Chestnut Hill College Alumni

Day 10: December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception Reflector: Michelle Lesher, SSJ ‘00 Image Title: Ordinary Magnificence I captured this most attention-grabbing image a few years ago while I was on retreat in Cape May. I was new to the world of smartphones, and I was desperately trying to immortalize a most striking sunset. As I played with the zoom feature on the camera app, imagine my surprise when this picture materialized on my screen. What was it? After a few minut...es, I figured out that it was a magnified image of the sand right under my feet. I was awe-struck. This sandbrown, boring, dull, blandis actually made up of tiny sparkling crystal-like grains. I was overwhelmed by its beauty. As I prayed with this image on retreat, it made me wonder what other ordinary magnificence I might be missing when I don’t look deeply enough? What happens when I don’t take the time to reflect on the experiences that I have each dayto pray for wisdom and grace concerning each interaction, relationship, phone call, task, etc.? What deeper meaning is right there, just below the surface, if only I take the time with God to look more deeply? For me, this image speaks of an Advent invitation to notice the ways that God comes to us each dayeven if we sometimes also say, How can this be? How can this be that God comes to me, to you, to us, in this time, in this place, in our world exactly as it is right now? I pray that I have eyes to see so that I, too, can offer my whole-hearted yes to bearing God in our time. As we pray with Mary on her feast, I am reminded of this quote of Meister Eckhart: We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the Divine Son takes place unceasingly, but does not take place within myself? And, what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What good is it to me for the Creator to give birth to His Son if I do not also give birth to Him in my time and my culture? This, then, is the fullness of time: When the Son of Man is begotten in us. Sister Michelle Lesher SSJ, ‘00 is serving as the Interim Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry at the College.

On December 4, 2020, the Chestnut Hill College community came together to celebrate Carol Night, one of the long running Christmas traditions at the College. And while it looked a bit different than previous years, it nevertheless marked the start of the Christmas season for Griffins around the country! If you have not had a chance to watch, visit: https://www.chcgriffinsonline.com/holiday If you have a photo to add, email [email protected]

Day 9: December 7 Reflector: Melanie Gregory '21 @_melbearsImage Title: Beloved Today's readings (Isaiah 40: 1-11, 2 Peter 3:8-14) tell us about the heart of discipleship and that there is a compassionate purpose in God's timing. Long before the pandemic I longed for a closer relationship with God, but because of the everyday hustle and bustle I never genuinely took the time. Once the pandemic happened we were all forced to stop and be still. And in that time I prayed and tal...ked with God to build a closer and stronger relationship. In doing that I am now able to better understand God’s plan for my life. With today’s readings I want to always remember that I am here to leave light everywhere I go, and if I do that I am living the life that God put me here to live. I am called now to remember to not get stumbled by such worldly logic but to turn to Christ, to be obedient and trust in God’s timing. Do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like one day. 2 Peter 3:8 Melanie is a senior majoring in Human Services, passionate about music, education and serving others. She believes she is learning and growing everyday through God and the many things she is passionate about on life's journey.

Does your tenth zoom call of the day have you feeling like this student back in 1967? Take a two minute pause and enjoy this beautiful video of campus. https://youtu.be/vpBlz74uXJw

Good Monday Morning Griffins, Michael Elmore Meegan believes that If you break out of the cage that imprisons you and tear down the walls that confine you, you will discover what your wings are for. Remember mighty Griffins, you are confined only by the walls you build yourself. The bars of your cage are of your own making. Break out and spread your wings.

Dear Members of the College Community, Today’s word remembers Dr. Joseph Bucci as we lay him to rest. LITTLE BUT GREAT, Charles Mackey... A traveler on a dusty road Strewed acorns on the lea; And one took root and sprouted up, And grew into a tree. Love sought its shade at evening-time, To breathe it’s early vows; And Age was pleased, in heat of noon To bask beneath its boughs. The dormouse loved its dangling twigs, The birds sweet music bore It stood a glory in its place, A blessings evermore. A little spring had lost its way Amid the grass and fern; A passing stranger scooped a well, Where weary men might turn. He walled it in, and hung with care A ladle at the brink; He thought not of the deed he did, But judged that Toil might drink. He passed again; and lo! The well, By summer never dried, Had cooled ten thousand parch’d tongues, And saved a life beside. A dreamer dropped a random thought ‘Twas old, and yet ‘twas new A simple fancy of the brain, But strong in being true; It shone upon a genial mind, And, lo! It’s light became A lamp of life, a beacon ray, A monitary flame The thought was small its issue great: A watch-fire on the hill It shed its radiance far a down, And cheers the valley still. A nameless man, amid the crown That thronged the daily mart, Let fall a word of hope and love, Unstudied from the heart; A whisper on the tumult thrown, A transitory breath, It raised a brother from the dust, It saved a soul from death O germ, O fount, O word of love! O thought at random cast! Ye were but little at the first, But mighty at the last! Peace and Blessings, Sister Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D. President

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, we are working on a special Christmas surprise for the CHC community, but we need the help of our alumni! If you are able, please send photos of your Holiday on the Hill memories (Christmas Decorating Night, Carol Night, Winter Formal, Breakfast with Santa, and snowy days) and the year they were taken to [email protected] by November 9th!

Day 8: December 6 Reflector: Linda Avila ‘75 Image: Dunes Stay with me Lord, to show me your will!... Stay with me, Lord, to show me your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear your voice and follow you. - Padre Pío These are a few sentences from Padre Pio’s prayer Stay with Me. This prayer has been important to me during difficult times like the pandemic. Padre Pío was a priest in the Capuchin Order, stigmatic and mystic from Pietrelcina, Italy. He inspires me because of his belief in in the power of prayer. He says Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Linda Avila ’75 is retired. She loves watercolors and dragon boating. She painted the watercolor above.

Last call for class notes! Do you have news to share? New job, engagement, new baby, published a book? We want to know and include your news in the upcoming Chestnut Hill College Magazine! Email [email protected] with the subject line Class Note by October 20th!

Happy Monday Griffins! Here is some advice from this tree to you this morning: Stand tall and proud! Don't be afraid to go out on a limb! Remember your roots!... Drink plenty of water! Be content with your natural beauty! Enjoy the view!!! J. Rapti Have a great day!!!! See more

Join us for Harry Potter Trivia Night, tonight! Tag your fellow wizard, witches, and muggles to let them know. And register here: https://loguelibrary.ticketleap.com//dates/Oct-16-2020_at_

Dear Members of the College Community, Three hundred and seventy years ago, the Sisters of Saint Joseph were founded and today we mark that occasion. Below are excerpts from a prayer service, which was prepared by our Campus Ministry Office, that we shared today as a Community. ... The Sisters of Saint Joseph trace their origins and spirit to six women, who came together on October 15, 1650, in war-ravaged LePuy, France, with great desire for union with God, with each other, and with "every sort of neighbor." Under the patronage of Saint Joseph, they dedicated themselves to "the practice of all spiritual and corporal works of mercy." The Sisters of Saint Joseph and Associates who serve our Chestnut Hill College campus continue to live out of that original desire: "to live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another." In the Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, we read, stimulated by the Holy Spirit of Love and receptive to Divine Inspiration, we move always toward profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction from whom we do not separate ourselves . . . As partners in mission and ministry, we all share this call to work in order to achieve unity, both of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God. May our prayer open our eyes to respond to the needs of our time and make Christ visible to the world. May our ears hear the cry of the oppressed. May our own hearts, like God’s, beat with hearts of compassion for the entire world. May this Chestnut Hill College community make a wholehearted gift of ourselves to God and the dear neighbor. Peace and blessings, Sister Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D. President

The Griffin continued his adventures today, visiting students in 1971!

We invite you today October 15, at 2:00pm to join us in the celebration of Founders' Day. The Sisters of Saint Joseph trace their origins and spirit to six women, who came together in 1650, in war-ravaged LePuy, France, with great desire for union with God, among themselves and with every sort of neighbor. Under the patronage of Saint Joseph, they dedicated themselves to the practice of all spiritual and corporal works of mercy." The Sisters of Saint Joseph and Associates... who serve our Chestnut Hill College campus continue to live out of that original desire: "to live and workso that all people may be united with God and with one another. We welcome all students, faculty, staff, alumni, Sisters of Saint Joseph and Associates, to gather via Zoom for a 30-minute prayer service with reflections on "unioning love" offered by Cathie Meighan, SSJ and Jeanie Schwille '65, President of the CHC Alumni Association. Our time together will be an opportunity for joy, prayer and renewal, leaning into the inclusive and restorative love of our God. Join us via Zoom. https://chc.zoom.us/j/94262672357

We are just two days away from our Harry Potter Trivia Night! Tag your fellow wizard, witches, and muggles to let them know. And register here: https://loguelibrary.ticketleap.com//dates/Oct-16-2020_at_

Join the CHC Community for a Founders' Day Prayer Service, tomorrow at 2pm. More information and link to the service can be found here: https://www.chc.edu//founders-day-prayer-service-celebrati

Today and tomorrow, October 13 and 14th are Amazon Prime Days! Did you know you can support CHC while shopping on Amazon? Visit smile.amazon.com and select Chestnut Hill College of the Sisters of St Joseph as your charity. Then make sure each time you make a purchase, you do so at smile.amazon.com. Amazon then gives a percentage of your purchase to the college! It’s an easy way we can all support CHC. Thank you!

Good Monday Morning Griffins! It may not be so easy to stand on your head, or to take on any challenge for that matter. But don't you be afraid to try! Try and keep trying. Continue to believe that you will not fail. Success is a matter of falling and standing back up, and then trying again. You are entirely up to you!!!!