Volume 2, Issue 2

Winter / Spring, 2016

From the President

Dear members of the St. CasimirMaria Alumnae Association,

On Tuesday, December 15, 2015, a significant event took place in the beautiful chapel of the
former Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Casimir. Exactly one year prior, on December 15,
2014, the Sisters of St. Casimir transferred the ownership of their Motherhouse to Catholic
Charities. They used the special anniversary to celebrate with Catholic Charities at CCs
annual Christmas gathering for its employees. I was privileged to be there, having been
asked by Catholic Charities to play flute for the event (as I
had also done for a number of prior years at their
previous location at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica). A l w a y s
Catholic Charities Voices of Charity, choir provided
heavenly music, joined by several of the Sisters of St.
More
Casimir: Sisters Lourdine Ramoska, Theresa Papsis, and
Grace Ann Kalafut. It was a lovely blending of the 100Msgr. Michael Boland, Pres & CEO of Catholic
Charities, and Sister Regina Marie Dubickas, SSC, year history of the Sisters of St. Casimir at that site, and the
Always
General Superior of the Sisters of St. Casimir
future of Catholic Charities, the buildings current residents,
whose mission to help the most vulnerable in our society is so closely aligned to the SSC
Better
mission.
This years event took on an entirely new meaning because of my long-standing association
with the Sisters of St. Casimir, in addition to my connection with Catholic Charities. I felt
like I had one foot in each world, and felt the presence of all those who have gone before
us on whose shoulders we standboth the Sisters of St. Casimir and the good people from
Catholic Charities. I couldnt have been more proud.
Perhaps many of us feel like we have one foot firmly planted in each of two different
worlds, the past and the present, but always with an eye to the future. Let us remember
all those who have paved the way for us, and may we simultaneously live our lives to the
fullest, so that we may leave our mark for those who will one day stand on our shoulders.
Blessings to all,

Always
With
Love
Venerable
Maria
Kaupas

Anna Belle OShea, 74

In this Issue

From the President

From the Moderator
Maria Kaupas Center News
Reunion 2016
Class Coordinators Needed
Calendar of Events Spring, 2016
Visit Sisters / Natl Cath Sisters Week
Alumnae Board
Thank-a-Sister Campaign
In Memoriam

Contact Us
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St. Casimir Maria Alumnae Association

Email: alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com
Website: www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com
Facebook: Like us on Facebook.
Phone: 773-925-8686, ext. 7
Address: 2740 W. 68th St, Chicago, IL 60629

From the Moderator

Therese arrived early with her mother Regina; soon

to be followed by her aunts, her sister, and friends:

February 2016
Dear SCA-MHS Alumnae,

th

On February 6 , the Sisters had their usual Mass for

the Beatification of Mother Maria Kaupas. In addition to the regular participants there was a new
group of alumnae who came and left promising to
come back again. And I believe they will. Theres a
little story that goes with their coming.

Therese, her sister Mary Jean, aunts Alice and

Kathleen, and friends and neighbors
Susan and Janet all went to Maria High
School;
All of the women were taught by the SSCs either in grade school (St. George), high school
(Maria High School), or both;
You may know and remember some of the
sisters with whom they connected after the
Mass, too:
Sister Kathleen Smith 59, Sister Immacula
Wendt 54, Sister Clement Mazgelis 41,
Sister Margaret Mary Mazgelis 44, Sister
Virginia Gapsis 60, Sister Janine Golubickis
55, and Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius 71
Sister Regina Marie Dubickas and Sister
Rita Marie Kerdock
All the women came to the chapel for Mass,
prayed at Mother Marias sarcophagus, and
visited Mother Marias room after the Mass
and felt a deep connection with each other,
with the sisters, and with their own pasts so
much so that they wanted to come back
again.

Prior to a recent trip to Argentina, I received a phone

message from Therese Moore Hartmann 80. She
had called to let me know that she (a Maria alum who
had been in my homeroom sophomore year) would
be coming to the February 6th Mass for the Beatification of Mother Maria and wondered if I would be
there. Upon my return from Argentina I called
Therese to let her know that I would be there. I also
wanted to find out a little more about her (she was a

sophomore in 1977 and I really had not had any contact with her since that time). Little did I know that
Therese was organizing family and friends to accompany her to the Mass, each of whom had some connection with one or more Sisters of St. Casimir either
from Maria High School, St. George School, Immaculate Conception School, All Saints-St. Anthony Parish,
or the SSC Auxiliary. But Therese is not stopping. She
even plans on bringing her daughter and granddaugh- Many times I meet up with SCA-MHS alumnae. It was
fun to be a part of this mini-reunion at the new St.
ter to a future Mass.
Casimir Center knowing that the heart connection is
what really matters. I was happy that Therese found
a connection with me. You, too, may want to connect with former classmates or former teachers. Perhaps it will be the reunion on April 23rd at the Palos
Country Club, the March 12th alumnae visit to Franciscan Village, the Auxiliary Bingo on April 3rd at the St.
Casimir Center, or a future Mother Maria Mass
(March 5th, April 2nd, May 7th, June 4th, or August 6th)
or Founders Day on August 27th. Whatever it is, take
the first step make the phone call, write the email,
talk with a friend. You, too, will be happy that you
did!
Regina Shunt Moore (mother of alumnae Therese and Mary Jean),
Therese Moore Hartman 80, Sister Margaret Zalot, Alice Shunt
Schultz 65, Kathleen Shunt Degnan 68, Susan Kuncius Dykehouse,
73, Mary Jean Moore Andersen, 79, Janet Kuncius McCarthy 70.

Peace and Gods blessings as we begin Lent,

Sister Margaret Zalot, SSC
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Welcome, Mindy!
The St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association extends a warm welcome to Mindy Rueden,
the new Executive Director of the Maria Kaupas Center!
Mindy brings ten years of experience in the not-for-profit sector,
coupled with an energetic personality and a passion to help the underserved.
The Alumnae Association looks forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Mindy and the MKC.
You can extend a personal welcome to Mindy at upcoming Alumnae events.
She is anxious to meet people and listen to their stories. Welcome, Mindy!
From the MKC Executive Director

Greetings from the Maria Kaupas Center

It has been little over two weeks since I joined the staff of the Maria Kaupas
Center and although it has been a bit of a whirlwind, I have tried each day to find
moments to be still and take note it hasnt taken me long to realize that there is
much in this community and Center of which to take note! There is a rich history
of growth and challengea congregation of Sisters whose presence has offered,
and continues to offer in the most profound and powerful of ways, joy for today
and hope for tomorrowschools touching the hearts and minds of young peopleresidents bringing to life
the neighborhood they dream ofyoung people anxious to learn adults anxious to give backthere truly is
much of which to take note and I feel incredibly honored to join such a tremendous community. It is my hope
that, with all of us working together, the Maria Kaupas Center can contribute to the vibrancy of this community in the spirit of mission the Sisters so generously live each day.
I have had the opportunity to meet several St. Casimir AcademyMaria High School Alumnae and am grateful
for your generous sharing of story. It is through these stories that I have I come to so deeply appreciate the
ministry of this Center and the mission of the Sistersand I would love to hear and learn more! Please know
that you and your input and ideas are always welcome at the Center. Come, Id love to meet you in person!
Mindy Rueden
Executive Director
Mindy, a Wisconsin native and graduate of Lakeland College and Lawrence University, comes to the MKC
after leading the Br. David Darst Center for Justice and Peace, Spirituality and Education for the past ten
years. Mindy is excited at the opportunity to blend her passions of youth, spirituality, and social justice as she
helps the MKC realize its mission. Feel free to contact Mindy at mrueden@mariakaupascenter.com.

Giving December Goal Surpassed!

It was an ambitious goal to be sure, but the Alumnae Association came through again,
surpassing the $7500 goal which was set for the Alumnae portion of this years Giving
December fundraiser benefitting the Maria Kaupas Center. The entire campaign yielded
just under $19,000 total, which included $7500 in matching grants, and $8101.50 from
Alumnae of St. Casimir Academy and Maria High School!
Your donations enable the MKC to continue its program offerings in cooking, art, dance, sewing, music,
taekwondo and jujitsu just to name a few. Students also gather around the altar in the chapel everyday for a
short reflection, a cherished part of their time at the MKC.
For more information about programs at the Maria Kaupas Center, go to their website:
www.mariakaupascenter.com or call Amy Eckhouse, Program Director, at 773-925-8686 ext.
4, or follow them on Facebook. To be added to their newsletter distribution list, contact
Cheryl Tolish at ctolish@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686 ext. 5.
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Reunion 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Luncheon and Class Photos: 11:30 am 2:30pm
Palos Country Club
13100 Southwest Highway
Orland Park, IL 60462
Mark your Calendars!

Class Coordinators Needed

The highly-anticipated St. CasimirMaria Alumnae

Association Reunion 2016 will be held on Saturday,
April 23, 2016. All graduates and their guests are
welcome, with a special invitation extended to those
whose year of graduation ends in a 1 or 6.

Class coordinators are needed for Reunion 2016. If

you are a member of a class whose graduation year
ends in a 1 or 6, please consider being a Class
Coordinator. You would be provided with a roster of
your classmates and the contact information that we
currently have for each of them. We ask that you
contact them via email, Facebook, phone or US mail,
update their contact information, and encourage
them to attend Reunion 16. We also ask that you
send us the updated roster so that we can maintain
current records in the Alumnae Office.

Palos Country Club proved to be an outstanding

location for last years event, and has been chosen as
the site for the 2016 event too.
Palos Country Club
13100 Southwest Highway
Orland Park, IL 60462
11:30am2:30pm
Cost: $40 per person on or before April 2, 2016
$50 per person after April 2, 2016

Current Class Coordinators for Reunion 2016

Camille Waitkus Milam 66

Gloria Garmus Krejsa 66
Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius 71
Roz Iasillo 76
Kim Pierce Hammond 86
Peggy Madden Walsh 86

Special Need for Coordinators from:

Classes of 51; 56; 61; 81; 91; 96; 01; 06; 11

Register
online
at
http://www.stcasimirmariaalum.com/event-registration.html or mail the If you can help, please contact Anna Belle OShea at
or 773-925-8686,
form in this newsletter with your check to: St. Casimir alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com
ext. 7.
-Maria Alum Assoc; 2740 W. 68th St.; Chgo, 60629.

Raffle Donations Requested

If you can donate a Raffle item,
The annual Reunion is the one-and-only
please contact the Alumnae Association at
fund-raiser that the Alumnae Association has
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925
for itself each year. Raffle Items contribute
-8686, ext. 7.
greatly to the success of this fund-raiser.
Suggested Raffle Items: Gift cards, hand-crafted items,
tickets to sporting events or fine arts performances, travel gifts, housewares
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St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association

Calendar of Events At-a-Glance
Spring, 2016
Events listed in black are sponsored by the St. Casimir-Maria
Alumnae Association. For more information, contact Anna Belle
OShea at alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7.
Events listed in blue are sponsored by the Sisters of St. Casimir or the
SSC Auxiliary. For more information, call 773-776-1324.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank-a-Sister Campaign, in conjunction with

National Catholic Sisters Week (March 8-14, 16);
Send a thank-you letter to a Sister c/o SCA-MHS
Alumnae Association; 2740 W. 68th St.; Chgo
60629.
Send an email to a Sister at
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com.
Deadline:
Wed, Mar 9, 2016.

Alumnae Association Reunion Saturday, April

23, 2016 Palos Country Club; 11:30am - 2:30pm;
All graduates and their guests welcome. Special
invitation to classes whose graduation year ends
in a 1 or 6. Palos Country Club; 13100 Southwest Highway; Orland Park, IL 60462

Cost: $40 per person before April 2, 2016.

$50 per person after April 2, 2016. Register
online
at:
www.stcasimirmariaalum.com/events.html.

Class Representatives are needed for

classes whose graduation year ends in 1
or 6.
If you can help, contact
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773925-8686, ext 7.

Alumnae Association
visits Sisters in Lemont in
conjunction with National
Catholic Sisters Week;
Saturday, March 12, 2016;
Performance by MKC
students 11:00am 12:00pm; Pizza lunch and
visit with Sisters 12:001:00pm. Franciscan Village; 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL 60439

Venerable Maria Kaupas Mass Saturdays,

March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, 2016 at 9:30am
Mass with light refreshments to follow; St. Casimir Center; 2601 W. Marquette Road, Chicago, IL
60629

In Need of Your Transcripts?

School records for St. Casimir Academy and Maria High School are now kept at the:
Archdiocese of Chicagos Archives and Records Center
711 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL 60661
Contact Sylvia Manzo, Senior Records Clerk, at
smanzo@archchicago.org or 312-534-4410.
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Alumnae Association Visits Sisters of St. Casimir in Lemont

On Saturday, January 9, 2016, members of the Alumnae
Association spent the afternoon visiting the Sisters of St.
Casimir who have moved to Franciscan Village in Lemont.
What a delightful experience! Many memories were
shared, and new memories were made, including a Christmas sing-a-long, complete with chimes and bells from the
Maria Kaupas Center.

Next VisitMarch 12, 2016

Both the Sisters and the Alumnae are looking forward to the
next get-together, which will be held on Saturday, March 12,
2016 at Franciscan Village, 1270 Village Drive, Lemont, IL
60439. At 11:00am that day, students from the Maria Kaupas
Center will put on a performance for the Sisters, showcasing
their talents in dance and music. A pizza party will follow at
noon, as well as time to visit with the Sisters. Alumnae are
welcome to share in the festivities. Consider yourself invited! RSVP to the Alumnae Association at alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7 by March 9, 2016. Leave your name (including maiden
name), year of graduation, and email address or phone number. If you are unable to attend on March 12th,
you are always welcome to visit the Sisters on your own. Bring your smile and your good wishes. Leave with
a heart overflowing with life and love, for the joy with which the Sisters live their lives is contagious! Call 1773-776-1324 to find out the exact address of the Sister(s) you wish to visit.

National Catholic Sisters Week

March 8-14, 2016
The March 12th gathering of the Alumnae and the Sisters is held
in conjunction with National Catholic Sisters Week, celebrating
the vital work of Sisters in religious communities throughout our
country. As a special way of celebrating the Sisters of St. Casimir,
the Alumnae Association sponsors a Thank-a-Sister campaign,
giving an opportunity for alumnae to let the Sisters know that they
are remembered and appreciated for all that they did for us during
our formative high school years and throughout our lives.

St. CasimirMaria Alumnae

Association Board Members
President & Interim Editor: Anna Belle OShea 74
Vice-President: Suzy Lempa Etsch 75
Moderator: Sister Margaret Zalot, SSC
Corresponding Secretary: Mary Ann Jesukaitis
Pater 73
Treasurer: Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC 71
Facebook Coordinator: Roz Iasillo 76
Publicity (Print Media): Connie Jesukaitis 75
Database Coordinator: Judy Yocius Lucas 69
Website Coordinator: Jill Trznadel 85
Members-at-Large:

You may send correspondence to a specific Sister, or a general Kim Pierce Hammond 86
note which will be distributed to any of the Sisters. Cards and Simone Shimaitis McNeil 70
Nannette Velasquez Zander 79
letters can be sent to:
Needed:
Recording Secretary
Newsletter editor

Thank-a-Sister Campaign
SCA-MHS Alumnae Association
2740 W. 68th St.; Chicago, IL 60629.
Emails can be sent to alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com, with
Thank-a-Sister Campaign in the subject line.
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If you can help fill a vacant position, please

contact Anna Belle OShea at 773-925-8686, ext 7
or alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com.

Can you recall a extraordinary Sister who made an impact on your teen years,
whose class was special just because of her presence?
A Sister who made the subject matter come alive?
Perhaps you even followed in that field of study because of her.
THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU
to a specific Sister, or to the Sisters of St. Casimir in general.
Send a card or letter to a specific
Sister or a general Thank-you
to all the Sisters:
c/o the SCA-MHS Alumnae Association
2740 W. 68th St.
Chicago, IL 60629
Send an email to a specific Sister or a general email to all the Sisters at:
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com

Join other members of the Alumnae Association in visiting

the Sisters of St. Casimir in Lemont during National Catholic Sisters Week.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Franciscan Village
1270 Village Drive; Lemont, IL 60439
11:00am12:00pm Performance by students from the Maria Kaupas Center
12:001:00pm Pizza party and visiting with the Sisters
Those planning to attend should RSVP by Wednesday, March 9, 2016 to
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or 773-925-8686, ext. 7.
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In Memoriam

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.

Alumnae

Anne Gricius Cuzelis 39

Elizabeth Bertcher Chappell '42

Rita Tumasonis Evans '42

Theresa Terry Vaicunas Rizzo '45, sister of the late Helen Vaicunas Statkus '35

Julia Younker Honas 49

Agatha Navicki Foley '50, mother of Marion Foley Bland '72, Joan Foley Hardman '74, and Janice Foley '77

Elaine Shatkus-Boness '56

Marie Schmalz Hackiewicz 76

Collette Sauter Brightmore 78, sister of Renee Sauter Karpiel 75, Adrienne Sauter Leyva 76, Jeannine
Sauter Kouzel 81, Michelle Sauter Zorich 83

Mary Ann Mazurowski Kramer '79

Hope Masibay McGinnis '84

Erendira Solis '98

Send submissions for In Memoriam to

alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com or call 773-925-8686, ext 7.

Immediate Family Members of Alumnae

John Yerkes, brother of Joanne Yerkes Baumann 40, Alicia Yerkes Distel 60, and Ana Yerkes Sokolowski
63; brother-in-law of the late Margaret Copps Yerkes 49 and the late Joan Dombrowski Yerkes 50

Joseph Casella, son of the late Dorothy Stobba Casella 47 and nephew of Helen Stobba Bouchez 53

Alfred Brazen, husband of Josephine Cibulskis Brazen 49 (great neice of Mother Maria Kaupas)

Michael Ezerski, brother of Loretta Ezerski '52

Clara Niedbala, age 104, mother of Sharon Niedbala Panik '55

James Laiutaud, husband of Grazina Gudaitis Liautaud 56

Fred Shannon, husband of Katharine Kubik Shannon 60

Edwin Mahoney (in Mar, 2015) and Patricia Mahoney (in Dec, 2015), father and mother respectively of
Catherine Mahoney Bartczak 71, Christine Mahoney Sutich 74, Norine Mahoney Vestal 83 and the late
Nancy Mahoney Tucholski 70

Mercedes Barajas, mother of Denise Barajas Bakowski 72 and Lee Ann 85

Tom Badal, brother of Diane Badal Scorzo 73

Mary Sublewski, mother of Mary Ann Sublewski Nowicki '74, Rita Sublewski Selmarie '77, Jane Sublewski
Bandyk '84

John Schulz, husband of Sharon Oko Schulz 85

Jose C. Masiby, father of Patricia Masibay '86 and uncle of the late Hope Masiby '84 (died one day earlier)

Dorothy Schrode, grandmother of Kimberly Schrode Lawson '90 and Deborah Schipper Schrode 90

John Larson, father of Cherlyn Pesina '96

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St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association Reunion 2016

Saturday, April 23, 2016
Luncheon
11:30 am 2:30pm
Palos Country Club
13100 Southwest Highway
Orland Park, IL 60462; 708-448-6550
www.paloscountryclub.com

All St. Casimir Academy and Maria High School alumnae are invited to Reunion 2016!
A special invitation is extended to Anniversary classes whose year of graduation ends in 1 or 6.

Special Anniversary Classes

80 years: Class of 1936
75 years: Class of 1941
70 years: Class of 1946
65 years: Class of 1951

60 years: Class of 1956

55 years: Class of 1961
50 years: Class of 1966
45 years: Class of 1971

40 years: Class of 1976

35 years: Class of 1981
30 years: Class of 1986
25 years: Class of 1991

20 years: Class of 1996

15 years: Class of 2001
10 years: Class of 2006
5 years: Class of 2011

Cost: $40.00 before 4-2-16; $50.00 after 4-2-16 ~ CASH BAR ~

Reservation Deadline: Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Registration Form
First Name ___________________ Maiden__________________ Last____________________ Grad Year ____
Address _____________________________________ City ______________________ St _____ Zip _________
Email _______________________________________ Phone ________________________ Indicate Cell Home
Luncheon:

__________ Enter number of people attending at $40 each; $50 each after 4-2-16 CASH BAR

Donation:

__________ Enter number of Sisters you wish to sponsor at $40 per Sister; $50 per Sister after 4-2-16

Total Amount: $_________

PAYMENT OPTIONS:

1. Pay Online with PayPal at www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com. Go to Events.

OR

2. Make checks payable to: St. Casimir Maria Alumnae Association

Mail this Registration Form and payment to: St. Casimir-Maria Alumnae Association; 2740 W. 68th St.; Chicago, IL 60629
For more information, contact Anna Belle OShea, Alumnae Association Chairperson
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com
(773) 925-8686 Ext. 7

St. Casimir Maria Alumnae Association

2740 West 68th Street; Chicago, IL 60629
(773) 925-8686 Ext. 7

www.stcasimir-mariaalum.com
alumnae@mariakaupascenter.com
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