March 2006
Monthly Musings
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RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School's constituents. Current parents, alumni/ae, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often. It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.
2006 Broomball Tournament: The air in the Ice Palace was electric when the houses showed up for the second annual Broomball Tournament, the third event in the Raven Cup Bowl, held on Sunday February 26th. With St. Bede's in a 2 point lead over Manor House and St. Mary's leading up to the event, the day proved to be a critical turning point in the Raven Cup race. After a grueling overtime, including substitutions due to pure exhaustion, St. Mary's emerged victorious. Next up: St. Mary's vs. Manor House. While it looked like Manor House was on its way to a sure-fire victory, Mary's rallied late in the game, but this time Manor House clinched the victory. The third and final game of St. Benet's vs. Manor House was another 0-0 effort through regulation, followed by another Braveheart overtime concluding when Kendall Harty '08 safely delivered the ball to the net, securing not only the game for her house, but also the title of Girls Broomball Champions! The excitement continued when the boys took the ice in matching house uniforms and jerseys. St. Aelred's and St. Hugh's were the first to face off, and despite a nail-biting first half St. Hugh's pulled ahead in the end with a 3-1 victory. The boys of St. Hugh's anxiously anticipated a close game between St. Bede's and St. Leonard's to determine who they would meet in the play-offs. Unfortunately, St. Bede's only had four boys on the ice, causing them to forfeit the game. However a forfeit 4 vs. 4 game continued, with Bede's crushing Leonard's 9-1. As it stood, Hugh's faced Leonard's in the championship game, and secured the win with a 3-1 victory. Although it is unclear exactly what went wrong for Leonard's, chaos on the bench may have played a part in their sometimes erratic performance on the ice. Manor House is now in the lead with 35 points. To view photos of this event visit our Online Photo Galleries.
The Ali Fund: A memorial fund for Allison Sacco, Portsmouth Abbey School Class of 2005, who passed away in December 2003 from a serious congenital heart defect, held its second annual "Heart of Fashion" show on Saturday, March 4, 2006 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI. The event was an appropriate and enjoyable way to celebrate Ali's life and to ensure her most deserving legacy as the proceeds of the event went directly to benefit the Cardiology Program at Children's Hospital in Boston. Portsmouth Abbey School faculty and friends of the Sacco family participated in the planning and implementation of the show. Many of Ali's fellow classmates and a few of her teachers even took to the stage for a walk down the fashion runway this year! Shopping, cocktails, hor d'oeuvres, dinner and a raffle were all a part of the festivities. Clothiers and vendors such as Brooks Brothers, Michael Hayes, Prince Athletics, the Gourmet Apple and Wild and Wonderful Ceramics were all in attendance. A good number of Ali's Portsmouth Abbey School friends and teachers filled the seats this year, as well.
Used Vehicles: Don't trade in your used vehicle; make a tax deductible donation to the Portsmouth Abbey School! Our Maintenance Department could really use your used vehicles...We are looking for the following types of vehicles (vehicles would preferably be 4 cylinders or V-6 in good working condition, please): pickups, caravans, golf carts, dump trucks and compact cars. If you have a vehicle you would like to donate please e-mail Paul Jestings, Director of Operations, to discuss.
Integrity, Honesty and Personal Responsibility: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). Michael Obel-Omia, Director of Admissions at Roxbury Latin School in West Roxbury, MA, spoke these words to a group of Portsmouth Abbey School students at a lecture held in the Auditorium on Wednesday, February 22nd. Obel-Omia's speech titled, "Integrity, Honesty and Personal Responsibility," intended to teach students the truths behind becoming an adult; and left his audience inspired. Obel-Omia spoke about how students can make a difference in the world around them. He expressed how important it is for students to not just accept their culture because it is easy and convenient, but to act in a way that changes society. "We need intelligence to solve our world's most vexing problems, and we should honor those men and women with good minds, but what is the mind without the heart?" Obel-Omia asked the students. "And acts, good, decent acts, are why we are on this earth. Indeed, words and deeds are entirely different-sometimes in opposition to one another-and in order for someone to assume the mantle of responsibility, to do what needs to be done, one must act-and act in a way that is filled with faith, with hope, with charity." To read more on this story visit our Online News Pages of our website, or to view photos of this event visit our Online Photo Galleries.
Acceptance Letters in the Mail: On March 10th, the Portsmouth Abbey School's Admissions Office mailed letters of acceptance to a talented pool of students for the Fall 2006 semester. These students represent 17 states and 12 countries. Congratulations to all of these students and their parents! The Admissions Office hosts a revisit program for the accepted students and their families providing them the opportunity to finalize their decision to attend Portsmouth Abbey School. Accepted day students are encouraged to join us for a "Closer Look" on Tuesday, March 28th and boarding students on Friday, March 31st to Saturday, April 1st. Both programs allow for the accepted students to spend a day shadowing a current Portsmouth Abbey student. The programs also include presentations for the parents. To reserve your space, please call the Admissions Office at 401.683.2005.
Annual Fund: Only 101 days until the close of the 2005-2006 Annual Fund. Thank you to those of you who have already made your gift(s). If you have not yet done so and would like to make a gift please visit www.portsmouthabbey.org/makeagift or contact Polly Carter in the Development Office at 401.643.1204 or pcarter@portsmouthabbey.org. Click here for more information about the Portsmouth Abbey School Annual Fund.
Retreat Weekend: The Monastery is offering a retreat program for young graduates from Friday afternoon, June 9th through Sunday afternoon, June 11th. The weekend is planned as a quiet, mostly silent retreat experience which will offer conferences on spirituality, the opportunity for Confession on Saturday afternoon and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday evening. The weekend will also offer an opportunity to reconnect with the monks who are here at the time. It will conclude with lunch on Sunday. The retreat is open to both men and women who graduated since 1995 (unfortunately, there are no accommodations for couples). There is no charge for the weekend. If you are interested in this program or for more information please contact frpaschal@hotmail.com before May 1st.
Monastic Experience Week: For young Catholic alumni the monastery is offering a monastic experience week. Those who attend will live in the monastery and pray the offices with the monks. Each attendee will have daily classes and work experience that are typical for monastic novices. The program is open to single, Catholic men who have graduated in the last ten years. It will begin Wednesday, June 7 and run through Tuesday, June 13th. Those entering the monastic week experience will be able to attend the Retreat Conferences during the weekend if desired. There is no charge for the monastic experience week. If you are interested in this program or for more information please contact frpaschal@hotmail.com before May 1st.
Gift for Father Damian: Father Damian will celebrate the conclusion of his first year of full retirement from the classroom as well as the 50th Anniversary of his Priestly Ordination this spring. In celebration of this special occasion we are compiling individual stories (both serious and funny) about Father Damian in order to create a video scrapbook for him. If you have stories or pictures that you would like to share please either email submissions to alumni@portsmouthabbey.org or send via postal mail to Sarah McDonough, Portsmouth Abbey School, 285 Cory's Ln, Portsmouth, RI 02871. Submissions should be received by March 31st.
Visits to Florida and Georgia: Jim and Deb De Vecchi, Father Caedmon, and Cliff Hobbins just returned from a 10 day trip to visit alumni, parents, and friends in Miami, Palm Beach, Vero Beach, Naples, and Atlanta. During this trip well over 100 alumni and friends of the School gathered to enjoy the chance to catch up with one another and hear news from the School. Thank you to all who turned out to welcome Portsmouth Abbey School to your area, we enjoyed seeing all of you!
Upcoming Regional Events: Adam and Elisabeth Carter '83 will host a reception at the Metropolitan Club in Washington, D.C. on April 18th beginning at 6:30 pm. Jeremy Kinney '63 will be hosting a dinner at his restaurant, The Fort, on April 27 in Denver, CO beginning at 6:00 pm. For more information, or to register for an event please visit the Event Registration page on our Website.
February Question: The Girls' Varsity 200 Medley Relay swim team, including Nicole Biewenga '08, Maggie McCarthy '08, Joanna Lanz '07, and Lucy Wallace '07, broke the record with a time of 2:04.74 this month. What was the previous record, and who held it?
Answer: The old record was set in 2003 by the team of Allison Chaplin '06, Rachael Pickin '03, Bridget Royer '05, and Abby Rich '06 with a time of 2:05.70.
March Question: Where was St. Benedict born?
Please e-mail answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
