A message from Chris and Peter......
Haven't we been blessed with such beautiful weather this fall? The warm temperatures and abundant sunshine have made it seem like the first day of school, but our sons and daughters have been hard at work for over a month now. It seems as though the chilly weather is descending upon us, and we will have them home again soon for Thanksgiving before we know it.
We hope all of you who came to Parents' Weekend, enjoyed your time on campus. Time spent with our childrens' teachers gives us an accurate view of how they are doing, and connects us to them. We hope you felt that your conferences were beneficial to you, the teachers AND your children. How lucky we are to be able to attend classes with our children. A unique experience for all of us; we hope you were able to learn as well!
As you know, in August Dom Caedmon Holmes was elected Abbot by the monastic community. On Thursday, October 11th, an abbatial blessing was conferred upon him by Bishop Tobin of the Diocese of Providence at the Church of St. Gregory the Great. The Parents Committee joins the entire Portsmouth Abbey community in congratulating Abbot Caedmon! Please click here to see more photos.
Sports Scores Week: of 10/20 - 26
Varsity Football lost a hard-fought game to Kimball Union Academy, 29-14.
JV Football beat St. George's, 16-8. Joe Gallagher '10 and Charles Glew '10 rushed for touchdowns for the Abbey.
Girls' Cross Country defeated Concord, Lexington Christian, and Pingree while losing to Winsor. Olivia Fay '10 took 1st place overall, with Kaitlin Patton '11, Brigitte Spillane'08, Jacqui Cadmus '10 and Margaret Ferrara '08 also scoring for Abbey.
Boys' Cross Country defeated Lexington Christian, Pingree, and Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall while losing to Concord. Brendan Connolly '10 took 2nd place overall, with Pierce King '08, Ed Kielb '11, Kenton Gilmartin '10, and Taylor Hansen '08 also scoring for Abbey.
Boys' Varsity Soccer beat Beaver Country Day, 4-1.
Boys' JVB Soccer fell to St. George's, 4-0.
Girls' Varsity Soccer tied against Winsor, 2-2.
Girls' JV Soccer lost to Winsor, 4-1.
Varsity Field Hockey tied against Barrington High School, 2-2.
JV Field Hockey lost to Barrington High School, 4-0.
Boys' Golf lost to Lexington Christian, 4-3.
Parents' Weekend
Last weekend, Portsmouth Abbey School was host to over 600 people as Parents' Weekend unfolded. Parents from around the globe descended on campus and took part in classes, parent/teacher conferences, the performing arts preview, St. Brigid's dedication and athletic contests. The weather on Saturday cooperated, and was nearly perfect for the games. Thank you to all who attended;we hope you had a great experience. Click here for more pictures.
Megan and George Skakel P'09, '11 and Dom Francis
Star Kids
Students invited the Star Kids to campus for lunch, a visit to the equestrian center, and pumpkin painting. The pre-Halloween event took place Sunday, October 28, from 12:30--2:30pm. Beautiful weather provided the backdrop for this wonderful and now-annual event, bringing together Starkids with Abbey students. Sue Petronello P '02, '04, director of the Starkids program, joined Blake Billings '77 in planning this year's event, which involved a dozen Starkids and 20 Abbey students.
International Student Dinner
The Twelfth Annual International Student Dinner took place on Thursday, October 25, in the Stillman Dining Hall. Each of Portsmouth Abbey's international students, from 17 countries outside the USA, attended with an invited guest student.
A reception was first held in the Linenfold Room, so named for the folded fabric design carved into the antique paneled walls. Appetizers included croque monsieur and teriyaki chicken.
Following the reception, the group of more than 150 students, monks, faculty, guests and host families headed into the Dining Hall for an invocation read by Dom Christopher Davis '45. Then all were treated to a sumptuous buffet of international specialties prepared by our dining staff under the guidance of Bob Cicerone, Director of Dining Services, and our new Sodexho Chef Stephanie Petreccia. Dishes included antipasto, curried chicken, seafood pasta, cheese lasagna, hibachi beef, curried vegetable stew and wiener schnitzel. Apple strudel and black forest cake rounded up the menu, with Fiji water available at each table.
Dr. Fred Zilian, advisor to the international student program, sat at the head table with his wife, Geri, director of admissions. Dr. Zilian spoke to the guests about diplomacy and the importance of solving global conflict with global cooperation. Students then followed to the podium, each extolling the beauty of his or her native country, with most putting in a plug for the national soccer team. Included in the guest list were visiting international Naval War College officers and their families as well as four Portsmouth Abbey families who have hosted international students for the year. Headmaster Jim De Vecchi and his wife, Deb, joined the international students and host families at the dinner. Click here for more pictures.
AP World History
These are a few pictures of the AP World History class outing on Friday, Oct 12. These Sixth Formers went with Dr. Fred Zilian to Jackie's Galaxy in Bristol to have an Asian culinary experience. The Pu-Pu Platter was fabulous! Students pictured are: Marisa Edmonds, Margaret Power , Brittany Hunt , Pierce King, Drew Kemp, Chris Thompson, Peter Horan, Jonathan Edwards, Carl Lichtenfels, Max Almanzor and James Allen.
Society of St. Francis DeSales
St. Francis DeSales (SFD) is an organized group of students working within the framework of the Office of Spiritual Life at Portsmouth Abbey who are attempting the unification of their mind, body, and soul through prayer, fellowship, and fun. Students who have a passion for life, learning, sports and especially for their God; people with a purpose, passion, and a mission! They celebrate God's creation through outdoor excursions, and marvel at the wonder of his mysteries through attendance at Liturgical worship as well as retreats throughout the year. They also attempt to grow in knowledge and virtue throught the reading of some the great Christian authors of the last few centuries, like CS Lewis, Graham Greene, and GK Chesterton at our weekly club meetings. Overall, we in SFD strive to live and be, happy, holy, and healthy; for as our motto states from a quote by St. Ireneaus, "The Glory of God is Man Truly Alive!!"
St. Francis de Sales in Washington, DC last winter
This weekend at a glance
Saturday, November 3: Chaperone Team #2 /AOD: Ms. Brzys
720A Daily Mass
745A SAT I & II, Form VI
130P JV Fhockey w/ Nazarene Christian
200P B-Var Golf w/ Berwick Aca.
230P B-JVB Soccer at St. George's
300P Var Football w/ Dexter Southfield; Var Fhockey w/ Southfield
600P Alternate Mass (Church, Warm Weather Dress, no ties)
Sunday, November 4: SUNDAY XXXI IN ORDINARY TIME
800-1030A Continental Breakfast (Stillman Dining Hall)
930A Mass for for the School (Church, School Dress)
1030A-100P Brunch for the School (Stillman Dining Hall)
1230P MiniBus to Newport 200-400P Public Skating (Hockey Rink)
330-530P Library is open
Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!
Chris and Peter Ferrara P '00,'05,'08
Co-Chairs Parents' Committee
Kate Spinella
Development Officer for
Alumni and Parent Programs
