For the Facebook Page, click HERE.
For a Zoom Invitation Link, click HERE.
AND THERE'S MORE...
The Notre Dame-Newman Centre in Dublin, Ireland, at University Church on St. Stephen's Green, is releasing a series of Advent Lessons and Carols on our YouTube page each Sunday of this season. The first video of this series premieres tonight at 6 PM at this link. We hope that you will join us for around 20 minutes of prayer and song in preparation for the birth of our Lord.
With everyone away on break, our squirrels are discovering they have campus unto themselves. No longer do they need to share anything... the sidewalks, quads, trees, and paths around the lakes. They even have complete run of the trash cans. And while that might be the case, our furry friends are quickly learning they are all empty. Sadly, gone are treasures they once held. Still, the squirrels are willing to take a chance and drive into a can, and that's what this squirrel was doing outside of Steds. On taking a plunge, this squirrel non-verbal, "It's not easy. It takes a lot of courage!"
ALSO...
Sunday Mass at Steds is available via our links below, BUT there is a new time... 5PM EST.
For the Facebook Page, click HERE.
For a Zoom Invitation Link, click HERE.
With students having departed for Christmas Break, a silence has descended across campus. At first, it is most unnerving. Where is the laughter? Where are the shouts to friends passing on the quad? Yes, where has it all gone? But then, in the silence, it sinks in... we're on break. And yes, everyone needs one! So, put down the books. Don't set an alarm. Lounge around in your pjs. Indulge in some comfort food. Tap a nap if you feel like it. Watch another episode of your favorite show or whatever it may be. Why? Because you're on break. Make the most of it, and enjoy!
... from Notre Dame. This past week saw the end of finals and a close of the Fall Semester, and nothing captures this milestone better than this setting sun on St. Joseph's Lake. A tranquil scene to a semester that had its share of highs and lows, surprises and setbacks, triumphs and failures. Wherever you are, let's slow down for a moment, and take in the moment, noting you've been and where you've yet to go. And as you do, don't forget to enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!
Mass will continue NEXT SUNDAY, November 29th, at a NEW TIME that still has to be determined. More to come!
Even though Halloween has long since past, its "trappings" are still with us. Yes, all about campus, from the lakes to the various quads, remnants, usually smashed, can be seen. And while it causes an unpleasant sight, there are some who are most happy at the mess. Who are these happy campers? Why our furry friends of course. The smashed pumpkins all about campus have been a most welcome addition to the sundry list of edibles that our squirrels enjoy. On being spotted nibbling on a pumpkin outside Fisher Hall, this squirrel non-verbaled, "It's de-lish!"
... this picture was taken. Every year a picture of the incoming class is taken in the Stadium. Obviously, the Covid made taking this year's photo for the Class of 2024 a challenge, but after some thought, a solution was devised. Spread them out! Yes, spread the students out... and it's not difficult to do as you have plenty of space in the football stadium! With a solution, a photo was taken in August, and now, if you go to the 2nd floor of the Duncan Student Center, walk towards the Office of Residence Life, you'll see the photo for the Class of 2024. BUT... can you pick out our Stedsmen? Here's a hint. They're wearing their green Welcome Week shirts. Okay, it's difficult to see them, but there's a close up. See the picture below. Now, it's November, and with finals now over today, the academic year- the school year we thought that would never be- is half way done! Congratulations to our freshmen and all our students for rising to the occasion and finishing strong. On the end of the Fall Semester, Fr. Ralph said, "Congratulations all around to our Gentlemen, and if I could, I would shake their hand. But, as it is, I cannot, and so, I will say, 'Enjoy your break, and don't rush back!'"
There they are!
... in the hallway? Yes, what is the word in the hallway on this the eve of the last day of finals? Well, to be honest, there weren't many words because there were not many people about in the hallways. Maybe they had already finished and had left for hearth and home, or maybe they were studying in one of the lounges or the library. Still, wherever they were and whatever they were doing, they were not in the hallway... well, save one Gentleman, Eoghan Fay. On being spotted and asked what the word was, Fay shared, "After a grueling semester, I am looking forward to taking some time off to rest up away from HERE. I feel rather like Robert Mitchum at the end of 'The Longest Day.'"
... and so does the powering of those studying machines. Yes, great amounts of studying require great amounts of food. Attuned to this requirement, the Hall government stepped in and provided yet another opportunity to power minds studying for finals. With the third day of finals now over and preparing for the penultimate day of testing, study aids appeared in the form of ice cream novelties in the Flounge. Able to choose from a variety of ice cream sandwiches or speciality drumstick cones, the Gentlemen had the opportunity to take a break and enjoy a sweet and cool treat. Don't worry. We're not "icing" our Gentlemen studiers by offering them ice cream novelties. Perish the thought. On putting the spread out for his fellow Gentlemen, Ben Cook, the "cool" 4th floor RA and Californian, said, "Never a brain freeze, only brain power gained from these delectable ice cream novelties!”
... the minds of scholars is a priority HERE. Who knew that high amounts of studying required large amounts of food? I am certain there is a direct relationship between the two, and after Finals Week is over, I will find an unoccupied math major to prove this for us. But in the meantime, you'll just have to take my word for it. So, as we finish the second day of finals and prepare for the third, study break food reinforcements appeared in the Flounge in the form of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, both regular and spicy. Individually wrapped and fresh from the store, the sandwiches provided a nice break from the books as well as much needed fuel for the mind. On overseeing the distribution of the late night mind fuel, Peter McKeon, Steds AR, said, "If knowledge is indeed power, then what powers knowledge? Here in St. Ed’s the answer is Chick- Fil-A. I relish the opportunity to provide the fuel that powers the minds of the budding scholars we have in this Hall- especially during finals week. Go Irish, Beat Finals.”
... from Notre Dame. As we are in the final stretch before the end, here is an afternoon view of St. Mary's Lake and Carroll Hall in the distance. Carroll Hall, on the way to Chicago, is the only residence hall to host a saint. Who was that saint? Holy Cross one and only saint, the Miracle Worker of Montreal, Saint André Bessette. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!
And remember to join us for the Steds Sunday Hall Mass at 10pm EST. Click on either of the links below. Save them as they will work for EVERY Sunday. It's just that simple!
Our furry friends are always up to something. So busy are they that some times that they are oblivious to their surroundings, including us. And that is exactly what happened with this squirrel. So busy doing something, whatever it was, he had no clue that he was being filmed and having his fifteen minutes of fame. What was he doing? Who knows. On finally realizing that he was being filmed, this squirrel non-verbaled, "Ah, gotta run... see ya later."
WATCH THIS VIDEO: CLICK HERE
... to King and Hall. As the Hall’s Freshmen Class representative and avid corn hole player, Colin Kremus is doing his part to stop the Covid, and now, he is encouraging others to do the same. All about the Hall's post boards, even the lobby's glass cabinet, posters featuring the Kremus have gone up reminding Stedsmen to wear their masks. Why? Because if you catch the Covid now, you may be spending Thanksgiving in quarantine and isolation. Worse yet… you may not be able to TASTE the turkey! On the release of the new poster featuring him, Kremus, stated, “Even when I'm not directly involved in some event or initiative, I really just enjoy being a part of the Hall. That's why I'm so glad for having the opportunity to be on one of the Hall's posters, sending an important message in a humorous way.”
... more to last weekend! Yes, there's always more happening at Steds. The more I write of is the testing of the cameras for NBC Sports at the Notre Dame football stadium. Now, you're probably wondering how is this connected to Steds? Simple, the players. Yup, you guessed it. A select group from the Hall got to don Steds football jerseys and play football ON the Notre Dame football field UNDER the lights the stadium while NBC Sports tests and adjust their TV cameras. And this ALL happened on Friday, the day BEFORE the historic win against Clemson. Coincidence? I think not. On this rarest of opportunities, Jon Klein, Steds senior and resident Minnesotan, shared, "A truly special experience that I will remember forever. I can now proudly proclaim that Rudy and I are practically the same person" while fellow senior, Tristan Fross, said, "It was amazing working with the nbc crew. Being able to play the running back position a night before Kyren dominated the field was certainly a once in a life time opportunity."
... weekend to remember. It was a weekend where the Notre Dame football team rose to the occasion and delivered not only a win but also a game that will join that pantheon of classic Norte Dame wins. But before we got to Saturday and all its fun, we first had to get through Friday... and thanks to the generosity of donors, something very special arrived, helping everyone get the weekend off on the right foot. Yes, to envy of many North Quad residents, a food truck arrived at St. Ed's. The shock. The surprise. It was like a Christmas morning... all very overwhelming. What couldn't be done was, and it was a sight to be hold. And thanks to assigned time slots, the Gentlemen, in orderly fashion and anti-Covid way, made their selections from the Weiner Cart of bacon jam burgers, bacon wrapped tatter tots, and speciality hot dogs. Still yet, the weather was excellent, making this Friday before Game Day one for the history books. On the arrival of the food truck, Steds freshman, Danny Hughes, said, “The burgers were great, loved the bacon wrapped tater tots. It was a good way to get ready for Friday’s soccer game and support our fellow Stedsman Paddy Burns.”
Still, Tommy Gallagher, Steds sophomore and resident Hooiser, shared, “Having a food truck before the Clemson game was a sign of good things to come for the weekend. It was a great start to the best weekend we could’ve asked for and certainly gave us the extra fuel to watch the Irish beat the Tigers.”
Finally, Steds juinior, Joe Sweilem, shared, “With the end of the semester coming and flex points dwindling, it was awesome to have some quality grub with plenty of quality people!”
Thanks to everyone who makes this and all you read here on this blog happen. It's fun reporting all of it to you, but it's more fun seeing, well, seeing pictures like these...
... from Notre Dame. Here's a night view of the prairie that is north of Paris House, on the north side of campus over by ND Credit Union building. With the leaves changing colors, the prairie with its dying vegetation, and the moon shining bright through some light clouds, this is the perfect fall night scene. This all looks like something right out of Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin! Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!
AND...
After last night's great win against number one ranked Clemson, thanks to a generous donor, the Stedsmen were treated to Sunday doughnuts. What better way to start the morning after defeating number one Clemson than with doughnuts!
And remember to join us for the Steds Sunday Hall Mass at 10pm EST. Click on either of the links below. Save them as they will work for EVERY Sunday. It's just that simple!
... in the hallway? Yes, what is the word about this weekend's game against Clemson? We heard what the word was in the laundry room and the 3rd floor hallway... but what is the word the word in the 1st floor hallway? Lucky for us, a Stedsman, Nick Sansone, a sophomore from Northern Virginia, was in the hallway and was most willing to share what he had heard about this blockbuster game. On the last home game of the season- not to mention night game too- Sansone said, " I am cautiously optimistic, even thought history has told me to keep my expectations low."
... and somewhere to go. But where? Wouldn't you like to know! Well, we can't tell you right now, but you will find out soon enough. Still, for right now, our two Gentlemen, Isaiah Alvendia and Colin Kremus, Steds freshmen, not only look dapper but also were a part of something that is going to put them front and center in the Notre Dame world. Without any doubt, this will be their fifteen minutes of fame as well as their big break out. So, be on the lookout for these two Stedsmen! On being a part of something that will have them in the lime light, Alvendia said, "Being fitted for a tuxedo for the first time and getting to wear it for an event was definitely a surreal experience for me. I've never dressed up for a formal event like that, but it sure is one of the more memorable moments I've had here at Notre Dame so far," while Kremus said, " I really enjoyed taking part in something that was so humbling and so much bigger than myself. That was the best I've ever been dressed, and I'm almost thinking I can get used to it. Though perhaps that's an investment for a later date."
More to come...
... has arrived at Steds! Yesterday evening, a new friend arrived at Plaza St Edward, the Steds backyard patio. This friend is old and has seen many winters. He shows his age but that doesn't matter. And he blows a lot of smoke. Now, it's not the political kind but rather the kind that everyone likes. You see, it's the kind of smoke that tells you, "I am keeping you warm." Yes, our new friend is none other than "Li'l Smokey," a used fire pit. Thanks to a "friend of Ed" a discarded fire pit has now become the Steds fire pit. And following the Hall Council meeting last night, the Stedsmen adjourned to the patio to meet this new friend. They enjoyed his company, the warmth of the flames, the smell of the smoke, and the s'mores they made- all thanks to him, their new friend.
On having Li’l Smokey out back, JP Andrade, Steds senior, said, “It certainly mitigates the cold outside during the winter. 'Folgers at Four by the Fire Outdoors?' I’d be in!" while Marcus Braun shared, “For a licensed outdoorsman like myself, the new fire pit is a fantastic addition to our Hall. Lil’ Smokey has already captured a place in my heart.”
... the power of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches on a college campus, but when it's Chick-Fil-A sandwiches WITH Disney Plus' new installment of The Mandalorian (a Star Wars series), well, it's a power like none other! And that's what we had at Steds this past Friday. The much anticipated season two of The Mandalorian was released, and the Gentlemen had a front row seat in the Flounge. Still, in addition to enjoying the comfort of the remodeled Flounge, they enjoyed Chick-Fil-A sandwiches too. Clearly, the start of the new season couldn't have been any more enjoyable nor memorable. That was the case up until the moment, Fr. Kevin Sandberg, C.S.C., in-residence priest at and once undergraduate resident of St. Edward's, held on Mandalorian trivia... and there were prizes. Suffice it to say, trivia brings out the competitive side of many HERE at Steds.
There were winners and losers, but in the end, everyone had a fun time. On hosting the evening, Fr. Kevin shared, "Though our boys can’t spell either Nevarro, the bounty hunter’s home planet, or Greef Carga, the guy who doles out their jobs, they would protect Baby Yoda with their lives- as if their face masks were made of beskar itself. And speaking of beskar, he’s got it for a mind—Eoghan Fay walked off with the top door prize for trivia—a Baby Yoda coloring book and stickers!"
... Treat. Even though we might be in the midst of a pandemic, Halloween would not be canceled. Thanks to the Dining Halls, the residence halls were provided not only with pumpkins to carve but also candy to hand out. In individually, sealed bags, and with a hand sanitizer dispenser standing guard, an assortment of Twix, Milky Ways, Snickers, Sweetarts and more were given away to those who stopped by the door of Steds. Still, the Gentlemen also decorated the Steds door and the fence, making it all look festive. But the real highlight was the carving of pumpkins which drew out the skill, creativity, and artistic flare of the Gentlemen. Some went with a traditional carving while others went went with a more modern abstraction, but whatever way was taken, the finished product communicated "Halloween." On the decoration and carving, Carson Abertoli, Steds junior and Halloween aficionado, shared, "We weren’t afraid to get our hands dirty and carve out some frighteningly good pumpkins."
... and their masterpieces...
... with a decorated entrance...
... from Notre Dame. Here's an early morning view of campus from the south lawn of Moreau Seminary. The rising sun, with the fall colors of the trees and the water of St. Joseph's Lake, makes for a great fallscape. Enjoy- and enjoy these other last colors of fall- and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!
AND
And remember to join us for the Steds Sunday Hall Mass at 10pm EST. Click on either of the links below. Save them as they will work for EVERY Sunday. It's just that simple!
