March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

As March begins, the Academy launches into fundraising warp speed with the March for the Heart Alumni & Family Giving Challenge, followed by Chemin de Fer, our largest fundraiser on May 3. March for the Heart is in its seventh year, while Chemin celebrates 51 years and this year they share a connection, thanks to generations of generosity.

In 1975, Jack Drake, began Chemin de Fer, when the idea of a casino auction was a bold new venture. Chemin de Fer, the French word for “railroad,” and also the name of a casino game played on the French Riviera, set our fundraising train in motion. What began 50 years ago as an evening of casino games and lavish hors d’oeuvres has grown to an event with stunning décor, a fabulous sit-down dinner, incredible auction items and a grand celebration of our community.

Now, Jack’s daughter, Michele Drake ’78, has pledged a $10,000 Challenge Gift during March for the Heart as a way to honor her father. Michele is matching dollar for dollar, up to $10,000 total in donations for gifts to the Jane Cannon Legacy of Love and Learning Endowed Scholarship Fund. Giving back to the Academy and helping it thrive was vital to her father and he set a strong example. Jane Cannon also epitomized generosity to the Academy and Michele’s gift will help provide scholarships to Academy students.

Busy Person’s Retreat

March 3, 2025

Busy? Need to Renew?

Join us April 7-11 for a Busy Person’s Retreat at the Academy of the Sacred Heart

A busy person’s retreat (BPR) is a week-long retreat for people like yourself, a busy person in the Network of Sacred Heart Schools. It begins with an Opening Prayer and an opportunity to meet your Spiritual Companion on Monday afternoon at the Academy.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you are encouraged to take a half hour of personal prayer each day and to meet with your Companion to discuss your spiritual journey and to help you discover the movements of God in your life. The retreat closes with prayer/reflection on Friday afternoon.

The BPR is open to all and is an invitation to live mindfully in God’s presence in the midst of your busy, daily activities and to learn how to integrate this into your life even after the retreat is over.

 

Components of the Retreat:

  1. Orientation/Opening Prayer: Attend the Opening Orientation/Prayer Monday, April 7, 4 p.m. in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne.
  2. Communal Prayer: Participate in an optional 20-minute Contemplative Prayer on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7:15-7:35 a.m. in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne.
  3. Closing Prayer: Attend the Closing Prayer Friday, April 11, 4 p.m. in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne.
  4. Daily Personal Prayer: Set aside time for personal prayer every day during the retreat.
  5. Meeting with a Spiritual Companion: If you would like to meet with a Spiritual Companion during the retreat, please select your choices below. You will be matched with a Companion and the two of you can then arrange your meeting times for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the retreat.

This flexible retreat opportunity is open to ALL Academy alumni, faculty, staff, parents and trustees, whatever your faith tradition. If you are unable to commit to all the components of the retreat, please don’ t let that hold you back from participating. Be open to whatever you need in this moment. The Spirit works, no matter what. 

The Spiritual Companion

During the retreat you will have an opportunity to meet with a spiritual companion. Your companion will help you to listen to God’s presence and assist with whatever will make it easier for you to enter more fully into relationship with God. With your companion you explore what you have experienced of God’s inner working in you. You might share your desires or discouragements, your joys or sorrows. The purpose of the companioning sessions is to help you become more attuned to God’s presence through dialog with another. Your meetings with your Companion will be held in confidential respect and trust.

 

Donna Collins, RSCJ

Donna Collins, RSCJ grew up and received her education in Australia. She has been a teacher, administrator and trustee in several schools in the USC province and was the coordinator of Sacred Heart Schools in the Australia-New Zealand province for three years. Donna served on the Sophia Commission, an international commission whose role was to integrate education and JPIC at the international level. Remaining in Rome, she served as the Secretary General of the Society for six years and more recently, she served as a member of the provincial team. As an administrator, Donna found herself hearing the heart stories of faculty, staff and students and realized that it was essential that she undertake further training to be able to walk with others in their spiritual journey. She did her training in spiritual accompaniment at the Claret Center in Chicago in 2011.

 

Sally (Sara Ann) Rude, RSCJ

Sr. Sally Rude is an Alum of Broadway in San Francisco. She has served as both a teacher and administrator in a number of Sacred Heart Schools, including El Cajon, Menlo Park, 91st Street, Grand Coteau, and the Josephinum. She holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Washington University, St. Louis. In the last 24 years she has served in Rome, Uganda, Indonesia, Hungary, France and Halifax, Nova Scotia. She was trained as a spiritual director at St. Louis University and at the Jesuit Spirituality Center, St. Beuno’s in Wales, U.K., and has served over the years as a spiritual director, most recently for a year at the Society’s retreat house in Joigny, France. After being Oakwood’s Community Director in California, she now lives in St. Louis.

February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

This week Rollin and Akesha Jackson offer their reflections as parents of Rollin Jr. “RJ” ’17 and Paige. They credit the Academy for a wonderful foundation for their children and are grateful for their time at ASH.

Since our invitation to visit in 2008 with our son, we knew ASH was the right place for our family. Our family values have always been aligned with the Goals of Sacred Heart education. We are proud and blessed by the foundation built at the Academy which is rooted in faith, integrity, community, service and most importantly, the continued growth and success of our children, Rollin Jr. “RJ” and Paige.

Paige graduated with honors from St. Joseph’s Academy in 2024. She has earned the Girl Scout Trifecta Award (the highest awards, Bronze, Silver, and Gold) and her love for scouting was started and cultivated while at ASH. She is completing her freshman year at Fairfield University in Connecticut majoring in biology on a pre-medical track. She also plays field hockey for Fairfield as a goalkeeper, winning the NEC Championship in the 2024 season with her team.

Challenge Matches

February 27, 2025

We are excited to announce that you can maximize your gift with Challenge Matches!

Gifts to the Annual Fund:

  • NEW Annual Fund $1 for $1: Your gift to the Annual Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to a total of $10,000 from anonymous alumni donors. This goal has been matched dollar for dollar, fulfilling the goal of $20,000.  Thank you for your contributions!
  • Young Alum Challenge (1998-2024): Thanks to the generosity of anonymous alumni donors, each gift to the Annual Fund, no matter the amount, will be matched by $100 for a total of $5,000. We have received 51 donations from young alums for the annual fund and exceeded our goal of 50.  We also received 17 donations from young alumni for the Jane Cannon Scholarship.  Thank you all!

Gifts to the Jane Cannon Legacy of Love and Learning Endowed Scholarship:

  • NEW Anonymous Alum Challenge: On the third anniversary of Jane Cannon’s passing, gifts in her memory to the Endowed Scholarship will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $5,000 total in donations.  This Challenge has been completed, thank you for your contributions!
  • $10,000 Challenge Match: Your gift to the Jane Cannon Legacy of Love and Learning Endowed Scholarship Fund has been matched by Dr. Michele Drake ’78, dollar for dollar, fulfilling the goal of $20,000.  Thank you for your contributions!

Shark Tank Students

February 26, 2025

Last week, four additional groups of Eighth Class students shared their Shark Tank ideas to faculty/staff, peers, and “Sharks.” The projects were Bark Bot, PJP Headwear, Creamy Whip, and Beginners Guide to Fishing.

February 20, 2025

February 20, 2025

This week Mrs. Mary Reepmeyer, Principal, shares the significance of Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences and how it helps students reflect on their growth, leading to a deeper understanding of themselves as learners.

Students in Third through Eighth Classes have been diligently preparing for their student-led conferences next Friday, February 28. I believe the greatest benefit of these conferences is putting ownership and accountability on each student while strengthening the relationship with their teachers and parents. When students reflect on their experience in school, celebrate strengths, and identify areas for growth with adults who care about them, they take ownership of their learning and are more likely to work toward their goals and thrive.

Heat-Up St. Louis

February 17, 2025

Did you see our students at Hardee’s Friday morning? They were greeting patrons and collecting donations for Heat-Up St. Louis, a non-profit charity that focuses on helping area elderly and disabled people and low-income families with their heating bills!

A Great Day to Be Part of the Heart!

February 14, 2025

Thank you to all who attended Open House: Be Part of the Heart on February 2! Prospective and current families filled the school and were able to experience our joyful community. Current parents and families shared their love for our community to new families. An alum came back to share her Academy experience as well as how she is doing in high school. Student ambassadors led tours and gave insight into what a school day looks like, also explaining what they are currently learning in the classroom. Faculty led engaging activities for all the children who came to visit their classroom. Prospective families were given a tour and were able to experience our school.

It was a fantASHtic community event together. What a great day to be part of the heart! For more images, visit our Facebook album.

If you would like to schedule a tour to visit us on a regular school day, please reach out to me at asanchezlittle@ash1818.org or 636-946-6127 ext. 1108.
 

It’s time to March for the Heart!

February 14, 2025

This year our March for the Heart goal is $102,500 from 200 donors! Our Challenge Gifts can help us achieve that goal, but we need your help to accomplish that! Every gift is important and impactful. Please make your donation today, then help us spread the word to your Academy family and friends to March for the Heart! Thank you!

This year, March for the Heart again seeks support far and wide from our alumni, parents of alumni, families and friends far and wide. Anyone can give! Please GIVE, ASK and SHARE:

GIVE to this year’s March for the Heart Alumni & Family Giving Challenge.

ASK at least three people — classmates, ASH friends, family members, parents of alumni — to participate.

SHARE our March for the Heart communications and social media posts (Academy’s Facebook and Instagram as well as the Alumni Facebook) during the appeal which runs through Sunday, March 16. 

Choices, Choices, Choices! Last year you appreciated more giving options, so we are happy to give you the following donation choices this year:

  • Jane Cannon Legacy of Love and Learning Endowed Scholarship — This scholarship was established in 2022 in Jane’s memory with a plan to create a $200,000 endowment in perpetuity. We have raised more than $170,000 already but need your help to meet the goal. Five students have already benefited from this scholarship in the last two school years. Make an impact that will last a lifetime by donating today! To learn more, click  here.
  • Annual Fund  — The Annual Fund is the foundation of giving for the Academy and provides unrestricted funds to support the operating budget which gives the school the most flexibility. Your gift today to the Annual Fund is impactful and truly appreciated!  To learn more, click here.

MARCH for the HEART launches Saturday, March 1 but you can help us get off to a fantASHtic start and make your gift early at the link below. Thank you for supporting the Academy!

Thank you to our 2024 Donors for making last year a success!

For more information, please contact:

Sharon Mitsler, Director of Alumni, Parents of Alumni and Hospitality
smitsler@ash1818.org | 636-946-6127, ext. 1630

Cindy Johnson, Director of Advancement
cjohnson@ash1818.org | 636-946-6127, ext. 1601