining

Our furry friends are many things, but one thing they are not is proud. Indeed, they are not too proud to get dirty and scrounge around in the trash. Seeing the lid off of the Steds trash can, this squirrel did a little trash diving and found a gem. It really is true. One's man trash is another man's treasure- or in this case snack. On his trash dining, this squirrel non-verbaled, "It wasn't in the trash. It was on top of the trash."  

Another gas tank...

Steds B: Regrouping for next year

... hit empty yesterday. Sadly, in basketball, the Steds B team's gas tank ran out last night in the first round of playoffs against Carroll. Spirits were high at the start of game, but they were quickly dashed as Carroll opened up 5 of 6 from the three point line. Yes, Steds was behind the proverbial eight ball from the start, but of course, the Gentlemen ballers did not give up. Rallying around their coach and player, Joe Corcoran (above in green), the squad played hard, taking Carroll's elbows and flagrant fouls, right up until the very end. While that was the case, sadly, it wasn't enough to get the bus across the finish line. On the lost, Steds freshmen and baller, CJ Nash, said, "We may have lost in actual points, but we won in grit points. Our young core will be back next year.”

A team captain, Will Connolly, watching his B team brother ballers