Anniversary Events:

The 60th Anniversary weekend started on Friday evening with an elegant cocktail reception for alumni at the Hotel Hassler Roma, one of Rome’s most exquisite hotels, which is situated at the top of the Spanish Steps. More than 200 guests enjoyed this occasion to reunite with fellow alumni and teachers, as peals of laughter, shouts of excitement, and tears of joy complemented an already jubilant atmosphere. In the hotel’s beautiful Sala Medici, old friends settled onto overstuffed chairs and sofas to reminisce about their student days, while outside on the adjacent Palm Court, alumni and many current Marymount teachers talked about how much the school has grown over the years. The presence of so many members of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary added extra sparkle to the evening, as they shared many memories with their former students and colleagues. Within a short time, everyone involved knew that the 60th Anniversary weekend was off to an excellent start.

Photos:

1. Alumni, current and former teachers, members of the MMI Board of Regents and the RSHM, as well as other guests in the Hassler’s Sala Medici on Friday evening.

2. Sr. Brigid Murphy with Takako Fujinami del Papa.

3. Guests at the Alumni Reception enjoyed the benefit of a warm October evening on the Hassler’s exclusive Palm Court.

4. Left to Right: Marie Guida Cavanaugh, Jocelyne Manfredi, Sr. Francis Kay, Maria Eliane Machado de Lemos, and Margaret Georgiou.

5. Left to Right: Stefania del Papa, Roxanne Browning Tatanaki, Claudia del Papa, and Romina Incutti.

On Saturday morning, a group of intrepid travelers joined Photography and Science teacher Pasquale Zinzi for a “Discovery Tour” in and around a number of the smaller villages outside the city, visiting volcanic lakes, Etruscan ruins, and charming piazzas, among other highlights. As anyone who has ever taken such a trip with Zinzi knows, the itinerary is often left to whichever direction the prevailing winds are blowing. One certainty, however, is that Zinzi eventually finds his way back to wherever he started and everyone has a good time from beginning to end.

6. Pasquale Zinzi (left rear) with participants of his 60th Anniversary Discovery Tour visit the village of Sutri.

7. Sr. Francis Kay examines some lakeside art.

8. Participants of the Discovery Tour mingle with the local villagers.

On Saturday evening, four students from Marymount’s High School participated in a panel discussion about their student experiences at the school and exchanged stories with alumni and a great many members of the RSHM in the audience. They also watched a new documentary about the school released as a DVD, which received its first public viewing during this event.

9. Student Stefania Palma speaks about her Marymount experiences during the student-alumni panel discussion.

10. Many members of the RSHM enjoyed listening to the panel discussion and asking questions of the students.

Later in the evening, many more guests reunited at a festive Dinner-Dance on the Marymount campus, complete with fireworks, music, and dancing well into the night. The school was pleased to welcome a group of Marymount Anciennes from the school in Paris, who presented Headmistress Dr. Yvonne Hennigan with two new volumes about Paris for the school’s library. Additionally, Sr. Catherine Dolan, RSHM General Superior, offered her best wishes to the school during her remarks to the guests. One special guest in attendance deserving particular mention was Sr. Christine Marian, who was one of the original members of the RSHM present at the school’s opening in 1946.

11. Standing (left to right): Sr. Paulita Kuzy, Sr. Rosamond Blanchet, Jim Hennigan, Sr. Catherine Dolan, Sr. Francis Kay, Joan Lewis, and Fr. Greg Apparcel. Seated (left to right): Anthony Burger, Dr. Yvonne Hennigan, Sr. Anne Marie Hill, Mr.Terrence McAndrews.

12. Coralina Cataldi Tassoni, Christine Calapso, Sr.Therese McGroddy, and Sarah Hills at the Dinner-Dance.

13. Sr. Christine Marian, Sr. Brigid Murphy, Sr. DeLourdes Mechon , Sr. Breda Shelly, Sr. Therese McGroddy, Fr. Gerry Tully, Sr. Michaeline O’Dwyer (seated), Sr. Letizia Pappalardo, Sr. Catherine Dolan, Sr. Rosaleen Sheridan (seated), and Sr. Mary Jane Farley.

On Sunday morning, several hundred members of the Marymount community gathered on the campus to attend Mass, which featured very moving alumni reflections. In the afternoon, Marymount’s Parents’ Organization hosted an American-style barbeque on the campus. Guests enjoyed a range of food from the grill and homemade desserts and participated in sports and creative activities under clear blue skies and warm autumn sunshine.

14. Sr. Michaeline O’Dwyer with participants at the 60th Anniversary BBQ.

15. Kids enjoyed a variety of activities at the BBQ, including athletics and arts and crafts.

The Mass at St. Peter’s on Monday morning served as the highlight of the celebration, during which students from Grades 3-12, their teachers, alumni, members of the RSHM, and other special guests filled the Altar of the Chair. Mons. J. Michael Miller, CSB, Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, presided over the Mass, in which Marymount students offered Prayers of the Faithful in nine different languages, sang in a specially-formed choir, and presented the Offertory gifts. After Communion, RSHM Provincial Supervisor Sr. Rosamond Blanchet delivered an eloquent and heartfelt address, wishing the school continued success into the future.

16. Members of the Marymount community participated in a Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica on October 16, 2006.

17. Sr. Christine Marian, Maria Bosio, and Sr. Francis Kay at St. Peters.

18. Chairman of the Marymount Board of Regents, Fr. Greg Apparcel, with Headmistress Dr. Yvonne Hennigan, and Archbishop Michael Miller, who celebrated the Anniversary Mass.

19. All of the RSHM Sisters who joined Marymount for the 60th Anniversary Celebration posed together in St. Peter’s.