When it rains...

Jesus Lake

... it pours! Recently, with the abnormally high temperatures and unbearable heat indexes, there have been some severe storms at Notre Dame. Several times the tornado sirens have been heard, but thankfully, no tornadoes have crossed campus. Still, there has been significant tree damage and some localized flooding. And while many the damage is being quickly tended to, there are some unique scenes about campus... especially the appearance of a third lake. After a very heavy rain a third lake, Jesus' Lake, appears at the Grotto, and then, we have them all at ND... Mary, Jesus, and Joseph! On the appearance of Jesus Lake, Fr. Ralph said, "I feel blessed!"

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Good byes...

See ya later!

... can be so difficult. That's certainly the case when saying goodbye to Southern California. Completing his assistance at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach, it was time for Fr. Ralph to return to ND but not before renewing friendships, visiting Stedsmen and Steds families, and of course, getting his base tan for the summer. On leaving, Fr. Ralph said, "Parting is truly such sweet sorrow!"

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

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What are they...

Heffernan and Zavala atop the Reichstag 

… doing? Yes, what are our Stedsmen doing now that they no longer have classes to attend, papers to procrastinate writing, nor any thing else for that matter, especially if they have graduated?! Indeed, what are they doing this summer?! Well, some are busy at study and play, and that's certainly the case for President Michael Heffernan, Steds junior, and Alexi Zavala, Steds sophomore. Seeing an opportunity to study and play at the same time through participating in a study abroad, Heffernan and Zavala applied, and were accepted, to the summer program in Berlin. Hitting the books of course, Heffernan and Zavala have managed to see the sights of Berlin though not too many of them... and for a good reason. On studying- and playing in Berlin- Heffernan said, "I am in Berlin right now... but I have some serious jet lag!"

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

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Best of...

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. Well, TWELVE years ago this was the posting. Enjoy this blast from the very distant past.   

Communing with Nature.

No, it's just the path around St. Joseph's Lake.

Even if you don't like the outdoors, every now and then, you must walk around the lakes at Notre Dame. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a Holy Cross priest said, "A walk around the lakes at Notre Dame can be a 45-minute silent retreat." Indeed, it can be, unnamed priest... it very well can be!

They got married!

A thorn between two roses: Fr. Ralph with Anisa and Noah...

They got married! Anisa Tarrent and Noah Viner ’20 were married at Basin Harbor in Vergennes, Vermont. While it was cold and rainy the day before the wedding, it was only sun and warmer temps for the big day. Only making the beautiful day even more beautiful was the bride and smile of this groom. And they were ready to get married so much so that the groom tried to take the rings before Fr. Ralph could bless them! Still, surrounded by their families and friends, Anisa and Noah exchanged theirs vows with great emotion and happiness. On Anisa joining the Steds family, Ben Merrick '20, Stedsman and best man, shared, “Noah and Anisa’s wedding was spectacular. Seeing one of your closest friends, one who I met my freshman year at ND in St. Ed's, get married is such a blessing. Per usual, Fralph crushed the ceremony. Congrats Noah and Anisa!”

Congratulations to the new couple, Noah and Anisa Viner!

... and it was a weekend...

... with Noah's fellow Stedsmen...

... and thanks to Erica (fiancé Kevin) who took a picture of all...

... before it was time to celebrate the couple...

... and hit the dance floor...

... and other shenanigans...

... and wedding cake...

... and send wishes of best wishes and congratulations...

... and the sunset!

Memories from Graduation.

Happy day: Haag and Holt

With St. Ed's now empty for a good old fashioned airing out, we can share memories from graduation... and there are many. For our recent graduates, memories, without fail, swirl about and around "last this" or "last that." But there are other memories for sure, and that's certainly the case for Nathan Holt, Steds senior and former Navy ROTC. Holt is former Navy ROTC because, just before graduation, he was commissioned as a Navy Ensign. 

Yes, Holt was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy and will head to Pensacola,Florida, attending the Naval Aviation Schools Command as a Student Naval Aviator. Holt will go through ground school, later, becoming qualified in Cessna flying all before attending primary training in a T-6. In Pensacola, Holt will NOT be alone as there are NINE fellow Domers with him. On being commissioned, Holt declared, "it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be a Navy pilot. I’m looking forward to it all and can’t wait to get down there and start training!"

Western Steds.

Lovin' it

If he could have, then he would have! Without doubt, Fr. Sorin would have wanted to be in Southern California if he hadn't fallen for the beauty of the rolling hills of Northwest Indiana. Unlike Fr. Sorin, Fr. Ralph has moved operations west and is at his annual parish assistance assignment at Newport Beach. And you guessed it. The sun is NOT out as May grey has truly led to June gloom. Oh, the surf is up and a cool breeze is coming off the ocean, but getting a base tan for the summer is hard work. Still, it been a pleasure seeing ND Alumni and Stedsmen in the area. On Western Steds, Fr. Ralph said, "Sadly, my visit is never long enough!"