Welcome to Christendom's Alumni E-Zine. If you have information that you would like to share with your fellow alumni, send it to Tom McFadden at tmcfadden@christendom.edu.

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.

March 2005 edition of The Grapevine Online

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

Class notes

First and foremost, the man formerly known as the IML has reportedly been in contact with the Grapevine Office, doing his best to reclaim his once prized title. But from other sources, the Grapevine has learned that MPJ has indeed gone a little stir crazy working at St. Gregory's Academy, being around all those pesky boys all day, and has gone and done built himself a climbing wall in his room. What's next, painting the Alps on his wall?

January was a month of weeping for the women of Front Royal. That's because local ladies man Ben McMahon ('04) finally found the girl of his dreams and popped the question - having traveled all the way accross the frozen tundra of North Dakota to do it (she said yes, of course). Ben will wed the charming Miss Anna Emmel (sister of Naomi Zepeda) on August 12, 2005, whereupon they will move back to Virginia to live happily ever after.

Bennett and Mary Beth (Harrigan) Ellis had a 7lbs, 8oz baby boy, Andrew Bennett Ellis. They are calling him Meemer for short.

Chris Lane loves life. He is now a licensed Realtor with Mike's Winning Team at Keller Williams Realty in Manassas, and he enjoys working with Mike Bergida and Mark Scanlon, who are both proud parents of Christendom alumni and current students. The team would be happy to help Christendom alumni and friends buy or sell real estate in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah valley. You can reach Chris at chris@winwithus.net or 703-656-4240. In other news, Chris has been accepted with funding for graduate study this fall at the Catholic University of America (Church History) and Saint Louis University (History). He's still waiting to hear back from the University of Notre Dame. Will he follow Brendan McGuire to SLU's history department? If so, will Susan mind if he wants to be Brendan's roommate again? Please say a prayer that he makes the best decision about where to go, and stay tuned in the next couple of months to find out. He was also just accepted to Notre Dame's Master of Theological Studies program.

Maryan and Dan VanderWoude had a new baby on February 2: Michael Simeon. he joins brothers John Paul and Bobby. Word is that young Michael, named after #23, is already working on his jump shot.

Freddie Fraser checks in expressing his fond memories of gratitude for Karla K. Kuykendall's hospitality, which he received often when he was a visitor to Christendom. Her house was always the house to go to for the post-dance party. He and Schwerdtze were big KKK fans.

Quinn and Lisa (Ferri) Beekwilder, married July,10 2004, are pleased to announce (which most people know by now, because Lisa is 21 weeks along and starting to show) that they are expecting their first baby on July 2nd! They are super excited!!!!!

Greg Polley '00 ran into Senator Chuck Hagel from Nebraska and possible 2008 Presidential Candidate. Shout out to the Cornhuskers. He also met the President (GW) in January but the White House couldn't find a photo for him. His hopes for 15 minutes of fame were dashed.

Alumnus Dan Arnold '92 enjoyed the monthly ritual visit to the barbershop with his boys (Michael 13, William 7 and Joseph 3) this February and brought a camera along to record the event for posterity. Note the semi-miraculous images of little Joe (halo in one pic and angelic visions in the others). Dad’s hair didn’t get trimmed that day. He travels weekly to a super secret location where the world’s top hair retention specialists work feverishly to hold on to each precious follicle.

Jim Grumblatt '92 has been accepted to the first Paramedic-RN bridge program in the state of Kansas. The course ends in December, and hopefully he will be among the graduates. He could use a few extra prayers as he tries to juggle full-time EMS, clinical rotations, a heavy course load, and family life.

Michael and Leslie Hofbauer announce the arrival of their new blessing, Maria Therese born on Saturday, February 19th at 9:06pm. She weighed in at 8 lbs, 2ozs and was 20 inches. She joins her brother Josef and sisters Grace, Cecilia and Annaliese.

Caroline Pollock '03 is starting a new job on Monday, March 7. She'll be working with Tadiran Government Systems. They are telecommunication contractors for the Gov. They recently did a big project within Iraq. She is going to be Executive Assistant to the VP and Jr. Contract Negotiator. Her new job will include travels to Japan, Fuji, Australia, and possibly Iraq. She says she's definitely going to learn to shoot before going to Iraq!

Kenneth Baltrinic (’93) and Blanca Requierme Winner of the island of Bohol, Philippines married on February 5th in Cebu City. Francois Flippen was the best man and Ken’s two sisters and Blanca’s innumerable relatives were also in attendance. Thereafter the couple absconded to the resort island of Boracay for two weeks. U.S. Immigration procedures unfortunately necessitated that Ken return without his beloved asawa (that’s “wife” for you non-Cebuano speakers). They ask your prayers for an expedient immigration process which typically takes nine months. While Ken has returned to work in Fairfax, Virginia, Blanca is busy setting up an apartment for them to share on Bohol during Ken’s hopefully regular visits—that is, when they are not burning up the internet with video chat. Ultimately they will both reside in Centreville, Virginia.

Andy and Nina O'Neill have finally found a "new" car, a black '97 Buick Skylark Custom, complete with spoiler and an 8-ball on the antenna. Thanks to everyone who contacted them about leads on cars.

Bjorn Lundberg says that his Class of Third Theology received Candidacy for the Holy Orders of Deacon and Priesthood. Now they wait to be called to Deaconate by their respective Bishops. Christina still has all the hair genes in the family.

Heidi (Malovrh - 89) Zweifach, husband Steve and son Jacob are headed off to Breckenridge, CO this Saturday, 3/5, for a week of skiing and snow fun. This will be Jacob's first time on skis. We look forward to sharing photos of our holiday upon our return.

And here's what's happening with Alaina Wozniak ('04): "I am currently working two jobs - first at Old Navy and more recently as an administrative assistant to a rather eccentric insurance broker. Both jobs take up most of my days, but I also teach CCD to eighth graders and direct a children's schola at my parish. The big news, however, is that Ken Furlong and I got engaged on February 12 when he came to Ohio to visit me for the weekend. We're hoping to be married on May 27, 2006. That's all for now!"

Aidan Morgan Biros was born on 2/1 at 2:05 p.m. He weighed 7.5 pounds. He is quite cute and quite the adventure! Mary (Corcoran) Biros and her husband of course think he is the cutest baby ever! He is doing quite well and is quite the little piggy and weighs alot more than he did when he was born.

Ted and Emily Eidem and family have finally moved to the great state of Kentucky, ya'll! Ted is currently training with the Louisville Metro Police and will be patroling around again in May. He is also working hard on keeping his Northern Virginia accent intact. Another little Eidem is on his/her way the same month. Mary and Laura just know it's a little sister. Their emails are the same: emilyfoushee@yahoo.com, treidem@hotmail.com

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 Join Ranks of American Life League

Five Christendom alumni are currently among the rank and file of our country’s largest grassroots, pro-life organization, American Life League (ALL). They are fighting for the nation’s most innocent and vulnerable people—the preborn.

Christendom graduate Tom Brock (‘85) has been part of this mission for 17 years. He’s seen many employees come and go, but has stayed on as a database manager because he believes in the work. “American Life League,” says Brock, “fights to defend the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception to natural death—without compromise, apology or exception. We defend all of life’s vulnerable ones. While I’m not necessarily in the limelight, my behind-the-scenes position enables others to go out and directly spread the Gospel of Life.”

Scarlett Clark, the organization’s Human Resources director, says that Christendom College grads rank first among inquiries into job opportunities at ALL. “We’ve had many wonderful students and graduates from Christendom work for us. They really seem to be a nice fit.”

A nice fit indeed. Christendom’s exacting curriculum prepares students to become top shelf professionals. “They’re among the best,” says Judie Brown, American Life League’s founder and president. “I don’t find them, God does. He brings them here, and they do incredible work for the Culture of Life. These students are a fine and lasting tribute to their Alma Mater. I think the babies would agree.”

The organization’s most recent Christendom acquisition is Anita Crane (‘93), formerly a producer at C-SPAN and the marketing director for Crisis magazine. At ALL, she is associate editor of Celebrate Life, the nation’s only periodical solely devoted to pro-life topics. “As an editor and writer, I’m in the business of persuasion,” she says, “and I take that responsibility seriously. Therefore, the Gospel is my standard inasmuch as my work should somehow lead others to Heaven—not away from it. American Life League is a good home for Christendom students because it directly allows us to put our faith into action.”

For married Christendom alumni Jason and Christen (McCaffrey) Manak, living the faith is their number one priority. “ALL is a place to work and serve Christ and His Church,” says Jason, the group’s new and remarkable website guru. “The work has brought us all together to collaborate and encourage each other. What you have is an office that is entirely dedicated to its mission, a mission that is greater than all of us. What we do matters—to our culture and to the Church.”

Christen, who is an administrative assistant, has similar sentiments. “Once a person recognizes the precious gift and truth of life, they start following that path to the light of the world, the Creator of life. My primary goal in doing pro-life work at ALL is to be a source of that light to others. My Christendom education has prepared me for that.”

Given the serious nature of pro-life work, it’s important to stay positive and cheerful. Alumnus Nicholas Marmalejo (‘01), who was brought on to take the helm of Celebrate Life, agrees. “I love this job,” he says. “If I can walk away knowing that I could have saved somebody’s life because of what I wrote and how I wrote it, that’s what counts.”