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From the Chairperson

Dear members of the St. Casimir—Maria Alumnae Association,

The second year of the newly-revitalized Alumnae Association is ready to begin, and an exciting year is planned, just for you!

New events are on the horizon, such as opportunities for the Alumnae Association to visit the Sisters who have moved to Lemont, a “Gathering” at the Maria Kaupas Center for re-cent grads (you know who you are!), as well as the tried-and-true Alumnae Reunion. In addition, there are opportunities for giving back, such as the Annual Fundraiser in support of the Maria Kaupas Center, and the Thank-a-Sister campaign, a letter-writing crusade to show appreciation to the Sisters of St. Casimir for enabling our high-school education. Please see the Calendar of Events on page 4, or visit our website at www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com for more information.

This is your organization, and this organization needs you. If you have ideas for events or programs, please share them. If you have a gift or talent that you can contribute to benefit the Association, please step forward. If you own a business or work for a corporation that can help sponsor an event or project, please say so. If you are retired and looking for a constructive way to fill your time, please let us know. Whatever your gift, from wherever you live, the Alumnae Association welcomes you!

Currently, there is a specific need for a Newsletter editor. If you have desktop publishing skills, as well as the time and willingness to help the organization, please contact me at alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com.

All the best to each of you for a wonderful 2015—2016 year. See you at Alumnae events!

Blessings to all,

Anna Belle O’Shea, ’74

Always

More

Always

Better

Always

With

Love

Venerable Maria

Kaupas

Volume 2, Issue 1

Fall, 2015

Contact Us

St. Casimir— Maria Alumnae Association

Email: alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com

Website: www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MHSSCAALUMNAEASSOCIATION

Phone: 773-925-8686, ext. 7

Address: 2740 W. 68th St, Chicago, IL 60629

In this I s sue

From the Chairperson Pg 1 Sisters of St Casimir Wake the World Pg 2 Prayers Requested for Sister Clement Pg 2 Visits with Sisters Pg 3 Reunion 2016 Pg 3 Class Coordinators Needed Pg 3 Calendar of Events 2015—2016 Pg 4 In Memoriam Pg 5 Congratulations! Pg 5 Alumnae Board Pg 5 MKC Hosts Open House for Alums Pg 6

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Though summer is usually considered a “down” time for teachers, your former SSC teachers (and other SSCs) were busy cele-brating this summer and letting “the world” know that no matter where they are or what they are doing they can still “wake up the world with joy.”

The highlight of these celebrations was the jubilee celebrations the weekend of August 15th and 16th:

Two of the five 60th anniversary Jubilarians grad-uated from Maria High School: Sister Grace Ann Kalafut ’53, who also served as both As-sistant Principal and Principal of Maria High School and Sister Wanda Marie Kamza ’55;

Music during the Eucharistic Liturgy at the Motherhouse was provided by Paul French and the Women of the William Ferris Cho-rale; Anna Belle O’Shea ’74 accompanied on the flute;

Luncheon for sisters, family, and friends was served at the Palos Country Club; Patricia Yanas Pykett ’66, coordinated the event at Palos.

And then there was Founders’ Day – 108th anniver-sary of the Founding of the Sisters of St. Casimir – celebrated on August 29th. Before our guests left for the day we showed them a brief Animoto high-lighting the life and ministry of the Sisters of St. Cas-imir this past year. You can see it by going to our website www.ssc2601.com and clicking the article under IN THE NEWS about the 108th Anniversary of the Founding and then clicking here.

All of the Sisters of St. Casimir appreciate the continued support of our dear friends, including the many alumnae of SCA and MHS who participate in events such as these and support the sisters in so many ways, including your phone calls, letters and cards, and your visits to Franciscan Village. Thank you so much!

All of our leadership team will be at Villa Joseph Ma-rie on September 12th for the VJM Wall of Fame cer-emony at which the Villa is honoring Sister Reginald Tamulevich. Sister Reginald began her high school education there and then went on to graduate from Saint Casimir Academy. Sister Reginald taught at Villa Joseph Marie, St. Casimir Academy and Maria High School. The Alumnae Association Board asked that I present a special card made by Suzanne Lam-pa Etsch ’75, a photo of Sister Reginald playing her violin, and a donation to the Villa Joseph Marie mu-sic department at this event on behalf of them.

We look forward to seeing some of you at the All Souls’ Memorial/Mother Maria Mass on November 7th at the Motherhouse, beginning with the reading of names of the deceased at 8:45 a.m. Know that all the names of the deceased alumnae from this past year will be read. You are welcome, as always, to send us photos of the deceased for that day, where they will be displayed on our special Altar for the Dead.

Alumnae, continue to stay connected with us and take “Maria” spirit with you wherever you are, wherever you go, and share it with all those you meet.

Sisters of St. Casimir “celebrate” as they “wake up the world”

Sister Margaret Zalot, SSC

Stay in touch with the Sisters of St. Casimir

Cards and/or letters can be sent to any of the Sisters care of the: Sisters of St. Casimir; 2601 W. Marquette Rd.; Chicago, IL 60629.

If you would like to visit one of the Sisters, call 1-773-776-1324 and ask for the exact address of the Sister(s) you wish to visit.

Sign up for the SSC newsletter, Journeys, by contacting Paula Schultz at pschultz@ssc2601.com or 1-773-776-1324.

Visit the SSC website at www.ssc2601.com.

Prayers Requested for Sister Clement

Sister Clement, the long-time Moderator of our Alumnae Association, is recovering from a hospitalization in Au-gust for shortness of breath. Please remember her in your prayers. Cards can be sent to her at 2601 W. Marquette Rd, Chicago, IL 60629.

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Alumnae Association Plans Visits to Sisters in Lemont

You’re invited! Visit the Sisters of St. Casimir in their new home at Franciscan Village in Lemont. These visits are wonderful ways to let the Sisters know that they are remembered and appreciated for all that they did for us during our formative high school years and throughout our lives.

Members of the St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association will visit as a group on the following dates:

Saturday, October 10, 2015 12:45—3:00pm Saturday, January 9, 2016 12:45—3:00pm Saturday, March 12, 2016 12:45—3:00pm

We will meet in the lobby of Franciscan Village at 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL 60439, and then go to vari-ous rooms and buildings from there.

If you can attend on any or all of these dates, please contact the Alumnae Association at alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7 at least three days prior to the visit. Leave your name (including maiden name), year of graduation, and email ad-dress or phone number.

If you are unable to attend on any of these dates, you are always welcome to visit the Sisters on your own. Bring your smile and your good wishes. Leave with a heart overflowing with life and love, for the joy with which the Sisters live their lives is contagious! Call 1-773-776-1324 to find out the exact address of the Sister(s) you wish to visit. Cards and/or letters can be sent to any Sister care of the SSC Motherhouse; 2601 W. Marquette Rd.; Chicago, IL 60629.

St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association Reunion 2016

Reunion 2016

Mark your calendar! The highly-anticipated St. Casi-mir-Maria Alumnae Association Reunion 2016 will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016. All graduates and their guests are welcome with a special invitation extended to those whose year of graduation ends in a ‘1’ or ‘6.’ Palos Country Club proved to be an outstanding location for last year’s event, and has been chosen as the site for the 2016 event too.

Palos Country Club 13100 Southwest Highway

Orland Park, IL 60462

11:30am—2:30pm

Cost: $40 per person on or before April 2, 2016 $50 per person after April 2, 2016

Register online at www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com/events.html.

Class Coordinators Needed

Class coordinators are needed for Reunion 2016. If

you are a member of a class whose graduation year

ends in a ‘1’ or ‘6,’ please consider being a Class Co-

ordinator. You would be provided with a roster of

your classmates and the contact information that we

currently have for each of them. We ask that you

contact them via email, Facebook, phone or US mail,

update their contact information, and encourage

them to attend Reunion 2016. We also ask that you

send us the updated roster so that we can maintain

current records in the Alumnae Office.

If you can help, please contact Anna Belle O’Shea at

alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686,

extension 7.

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SSC Auxiliary banquet – Sunday, October 4; Doors open at noon. Luncheon at 1:30pm.; Mama Luigi’s; 7500 S. Harlem, Bridgeview, IL 60455

MKC Open House for SCA-MHS Alums – Friday, October 9, 2015; 6:00—9:30pm; Maria Kaupas Center; 2740 W. 68th St.; Chicago, IL 60629

Alumnae Association visits Sisters in Lemont – Saturday, October 10, 2015; 12:30—2:45pm; Franciscan Village; 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL 60439

All Souls Mass – Saturday, November 7, 2015; 8:45am reading of names; 9:30am Mass; Refresh-ments after Mass; Motherhouse; 2601 W. Mar-quette Road, Chicago, IL 60629

Gathering for Recent Maria graduates – Tuesday, November 24, 2015; 7:00-9:00pm; Maria Kaupas Center; 2740 W. 68th St.; Chicago, IL 60629

Cost: $5 per person Register online at: www.stcasimir-

mariaalum.com/events.html.

Giving Tuesday – Annual Alumnae Fundraiser benefitting the Maria Kaupas Center; Tuesday, December 1, 2015—Details forthcoming as the date gets closer.

Alumnae Association visits Sisters in Lemont – Saturday, January 9, 2016; 12:30—2:45pm; Franciscan Village; 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL 60439

Thank-a-Sister Campaign, in conjunction with National Catholic Sisters Week; March 8-14, 2016

Alumnae Association visits Sisters in Lemont –

Saturday, March 12, 2016; 12:30—2:45pm; Fran-ciscan Village; 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL 60439

Venerable Maria Kaupas Mass – Saturday, April 2, 2016 (remembering the 76th anniversary of her death); 9:30am Mass; Motherhouse; 2601 W. Marquette Road, Chicago, IL 60629

Alumnae Association Reunion – Saturday, April 23, 2016; Palos Country Club; 11:30am—2:30pm; All graduates and their guests welcome. Special invitation to classes whose graduation year ends in a ‘1’ or ‘6.’ – Palos Country Club; 13100 South-west Highway; Orland Park, IL 60462

Cost: $40 per person before April 2, 2016. $50 per person after April 2, 2016. Register online at: www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com/events.html.

Class Representatives are needed for classes whose graduation year ends in ‘1’ or ‘6.’ Contact Anna Belle O’Shea if you can help: alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext 7.

St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association Calendar of Events 2015 – 2016

Events listed in “black” are sponsored by the St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association. For more information, contact Anna Belle O’Shea at alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7.

Events listed in “blue” are sponsored by the Sisters of St. Casimir. Events listed in “red” are sponsored by the Sisters of St. Casimir Auxiliary. For more information on either of these, call 773-776-1324.

Events listed in “green” are sponsored by the Maria Kaupas Center. For more information, contact Carmen Ontiveros at contiveros@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 4.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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In Memoriam

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Former Faculty / Alumna Loretta Javra ’49 (Formerly Sister Gloria / Sister Loretta Javra); Maria High School Faculty 1970—1973 Alumnae Virginia Dombrowski LeCompte ’44

Aldona B. “Donna” Rastenis Zilis ’45

Margaret Robinson McCabe ’47

Geraldine Pilarczyk Marich ’50

Ann Maria Paukstis Juraitis ’56, Mother of Rita Juraitis Plenys ’80, Donna Juraitis ’83, and Irene Juraitis ’88

Veronica Rasa Janusaitis-Skvirblys ’72

Krystina Sekula Sonner ’86

Immediate Family Members of Alumnae Sophia Cibas, mother of Ausra Cibas Bicknell ’74 and

Ramune Cibas Siniakovas ’77

Joseph Kantutis (after the recent death of his wife), father of Susan Kantutis Drogos ’68, Patricia Kantutis Hawrysz ’71, Jeanne Kantutis Kriz ’72, Joan Kantutis Klupshas ’75, and Connie Kantutis Schapiro ’79s

Pranas Pranckevicius, killed in a bicycle accident, husband of Zibute Lietuvninskas Pranckevicius, ’82

Walter Skridulis, husband of Christina Urban Skridulis ’45

Frances J. Skwarek, mother of Teresa Skwarek ’71

Ann Marie Wolosin, mother of Janice Wolosin Flynn ’86

Please send submissions for “In Memoriam” to

alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or call 773-925-8686, ext 7.

St. Casimir—Maria Alumnae

Association Board Members

Chairperson: Anna Belle O’Shea ’74

Chairperson-Elect: Suzy Lempa Etsch ’75

Moderator: Sister Margaret Zalot, SSC

Recording Secretary: Vicky Romero ’89

Corresponding Secretary: Mary Ann Jesukaitis Pater ’73

Treasurer: Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC ’71

Facebook Coordinator: Roz Iasillo ’76

Publicity (Print Media): Connie Jesukaitis ’75

Database Coordinator: Judy Yocius Lucas ’69

Website Coordinator: Jill Trznadel ’85

Members-at-Large:

Therese Naddy McGee ’69

Simone Shimaitis McNeil ’70

Nannette Velasquez Zander ’79

Needed:

Newsletter editor—If interested, please contact Anna Belle O’Shea at

alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7.

Congratulations to Mary Anna Gercius ‘60 for earning the

Fourth Degree of Membership (the highest honor) at the 102nd

convention of the Knights of Lithuania at the Hilton Orlando on

August 9th. Maria Zakarka Deksnis ‘75 was also honored for her

extraordinary work in starting a new council in Michigan City,

IN. Her new council boasts a membership of 30 young people.

Congratulations, Mary Anna and Maria!

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Maria Kaupas Center

Hosts Open House for Alums