Regional Letters in PDF format. Click links to read on-line or download and print.  

• Central Regional Letter - February, 2008
• Central Regional Letter - November, 2007
• Central Regional Letter - August, 2007
• Central Regional Letter - January, 2007
• Central Regional Letter - October, 2006
• Central Regional Leter - July, 2006
• Central Regional Leter - March, 2006
• Central Regional Letter - October, 2005   
• Central Regional Letter - June, 2005
• Central Regional Letter - February, 2005
• Central Regional Letter - October, 2004
• Central Regional Letter - July, 2004
• Central Regional Letter - April, 2004
• Central Regional Letter - December, 2003

The Central Region Meeting was held October 13th & 14th in Lake Forest, IL for a beautful "Day of Reflection". -- see photo album

Older Regional Letters

September 22, 2003

Dear Sacred Heart Friends:

I am so very happy to be serving as your Regional Director. When most of us saw each other last we were in St. Louis attending the spectacular 34th National Conference, which kicked off the 70th year anniversary of the AASH. This was truly a weekend to come "Home to the Heart" and celebrate. I do hope everyone has enjoyed a relaxing summer with family and friends. I myself am looking forward to Indian summer and the many alumnae/i activities that seem to come with the fall season.

Here are a few important dates to remember:

Regional Meetings scheduled for 2004
The Central Regional meeting is being planned for the weekend of October 9, 2004 in Detroit, hosted by the Bloomfield Hills and Grosse Pointe associations. As more details are solidified, I will be contacting you. Also, alums are welcome and encouraged to attend regional meetings in other parts of the country. For now, the only other firm date we have is June 25th - June 27th, 2004 for the Western Regional in San Diego.

35th AASH National Conference - 2005 in Chicago, Illinois
Mark your calendars for April 21-24, 2005. The conference theme is "St. Madeleine Sophie's Vision of Service - Living Our Legacy". Co-chairs: Catherine Miserendino and Tami Hoekstra Rocha are preparing a memorable experience for all!

2006 AMASC Congress in the United States!
This is the second time that the US will have the opportunity to host the World Association of Alumnae and Alumni of the Sacred Heart, and Olga Seiferth Rome, AMASC President is eager to extend Southern hospitality to all attending the congress April 23-26th, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Martha McDermott Landrum, (ASH Rosary,'76) and Betty Nairne McDermott, (ASH Rosary,'45) have graciously agreed to co-chair the 2006 congress. Olga states that "It is not too early to begin budgeting to send representatives from your Association to what promises to be a spiritually, intellectually, and socially enriching experience". I encourage you to add the AMASC site to your favorites and check it out often for more info: http://www.amasc-sacrecoeur.org/

AMASC Liaison - Reminder:
Each association is asked to elect or appoint a representative to serve as liaison to the 2006 AMASC Planning Committee. This representative will be a direct contact for the AMASC planning committee and will help implement the new Study Plan. If you have suggestions on AMASC fundraising ideas please pass them on to me and I will forward a general list of ideas to all in our region. If you have not done so already, please send the name of your AMASC representative to AASH corresponding secretary Carolyn Price (248-646-8900 or cprice@ashmi.org) who will add it to the AASH 2003-2004 Directory and then pass it on to AMASC Planning Committee.

AMASC Study Plan -
Kathleen Simon is the International Study Plan Coordinator. She will be in touch with the AMASC Representative in your association. The theme of the Study Plan: COLLABORATION FOR A TRANSFORMED WORLD, for more info check out the website: http://www.amasc-sacrecoeur.org/studyplan.shtml

More updates:

AASH Calendar -
Please continue to visit our website - http://www.aashnet.org/, and more importantly I encourage the different associations to use the calendar portion and the guestbook to keep our alumni updated on what is happening. If you will send the info to me, I will be happy to include your special events such as reunions or any special alumnae/i related activities, etc.

Website link to colleges - We would like to link Barat, Maryville, Manhattanville, and USD to the AASH website. Please ask your Webmaster to contact Jeanne O'Fallon in the National Office so that we can make this a reality.

Website Gift Shop - Do you have items that you would like to advertise on the AASH Gift Shop that will appear on the website soon? Please send your ads directly to Jeanne O'Fallon in the National Office for posting, NationalOffice@aashnet.org or by mail.

National Directory - We will soon be working on an updated National Directory. This project is a huge undertaking, therefore I'd like to enlist your support in finding as many "lost" alums as possible. It has been four years since we published the last directory. If your association keeps updated and accurate records of alums please let me know.

AASH Handbook & Directory update - Next month all associations will receive a form from Carolyn Price, our corresponding secretary, for the annual update of association officers. Please take the time to fill this out and get it back to her whether or not you have any changes. The deadline is October 23rd.

Email or Snail mail? - Please let me know your preference for communication. My email is Ryan1114@msn.com and I am relocating back to Chicago. My new address starting November 1st will be: 40 East 9th Street #315, Chicago, IL 60605.

News and more News:

Welcome to Madeleine Sophie Ortman, the new Executive Director of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. Madeleine is a graduate of Stone Ridge and Barat College. The office is being relocated to the St. Louis area this fall.

Archives relocate - The Society of the Sacred Heart National Archives has moved to 4537 West Pine Blvd. - St. Louis, MO 63108, as featured in the recent Esprit de Coeur. Our AASH president, Barbara Lopiccolo, and many area alums represented us at the formal opening and blessing on September 14th.

3D: Dream, Design, Decide - As the Society of the Sacred Heart dreams, designs and makes decisions for the future, the AASH Board members were led by Sister Sheila Hammond to take part in the interview protocol last June when we held our annual meeting in St. Louis. This was a most positive experience, and I encourage all associations to take part in the process if given the opportunity. You received a letter about this last spring. Your participation and responses will be greatly valued.

And Finally…

Resolutions at our last Conference - Please forward any information that your association may have regarding plans on implementing resolution #2 - see below

"In light of the tragedy that has impacted our Church and in keeping with the mission of the AASH, the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat, and with an openness to the Holy Spirit, be it resolved that every alumnae/i association be encouraged to consider adopting a program of action that will foster healing in our Church and awaken our members to the vital role they play in the life of the Church."

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you as we start to plan for our Regional Meeting next year.

Warm regards,

Maureen E. Ryan
Central Regional Director
Email: Ryan1114@msn.com
Phone: 630-638-9539

December 11, 2002

Dear Sacred Heart Friends:

I hope this finds you all in good health while we work, shop and pray the days away until our Christmas breaks. We all can use a little break to rejuvenate the mind, soul and body.

Central Regional Conference:
It was wonderful to see everyone for the AASH Central Regional Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. The theme of Looking to the Future Together and Beyond Ourselves was reinforced in each meeting, discussion and speech. Everyone attending was encouraged to understand how to "make a difference" every day in her daily life and the lives of others because of the bond we share as children of the Sacred Heart.

Let me detail some of the highlights of the conference:

• The welcome reception at the Westin - turned into a great "Girls Night" and dinner overlooking the famous Cincinnati fountain.
• The business meeting with AASH reps, Alumnae Directors, and Association Presidents was fast paced and so full of reports that we wanted more time.
• The speech by Frances Reardon Romweber, alumna of Clifton Academy of the Sacred Heart and Principal of St. Ursula Academy was both reflective and inspiring. (copy of speech enclosed)
• A special guest appearance by, local celebrity, Marge Schott who rescued the Clifton Mater statue and donated it to St. Ursula Academy.
• We had the surprise opportunity to actually take a tour through the condominiums that were once Clifton Academy.
• Our dinner at the Radisson Hotel in Covington, Kentucky was delicious and topped off with the delightful company of conference participants.
• We were chauffeured everywhere by the most capable and considerate group of alums I've ever met.
• And most of all we enjoyed our new friendships and sense of Sacred Heart community together.
  
  Thank you so much to the Cincinnati organizers: Frankie Asam, Jane Duwel Grossheim, Patricia Dolle Altenau, Gerry Murphy Rohde, and Lee Conway Burke.

AASH National Conference
The National AASH Conference will take place in St. Louis/St. Charles, Missouri April 23-27, 2003. AASH will supply a banner for the four regional associations, but each school and local association is being asked to provide their own banner. If you are interested in having a banner made for your school or local association, contact Jeanne O'Fallon at the National Office.

AMASC 2006 in New Orleans, LA
Each association is asked to elect or appoint a representative to serve as liaison to the 2006 AMASC Planning Committee. This representative will help implement the new Study Plan and coordinate fundraising projects. The name of your chosen AMASC representative should be sent to the Conference Chair:

Wendy Delery Hills
5662 Evelyn Court
New Orleans, LA 70124
wdeleryhills@cox.net

Kathleen Simon is the International Study Plan Coordinator. She will be in touch with the AMASC Representative in your association.

New AASH Website
Please encourage all of your members to visit the new and improved AASH website at www.aashnet.org. A special emphasis has been placed on the College Networking portion of the website. Sacred Heart alumnae/i attending college can use the website to research school grants and loans, connect with fellow Sacred Heart alums in college, and to communicate via an electronic threaded discussion with other alumnae/i. The AASH website, and especially the College Networking section, can be a valuable resource to our members. Alumni directors have assisted the AASH National Office by providing current information on our most recent Sacred Heart graduates.

AASH Gift Shop On-line
There is now space on the AASH website for schools and associations to sell their items to the AASH membership. If you are interested, send Jeanne O'Fallon an electronic file or an order form, preferably with pictures that can be scanned. Include the name of the school/association, address and e-mail address of where the order forms should be sent.

Network Update
The Network Development Committee is pleased to announce that its goal of $37,000 was reached. The Network's office will move from Newton, MA to St. Louis, MO sometime in the future. Marsha Whelan, who has so capably served as the Executive Director of the Network, will no longer hold that position. A search will be undertaken for a new Executive Director and a Director of Development

AASH Handbook Updates
AASH Handbook update forms are due to the AASH National Office as soon as possible. If you have changes and have not sent in your form, please do so immediately.

All my best for health and happiness,

Margo O'Connor Bieker
AASH Central Regional Director

Central Regional Letter
August, 2002

Dear Sacred Heart Friends:
I am so looking forward to meeting more of the Central Region members at the upcoming conference in Cincinnati on October 25th. First let me begin by thanking the key players in designing the conference, Frankie Asam, Jane Grossheim, and Gerri Rohde. Thank you in advance for all of your hard work and dedication. We have a great agenda, so let me dig in right there.

Central Regional Conference:
The Central Conference of the AASH will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of alumnae from the Clifton Academy of the Sacred Heart. The theme chosen for this event is taken from a speech given by Claire Pratt, RSCJ during the AMASC International Congress in Sydney, Australia:
"Looking to the Future Together and Beyond Ourselves"
The agenda begins with the business meeting which will include a report on the 2002 AMASC Congress, plans for our American based 2006 AMASC Congress, more plans underway for the upcoming 2003 National Conference in St. Louis, and reports from all of our Associations in the Central Region. Then we'll the have a lively panel / workshop entitled "A Common Vision for Making a Difference."

All participants are invited to attend the business meeting. I had never attended a business meeting until we hosted the conference in Omaha. I was thrilled with all of the great ideas we shared to help each association start new activities and fundraisers. It was a true example of sharing and caring by children of the Sacred Heart. Please plan to join us, it's very interesting.

The keynote speaker for our luncheon will be Frances Reardon Romweber, alumna of Clifton Academy of the Sacred Heart and principal of St. Ursula Academy. Frances' topic will be "The Sacred Heart Alum in the Modern World."

We'll be staying at the Westin Hotel in beautiful downtown Cincinnati. You may make your reservations directly with the hotel. The phone number is 1-800-937-8461 or 513-621-7700. Please refer to the Associated Alumnae/I of the Sacred Heart when reserving your room. The registration deadline is September 15, 2002. (If cancelled by September 17, 2002, the hotel registration fees will be refunded.)

The formal conference invitation will be mailed very soon from the National AASH Office. Please block the dates on your calendar and plan to attend. We all look forward to seeing you in Cincinnati!
To help offset conference expenses, any donations from your associations or from individual alumnae/I would be very much appreciated. Checks may be made out to Sacred Heart Alumnae/I and sent to:

Mrs. John H. Rohde, Jr. (Gerri)
3490 Forest Oak Court
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208

The other Regional Conferences include:
Eastern Region - Albany - October 18 - 20, 2002
Western Region - Seattle - October 11 - 12, 2002

Nominations:
Nominations for the AASH Board must be submitted by September 30th. Please notify your association members and tell them that they can download the nomination form on the aashnet.org web site, fill it out and return it to the AASH National Office. The Nominating Committee chair is Marion Glennon and the committee members are:
Central: Maureen Brady
Catherine Dawson (Cathy)
Eastern: Betty Buckland
Michele Finn
Southern: Jane Cannon
Carla Grieve
Western: Esther Kmetty
Casey McHugh-O'Brien

Cor Unum
The deadline for the Cor Unum award nominees is October 1st. Nominations should be sent to:
Sandra Chew
3265 Old Bridgeport Way
San Diego, CA, 92111-7732

AMASC
By all accounts, the AMASC Conference in Australia was wonderful. To get a recap of the conference you can attend the Central Regional Conference and find out first hand from participants who attended or go to
amasc-sacrecoeur.org, where you can download the speeches. I was also very impressed with the artwork of this web site and the ease of its use.

For the 2006 AMASC Conference in New Orleans, each association is asked to elect or appoint a representative to serve as liaison to keep the channels of communication open and to participate in planning the Congress. This representative will help implement the new Study Plan and coordinate fundraising projects. This information should be sent to Wendy Delery Hills, the chair of the Congress. Her address is 5662 Evelyn Court, New Orleans, LA 70124. Her e-mail is wdeleryhills@cox.net

The International Study Plan Coordinator is Kathleen Simon and she will be in touch with the AMASC representative in your association.

Web Site Fund Raising Potential for your Association!
We are asking all of the schools and associations to submit information about any merchandise that they would like to sell to the membership. We are dedicating space on our Web site for this purpose. An electronic file or an order form, preferably with pictures that can be scanned, can be sent to Jeanne O'Fallon at the AASH National Office. Please include the name of the school/association, address ad e-mail address, as you will be the recipients of the monies received. This newest offer from our National Office is a wonderful asset in all of our fund raising efforts. Prior to this web site offer we only had the opportunity to sell our merchandise during conferences.

2003 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri
The 2003 National Conference will be held from April 23rd - 27th in St. Louis. Patsy Sheehan and her committee are busy putting together a wonderful four days for everyone. So, mark your calendars and plan to "Come home to the Heart", where it all began.

Aside from Regional banners, which AASH will supply, each school and association is being asked to provide a banner. This is optional for associations, but if you would like to have a banner, contact Jeanne O'Fallon.

Best wishes for your continued happiness and good health.

All my best,

Margo O'Connor Bieker