It's official!

Fr. Ralph with Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Nester

They got married! MacKenzie Woods and Andrew Nester ’10 were married at the Log Chapel in on June 27th, making a most beautiful day even more beautiful. Originally, the wedding was to take place at the Chapel of Holy Spirit at St. Mary’s, Mackenzie’s Alma Mater, but it was moved to the Log Chapel. Ironically, in the move, Nester got married where his grandparents got married. Irony? Not at all. God’s Providence! With Fr. Ralph officiating and surrounded by their families, Mackenzie and Andrew exchanged theirs vows with much emotion and joy. On their wedding, Fr. Ralph said, “While there is much uncertainty right now, one thing that we know for certain is that this couple wanted to get married. It was an intimate and prayerful… and brought much needed joy to all present!"

Best wishes and congratulations and best wishes to MacKenzie and Andrew!

Your Sunday picture...

Good night!

... from Notre Dame. Here is a view of Mary and the Main Building with the clouds catching the last bit of light of twilight... all from the front door of St. Ed's. And if you look closely, you'll notice something the moon. Many would call it a fingernail moon, but technically speaking, it is a waxing crescent. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday's Squirrel.

Looking for a handout...

Eoghan Fay, Steds freshman, DayBreak radio host, and resident Irish-American, was moving out and while walking across campus with his mother this furry friend wandered up to them. Fay quickly deduced this squirrel must have been hungry. Thinking the squirrel was sick of eating various and sundry nuts, Fay fed him some of an Irish scone his mother had baked. When the squirrel eat the Irish baked good? Fay held his breath, only relaxing when squirrel voraciously consumed the bake good. On being given an Irish scone, the squirrel non-verballed, "Hey! You got any food to spare for me?” and continued on non-verballing, “This is great, but for future reference, I prefer my scones with cream and jam."

... and gets an Irish treat.

Something old...

Here...

... something new, and something posted. While everyone is away, there is a small army roving about campus posting new signage for new and returning students when they return to campus starting August 1st. These newly posted signs communicate to all the University's policies to stem the spread of the Corona virus. On the floors, on the walls, and in the windows, these signs are everywhere and are a reminder that everyone has a part to play in preventing the virus' spread. On the posting of these new signs, Fr. Ralph said, "Whether on your right or on your left, I think I am going to need to be sharper when it comes to directions. It's times like these I am glad I am not from Great Britain."

... there are signs everywhere.

Best of...

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

Saturday's Squirrel.

Enjoying the Corby porch

Porches aren't just for us to enjoy beverages, certain tobacco products-cigars, and other summer time treats. No, not at all! Porches are also for our furry friends. Yes, they too need a place, a sanctuary if you will, to pause, take in their surroundings, and have a tasty treat or two. On taking up a spot on the Corby porch, this squirrel non-verbaled, "I need a break... I am exhausted from being exhausted!"

Making the most...

Steds on top: Youseff, Yerkes, and Trzsaka

... of their time. These Stedsmen are not slouching about their apartments, taking up residence on the couches. Perish the thought! Instead, Stedsmen Paul Youseff '20, Patrick Yerkes '18, and Joe Trzsaka '19, all living in the D.C. area, went hiking in the foothills of the Shenandoah Valley along the Appalachian Trail. But this was no stroll in the woods, tea at four, and calling it a day. Rather, it was a twenty-three mile journey into God's creation, camping over night, and enjoying amazing vistas at 4,100 feet. On hiking, Youseff said, "Yerkes is exaxtly how I remember him, funny and still in insane shape" while Trzsaka said, "a great hike made all the more so with great Steds guys." Not hiking with the Steds trio, Fr. Ralph said, "I think they took a cable car up the hill. Just saying."

Your Sunday picture...

A beautiful and quiet campus

... from Notre Dame. Here is an evening view from God Quad with the Sacred Heart statue, Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and Mary and the Main Building all in view. In addition to the famous sights and the red geraniums, you will notice something else... there is nobody around! So, as you can imagine Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

A sight to see...

During a walk around St. Mary's Lake this odd sight was spotted in the trees. What was it? Thanks to Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., theologian and naturalist, was able to explain what was seen. Well, what was it? A good old fashion swarm. Apparently, when a hive becomes too small or is damaged, the queen bee leaves and in her wake her subjects follow. Wherever she lands, she is immediately swarmed by her drones and a new hive may be started. While a new hive was not created this tree around St. Mary's, it was quite the sight. On this swarm, Ehrman, "It's a sight to see, but it is advisable to keep your distance."

... a lot of moving bees.

Don't get...

Luca: fish on...

... lost in the Amazon. Always good advice, but Stedsman, Luca Marini, native Brazilian and rising sophomore, wasn't worried. Why? Because Luca's fishing expedition deep in the Amazon Rainforest was led by local Indians. Thanks to their knowledge, Luca went right to the hotspots for various fish. Even though Luca knew where to go, he did not know how long it would take to actually catch a fish. Truth be known, catching one fish could take hours... and for some, it actually did. On the fishing, Marini said, "One of the more memorable fish I caught was this beautiful tucunaré (peacock bass, see below) while bait cast fishing. It was the 35th that day, which explains my tired face. Still, after struggling for 30 minutes, I was finally able to catch this 80 lbs pirarara (Amazonian catfish, see above). It was the first fish caught that afternoon, hence the smile.

... and fish on he did.

It's always...

One beautiful mane of hair with a cool shirt

... in style. Yes, the mullet is always in style and fashionable, never failing to catch the eyes of those who happen to pass by. It's simplicity and graceful lines make the mullet a classic hairstyle and communicate to all that the one who sports one is not to be trifled with. Oh, people might think it is "business in the front and party in the back" with the mullet, but if truth be known, it's serious all around. And that's how others would describe Stedsman Dan Riley '18 who during his time at Steds developed an affinity for this classic hairstyle of the glorious 80's. On being spotted in Madison with a mullet, Riley said, "You can never take the mullet out of the man. Some grow their hair out because the barbers are closed. Some grow it out for the legacy. I do for the kids." Wow. That Riley is always is always style! Rock on!

Your Sunday picture...

The good life

... from Notre Dame. Well, it's not exactly Notre Dame, but it's pretty close. Here is a bucolic scene from Fr. Ralph's home- Nebraska. Indeed, it's not for everyone, but for some, it's everything. It will be missed. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday's Squirrel.

Not a furry friend

It's true. Nebraska isn't for everyone as the tourism jingle goes, and so too is having one's photo taken. It just isn't everyone's favorite thing. That was certainly the case when Fr. Ralph took a picture of this furry friend while at home in Nebraska. Instead of a photogenic friend, Fr. Ralph was confronted by an ornery squirrel who wanted anytime but his photo taken. On spotted this different colored squirrel, Haag said, "I quickly grabbed my phone to take a picture of this squirrel, and as I took his photo, he seemed ready to jump from the tree right onto me. I must admit... I got goosebumps."

Congratulations....

The Steds Class of 2020 gather by the Dome...

... to the Class of 2020. The 175th Commencement ceremonies at Notre Dame were not your usual ceremonies. While Covid-19 pushed ceremonies to on-line, it couldn't push the smiles off the faces of the Stedsmen who were graduating. After the on-line ceremony concluded, it was off to campus for photo opts, and with great weather, every photo was picture perfect. Without any doubt, the taking of post-graduation photo with the statue of St. Edward in St. Edward's Park a must and a keepsake for any Stedsmen. On the day, Fr. Ralph said, "The smiles tell it all. Congratulations and good luck to these new graduates!"

Also, a special thanks to Nora Utley for these photos.

... on the steps...

... in the pool...

... and that special place for all of them.

Rest in...

Fr. David Schiedler, CSC

... peace. Father David Scheidler, C.S.C., former Rector of St. Edward’s Hall, died this past Saturday, June 6th, in Chicgao from complications after a bone marrow transplant. For those who knew him, this gregarious and affable man of God will truly be missed.

Here's a reflection of Fr. David by Fr. Bill Lies, CSC, seminarian classmate and Provincial of the Congregation of Holy Cross US Province:

David was a dear brother and friend to many and tended to those relationships well. He was very proud of his Mexican and German heritage, and he was multi-talented and generous with his gifts. He loved being a priest and a Holy Cross religious.  His little eccentricities – particularly his passion for the color orange – mirrored his passion for life and his good nature.  Nothing marked David more, however, than his deep love for Holy Cross and his deep love for his mom and dad and his siblings and their families. He will be deeply missed by all of us, particularly those who were ordained with him 25 years ago this past April 9th, and by countless others whose lives he has touched.

On Fr. David's unexpected death, Fr. Ralph said, "I fear that many of us in Holy Cross will now have less engaging conversation at dinner and a whole lot less laughs. He was a mentor and friend. He will be dearly missed." 

For Fr. David's:

Caring Bridge website, click HERE.

Obituary, click HERE.

Funeral arrangements

There will be no vigil service for safety reasons. The funeral Mass will be on Friday, June 12th at 9:30am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Due to the large size of Fr. David’s family and restrictions of gatherings, all are encouraged to watch the funeral Mass by clicking HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Good night from ND

... from Notre Dame. Here is a view of Mary, the Dome, and the steeple of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart from the west side of St. Ed's as the sun sets. A beautiful clear blue sky with a bit of fading sunlight only draws out the golden brilliance of these three. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Saturday Squirrel.

Our furry friends have some new neighbors. All about campus there are sounds of chirping from the newly hatched goslings and ducklings. Curious of new their world, the goslings and ducklings are exploring high and low but with protective supervision close behind. Suffice it to say, it best to stay away, keeping a healthy distant, from these young explorers. On campus being overrun by these new fluffy residents, a furry friend said, "Just great... with all these over protective parent geese around, I am going to have to do some quarantining for next couple of weeks."

VIDEO: CLICK HERE. 

Best of...

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

California Calling.

The beautiful Mission San Carlos Borromeo

Sted's Rector, Fr. Ralph Haag, CSC, is getting a little down time in California, enjoying the sun and surf. When asked about of his recent visit to the Mission Church of San Borromeo in Carmel, Haag said, "I thought that they said, ‘Do you want a caramel?’ I replied, ‘It’s a little early, but okay...why not?’ Two hours later I was at a church.”