Alumnae trip to France deepens STA bonds

August 30, 2022

Earlier this month, a group of alumnae and friends joined STA Alumnae Director Paula (Schweiger, ’77) Holmquist and STA President Dr. Siabhan May-Washington on a seven-day trip to France. The group visited Paris and Giverny to take in the sights, visit religious landmarks and enjoy time together. STA alumna Rozanne (McGrew, ’70) Stringer, an experienced travel professional, led the trip.

“It was wonderful to be with this group,” said Holmquist, an alumna from 1977. “Many of us see each other at reunions, which is so special. I would say this trip further strengthened our bonds and friendships, and reinforced the significance of preserving and bolstering STA’s mission.” The travelers represented a variety of ages and backgrounds, some from the Kansas City area and some now living in other states. All were connected to STA either as alumnae, former board members, parents or scholarship donors.

In addition to visiting famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower and L’Arc de Triomphe, the group attended Mass at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and a historical talk led by a Sister of Charity. They visited a number of Catholic churches, including Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Saint-Chapelle, Notre Dame Cathedral Paris, Sacre Coeur Basilica, Saint-Eustache and Saint Sulpice, to pray, light candles and reflect on their faith.

“It was a blessing to come together and give thanks to God for it,” said May-Washington. “It fortified our commitment to the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph and instilled in all of us the importance of supporting our students — present and future — and empowering them to become global citizens who will do good for our world.”

“Just as it is written in Psalm 118,” she continued, “‘Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for God’s steadfast love endures forever.’”

The love for STA and the sisterhood is, indeed, an everlasting blessing.

Dinner in Paris at Le Recamier (l to r):
Carol Rost (’77), Kathy Higgins (’78), Leslie Cloud, Dr. Siabhan May-Washington,
Katheigh Degen, Marilyn (Harris, ’61) Dabaghi, Rozanne (McGrew, ’70) Stringer
Dinner in Paris at Le Recamier (l to r):
Suzanne (Hoag, ’70) Johnson, Marion (Spence, ’87) Pierson, Nicole (Renaud, ’79) Swift,
Lynn (Sullivan, ’79) Reardon, Mary Beth (Aylward, ’77) Cicchetti, Jill Hough, Monique (Renaud, ’70)
Holmes, Paula (Schweiger, ’77) Holmquist
Tour of the gardens and home of Monet at Giverny (l to r):
Leslie Cloud, Rozanne (McGrew, ’70) Stringer, Moira (Kelly, ’78) Healy, Dr. Siabhan May-Washington, and Jill Hough.
Visit to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal and Mother House of the Daughters of Charity: Sister Judith (Daughters of Charity) and Dr. Siabhan May-Washington.
Tour of the Church of Saint-Sulpice, first row (l to r): Monique (Renaud, ’70) Holmes, Katheigh Degen, Mary Beth (Aylward, ’77) Cicchetti, Dr. Siabhan May-Washington, Rozanne (McGrew, ’70) Stringer, Moira (Kelly, ’78) Healy, Jill Hough. Second row (l to r): Suzanne (Hoag, ’70) Johnson, Marilyn (Harris, ’61) Dabaghi, Leslie Cloud, Paula (Schweiger, ’77) Holmquist, Lynn (Sullivan, ’79) Reardon, Carol Rost, (’77),Marion (Spence, ’87) Pierson, and Kathy Higgins (’78).