It's official...

Dr. & Mrs. Burton with Fr. Ralph...

... they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with family and fellow Stedsmen present, Samantha “Sam” Reilly ’13 and Dr. Michael “Mike” Burton ’12 were married at Old St Patrick’s in downtown Chicago. It was a day marked by a bit of rain, but that couldn’t put a damper on the day nor the couple as this day was long awaited. With every detail thought of and planned, the the couple radiated relief as well as joy, warming and exciting the hearts of all present. On Sam becoming a member of the Steds Family, JP Sullivan, Stedsman and groomsman, shared, "Having attended three or four... maybe even FIVE Yacht Dances thanks to post-grad years, Sam was always destined to become a part of the Steds Family. Welcome to the Family Sam!

Best wishes and congratulations to Dr. & Mrs. Burton!

Watch this video, click HERE.

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... and then with the Shannon Rovers...

... and then on to the reception...

... that last well into the night.

Don't forget...

Enjoy!

... to stop and enjoy the glories of summer! Yes, it's hot out there and we may be on the move going here and there, but whatever you do, don't forget to enjoy the scenes of summer. Recently, during a stop at the Jersey Shore, Fr. Ralph enjoyed these coneflowers of Laurie Schoenhut. Numerous, with vibrant color and large flowers, these coneflowers were comely to say the least. On Laurie's coneflowers, Fr. Ralph said, "They're absolutely beautiful. How does Laurie do it? Well, she's not telling!"

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Out...

Stedsmen: Out and about

... and about. With classes over, Stedsmen are free to be out and about, and so, periodically, we'll hear where they are and what they're doing. We recently heard from Stedsmen, Matt Thorn and Luke Dunn, gathering at the Jersey Shore, but today we hear about some recent Steds graduates. A group of Stedsmen from the Class of 2023 gathered in Herndon, Virginia for the 2nd Annual Herndon Bar Crawl. The crawl was organized by none other than Gerry Grealish, ND class of ’88 and resident of Carroll Hall, but thanks to his son, Keegan, he’s now a devotee of St. Edward’s Hall. Attendees at the annual frivolity, pictured above, were Michael Lynch, Jack O'Leary, Luke Bell, Jack Ramsey, Gavin Shust and Keegan Grealish (standing). On the gathering of Steds graduates, Keegan said, “Couldn’t think of a better first reunion than the 2nd Annual Herndon Bar Crawl. The boys didn’t miss a beat after a couple months apart. As drinks flowed, countless stories about our days in St. Ed’s were told. While moments like these come and go, the St. Ed’s brotherhood lasts forever. Many more memories to create.”

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Out...

Thorn and Dunn keeping an eye on their rector....

... and about. With classes over, Stedsmen are free to be out and about, and so, periodically, we'll hear where they are and what they're doing. We recently heard from Fr. Ralph and his travels to Japan and Guam, but today we hear from two Stedsmen, Matt Thorn and Luke Dunn, two sophomores from the Garden State, New Jersey. From summer life guarding at the beach to managing the local hot spot for coffee, these two Stedsmen have been staying busy, but not so busy so as to miss out on all that the Shore has to offer in summertime. Recently, their paths crossed with Fr. Ralph's at the Jersey Shore, and when that happens, well, it means, we're having ANOTHER special broadcast of In the Red Room on the Road! On running in two these Stedsmen, Fr. Ralph shared, "Just when you thought the Jersey Shore couldn't get any better, it does! Matt and Luke appeared... perhaps they saw the flag... and not only was the surf up but everything here just a bit more amazing!" 

On sharing a day at the Shore, Dunn shared, "Summertime is time to relax on the beach, and there’s no better men to do it with than the loving Stedsmen you have worked so hard with throughout the year, " while Thorn said, "It’s weird to talk about being home for the summer when part of home is in South Bend now, so it was really great getting to piece the two together even if only for a little bit."

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... as was Lucy the cat...

... as were Kathy and Chris Gubanich...

...but he was always here....

... just love the name of this stop.

Saturday's Squirrel.

When we think of our furry friends, we often gravitate to their many antics, but in all honesty, they actually do quite a bit more than chase their tails and bury nuts. Really. On a recent walk around St. Joseph's Lake, this squirrel was spotted, and in addition to taking in the view, the squirrel was doing a bit of work. Yes, tidying up of the shore and its clutter. On cleaning up the fallen leaves, this squirrel non-verbaled, "Oh, don't mind me. I am almost done."

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

What's going on...

Work in progress...

... at Notre Dame? Well, a lot of things, but the one thing that is getting all the attention is the regilding of Mary and the Dome. With St. Ed's in the shadow of both, Notre Dame's oldest and most storied hall has a most unique vantage point to take in this historic project. In need of serious attention, Mary and the Dome will be shrouded in scaffolding until mid-October. Hopefully, it will be done in time for the USC game. Still, one thing that is not in question is that Mary and the Dome will be brighter and more golden than ever!

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... and it's progressing!

Congratulations...

A snoozing cherub with...

... Lillan! With Fr. Ralph presiding and with parents, Peter and Meredith, and family, Lillan “Lily” Marie Vogel was baptized at the Log Chapel. While the history of the Log Chapel added another chapter that day, no special day would be would be complete with a visit to the historic and storied Chapel of St. Edward and St. John at Steds. While she was all smiles throughout the baptism, in the end, it was all overwhelming for Lily as she drifted off into sweet dreams during pictures. On his daughter's baptism, Vogel shared, “Nothing says ‘God, Country, Notre Dame’ quite like a baptism on campus over Fourth of July weekend! We are truly blessed and thrilled for Lily being welcomed into the Church.”

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

... proud parents and family...

... elated godparents...

... and a happy priest!

Your Sunday picture...

... from Notre Dame. While the regilding continues, here's a view of Mary and the Main Building just before the restoration got underway. Enjoy, and enjoy Sunday wherever you may be!

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Out...

Japan...

... and about. With classes over, Stedsmen are free to be out and about, and so, periodically, we'll hear where they are and what they're doing. We recently heard from heard from Nick Sansone ’23, who as a member of NDSEED, wandered down to Kea Kea, Bolivia. Today, we hear again from Fr. Ralph who recently made a visit to the East and beyond. Traveling to Japan and Guam, Fr. Ralph caught up with Stedsmen past and present, taking in the sights, sounds, and culinary delights all while reminiscing about Steds. From language problems to traveling mishaps, from shocking oddities to pleasant surprises, hear more about this trip of a lifetime on the podcast. On traveling to the East, Fr. Ralph said, “It was an experience, and the food alone was worth the trip. But what was best and always will be, is seeing and being with all the Stedsmen.”

... and Guam all in one!

To listen to a special installment of In the Red Room on:

iTunes, click HERE.

Spotify, click HERE.

Welcome...

He's ready!

... to the Class of 2027! The newest class of students at Notre Dame, admitted in the spring, was recently given their housing assignments. And if you are a guy and didn't get into Steds, then don't worry. No one is perfect. But if you did, then congratulations! You really did win the lottery. But as we're welcoming the Class of 2027, we already have an eye on the Class of 2041. Really? Yes, yes we are, and here's a rising gentleman, Henry, that we're keeping our eye own. On his interest to be a Stedsman, well, Henry's smile says it all.

Out...

Sansone and Trzaska: Building bridges...

... and about. With classes over, Stedsmen are free to be out and about, and so, periodically, we'll hear where they are and what they're doing. We recently heard from Michael Lynch ’23, Jack O’Leary ’23, and Ryan Dahnke ’23, who after an incredibly taxing senior year, were able to relax a bit on an European getaway. Today, we hear from another recent graduate, Nick Sansone ’23, who as a member of NDSEED, wandered down to Kea Kea, Bolivia. Located in the mountains of southwest Bolivia, Sansone and other members of ND Seed were using their engineering skills to construct a bridge for the 271 residents of Kea Kea who are unable to cross the Río Kea Kea 150 days out of the year. Unable to cross meant to loss school days, access health care, and inability to sell agricultural goods. BUT while there, Sansone ran into fellow ND engineering grad and Stedsman Joe Trzsaka '19. Suffice it say, that bridge is not only good as done but also Steds strong! On his travel to the wilds of Bolivia, Sansone shared, "It's nothing. Just some Stedsmen building a bridge for a Bolivian community in need through NDSEED," while Trzaska added, "I guess it’s true what they say, ‘There will always be Steds!’"

... remembering Steds...

... and creating smiles for all!

Saturday squirrel.

Canadian squirrel: A cheeky one

When on campus, we are often unaware of the presence of our furry friends. Unaware we might be, but rest assured, they are there, blending into the surroundings and only making their presence know only should they want it to be known. But for other furry friends, it's quite the opposite, especially for the squirrels in Canada. Spotted near Sarnia, Ontario. Instead of blending in with the surroundings, they stand out like sore thumbs with their black coats. On being spotted, this Canadian squirrel non-verbaled, "Oh, I see you're out and aboot, eh?"

Out...

Lynch, Dahnke, and O'Leary...

... and about. With classes over, Stedsmen are free to be out and about, and so, periodically, we'll hear where they are and what they're doing. We started with Fr. Ralph and his trip to the headwaters of the St. Joseph’s River, but let’s now turn our attention to some recent graduates. After an incredibly rigorous senior spring semester, a couple recent graduates, Michael Lynch ’23, Jack O’Leary ’23, and Ryan Dahnke ’23, were able to relax a bit on an European vacation. They traversed the Iberian Peninsula, starting in Madrid, and later meandering about, they worked their way into Portugal. O’Leary’s degree in Spanish proved questionable at best as they battled their way through menus and transportation in Spain, but then again, it was better than nothing. With one backpack each, containing way too many pants and way too few shirts, their multi-week adventure unfolded with some of the highlights being the pintxos and vistas in San Sebastián, the art and history in Madrid, and the spiritual energy from the Camino in Santiago de Compostela. But... there were some lowlights too which included Bilbao, the temporary loss of passports, and the hunger after a meal of only tapas. On the trip, Lynch shared, “It was sad to depart from Europe and my friends, but we will be back together very soon. Until Chicago, pescados (fish)."

... soaking up Spain...

... taking in the vistas...

... and the night life...

... and of course, all the sights...

... but what to wear!

Happy Birthday America!

 

God bless America!

For being 247 years old, you're looking great. Wherever you are, whatever you do, enjoy family and friends, fireworks, and freedom! 

Saturday Squirrel.

See his wake?

With our furry friends taking a break from it all, we have an opportunity to highlight some of other furry friends. Recently, during a walk around St. Mary's Lake, another furry friend, a raccoon was spotted swimming from an island to shore. On being asked why he was swimming to the other side, this raccoon non-verbaled, "To get to the other side of course!

Watch this video, click HERE.