Forgotten...

Vinca minor a.k.a. Periwinkle

... but not forgotten. While meteorological spring occurred on March 1st, astronomical spring occurred this past Friday, March 20th, at 10:46am. Sadly, in the midst of the full sunshine and warm temps, this event was forgotten. After this winter, can you really blame anyone for such an oversight? Still, all about campus, spring colors are springing here and there. In the days ahead, the spring flowers of campus will make an appearance bringing not only a splash of color but also an important message... SPRING HAS SPRUNG. 

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Your Sunday picture...

Gleaming gold...

... from Notre Dame. Here's a picture of Mary atop the Dome against a forebodding sky. Thanks to the recent regilding in 2023, Mary and the Dome seem to gleam all the more brightly. Even on a sunny day, that is the case, and of course, there is no question that it is the case when the clouds are dark and ominous. Enjoy this gleaming view, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday squirrel.

Exit, stage left...

You never know when nor where a furry friend might appear, and some times, they really do manage to surprise us. That's what happened when taking a walk on the north side of campus. Walking through the walnut grove, this squirrel, spotted on a tree stump, was startled. So startled was this squirrel that he froze almost is if he was caught in the act of something. What was he doing in the walnut grove? Well, let's ask. On being spotted, this squirrel non-verbaled, "Life, even a tree stump, is but stage!"

What did they do...

Eric: Yes Chef!

... over Spring Break? Yes, what did our Stedsmen do over break? Well, today we have a Spring Break story from our Steds sophomore. Taking his leave from his studies, Eric Souza Costa Ribeiro decided to stay at Steds and cook for his friends who were also staying for break. What did Eric cook? After a visit to the local Trader Joe's, Eric whipped up some flank steak with a Brazilian flare of course! On his cooking for his friends, Eric shared, "Grateful for the opportunity to share a taste of home from Brazil with friends while still here in South Bend."

On Eric cooking in the first floor lounge, Fr. Ralph Haag, CSC, said, "I smelt something heavenly... just wish I was invited!"*

* And I was, but I couldn't stay!

The panini and...

What next?

... piano man. A little known secret, but the man responsible for ensuring the smooth and steady flow of paninis at Ed's is also the man playing the piano at the Steds Sunday Mass. That's right. Caden Hickey has his fingers in a lot of things at Ed's so much so that some say he's making a run at being the first undergraduate Rector of Steds. Watch out Fr. Ralph! On being the Steds panini and piano man, Hickey shared, "I am pressing piano keys and paninis for Hall and King!”

What did they do...

DiLella, Lis, and Raus: On a three hour cruise

... over Spring Break? Yes, what did our Stedsmen do over break? Well, today we have a Spring Break story from our Steds Alumni! Yes, Steds Alumni. Taking his leave from work and responsibility, John DiLella, Alec Lis, and Peter Raus, all from the class of 2023, gathered in Newport Beach, California, for sand, surf, and sun, and with the recent heatwave in the West, they got it all and then some! The gathering was a team effort, with DiLella coming from Los Alamos, New Mexico and Raus from Claremont, California, and it was not just a gathering of Stedsmen, reminiscing about the past, for it really was a chance to say goodbye to DiLella before his upcoming deployment. An Air Force lieutenant, DiLella will be deployed next week to the Middle East. On the gathering, Raus, also an Air Forcer lieutenant, said, "Friendship!"

DiLella, praying for you, your safety and quick return as well as that of all those being deployed!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Erin go bragh in a cup!

This day is marked by parades, bagpipes, soda bread, merriment, and of course, the wearing of the green. At Notre Dame, all of this and much more happened to mark this special day. But something else that added to the festivities was the appearance the Shamrock Shake, Ed's edition. Reminiscent of the McDonald's shake, this shake was crafted and perfected by the Ed's managers themselves, Caden Hickey and Evan Greer. The appearance of these limited time shakes only brought more smiles to a day already filled with smiles. On these limited time Shamrock Shakes, Greer shared, "If this doesn’t get us the Michelin star then I don't know what will?!"

We remember...

Requiescat in pace Coach Lou!

... Coach Lou. Today, after his Funeral Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Coach Lou made his way to Cedar Grove Cemetery. As he and his procession made their way to the south side of campus, crowds of students and fans lined the way, giving him a fitting good bye. In addition to a special meal served in Coach's honor at the dining halls, the Grotto gave Coach a most high honor with votive candles lit in his memory and his peace. Indeed, may Coach Lou be wrapped in the golden mantle of Mary in 4th new and everlasting day of Heaven!

Your Sunday picture...

The lights are on, really!

... from Notre Dame. With warmer temperatures, the snow has disappeared, but the flog has rolled in. Recently a think fog has enveloped campus, shrouding everything. Not only does it make every drearier but also a bit eerier. Here's a view of Mary and the Dome... you can see it thanks to the iPhone's camera but in person, it looks dark and unlit. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

Best of...

 ... the Gentlemen's Monthly. With everyone on Spring Break, we're posting every other day, and so, ELEVEN years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the distance past.

Californians in Winter.

Last, but not least in our series of Californians in winter is Evan de la Rosa. A freshman from the San Diego area, Evan is enjoying snow for the first time here at ND. Interestingly, when the snow began to fall, this freshmen did not rush outside. On experiencing snow, Evan said, "Why? I can experience it from the comfort of my room." Smart kid...smart kid indeed.

Best of

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. With everyone on Spring Break, we're posting every other day, and so, four years ago today, here was today's posting. Enjoy this blast from the distance past.

On Location: Spring Break

Spring Break: simple as closing my eyes

Yes, there is one set of foot prints on this Floridian beach. And unlike the prayer, the one set of foot prints does not denote the moment "where I carried you" rather it says to you and everyone, "There's one set because you weren't here with me!" Enjoy your break wherever you may be! 

We all need...

Getting that much deserved slice of the pie...

... 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. What are the Stedsmen doing? Going here and there and everywhere. Maybe we'll hear all about their breaks when we return. On his plans for Spring Break, Fr. Ralph said, "I love you all, but I hope I don't see you... Spring Break well, and don't rush back. Really." 

Everyone's favorite podcast, In the Red Room, is on Spring Break hiatus but will return next week. The Gentlemen's Monthly is also on hiatus, posting every other day.

Your Sunday picture...

Better seen through a picture than in-person

... from Notre Dame. Here's a winter view of Sorin, Mary and the Dome, and the Basilica. Dreary, yes, but it's getting warmer. Spring is not only breaking but also in the air! Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Saturday Squirrel.

He's going in...

During a recent discussion with Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., naturalist and theologian, Ehrman stated that during the winter, squirrels do not live in their dreys (leaf homes in trees) but rather in holes of trees. Recently, the posterior of a furry friend, who was climbing into a hole, was spotted hanging out of a tree right out in front of the Main Building. Squeezing into a hole is easy, right? Not so easy! After a minute or two, this squirrel finally got himself inside his lodge. On being spotted squeezing in, this squirrel non-verbaled, "It's a tight fit for sure!"

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... and then you zoom in and see his legs in the air!

Early morning...

Studying in progress

... studying. The Gregorian Lounge has seen many things, but this week, Mid-terms Week, it has seen its fair share of studying. When getting that first cup of morning coffee, Fr. Ralph was surprised to see freshmen, Griffin, Evan, Brendan, and Owen,  up and about studying in the lounge. Normally empty at the crack of dawn, four freshmen were diligently studying away for an upcoming exam later in the morning. On being spotted studying early in the morning, the freshmen said, well, nothing... after all they were studying. Good luck!

To hear this week's installment of In the Red Room, on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.