It's official...

Kelly and Thomas Larson with Fr. Ralph...

... they're married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with family, friends, and fellow Stedsmen present, Madison Kelly and Thomas Larson ’24, Stedsman and critically acclaimed cinematographer, were married at Our Lady of the Rosary in San Diego in April. It was beautiful and sunny, San Diegoan day, and it was only made more so by this couple. The bride made an entrance like none other, and the groom wore the biggest smile. After their beautiful and moving Wedding Mass, the celebrating of the couple was on!  And celebrate we did!

But there's more...

Our newly married couple honeymooned in Europe and had the chance to attend the Sposi Novelli (newlyweds), where they had the chance to meet Pope Leo XIV! On marrying and meeting the Pope, Thomas shared, "Standing at the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica with all of those young Catholic couples who chose to take that extra step and get married in the Church was truly inspiring. Marriage can feel like a very daunting, and sometimes scary, endeavor. But being at the Sposi Novelli reminded me that we aren’t stepping into it alone. Seeing so many young couples committed to their faith, to each other, and to the sacrament of marriage showed me that the Church is truly alive and well, and in great hands for the next generation. Also, getting to shake hands with the Pope was as amazing as it sounds!”

Best wishes and congratulations to Kelly and Thomas!

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... and then with the big boss, Leo XIV, at the Vatican...

... showing respect to the unbroken succession of St. Peter...

... and so did Kelly...

... and all newlyweds!

They got...

Mr.& Mrs. Johnson with Fr. Ralph...

... married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing, family and friends present, and the Steds family in attendance, Maggie Moshier '18 and Edward "Eddie" Johnson IV '18 of Steds were married at the Chapel of St. Lucy at Villa Walsh in Morristown, New Jersey. It was a true summer day, warm and humid, with showers always threatening, but nothing could put a damper on this special day nor the radiance of this bride and the beaming pride of the groom. Indeed, there were smiles all around but none bigger than that of the groom. On Maggie joining the Steds Family, fellow Stedsman, Best Man, and brother of the groom, Ryan Johnson' 24, shared, "This weekend was a fantastic demonstration of the love and joy of the Notre Dame and St. Ed's families. Many former Steds-men make the trip to New Jersey to celebrate one of their own and welcome Maggie into the family. Congratulations Maggie and Eddie!"

Best wishes and congratulations to 

Maggie and Eddie Johnson!

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... and then the feting of the new couple began...

... and then it was time for toasts...

... and lil bro and best man hit it out the park...

... and proud Dad, Ed, was all smiles...

... and then there was dancing...

... while others took a break!

Saturday squirrel.

Aix sponsa 

With our furry friends still on hiatus, another campus neighbor can take center stage. In the lakes at Notre Dame, many fowl can be found, and by far, the most numerous are the ducks. Spotted in St. Mary's Lake, this wood duck was seen enjoying its catch. On enjoying breakfast, this wood duck non-verbaled, "It's a little fishy for my tastes."

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Another special...

First treat...

... treat. Yes, another special treat was enjoyed by Fr. Ralph. Actually, not one but TWO special treats! On returning to campus, Fr. Ralph flew over one of the natural wonders of America, the Grand Canyon, and then another, the Great Salt Lake. And if you look closely enough, one can actually see the white rapids of the Colorado River! On enjoying these natural treats from thirty-eight thousand feet, Fr. Ralph said, "You always hear from others, but finally, I got to experience for myself! I can now stop flying!"

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... and then another treat!

They got...

Robert and Brigid Cline with Fr. Ralph...

... married! With Fr. Ralph witnessing and with family, friends, and the Steds family present, Brigid Burns '23 of Farley Hall and Robert Cline '23 of Steds were married at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Denver, Colorado. It was a beautiful and a very warm day, with bright, bright sunshine, but nothing, not even heat nor the effects of high altitude could put a damper on the radiance of this bride and the beaming pride of the groom. On Brigid, joining the Steds family, groomsman and Stedsman, Michael Mitchell '23, said, "I have never seen anyone with as large a smile as the smiles that were on Robert and Brigid’s face during the wedding ceremony” while Kyle Bass '23, fellow Stedsman and Man of Honor, shared, "Was it the altitude taking my breath away, or this beautiful wedding? It was an absolute joy to see Robert and Brigid finally tie the knot, and we could not have asked for a better addition to the extended St. Edward’s Hall family.” 

Best wishes and congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Cline!

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... Stedsmen gathered for pre-reception drinks...

... but were better later with the groom!

Your Sunday picture...

Take it in!

... from Notre Dame. Sometimes, when the wind is blowing the right way and the plane lands in the right the direction, you're afforded a most special view from the air. Recently, returning to campus after the conclusion of the "Summer of Ralph," Fr. Ralph was treated to this view. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

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Best of...

 ... the Gentlemen's Monthly. Well, it may TEN years ago, but it may NOT be ten years ago today. Still, it is one of my most FAVORITE postings. Enjoy this blast from the very distant past.    

The King is...

Farewell flame boilers... 

...dead. Sad, but true. Without any pageantry, not even a simple goodbye, the flame boilers of La Fortune's Burger King were unceremonious dumped on the back of a unmarked flatbed truck, whisking them away from campus to rest who knows where. With the Burger King now gone, Smash Burger, with its "fresh and healthy" options, will ascend to the open space at LaFun. On the passing of the Burger King, an unnamed student said, "It reminds me of King Richard III who was also unceremonious buried in the late 1400's. He was recently found in a parking lot in Leicester, England. So, I wonder where and when our Burger King will be found."

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Somebody's getting...

Eddie Johnson and Maggie Moshier...

... married. That's right. Edward "Eddie" Johnson is getting married! With nuptials to be exchanged with Maggie Moshier in August, friends of the Johnson hosted an engagement party for the happy couple in Eddie's home town of Atlanta, Georgia. Despite the heat and humidity of Hotlanta, this cool couple were feted at one cool party that reflected the tastes and personalities of the bride and groom-to-be. Matter of fact, Maggie's favorite flowers were present AND served up in a bottle of the couples' favorite beverage, Topo Chico. Refreshing indeed. Love was truly in the air that evening, and no one wished the evening to end. On hosting the couple, Amy Mathes '81, a Steds mom three time over, shared, "What a joyous occasion it was, celebrating Eddie Johnson, a true Steds and Southern gentleman, and his fiancé Maggie Moshier! A true Fiancé  Fiesta with friends and family gathering to not only kick off their wedding season but also showering them with their love and best wishes!"

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... with Eddie's family...

... and thoughtful, couture decorations...

... and some light pontification by Fr. Ralph.

They got married!

Mr. & Mrs. Posluszny with Fr. Ralph at the Basilica...

They got married! Abby Campbell '20 and John "Jack" Posluszny ’20 were married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame, Indiana. This couple's smile only making a beautiful day even more beautiful. Surrounded by their families and friends, Abby and Jack exchanged theirs vows with great emotion and happiness. On Abby joining the Steds family, Joe Corcoran '20, Stedsman, shared, “Getting a front row seat to Abby and Poz meeting 9 years ago is amazing, but not surprising at all that we got to witness their marriage this past weekend. They are a perfect match - a Stedsman plus a Welsh Fam girl.”

Congratulations to the new couple, 

Abby and Jack Posluszny!

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... then the reception at the Downes Club...

... with most unique decorations...

... but some more familiar...

... Stedsmen posing...

... but Fr. Ralph is always watching!

Saturday squirrel.

Chrysochus auratus

Our furry friends are on vacation, and as they take a break from campus, we can shed some light on another campus neighbor.  Recently, while walking around St. Mary's Lake near the Peace Plaza, this iridescent beetle was spotted. The dogbane leaf beetle feeds exclusively on the toxic dogbane plant. On being spotted, the beetle non-verbaled, "Please... I am trying to eat."

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

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Best of...

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

Saturday's Squirrel.

It's raining rabbits!

There is a surprising amount of wildlife on campus, and as of late, there has been an explosion in the campus rabbit population. Wherever you look, there's a rabbit or two... sometimes even three or more! While they are all over the place, one place campus rabbits prefer in particular is the green space behind St. Ed's. When asked why rabbits might prefer Steds grass than that of other halls, Fr. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C., theologian and biologist, said, "The grass is greener at Steds."

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It's official!

Julia and Patrick exchanging vows...

They got married! Patrick Digenan '20 and Julia White '20 of Cavanaugh were married at the Log Chapel. Only making a most beautiful day even more beautiful, this couple gleamed brighter than the sun, making a sunny day sunnier. And it was about time they got married... they been dating ever since their first meeting on that first day of Welcome Week! Now, surrounded by their families, Julia and Patrick exchanged theirs vows with great emotion and happiness... and with a few kisses. Later, Julia and Patrick renewed their wedding vows in Santa Barbara amid family and friends. On Julia joining both his family and Steds family, John Digenan '24 shared, "It was great to see Julia officially be welcomed into the Steds family with her marriage to Patrick, but having so many of the Steds family there to support and witness it made it even more special!"

Congratulations to the new couple Julia and Patrick! 

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

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... surrounded by family...

... Fr. Ralph and John Challenger (cousin of Pat) enjoy Californian cuisine... 

... and after vows were renewed...

... it was time to party...

... and party we did...

... and even found a new yacht for the Yacht Dance.

Your Sunday picture...

Good night

... from Notre Dame. Here's a view of Mary and the Dome at early twilight taken from the very southern edge of St. Edward's Park. Whether in the morning, afternoon, night or whenever, Mary and the Dome are always a sight a behold. Enjoy, and enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!

What are they...

Stedsmen reaching new heights: Wilson, Mudigonda, and Meares

… 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?! Having graduated many moons ago, Stedsmen Chris Wilson NDLS '08, Dr. Tej Mudigonda '10, Joe Meares '10 went hiking in the Green Mountains of Vermont and reignited their bonds of friendship forged at Steds back in the early 2000s. Despite being on in years, the three were able to accomplish a TWO hour hike with 3,000 foot of vertical climb. No small feat, especially when you consider that Chris was able to close a deal during the hike.  Joe & Tej were freshman in the hall during Fr. Ralph’s first year as rector, while Chris Wilson was one of Father's first assistant rectors. On the hiking and reminiscing, Meares shared, "Although many things have changed since then, one thing remains constant: Gentlemen stick together and push each other to new heights, regardless of age or time spent apart!"

Best of...

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

Funny things...

Oh, okay. Thanks!

... that you see on campus that make you laugh. When making a visit to the Hesburgh Memorial Library, which is currently undergoing a renovation, visitors will see this memorable and laughable scene of port-a-potties and a campus sign. On this scene, an unnamed University official said, "What we would do without campus signs!"

What are they

Coach Freeman (C) with Johnson (R)

… 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, Edward "Ed" Johnson '84, of now defunct Grace Hall but adopted by Steds through his two sons Stedsmen, Eddie '20 and Ryan '24, was in New York to hear Coach Freeman and other football players speak as well as see them open the New York Stock Exchange. On being at this most unique gathering, Johnson said, "Representing the Gentlemen with the best coach in the land... it's a dream come true."

Saturday's Squirrel.

A quiet moment 

While campus is empty of students, our furry friends are at the helm. Surprisingly, keeping an eye on things is tough and demanding work, and so, even now and then, a break is needed. Recently, while working in front of the Main Building, this squirrel, with a white tail, was spotted taking five and enjoying a nut. On being spotted this squirrel non-verbaled, "Sorry, go to the next tree. I'm on break."

Getting ready...

Better one...

... part two. Getting ready for Alex Morrison's bachelor party, a golf weekend in Scottdale, Arizona, was no small feat. To make the golf weekend just a bit more special, Peter Nichols '22, fellow Stedsman and former Hall President, created a bespoke caddie bib for fellow Stedsmen to wear and draw attention to Morrison Enjoying the Phoenician sun, while avoiding bitting horses and prickly cacti, Morrison was feted, and "Team Morrison" enjoyed the man of the hour as well as high jinx or two. On the weekend, Fr. Ralph said, "Message received. I will NOT be late to Alex's wedding!"

... better two...

... Morrison feels the love and swung for the hills...

... while McQueen swung for a cactus...

... and Walsh just for a hole in one...

... and Moriarty was swung into the pool for being late.