Winter 2008 - Sacred Heart Schools

Seniors Inducted into the
Sacred Heart Society
by Jesus Ramos, SHP Faculty
Founded in 1998 as a testimony to the
belief of the importance of community and,
specifically, the relationship we have with
each other and with God, the Sacred Heart
Society is a senior service organization that
offers students the opportunity for spiritual
growth, quiet service to the Sacred Heart
community, and a deeper understanding
of Sacred Heart history and tradition.
Specifically, the Sacred Heart Society provides on-campus
support for the Admissions, Alumni and Development offices
and Campus Ministry. In this capacity, Sacred Heart Society
members act as student guides at a variety of school functions
throughout the year. They are frequently called to service
when immediate community needs arise. In addition, the
Sacred Heart Society maintains an ongoing commitment to,
and relationship with, the retired religious of the Oakwood
community, the retirement community on campus for the
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On Sunday, September 9, forty-four seniors were inducted
into the Sacred Heart Society as part of the Oakwood
community’s weekly Sunday Mass celebration. Central to the
Sacred Heart Society experience is the relationship between
the Oakwood residents and the students. In this capacity,
the spirit is at work between old and young, student and
On September 9, 44 seniors were inducted into the Sacred Heart Society as part of the
Oakwood community’s weekly Sunday Mass celebration.
teacher as friendships develop and are often continued, long
after graduation has come and gone. The willingness of both
students and Oakwood residents to enter into a relationship
and spend time with each other learning, growing, and taking
one another on, one day at a time, is inspiring, affirming, and
in itself, a most visceral prayer that celebrates God’s gift of life
to us.
On this day these students pledged their time, talents
and service to the Sacred Heart Community in the great
tradition of the Sacred Heart with prayer and thanksgiving.
We celebrated their spirit and willingness to serve, which is
so representative of the best of Sacred Heart tradition.
On behalf of the Oakwood and Sacred Heart
communities here in Atherton, we thank these students and
the Oakwood residents for their commitment, trust, faith
and willingness to build community as a Christian value in
such a privileged way.
Rebuilding New Orleans
by Elizabeth Pierson SHP ’08
“I had to force myself to hold back tears as we walked around
the yard of the once beautiful red and white house. Its beauty is
slowly returning.”
Over a year ago, a group of Sacred Heart volunteers
worked through filth and rain to “gut” this very house,
only to be told that it would most likely be demolished.
We discovered on our return visit this past January that our
efforts proved to be worthwhile; the house had signs of a new
heating and electrical system, and new windows, doors, and
roof. While still empty, the house showed promise.
This quaint house epitomizes New Orleans: while still
appallingly empty, compassionate people are bringing it
hope. This is was what our inspired group of fifteen Sacred
Heart students and
three adults set off
to do during this
p a s t C h r i s t m a s
break–to restore
h o p e : n a i l b y
nail, wall by wall,
piece by piece.
Senior Sandy Navarro is using a skill saw to trim
a section of the sub floor with Molly Johnston
(SHP ’08) is observing at a safe distance.
This trip was a Sacred Heart service immersion trip
sponsored by the Service Learning Department. Although
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast more than two years
ago, there still is a need for help as much now as there was
when the hurricane first hit.
Wi n t e r 2 0 0 8 H e a r t o f t h e M a t t e r