Inspired...

Steds Love Their Moms

... by the lamenting of his son, Alec, at dinner, David Lis created this sign for his son and his wife Debbie. Sadly, the greatest weekend of all weekends at Steds was not to be, but David's sign conveys the sentiments and wishes of every Stedsmen for their moms. David said, "While the moms cannot proudly wear their specialty designed shirts, perhaps this year this sign can be shared by theGentlemen with their moms, in recognition of they do." 

Indeed, let it be shared... and let it be known that at the direction of the newly elected Hall Government, the appointed Moms' Weekend Commission, Drew McClimon, has Moms Weekend 2021 already planned. Yes, it's true! Would we tell a lie to our moms? Perish the thought. More information coming soon.

A very special...

Fr. Terry with the ladies of PE pointing out an amazing...

... day for a great friend of Steds. Yes, today marks the 20th anniversary of ordination for Fr. Terrence Ehrman, C.S.C., botanist, theologian, and Gentlemen's Monthly guest contributor. If you ever listened to his classroom lectures or heard him speak about the flora and fauna of campus, it becomes evident that Fr. Terry has blended his two passions, theology and love of all things living, to praise God. In a very real way, Fr. Terry is a "missionary of God's wonder" showing the presence of God through every thing that lives and breathes. On Fr. Terry's anniversary, Fr. Ralph said, "When we go for a walk about campus or around the lakes, I never know how long they will last as Fr. Terry is always seeing something 'amazing'. While I see an empty nest, he sees something else... causing him to pause for several minutes taking way too many pictures. It's just an empty nest! Some might say 'to each their own,' but I would say, 'I wish I could see the world and God's awesome wonder as he does. Congratulations and God bless you Fr. Terry!"

...empty nest.

Kids in...

Napping 101: a very popular class 

... quarantine. These are serious times, and the epidemic that grips our nation and world should not be taken lightly. Currently, the kids are away from Steds and the University. The spring semester has come to an abrupt end, but life continues. Tonight, we hear from Nick Sansone, Steds freshman, brother to Steds senior Patrick Sansone, and resident Virginian, who had some time to speak just before he took a mid-morning nap.... after his on-line classes were over of course. Enjoy.

St. Ed: With the University's residence halls, including the oldest and most storied, St. Ed’s, shut down, where are you these days?

Sansone: I am spending my days in Alexandria, Virginia, which is not a safe-zone these days like it was in The Walking Dead.

St. Ed: As in-person classes have been nixed for the rest of the semester, how have you found on-line classes?

Sansone: If you had told my high school self that I could spend all day in my pajamas, have three home cooked meals, and watch lectures....  wherever, I would have been thrilled. Alas, Notre Dame has changed me... online classes are not really enjoyable, but that's only because Notre Dame is so great.

St. Ed: Clearly, you have more time on your hands than ever before. So, what are you doing these days to pass the extra time?

Sansone: After I mourned the loss of the semester, I began to revert into a past form of myself. Two activities, basketball and video games (outside of sleep and coursework, of course), have consumed the majority of my time. I can't wait to show off my refined skills to the Steds brotherhood in competitions both friendly and competitive.

St. Ed: During your sojourn away from Steds, do you miss anything?

Sansone: As the time I spend away from campus grows, I find myself missing more and more things that I never thought I would miss - such as the frequent, ill-timed fire drills and the nights spent bonding with my brothers over our yearning for air conditioning. When I return in August, I will make sure not to take these little things for granted.

It's happening...

Room picks: Every room at Steds is a great room

... over the next three days. What is it? Room picks! One thing that every hall was unable to do before  the quarantine was hall room picks, the selecting of next year's room assignment. Well, if everyone is gone from campus, how can room picks happen? Simple. The internets. Yes, thanks to the internets an on-line room picks will conducted over a three day period. Leading the way will be our rising seniors with rising juniors next up to choose. Finally, following in their wake, rising freshmen will select their rooms. Word on the street is triples are in high demand. On participating in his first room picks, Tommy Gallagher, Steds freshman and native Indianan, said, "Participating in the first ever virtual room picks is surely going to be the most exciting thing that’s happened since we left campus. In a way it’s just like the NFL draft; we’re all making picks from our remote locations. The excitement for room picks has been building, and in the end, I hope I am remembered as the person who picked the best room and not the person who couldn’t pick on time because of WiFi failures!” 

Moms Weekend...

Zoom, Zoom, Zooming: Steds Moms and sons 

... must go on, and it did! Here is another story of Steds moms gathering together from across the country to gather together and do their part their to bypass the Corona virus. Thanks to Zoom, these Steds moms and sons were able to virtually keep quarantine AND create an evening of reminiscing, laughter, and much more. Once again, never underestimate the resolve of Steds moms for their special weekend!

Present at our first Moms Zoom Weekend were Mothers Magner, Sansone, Simone, Swift, and Susco, and here is what they had to say.

On the zooming, Jackie Magner, mother of Patrick, said, "We were so sad to have missed our 3rd Mom’s Weekend - it’s such a special time with our boys, their friends, and mothers.  Like everyone else these days, we figured out a way to enjoy time together on what would have been Saturday night of Mom’s Weekend! Thanks to Mrs. Simone for our #zoomlikeachampion!”"

Joey Simone's mom, Tammy, said, "God. Country. Zoom" while X Susco, mother of Chris, shared, "Social distancing like a champion today!"

Patrick Sansone's mother, Tina, said, "Although we couldn’t be at Steds for our traditional Mom’s Weekend due to COVID-19, we improvised and had a Zoom gathering of moms and sons!  Quarantine Like a Champion Today!" 

Finally, Melinda Swift, mother of John, said, "Loved joining John’s STEDS brothers and their moms for our Mom’s Weekend! Stay safe everyone!"

Kids in...

Grealish: All dressed up and no place to go

... quarantine. These are serious times, and the epidemic that grips our nation and world should not be taken lightly. Currently, the kids are away from Steds and the University. The spring semester has come to an abrupt end, but life continues. Tonight, we hear from Keegan Grealish, Steds freshman and resident Virginian, who had some time to speak from his home outside of D.C.... after his on-line classes were over of course. Enjoy.

St. Ed: With the University's residence halls, including the oldest and most storied, St. Ed’s, shut down, where are you these days?

Grealish: Currently, I persevere in Herndon, Virginia, a quaint town about 30 minutes outside of Washington DC. You may ask yourself what makes Keegan so caring… well, as asserted in our state slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers.”

St. Ed: As in-person classes have been nixed for the rest of the semester, how have you found on-line classes?

Grealish: I’ve found on-line classes to be extremely thought-provoking and inspiring. The looks on my peers’ faces as we vigorously learn through zoom reminds me of why I chose to attend the University of Notre Dame. The constant battle through Wi-Fi disturbances and unchecking the mute button tests the true character of a Notre Dame student.

St. Ed: Clearly, you have more time on your hands than ever before. So, what are you doing these days to pass the extra time?

Grealish: With so much extra time, I’ve taken on a number of new hobbies. First, I’ve transitioned from regular Catan to the online Catan universe, a digital multiplatform realm. Here, I escape the troubles of today’s world and spend my time building cities and forming armies. Also, countless hours in the driveway have allowed me to perfect my basketball shot so that I never miss within 18 feet.

St. Ed: During your sojourn away from Steds, do you miss anything?

Grealish: I count down the days until I’m able to return to St. Edward’s Hall. I can’t go much longer without Ed’s paninis (available on Sunday and Monday nights only) or the Sunday evening masses. I reminisce about the good old days when I was surrounded by mullets and ran through the reflection pool. On a more serious note, I truly miss St. Edward’s Hall and all the Stedsmen, and I hope everyone stays safe and healthy.

Your Sunday picture...

Looking good...

... from Notre Dame. Here is a familiar view of one of the most beautiful sights on Notre Dame's campus... a spring time view of the oldest and most storied residence hall... St. Edward's! While we cannot be there in person, we will just have to enjoy it from afar. Enjoy your Sunday wherever you may be!