Fran Donnelly, BVM (third from left) meets Susie George
(second from left) and friends.

“What a wonderful event! It is a tribute to the sisters and to the wonderful education we received that so many people came to the gathering!”—“The reception Friday night was delightful! I enjoyed seeing everyone. Thanks you for hosting it!”

These emails from Mollie Dean '60 and Pat Cullin '65 were among the enthusiastic responses received after the reception for graduates at Our Lady of Peace High School, St. Paul , during the BVM Gathering. The 170 persons attending represented members of the charter class of 1955 (including Pat Nolan, BVM), as well as those who had transferred to other schools when OLP closed in 1973.

Possibly those coming farthest for the occasion were Susan Riley (former faculty member Sister Mary St. Karen, BVM) from Washington, D.C., and Mary Jean Tittle McCall '65 from Anchorage, Alaska. For an institution which was in existence only 22 years (1951-1973), the heartfelt commitment exhibited that evening could rival that of any BVM school which had operated many decades longer.

Former OLP faculty member John Thomas Hackett, BVM
greets former student Margaret Day Schmidt.

John Thomas Hackett, BVM, who joined the faculty in 1952, had seniority among the almost 20 faculty members present. Two BVMs had the distinction of being both alums and faculty members: Peggy Nolan '61 and Kathleen Conway '60.

Both of them, plus BVMs Teri Hadro '64 and Mary Nolan '58, constitute four of the nine members of the BVM Community Council. Clearly, OLP continues to make a major contribution to the BVMs.

Catalysts for keeping the OLP alums together in recent years have been Joni Mitchell '70, and Pam Bailey '70 who greeted alums and sold OLP mugs and sweat shirts.

Joni announced during the short program that the reinstituted OLP Candlelighting would be held for the third year at the William Mitchell Law School on Dec. 17, 2006. Be sure to check the OLP website at http://www.olpalum.com for further details. Last year 150 alums attended.

Diane Brondyke, BVM Development Director, who oversees the OLP Alumnae Newsletter , invited alums to send her news at dbrondyke@bvmcong.org. She also offered a year's complimentary subscription to SALT for those who would like to stay up to date on BVM life and ministry.

Mary Lavigne Vavro (l.) shares memories with
Helen Wolkerstorfer, BVM (Edith).

The joy and cheer, the stories of “the olde days” and the sharing of new ones over food and beverages allowed for a flow of conversation and laughter which warmed many hearts.

BVMs are proud of OLP alums who continue to contribute to God, the church, and the world in significant ways. They are not shy in thanking BVMs for our contributions to their lives.

About the author: M. Christine Athans, BVM (Christophil) was on the OLP faculty from 1961-1966. She is currently on the adjunct faculty at the Catholic Theological Union and the Institute for Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago.

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© 2006 Sisters of Charity, BVM