Sacred
Heart School of Halifax
Alumnae/i Association
PRIMES
Newsletter - Special Edition
January 2014
INSIDE
This ISSUE
Greetings from your
president
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
By Nicole Ferguson, ‘86
MESSAGE FROM
SR. ANNE WACHTER, RSCJ
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT
ARIZONA ALUMNAE/I
ASSOCIATION
BOARD
PLANNING CHAIR
MESSAGE
HALIFAX ALUMNAE &
RSCJ LISTEN WITH ONE
HEART
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
REPORT
ANNUAL GIVING
WINE & CHEESE PHOTOS
BOOK READING
ADMISSIONS OFFICE
YOU’RE INVITED
CLASS OF ‘64 REUNION
Happy New Year!
We have hosted a number of successful alumnae/i events during the first term.
They included the Annual General Meeting in October and our Christmas Wine &
Cheese Party held December 20th. The Wine and Cheese is now a popular gathering for a wide range of alumnae/i to reconnect with classmates. At the Annual
Christmas Fair the Executive organized the popular Dessert of the Month raffle
and the funds raised support several programs at the School, like the Robotics Club
and the bursary program.
Looking forward over the next couple of months, we have two great events to keep
in mind. First, on Thursday January 16th, we will be hosting acclaimed author,
Donna Morrissey, for selected readings from several of her popular books. Next, on
the evening of Friday, February 28th, Dale Nichols (Chef from Digby Pines Resort)
has volunteered to host a culinary demonstration. This year, we will be hosting the
Chef Dale at our home in Halifax. Please mark your calendar and further details
will follow. This promises to be a wonderful event and a great evening to reconnect
with friends. Dale is highly accomplished. Plan to bring a classmate!
Your Association continues to actively plan fun events so you can socialize with
your classmates, and reconnect with friends while supporting the School.
Here’s to 2014!
Sincerely,
Nicole
L to R: Anna Ferguson, Class
of ‘13 with her mother Nicole
Ferguson, Class of ‘86
PHOTO GALLERY
OCTOBER ALUMNAE/I DAY,
CLASS OF 2013
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PAY YOUR ANNUAL DUES
ONLINE!
CHECK OUT THE BLOG:
ALUMNAE/I BLOG
L to R: Ellen Bursey, ‘13, Nicole Ferguson
and Kaitlyn Gillis, ‘13
PR IM E S
MESSAGE FROM OUR HEADMISTRESS
Sr. Anne Wachter, RSCJ
Dear Alumnae/i,
Happy New Year!
As is our tradition in the Society of the Sacred Heart, we (the
RSCJ) gathered on the eve of the year for prayer during which
we recalled sources of hope and strength in the past year. We
remembered times when enthusiasm ripened or died on the
vine, and moments when tender tears of joy, grief or gratitude
were signals of God's loving pulse in our community.
This is the 165th year of Sacred Heart School of Halifax, and
this newsletter shows that our alums express School spirit in new and traditional ways. I
am especially proud of Nicole Ferguson's collaborative and inclusive leadership style. I
am grateful to you, our Alums of few or many years, who volunteer on campus, lead
events, and build relationships by opening your homes for tea, a Passport Party, the Chef
Dale event, or other gatherings. We thank you for helping the School to connect with parishes, and for being a bridge to local civic, intellectual, and service opportunities. You provide valuable foundational experience, strong shoulders, and the promise of a stable future.
Seeking the grace to be authentic in living with the Sacred Heart philosophy at the centre
of all that happens on campus and through our outreach, I pray that our community will
be marked by the courage and confidence of Sophie Barat, the hard work and humility of
Philippine Duchesne, and by Janet Stuart's wisdom - solidly grounded in deep understanding of human nature.
God's loving Spirit is alive and growing in the Maritime. Thank you for the ways you
accept your role to support and promote Sacred Heart students and faculty who are
serious about learning, and highly
motivated to make a positive difference in our world.
Love and prayers,
Anne Wachter, RSCJ
Headmistress
PR IM E S
Letter from President of Arizona alumnae/i
association in advance of the amasc congress
By Mary Maloney
November , 2013
Dear Sister Conan, National Presidents, Emeritae Members, and alumnae/i.
The Arizona alumnae/i of the Sacred Heart, its Executive Board and I, the President, are excited
about the upcoming AMASC Congress. We are happy to host you in November of next year, 2014,
and welcome you to the Grand Canyon State.
Arizona, known internationally for its beautiful desert terrain, was originally recognized as a world
ranked mining capitol, especially in copper, silver and manganese. Early mining began here in the
mid 1500’s and copper mining continues to this day. Arizona is also known as a leader in the
production of cattle, cotton and semi-conductors. It is home to the Frank Lloyd Wright School of
Architecture and the Thunderbird School of International Management. Our major industries,
along with three state universities, bring great enrichment to the state. We have exciting city living
along with rustic cattle ranching, pecan nut tree farming, mining and citrus farming.
Native Americans live in all areas of the state, comprising more than 20 distinct tribes. This
diversity of population brings wonderful variety to the Catholic community;
we celebrate Mass in 13 languages.
Other faith traditions are well
represented in our state—again a result of the many peoples who come
here to live, work, and play.
Arizona offers a wonderful climate
which we hope you will enjoy. Our
year round sunshine allows for many
outdoor activities such as hiking,
tennis and golfing on one of our 322
courses. We hope you’ll visit the state
we love and that we are proud to
share with you.
We look forward to welcoming you,
Mary K. Maloney, President
Arizona Associated Alumnae/Alumni
of the Sacred Heart
PR IM E S
Board Planning Chair Message:
Alumnae/I Stategic Planning News
By Sarah Cassidy, ‘76
As Chair of the Planning committee, I would like to share with you a few things concerning the 2012-2017
Strategic Plan and how it involves the Sacred Heart Alumnae/i.
The Sacred Heart Alumnae/i Executive received a copy of the plan last spring and discussions continue on
Alumnae/i elements of the Plan which includes four Pillars: Financial, Enrollment, ESL/International, and
Technology.
Our goal is to see our work as Alum Executive in light of the Plan - how we fit into the "whole" of the School
plan. Ongoing action plan items include:

utilizing social media

organizing alumnae/i events

participation in and financial support of the Annual Giving Campaign and Robotics

active membership in our International Association (AMASC)
The Balanced Scorecard approach is used so we can look back and forward to see how we did relative to goals.
I would like to thank all the members of the Alumnae/i who offer support in these efforts and encourage those
of you who have been away from the School for some years to re-contact with the executive. There are great
things happening at the Sacred Heart School of Halifax and it is a wonderful feeling to be part of it.
Halifax Alumnae & RSCJ Listen
with One Heart
by Sarah Cassidy, ‘76
It was a sunny, cold afternoon on Sunday, November 24th, when 20 Halifax Sacred Heart Alumnae and RSCJs
gathered together in the Girls’ High School library to reflect on the Association Mondiale des Anciens et
Anciennes du Sacré-Cœur (AMASC) World congress theme Listening with One Heart.
Sister Donna Dolan facilitated and opened the event with poetry and prayer to create an atmosphere of
mindfulness.
Sheila Donahoe gave an overview of the event and its association with the upcoming AMASC Congress to be
held in November 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The group formed two circles. Sister Dolan and Sarah Cassidy facilitated the process which began with reading
quotes on listening from Sister Janet Erskine Stuart and others. Following silent reflection on the quotes, we
culminated by sharing experiences and active listening.
At its conclusion, very positive comments were made while enjoying refreshments. One RSCJ asked when the
next would be held; one alumna said the experience was intimate.
As CASHA members, we are fortunate to have a global connectivity as similar events in preparation of the
World Congress are being held all over the world by members of the International family of the Sacred Heart.
PR IM E S
Membership Committee Report
By Meaghean Richardson, ’07 & Janet Kelley, ‘07
As another new year begins, we are looking forward to our many exciting alumnae/i events and
welcoming another group of new contemporaries. We encourage all alums, be they graduates or not,
to take part in all of our yearly events. Attendance has been steadily growing, so please continue to
spread the word! The annual Wine and Cheese in December was wonderful and the Spring Luncheon will be another lovely event as we meet the graduates of 2014.
It has been a pleasure growing our online community and we are seeing results every day. For news
and highlights, join our group if you haven’t yet, and invite your friends! If you are not a member of
Facebook, and are unsure if the school has your updated contact info (newsletters are sent out by
e-mail; paper copies are only sent to those in Nova Scotia for whom we have no e-mail) you can call
the School at 422-4459, or e-mail Barb at bmartell@shsh.ca.
The membership committee continues to reach out to the alumnae/i community for support and
participation. We love to hear from our alums, so please feel free to drop in to the school, e-mail
Barb with updates, or visit the shsh.ca website and create a profile. You can pay dues online, buy
new SHSH Spirit Gear, and contribute to the Annual Giving Fund.
We wish you all much joy for the New Year and hope to share in more Sacred Heart memories with
you in 2014. Thank you!
ANNOUNCEMENT!
We are pleased to announce that you can pay your annual
alumnae/i dues of $30 through the school’s website now!
Simply go to www.shsh.ca, login and go to the alumnae/i page
and click on “pay dues”.
Sacred Heart School Annual Giving
We are so very grateful to all our alumnae/i who support our school in so many ways - from attending school and alumnae/i events to sitting on the Board of Governors and school committees. We
would like to thank those of you who have already made a donation to our Annual Giving Fund this
year and we ask those of you who have not yet made a gift to please consider it either via a cheque in
the mail or through our website click here.
In this year’s Annual Giving letter from Sr. Wachter and Denise MacDonell, Chair of the Advancement Committee, noted: “Our mission is unique. Here, I know I am part of something that is much bigger than
myself, said one parent. A student: there is nothing “small” about our school’s purpose – we are meant to make a
difference. A teacher said: love is at the core, the kids thrive. Indeed, our Sacred Heart spirit is unique. Success in
life is measured by the significance of our choices and actions, what we do for others.” Thank you for your consideration.
(cheques payable to Sacred Heart School of Halifax, 5820 Spring Garden Rd. Halifax, N.S. B3H 1X8)
PR IM E S
Wine & cheese December 2013
Photos by Barb Martell
For more pictures, click here
PR IM E S
Author Donna Morrissey
Book Reading Event
The Sacred Heart Alumnae/i are pleased to present author Donna Morrissey on Thursday,
January 16th at the school from 7:00-8:30pm. This is a fundraising event for the Alumnae/i
Association and the second Annual Book Reading. Tickets are $25 per person and can be
purchased at the main reception desk. Click here for more information, click here.
Angela Nsibimaana:
Sponsored by Alumnae/I
The note below was recently received from Sister Margie Conroy, RSCJ and provides an encouraging update on the young woman that the Halifax Alumnae/i Chapter has been helping for the last
number of years.
“Angela Nsibimaana, sponsored by the Alumnae, is now finishing Senior 3 (Grade10). After the long
Christmas holiday she will begin S4 (Grade 11), doing her O-level public exams this time next year.
She is still living with her aunt and attending school in her home area of Kisoro, Uganda. Thank
you for your fidelity in helping her.”
Save the date
Alumnae/I SPRING rEUNION
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Special venue to be announced!
From the Admissions Office
By Robyn Erickson, ‘04
Happy New Year! After only being back in the office for a few days, 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year for
Admissions! This week Sacred Heart has welcomed two new Elementary students, and one Chinese student to
Fountain Academy. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of five more International ESL students during the
next few weeks. Two girls from China will be joining the Grade 10 class and a girl from Korea will be joining
Grade 9. When Fountain Academy adds two more international students, we will have 100 high school boys!
There is a steady stream of admissions inquiries and applications coming in for September 2014. One of my
goals this year is to provide prospective families with multiple opportunities to visit our campus. In addition to
being able to arrange individual meetings and tours, multiple recurring events have been scheduled. Monthly
Lunch & Learn Tours, Friday Tours led by parent ambassadors, and Information Evenings are just a few of the
upcoming events! Check out our School calendar at www.shsh.ca to see a full list of winter and spring events!
January 10th & 17th: Friday Morning Tours (8:30 am)
January 22nd: Admissions Information Evening (7:00 pm)
Wednesday, February 5th: Lunch and Learn (12:00 - 1:00 pm)
Tuesday, February 11th: Admissions Day (9:00-2:30)
PR IM E S
You’re Invited!
Thursday, January 16 - Author Book Reading, with Donna Morrissey 7:00-8:30pm. Tickets $25 each.
Thursday, February 6 - Passport Party 5-7pm at Mary Clancy’s, 5959 Spring Garden Rd. RSVP and
information Catherine MacDonald catherine.macdonald@adians.ca (see below)
February 13, 14, 15 - Sacred Heart Musical “Singin’ In the Rain”
Sunday, February 16 - 3-4:30pm (storm date Feb. 23) - Barat Bash at Barat Residence 1455 Summer St.
Come visit with the Sisters at Barat. Sr. Margie Conroy and Sr. Josephine Wright will be present before they
head back to Africa.
Friday, February 28 - An Evening with Chef Dale at Nicole Ferguson’s. Tickets are $30 each and may be
purchased at the School: 422-4459 or contact Barb Martell bmartell@shsh.ca. Tickets must be purchased in
advance of the event.
Saturday, April 26 - Annual Bursary Dinner at The Lord Nelson Hotel - 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Dance.
Tickets $115 if purchased by Feb. 28th, $125 from March 1st. Purchase tickets online click here or by calling
422-4459
Tuesday, April 29 - Blessing of the Babies, Elementary School Liturgy
Saturday, May 3 - Spring Alumnae/i Reunion at 12:00 noon at a special venue TBA!
Sacred Heart Passport event February 6th from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
The International Sacred Heart Passport dates to 1949 and identifies the holder as a "Child of the Sacred
Heart" an Alum of our international network of Sacred Heart schools. Originally signed by the Reverend
Mother at each school, Passports are now signed by the Head of School or the Alumnae/i Representative. The
Passport guarantees the holder a warm reception at Sacred Heart schools, convents, and shrines throughout
the world. In the "old days," Passports were given to students when they left the school. Today, they are
available to all who attended a Sacred Heart school (not only those who formally graduated).
Class of ‘64 Reunion - June 6-8!
In September 1959, 36 teenagers made their way to "The Convent" to enter First Academic (Grade 9) in the
home room of Mother Sinnott. This was the largest single class to date in the school's history. There was
ebb and flow over the next five years as some moved away, enrolled in different schools or left to attend
university rather than continue through to Junior College at the Convent. In 1964, sixteen of those young
ladies graduated from Superior class. Anyone who was a member of that 1st Academic class belongs to what
is affectionately called the Class of 64. We are now in 2014 marking this the Golden 50th Anniversary of
this great group.
A reunion is being planned for June 6 -8 and while details are not firmed up as of yet, if you are one of us
and would like to find out about the get together, reminisce, enjoy old friends and learn what everyone has
been doing, please plan to come. There will be a gathering at the School and for those who have not been
back in some time you will be amazed at the changes, growth and progress of our beloved school which has
been educating young people for 165 years, a remarkable achievement.
A reunion is only successful if people come, and while we have contact information for a number of the class,
we have lost track of many. If you are reading this item, please make sure others you know contact the
School or Lynne Sheehan Donahoe lynnedonahoe@yahoo.ca or Sheila Donahoe sdonahoe46@gmail.com to be
added to the distribution of information.
If you are not living in Halifax, please come back for a visit and join those of us who live here. We would love
to see you.
Sacred Heart alumnae/I Association
CELEBRATING 92 YEARS OF SACRED HEART TRADITION!
WHAT DO WE DO?
 Locally, we print and publish two newsletters per year to
keep alumnae/i informed and up-to-date with the latest
school activities. This year, we will be preparing more
electronic communications to alumnae/i.
 We organize various annual events for our alumnae/i –
great opportunities to catch up with friends!
 We are involved in philanthropic work - supporting the
school’s bursary fund, donating to various school clubs,
providing Prize Day awards and supporting Annual
Giving.
 We support Sacred Heart education internationally,
paying school fees for students in Uganda and India.
I would like to make a donation to the Alumnae/i
projects: ________________________________________
Amount: $_______________ (Please note: the
Alumnae/i Association cannot issue charitable donation receipts)
Volunteering/dues
PLEASE SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF
YOUR ALUMNAE/I ASSOCIATION.
Dues are $30.00 per year and they
help us fund our bursary, prizes for
students, as well as some admin
costs (mail outs, cards, etc.) All dues
can be paid annually in October.
You may also pay through the school’s
website by logging in and going
Fostering loyalty
to the alumnae page and click on
and support
“Pay Dues”!
for our Alma Mater.
CLASS NOTE
We would love to know what you are doing!
Please fill out & include maiden name and send it to
Barb Martell at the address below.
Last Name: __________________________________________
DID YOU KNOW?
IN ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION, OUR
ALUMNAE/I MEMBERS ARE PART OF…
 CASHA (Canadian Association of Sacred Heart
Alumnae), which serves the Sacred Heart
community nationwide.
 AMASC (Association Mondiale des Aciennes et
Aciens du Sacré-Coeur), the body that unites tens of
thousands of Sacred Heart alumnae/i all over the
globe!
 AMASC meets every four years, the 2010 world
congress was in Malta, and the September 2014
congress will be in Phoenix.
 Young AMASC provides a global social network for
young alumnae/i and volunteer opportunities, such
as international work at Sacred Heart Schools and
social action projects in North America.
VISIT THE WEBSITE
www.shsh.ca
Join our Facebook Group
SACRED HEART SCHOOL OF HALIFAX
ALUMNAE/I ASSOCIATION
First Name: _________________________________________
Maiden Name: ______________________________________
Class/Year: _________________________________________
Full Address: _________________________________________
Postal Code:
_____________________________________
Telephone: _________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________
Little note about you and what you are doing now:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
If you have moved/changed address, please go the School
website www.shsh.ca, click on ‘Alumnae/i’, and then
‘Contact Us’ and add your information
or email your change of address to bmartell@shsh.ca
or mail it in to:
Sacred Heart School of Halifax Alumnae/i
5820 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, N.S. B3H 1X8
or call our Receptionist at 902-422-4459
PR IM E S
Photo gallery
Alumnae/i Day above Oct. 2013
Sacred Heart High School Class of 2013
PR IM E S
Photo gallery
Fountain Academy of the Sacred
Heart Class of 2013
The Honourable Lieutenant
Governor J.J. Grant and Mrs.
Grant were in attendance for
the Fountain Academy of the
Sacred Heart Graduation in
June 2013.