Welcome to Christendom's Alumni E-Zine. If you have information that you would like to share with your fellow alumni, send it to the Grapevine Editor, Tom McFadden, at tmcfaddenjr@yahoo.com

The Grapevine Online is uploaded on the First Friday of every month. It will have a couple of sections (when information is available), namely, Class Notes (your basic information on alumni babies, weddings, jobs, etc.), Calendar of Events, and Links to various recent stories about Christendom College and/or the Alumni of Christendom.

June 2005 edition of The Grapevine Online

Class Notes / Calendar of Events / Links to Stories / Prior issues

Class notes

She's done it again. Miss Claire Jensen '03 once again had a run in with notoriety and fame. She is pictured above with NY City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

On Saturday, June 4, Shawn Whittington & Tony Stephens will be ordained priests. Bjorn Lundberg will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate. There is a holy hour for the deacon candidates at St. John's in McLean, VA, from 6 to 7 pm. Those interested are welcome to come pray with them!

This past Easter Phil Menke '02 became engaged to Miss Erin Hoffman (1998-2000). The wedding is planned for October 1, 2005 (the Feast of St. Therese) near Clarion, PA.

Mike and Mary (Boever) Blum '03 would like to announce the birth of Agnes Marie Blum. She was born on April 3, 2005 at 10:09 am. She weighed 7 lbs and was 22 inches long! Mom, Dad and Agnes are doing well.

Scythian Goes International - Scythian has just been filmed by Voice of America News –an international news agency with over 20 affiliates – and will be featured in the Ukraine. That’s right, move over David Hasselhoff, the boys of Scythian are putting in their bid to replace Baywatch as the most popular entertainer in the nation! (you can find more info in the News section of scythianmusic.com). Scythian was also featured in the Arlington Catholic Herald on June 2. (Editor's note: Although it says in the article that Steubenville is their alma mater, Alex and Danylo Fedeoryka's hearts are at Christendom...right lads?) They’re trying to bill themselves as a “Theology on Tap with out the Theology” – we’ll see if it works. As always, you can find a full rundown of Scythian gigs and pics at www.scythianmusic.com. Scythian now plays in DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia so stop by and catch a show!

Jim and Ellen (Storey) Kelly have a new son! John Peter (they call him Peter) was adopted into their family on February 25. He was born in Delaware on February 20 and weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. He is such a blessing.

Look out all you Dr. Bruchalski fans. Recent alumna Anna Schiavone '05 is now working exclusively for the Grapevine to reports on pregnancies and births by working at the Tepeyac Family Center. She also celebrates her birthday today (along with her twin -non-Christendomite - sister).

Watch out Scythian...Judd and Maggie Bolger are headlining at the Iota Club in Arlington, VA on JUNE 20th. It will be a fun show, and they need to pack the place, so don't be shy. They'd love to see you there! And their debut album on RCA Victor hits the streets on July 19th. According to their Mom: "It's great!" Check out their site at www.juddandmaggie.com

Mike and Colby (Anderson) Storck will be moving to New Hampshire this summer, where Mike will be working for Magdalen College. (Mike expects to have his doctorate by the fall.) Until they find a house, they'll be residing in Front Royal at the Andersons'. Incidentally, Joseph does not ordinally look the way he did in the picture sent in last month! That one isn't worth a thousand words! (No offense to the photographer) Isabel will be turning 4 years old on June 4. Catherine is at the age often referred to as the terrible twos (not that she's terrible).

Ann Marie (Popielarz) and Deo Read are happy to announce the arrival of Charlotte Rose. She was born on May 9th and weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long. She joins big brother Deo who is 20 months old.

According to super sleuth Siobhan O'Connor '05, Mary Theresa Mead '04 and Joe Sayler '04 are getting married today Friday, June 3rd. They plan to live happily ever after, as is the custom of all Christendom couples.

Having graduated with her major in history and minor in philosophy, Katy Jenkins '05 is working for the departments of Student Life and Christendom Press over the summer. This June, she will begin a certification course in Montessori Education, which will enable her one day to teach an Early Childhood (ages 3-6) classroom. Concurrently with the certification process, this Fall she will begin a part-time assistant teaching job in an Pre-Primary classroom at Queen of Angels Montessori school, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Meanwhile, although enjoying her time with the other summer workers on campus, Katy feels acutely the lack of a certain means to mobile freedom: a car. She would greatly appreciate tips from anyone who is selling, or who knows someone selling a car anywhere in the price range of 0--3000$. On another note, Katy is very pleased to announce that her younger sister, Bronwyn Jenkins, will probably be attending the Christendom high school summer camp later this month. Perhaps there will eventually be a Jenkins legacy at Christendom after all? Katy asks for your prayers for her sister, and the Holy Spirit's guidance in her choice of a college. May God bless you all.

Christopher Smith '99 has been very busy lately with all of the papal happenings from his post at the Roman Major Seminary. You can read his Journal of a Roman Deacon at http://www.olrgreenville.net/parish/index.html which describes the "Behind-the-Scenes" look at these incredible past few months. But he has been doing much more than a journal. After handing in his thesis, Virgo Sacerdos: Mary and the Priesthood of the Faithful, he has been preparing to finish his STL in dogma at the Gregorian, when not serving as the singing deacon for ordinations and First Masses up and down the Italian peninsula. More importantly, however, he is preparing for Ordination to the Priesthood at 11am on Saturday, July 23 at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist in Charleston, SC and for his First Solemn High Mass with Fr Skeris as Preacher at St Mary's in Greenville, SC the following day at 11am. You are all cordinally invited to come down to Dixie to share in the festivities. Father-to-be Christopher can be reached at merrydelval@yahoo.com

Gregory Alexander Kosten was born to Tom and Sue (Belleville )Kosten on 5/26/05 weighing in at 9 lbs 3.6 oz. He joins his siblings Caty, Claire, Thomas, Joseph, James, Colette and Colleen. Sue and the baby are both doing well. Pictured are Gregory and Colleen.

Greg Polley '00 joined the staff of Senator Richard Shelby from Alabama. He is a Legislative Assistant who adivises the Senator on Taxes, Social Security, Health Care, Adoption, Budget and the list goes on. His day consists of taking meetings for the Senator from various individuals and groups, fielding constituant calls and requests, researching and introducing legislation, reading constantly and chatting with the
Senator.

Phil Menke '02, Anthony Starkus '02, Chris Bukowski '00, and Guy Amisano '02 graduated from Ave Maria School of Law on May 15. Anthony Starkus was awarded the St. Thomas More Award, given to the student who most embodies the virtues of this great saint as well as for outstanding grades.

Patrick and Jill (Watson) Storey would like to announce the arrival of their new son, George Arnold Storey, born May 20th at 8:23 PM, weighing in at 7lbs., 7oz. They officially declare this the Summer of George.

Bunny Martell '03 has a new job teaching 1st and 2nd grade for a Fraternity of St. Peter school in Maple Hill, KS, starting this fall.

Holy Family has done it again! The Sancta Familia Cantores under the leadership of alumna Miss Maria Virginia Bissex sang at the fifteenth anniversary Mass for alumnus Fr. Francis Peffley held at St. Andrew the Apostle parish on Thursday May 19, 2005. The student choir (6th-12th grades) sang a prelude consisting of the Regina Caeli, Adoro Te Devote, Veni Creator Spiritus, Palestrina's Jesu Rex Admirabilis, and O God of Loveliness, as well as the Kyrie, Sanctus/Benedictus, and Agnus Dei from Dr. Kurt Poterack's Missa Bicinium. Fellow faculty and Christendom alumni Patrick Storey, Linda Antunes, and Thomas Cole assisted in providing a joyful noise unto the Lord on this momentous occasion. The choir received rave reviews from all and has been asked to record a CD sometime in the near future.

Katrina Ruminski '05 has recently moved to Fairfax and now works for the National Rifle Association in their Grassroots Division. Also, she is looking for a roommate. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment right off Rt. 66 in Fairfax. If any young women are interested, please call contact her coiledrose@earthlink.net

Kateri Schmidt '05 ponders as to whether Mike McGlynn's car is as cool as hers? (Notice the sun roof and the graduation tassel hanging from the mirror.) The people she worked with were great: www.usedcarsplease.com. She has a promotion to give anyone who needs to buy a car before July 31st.

Fr. Longua is finishing up his first year as head chaplain at St.
Gregory's Academy where he lived next door to the infamous IML. St. Greg's graduated 19 this year, 6 of whom will attend Christendom in the Fall (joining the 10 SGA alums who are already there).

Dane Weber '03 would like to announce the purchasing of a 1986 Toyota Tercel for a mere $200 from Elizabeth Stephens '05, who in turn, had purchased it for $300 from Dr. and Mrs. Doug Flippen, who had previously lent it out to Raymond and Dominique (Flippen) Hain at times. It's been around. The air conditioning doesn't work, the clutch is making funny sounds and the gas gage just gave up. But he is going to drive it to Lafayette, IN, for Jamie Dresch's wedding this Saturday.

Mary Hack '05 has returned to Front Royal to work at the Population Research Insitute (President Steve Mosher) as their new Donor Relations Coordinator and Intern Coordinator. If you'd like to learn more about PRI or just want to see Mary's name on their website, go to www.pop.org. You can also obtain great literature from the PRI website on contraception, abortion, adoption and population control.

Jeremy Sheiko '05 and Mark Riddle '05 are working with Andy McDonald '05 in his landscaping business and living with alumni Dominic Luckey and Matthew Gelis. ("For those still wondering, Matthew Gelis is still a bachelor, an incredible chef and handsome as ever. Oh, Dominic is still available, too," says Mary Hack.)

Julie (Jules) Abernethy '03 has some powerful insights into the recent editorial (and possibly life-changing) decision to remove the illustrious title of International Man of Leisure from one MP Jansen and awarding it to one Niall O'Donnell. Let's see how her female Candian logic unravels....."I thought you should be made aware that there was some question as to your decision to make Niall the International Man of Leisure. Some brought up the good point that, although Niall is in Rome, which we all know makes him to be residing in a place of international standards, he in fact is not the one doing most of the traveling. Rather it is the people who are going to see him. Moreover, the same people would argue that he is studying there, which puts into question his leisure time. Also, we all know that the first international man of leisure has no real plans for his life (Editor's note: don't get too down on yourself MP), and is not about to find out his life long goals any time soon, making him all the more leisurely, so to speak. However, if we are to go back to the root of the word 'leisure' it comes from the same word as school, so perhaps it is fitting that Niall be so named. Also, the original IM of L has not been going on a lot of international adventures (though he will be returning to TASIS this summer with alumni Zach Akers, Kimon Issigonis, and me). In any case, we were all a little shocked that this title given exclusively to one man should be so easily handed over." Editor's response: Hmmmmmmmm.....

"Well Tom, it has been a good month. I went to Florence with this girl… and well… Florence was great. Then Alphonse (International Man of Mystery) Pinto and I went to this beautiful lake town just north of Rome, Bracciano. We went to this great trattoria and ate and drank the afternoon away—fresh fish from the lake and the finest Italian white wine. I am now in the midst of finals and paying for my luxury days… looking forward to my return home for the summer. Lots of love from the IML in Rome" Editor's response: It looks like our new IML is doing more than rock climbing on his wall in his boarding school in PA.

Until next time...

Calendar of events

July 16, 2005: Summer Institute

October 7-9, 2005: Homecoming

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Press Releases and Campus News: http://www.christendom.edu/news/releases.shtml

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Stories

Christendom Alumni Lose their Daddy, but Gain a Father

After managing the ever-growing alumni of Christendom College for the past 5 years, Tom McFadden '90 will pass on his parental duties and responsibilities to fellow alumnus Tom McGraw '93.

McFadden will continue to be the Director of Admissions and Marketing while McGraw takes on a newly created position of Alumni Affairs and Career Development director beginning August 1.

On hearing the news of McFadden's impending departure from the Alumni office, emails began flooding in to the office, expressing their regrets that he will no longer manage the alumni family.

"The Grapevine will not be the same. Homecoming will not be the same. Life will not be the same! But we will survive.... One Tom Mc or another, they can't be too different, right?" commented one but others were more sympathetic.

"Daddy, don't leave us," and "Thanks for your work. It has been a long time since I attended Chrsitendom, but I appreciated your friendly, 'we're all family' tone," said others.

"We love you, Tom McFadden!" gushed one alumnus while another simply said "You're the bomb."

And speaking of the multitude of emails spammed out by McFadden on a daily basis, one alumna said "It was always nice to see a familiar name from Christendom in my inbox - and it still will be when Tom McGraw takes over. You did a great job."

Tom McGraw will indeed be a familiar name to many. He has worked at Christendom College for the past eight years, the first five as Publications Officer and the last three as Development Officer. For the past year he has also served as the Student Activities Council moderator.

McGraw's mother and father were involved in the founding of Christendom College, back in 1977. His mother, Onalee McGraw, was the College's first Chairman of the Board of Directors. Additionally, his sister Laura (married to alumnus Dan Clark) and brother Steve (now a priest in NoVa) are both graduates of Christendom.

McGraw is very excited about this opportunity to manage the alumni of the College.

"Our alumni have to be the greatest in the world," says McGraw. "They love their alma mater and want to do all that they can to help Christendom succeed in the future. I hope to plan many events throughout the year, as well as put on a kickin' Homecoming Weekend (October 7-9). We are considering bringing back the Summer Picnic, the Advent Retreat, the Epiphany Party, the 4-Ps gathering and much more. In fact, if any alumni have ideas or suggestions, please let me know. I'm here for them."

But McGraw will also be in charge of Career Development at the College, replacing Mr. Tom VanderWoude who will be focusing more on being Athletics Director this year.

"It is always a challenge to keep track of alumni, and to try and help them with their career choices," says McGraw. "But that's what I am planning on doing. I want to clean up our database and get a little more organized in our alumni job tracking system. I'm going to need the alumni's help with this if I am going to succeed."

"I'm leaving the alumni in good hands," says McFadden, with a tearful grin. "McGraw's a good guy. But, I have to tell you, I'm going to miss this fine group of people. I'm going to miss answering all of their emails about whether there are any jobs in the admissions office or around Front Royal, or where they can find a nice guy or girl to marry. I'm going to miss their constant asking for the alumni directory and alumni addresses and phone numbers. I'm going to miss trying to hunt down certain alumni and make them pay for Homecoming. I'm going to miss most especially the constant challenge I've had for the past five years of trying to come up with enough semi-interesting things to email to the group a couple of times a day. Good luck, McGraw. Their your children now!"

McGraw can be reached by email at tmcgraw@christendom.edu and McFadden has changed his email and can never be reached.