What's happening at...

How many can fit in there?

...Notre Dame during the summer? The answer... a lot. Another new building that is nearing completion is the Remick Family Hall. Located between the Basilica and Steds, the completion of hall will be most welcomed by Steds as all the construction noise will finally cease, allowing residents to once again sleep undisturbed well into the afternoon. A sign that construction is almost complete is the building of the hall’s mini dome. On the seeing Remick Hall’s “dome”, a friend of St Ed said, “It looks like a hobbit house from the Lord of the Rings series. Can you can get a cup of tea in there?”

On assignment...

Haag: Preaching to the sand and surf

... in Avon By The Sea, New Jersey. Leaving campus behind, Fr. Ralph has moved east, to a locale with milder temps and sunnier skies- the Jersey Shore While it is quite nice to be on campus, it's nice, every now and then, to have a change of scenery and pace of life... and the Jersey Shore truly has its own pace and vibe. Assisting at the parish of St. Theresa of Calcutta, Fr. Ralph has been busy, but he has also had time to visit the beach. On visiting the beach, Fr. Ralph said, "I feel like the sun has kissed me, and now I am just trying to maintain my glow."

Best of...

... the Gentlemen's Monthly. Five years ago this was the posting. Enjoy this happy blast from the not so distant past.  

It's official...

Mr. & Mrs. Andy and Marissa Thomas

...they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with fellow Stedsmen present, Marissa Henry '10, former Walsh resident, and Andy Thomas ’11, former Steds resident, were married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. It was a beautiful day for a summertime wedding with plenty of sunshine AND humidity. On becoming a part of the Steds family, Marissa, said, ”It’s a honor and privilege.” Well said… well said indeed!

Saturday squirrel.

You: Please leave

Campus is quiet… very quiet. Still, just because it’s quiet, it does not mean it is devoid of activity. Students may be away summering, but our furry friends are not. Holding down campus, our squirrels are out and about doing squirrel things, having complete reign wherever they may be. Apparently, all of this has gone to their heads, and Eoghan Fay, Steds junior, experience as he happened to traversed North Quad. Walking by Stonehedge, a furry friend spotted Eoghan and non-verbaled, "Summer's not over, why are you back to bug me already?!"

In the...

Bring it on: Mathias and Ralph Sr.

... lion's den. Yes, that is what Ralph Haag, Sr., and Mathias (Haag) Wollen discovered they were in when they made a visit to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Visiting family in the area, Ralph Sr. and Mathias made a stop at a local mall where the two were reminded they were in enemy territory. But these two showed no fear, displaying, proudly, their ND allegiance. Not only did they wear their ND gear about town but also made the leprechaun fighting stance outside of "The M Den."  On their recent trip, Haag, Sr., said, "I felt like a pilgrim in an unholy land," while Wollen said, "I couldn't walk into that store. It wouldn’t be right.”

Your Sunday picture...

Good night and good bye

... from Nebraska. Usually seen from the window of a plane, Nebraska and its beauty is often overlooked. Here is the setting sun from Waterloo, Nebraska. Looking like an orange hanging low in the sky, this sunset brought a close to not only the day but also to Fr. Ralph's Nebraskan sojourn. Enjoy the Nebraskan beauty and your Sunday wherever you may be! 

Saturday squirrel...

Katy who?

... interrupted. We're taking a break from our furry friends this Saturday to bring you something different. Yes, instead of squirrels, we're going to showcase you something Nebraskan. A pelican? Well, we would, but we were unable to take a picture before it flew away. It's true! Pelican are HERE. A bison? Well, again, we would, but we were unable to get a picture as the courage couldn't be mustered. They are DANGEROUS. Again, it's true. So, what can we showcase? This unique, green insect. A grasshopper? Well, kinda of... a katydid, or brush cricket. Living in the long grasses of the Great Plains, katydids are all about. The sprightly katydid looks like a green leaf and has a chirp like no other. You see, katydids get their name from the sound they make. Their repetitive clicks and calls sounded like someone saying, "Ka-ty-did." On seeing this katydid, Fr. Ralph said, "I know Nebraska isn't for everyone, but if you were HERE, then you too could hear them!"

On assignment...

Don't blink...

... in Nebraska. While making a visit home, Fr. Ralph is of course visiting family but he's also soaking up all that Nebraska has to offer. Yes, a visit to Nebraska wouldn't be complete without stopping in Monowi. Yes, Monowi. Officially the smallest town in the United States with one person, Monowi could easily be missed as one drives by on State Highway 12. And if you miss it, then you miss one of the most happening bar/restaurants just in Boyd County but also in ALL of northeast Nebraska. Run by Elsie Eiler, who is the owner, cook, waitress, mayor, sheriff, judge, jury... you get it, the Nite Owls is the place to be and be seen. Serving up fries, tater tots, burgers, and Tombstone pizzas all in her good time, Elsie makes a roadside stop delicious and memorable. On his recent stop at the Nite Owls, "When I want to get away from it all... to get off the grid because it's too hot... then I stop here. Plus, where else could I get a Tombstone pizza?"

To meet Elsie, click HERE. 

... or you could miss the Nite Owls, but don't...

... go into the wrong one!

On assignment...

Haag: On the good side...

... in Nebraska. Returning to his home, Fr. Ralph Haag, CSC stopped by the Bob Kerry pedestrian bridge in downtown Omaha. Linking Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, the bridge allows for a most unique experience... standing in two states at the same time. But would he? Would this Nebraskan dare set foot in Iowa, where the corn is bad? On crossing the border, Fr. Ralph said, "I think not. This is one line I won't cross!"

...but he's flirting with disaster...

...and it's adverted with a back step, victory is then declared!

What's happening at...

Opening soon: McKenna Hall

...Notre Dame during the summer? The answer... a lot. Here's a new building that is almost complete… McKenna Hall. Wait, there a McKenna Hall already? Indeed there was, but the old one gave way to a new one, and it’s almost done. Located between the ND Law School and Stinson Remick Engineering Building, the new McKenna Hall will house Admissions, Financial Aid, and the ND Conference Center. On the new building, Fr. Ralph said, "It's going to be great, and maybe, we'll lay on the class and host our Steds Welcome Week there." 

For more information, click HERE. 

It's official...

Welcome!

... and the letters, or in this case the emails, have gone out. That's right. The incoming Class of 2025 have now received their housing assignments, and for forty-eight lucky freshmen, their home under the Dome will be St. Edward's Hall. Coming from all over the U.S. and the world, forty-eight incredibly lucky young men will move into Notre Dame's oldest and most storied residence hall and begin to write the next chapters in this great story called Steds. On the new assignments, Fr. Ralph said, "These kids just won the lottery, really! Congratulations to our newest Stedsmen."

Happy Birthday America!

God bless America!

For being 245 years old, you're looking great. Wherever you are, whatever you do, enjoy family and friends, fireworks, and freedom!