Your Sunday picture...

Always shining bright

... from Notre Dame. Gone is the Sun and its warm rays. Gone are the warmer than usual temperature. yes, it's all gone. As of late, it's been more season weather, with clouds, rain, and snow showers. But whatever the weather is, Mary and the Dome always look spectacular. Here is a unique view of Mary and the Dome against a grey sky. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

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

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Saturday Squirrel.

The best seat on campus

After a break, our furry friends are back, making an appearance as only they could. Recently, during a walk about St. Mary's Lake, this squirrel was spotted hanging out on a small tree. From his perch, this squirrel watched the runners, bikers, and amblers as they past by, soaking it all up as if it was some new "must see drama" on Netflix. On being spotted, this squirrel non-verbaled, "Hey, keep it moving! You're blocking my view."

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

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Thank you.

A bench that's going nowhere!

Today is the anniversary of my dad's death, and soon, on Christmas, it will be my mom's. Suffice it to say, my parents loved their holidays. As this anniversary comes and goes, I thought it appropriate to share a message I wrote on the outpouring of support and more from the Steds Family for me when I was in the bitterest of valleys. Again, thank you for all the calls, letters, texts, and more, for it reminded me that I was not alone. And because of it, not only do we have a bench but also something more! Thank you for all was, is, and is yet to be!

Here's my message that was sent earlier this semester...

Dear friends, 

 

With Welcome Week over, new routines slowly being established, and the football team, well, being the football team, I would be remiss if I did not take advantage of the lull in the action on campus and write this overdue note. 

Life changes life. When my niece and nephew—Isabella and Mathias—arrived in the world, my family, who was already close, grew even closer. I didn’t think it was possible, but we really did. And now, I cannot imagine life without the two of them. Recently, I have come to appreciate how death has had a similar effect. The unexpected death of my parents, Ralph and Mary, has changed my life and that of my family.

Death is a reality of life; a reality I wish I didn’t have to experience. But at one point or another, we all must experience this reality. It is something we will have to grow into, and for myself, it has been and continues to be a slow process. 

Thankfully, there has been much help along the way. As I walk through this bitter valley of life, I am grateful for all your messages, texts, calls, letters, and more that have come my way. These are signs of the friendship and faith we share, and I cherish them and take great comfort in them.

Still, I have been overwhelmed by your desire to be with me in this most trying moment of my life. First, this desire manifested itself in a campus bench in memory of my parents, and then, it quickly grew to be something more. My parents loved a good outdoor bench. Matter of fact, they loved them so much that at home, they would bring the benches in during our tough Omaha winters, making them, much to the anguish of us kids, everyday furniture around the house. Thanks to you, they now have a bench on campus, outside Corby Hall. If my parents were here, they would be ecstatic. And I am just thankful I don’t have to take the bench in for winter!

Still yet, with the reminder of the funds raised, combined with a most generous donation, a scholarship has been established at the University, given to a resident of our Hall, and it has already started to give a yearly scholarship to a resident of Steds.

Indeed, life changes life, and thanks to you these gifts will change the lives of others. Whether taking in the beautiful view of the setting sun on St. Mary's Lake or receiving assistance to make a Notre Dame education a reality, lives will be changed thanks to you, and my parents would be humbled knowing it was all done in their honor.

“For the kids” is something we often say at St. Ed’s. Sometimes, we say it in jest and at other times, we say it to rally our forces to the challenge at hand. During my years, it really has been a guide for me as a rector, and where this all came from was from my mom and dad who were always for us kids. And over the past seventeen years at St. Ed’s, that’s what I have tried to give everyone who has come through its doors, and in the years yet to come, I will only continue to try. For the kids!

I am grateful for all the years, all the moments, and of course, all the Yacht Dances too. And now, I am grateful for all you have done for me and my parents.

For Hall and King,

Haag

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

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A day late...

Chin up buttercup: Toups

... and a dollar short is how the old adage goes... but not for this Gentleman! That's right. This Gentleman, Paul Toups, freshman and resident Louisianan, is anything but a dollar short and day late. Matter of fact, he's a day early! Really. How so? Well, young Mr. Toups thought it was Wednesday when it was actually Tuesday. On being a day ahead, well in thought at least, Toups shared, "Sometimes the class you thought was happening today is actually on a different day."

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

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Taking some time...

On break from the break: Sasso (left)...

... off. Each semester, even during the summer, Notre Dame students vacation abroad by studying abroad in locations that range from London to Perth, from Tokyo to Paris and all points in between. Not wanting to miss out on the chance to have an extended vacation in a foreign local, Stedsmen have joined their fellow students in securing their spot in a three month junket, as know as as study abroad program. One Stedsman joining his fellow ND students in studying abroad is, Steds junior and resident New Jerseyan, Andrew Sasso who is currently studying in the Eternal City, Rome. Rigorous and demanding classes and course work for sure, Sasso keeps a strict routine and busy schedule, but fortunate for us, we were able to have a quick check-in from him. 

On studying abroad in Rome, Sasso disclosed, "Studying in Rome has been quite a different but phenomenal educational experience. As one of the most historic cities in the world, it’s common to pass a monument or two when walking around during the day. Walking past the Colosseum to my Wednesday class seems normal now, but I don’t take it for granted. Being in Italy, it’s only natural we took a trip for a wine tasting in the rolling hills and green vineyards of Tuscany. We got to taste a few different types of wines and pairings out in the sun, with some of, if not the most breathtaking views I’ve ever experienced. And the best part, it was all on ND’s dime!"

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

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... visiting Tuscany...

... enjoying the scenery...

... and the beautiful sunset.

Fall Break...

Davin Maas, Fr. Ralph, and Aidan Ekizian

... may be over, but what a break it was. Wherever the Stedsmen went, to home, a beach or beyond, they found a respite from books, papers, and the Hall’s study lounges. So, where did they go? What did they do? Why did they go? Because inquiring minds want to know! Well, today we hear from one Gentleman, who, along with his fellow Stedsman, caught up with their rector in San Juan Capistrano for lunch. On his Fall Break lunching with Fr Ralph, Aidan Ekizian, Steds junior and resident Southern Californian, shared, "It was really fun enjoying a sunny afternoon lunch outside in Orange County with Fr. Ralph and our moms. We talked California traffic, wildlife encounters, Steds interhall victories, and notable experiences we have had this year. It was nice getting to share the ND experience with the people who are so instrumental in making it great. And the weather was great too!"

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

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Love is in..

Happy couple: Julia and Patrick...

... the air. Yes, love is in the air because they're getting married! Recently, Patrick Digenan '20 of Steds proposed to Julia White '20 of Cavanaugh at the Grotto of Florida State weekend, and without hesitation, Julia said yes, and magically, a photographer appeared, capturing the immediate aftermath of Patrick's proposal. Enjoy! The happy, engaged couple look forward to exchanging their vows in 2026. On their engagement, an elated Patrick shared,

"Julia and I met after the Steds Class of 2020 had performed the famous “Everytime We Touch” serenade in St. Edwards Park during Welcome Weekend. If nothing else, this is a testament to how persuasive the Kids can be with their dancing skills, which were inspired by Hall and King. 

When St. Ed placed Notre Dame’s first residence hall, conveniently between the Dome and the largest women’s hall on campus, he truly was divinely inspired. Julia and I thank him for the serendipity that he fostered in allowing us to meet in such a beautiful corner of Notre Dame’s campus. Location truly is everything in real estate. 

Steds and Notre Dame have given me infinite blessings, and I am eternally grateful to both.” 

Congratulations and best wishes to Patrick and Julia!

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

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Spotify, click HERE.

...Patrick and Julia: a happy couple indeed.