Reflections from Sister Philip Joseph, O.P

Reflections from Pioneer Team Member, Sister Philip Joseph Davis, O.P.

I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Jn.15:5) Mount de Sales is God’s work. It exists today solely because He wants it. The Dominican Sisters are the instruments He is using to bring about His plan. In May of 1985, Mother Assumpta Long asked Sister Mary Gabriel Long, Sister Mary Rebecca Horton and me to accompany her to Mount de Sales Academy in Baltimore, Maryland to attend the school’s graduation ceremony. She said we were taking over the administration and would begin teaching there in September. That sounded like an enormous and fun adventure to me, and a return to my ancestral heritage. My paternal grandmother’s people (Greene) originated from Pomfort, Maryland and gave the property for the building of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. When we returned to Nashville, I candidly asked Mother Assumpta, “Why did you take Mount de Sales?” The school looked like it was falling apart, on its last leg with plaster coming off the walls and floors literally caving in as we toured the building. She replied without hesitation, “It’s like a dead Saint Cecilia, Sister Philip Joseph; it’s like our Motherhouse without Sisters.” That was the key. She was sending sisters with the goal to revive a once flourishing school that, through lack of finances, had fallen into disrepair. This would prove to be a miraculous adventure for all. We were supported by Chris (Board of Trustees President) and Carol Cuddeback, Jerry and Ann (Principal) Cichowicz, Russ and Linda (Vice-Principal) Schumann’69, Joe Saverino P’87 (President Parents’ Club) and Father Michael Roach (Trustee). First on the agenda was prayer. Carol and Chris Cuddeback initiated a holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament on Sunday evenings in the school chapel. We were asking God for direction and financial assistance. Repairs came first to the chapel. We knew if we did not take care of the Lord, we could not ask Him to take care of us. About the third week of the holy hour, a man walked into the chapel, handed me a $10,000 check, and said, “Repair the chapel.” Thus, a great revival of Mount de Sales began in the fall of 1985. Coming out of the Deep South and going to what we considered far north, we were not sure if the two cultures would blend. We soon learned that Mount de Sales

“Mount de Sales is God’s work. It exists today solely because He wants it. The Dominican Sisters are the instruments He is using to bring about His plan.”

William Carrigan, one of our top benefactors, believed in the limitless potential of MDSA and demonstrated it by investing his time and treasure. Pictured at the Padre Pio Library dedication in May 1987, he was a friend of the saint and will forever be remembered for establishing the MDSA devotion to Padre Pio.

fit us like a glove. Immediately we sensed that we belonged at Mount de Sales. There was a spirit of genuine fidelity to the Church, support for family life, and a spirit of charity. The students, faculty, and staff who filled the school were courageous. They wanted to see the school flourish. Mount de Sales had survived with the help of the alumnae who cherished their God-filled education under the Visitation Nuns, and who wanted their daughters to experience the same. The Visitation Nuns were holy, religious women who had consecrated their lives to God. They left a spirit that only God could have ordained. It reigned in the halls, and we, the Dominican Sisters of Nashville, Tennessee, became the recipients of this Holy Spirit. Mount de Sales was and is a gift to the Dominican Sisters. With hard work, financial support from generous people such as William Carrigan, Samuel Pistorio, John Hussman, William Held P’89 and a host of others, along with recruitment, curriculum change and the acquisition of a library, the school enrollment began to increase yearly. Today the Dominican Sisters alongside an excellent faculty and staff bear witness to the flourishing of God’s plan. As I see pictures of the newest addition, the Center for the Performing Arts and Student Life, I can only thank God for allowing me to be part of the heritage that is Mount de Sales. It is a wonderful place for young women to grow into adult life. A place where they can forge lifetime friendships; a place they can be proud to call their alma mater; and a place to which they can always come home.

By: Sister Philip Joseph Davis, O.P.

Top: L to R: Sister Philip Joseph, Samuel Pistorio ( transformational donor) and Fr. Michael Roach in 1996. Mr. Pistorio’s philanthropy, often in memory of his beloved wife Constance, provided for the sports complex and other important projects including the future Center for Performing Arts and Student Life and science laboratory renovations. Bottom: Turf Field Blessing L to R: Patrick Farno, Sister Mary Thomas, O.P., Archbishop William E. Lori, Cal Ripken, Jr., Sister Philip Joseph, O.P., Joe Geier, and Pete Waskiewski.

Celebrate the Sisters with a gift to the CPASL!

Making a gift in honor of a specific Sister or all of the Sisters to their dream project, the Center for Performing Arts and Student Life (CPASL), is a meaningful way to honor the Dominicans’ service and dedication to MDSA. Your honoree will receive notification that you made a gift in her honor. For your convenience, a giving envelope is enclosed or you can visit www.mountdesales.org. As always, for any questions related to giving to MDSA, please contact Beth Saverino, director of advancement, at 410.744.8498 ext. 139 or esaverino@mountdesales.org.

Uniquely Mount de Sales

Reflections from Dominican Sisters

SISTER MARY THOMAS, O.P.

PRINCIPAL 2012-2018 At Mount de Sales, I appreciated the ability to be a source of prayer for the school community. Praying

for the school and working for the school was all one. This has been a grace the whole community has participated in from the beginning, with the Visitation Nuns and the Dominican Sisters living, praying, and working right there in the midst of the activities.

This shared grace led to one of my favorite memories. One year, the basketball team had a tournament game on Sunday that happened to be a retreat day for us sisters. When the girls asked us to come to their game, we explained that we had a retreat day, but that we would pray for them especially during the time of the game. That evening as we were praying night prayers in the convent chapel, the team bus pulled into the school grounds and started to come up the hill. Suddenly we heard this screaming, “We won! We won!” As we looked out the windows of the chapel, we could see the girls leaning out of the bus windows, yelling and waving at us to tell us of their win. We all laughed and waved back, happy to be part of their excitement that evening.

SISTER ANGELA MARIE, O.P.

TEACHER 2014-2017 I consider my time teaching at Mount de Sales one of God’s most precious gifts to me. Sharing in students’ and faculty

members’ joys, trials, and common passion, I was filled with life “and life to the full” (John 10:10).

Too many memories full of humor and joy leap to mind. I relish the memory of the last day of study hall when Lizzie ‘18 and her accomplices asked if they could perform a dance for the class. After waiting all period, they whipped out corndogs, hidden in their skirt waistbands from lunch, and performed an original “corndog rap.” Or the moment when an impromptu study hall was called. To distract the students from worrying, Kirsten ‘18 and I pretended to Irish step dance. We had real Irish step dancers in that study hall, but Kirsten and I made fools of ourselves for the good of all. There were spiritual and academic moments of victory as well. I was just as proud as my juniors were when they conquered their English research papers with such panache. And when Sodality members promoted Marian consecration to their classmates, we received such a positive response that I had to order a second box of 33 Days to Morning Glory. Their enthusiasm brought their peers (and me!) closer to our Blessed Mother. I thank God for all Mount de Sales has given me and pray for all whom God calls to walk through its halls!

SISTER ANNE CATHERINE, O.P.

PRINCIPAL 2009-2012 I loved my time at Mount de Sales Academy. What a blessed community!

I think what makes MDSA special is the wonderful, generous Catholic community where the faith is at the core

of everything. Families come to Mount de Sales because of its strong Catholic identity and focus on its mission; teachers are drawn to the school for the same reason. Because everyone is on the same page, the faith becomes a lived experience integrated into all aspects of the school’s life in a way that is quite unique. So many things I loved during my time there—learning about the school’s rich Visitation history and realizing how compatible it was with the Dominican charism our Sisters brought to the school; being immersed in the life and history of our country’s oldest Catholic diocese; traveling with students to Mount St. Mary’s, World Youth Day, or downtown for the Palm Sunday youth pilgrimage; meeting so many fun and down-to-earth students, families, priests, and friends of the school. We Sisters had many happy (and hilarious) memories there as well, particularly when the convent moved from the Gate House to its new location. One of my favorite memories was walking up to the school every morning from the old Gate House convent. This scene never got old for me—gazing upon that massive old school with the elegant windows and front entrance. So stately, so beautiful, so resonant with the history of past generations and so alive with the footsteps and laughter of present students and teachers. It is truly a special place and I remain extremely grateful for my brief time there.

SISTER ELIZABETH ANNE, O.P.

PRINCIPAL 2003-2009 The years at Mount de Sales were so blessed for me. My first memory of Mount de Sales predates those years though. In fact, I think I wrote about it in my first letter to “the Family of Mount de Sales.” I only had a quick visit there once but the place made an immediate impact. I remember going up the front steps of the building and having a sense of something stable, valuable, and lasting. It was many years before I was assigned there, but that feeling never left. And, of course, after being there for those six years, that sense of connectedness only deepened.

It is my hope and my prayer that every young woman who attends Mount de Sales, every parent who entrusts a daughter to the Mount, every person who works there, understands that you don’t just “go” or “choose” Mount de

Sales. You belong. You will always belong. The Mount forms you and you, in turn, help form the identity of Mount de Sales. You, first receive the heritage; then you contribute your part to that heritage. Then, you hand it on. Mount de Sales teaches lasting lessons: the values of academic excellence, lifelong learning, moral responsibility, service to others, and the dignity of the human person. It is more than a mission statement; it is a belief system and a way of living. It involves truth and charity and virtue. In the words of Francis de Sales, “Be who you are and be that perfectly.” The world will be a better place for it! God bless you!

Lasting Impressions

The Dominican Sisters at Mount de Sales Academy were instrumental in my education, both academically and spiritually. They are a constant reminder of faith, service, and sacrifice, and I am a better person for having had the opportunity to learn from them.

Julie Simon Gilless ’94

I have very fond memories of all the Dominican Sisters while I was at MDSA from 199295, but one is very special to me, Sister Philip Joseph. Her sharp wit and mischievous tendencies were balanced by her southern charm and love of her girls. She taught us the importance of loyalty and unwavering support, and most of all, she instilled the benefit of always believing in ourselves. Go Sailors! Lisa Banbury Vogel ’95

The Dominican Sisters at Mount de Sales are a beautiful example of joy and peace. I will never forget the friendships formed with them, and what a guiding light they were to me as a young person. They continue to be an example to so many, and I am always excited when my children get to meet them or be around their joyful witness.

Lauren Escol Arconti ’06

Since I left MDSA, I have carried the spirit of the Dominican Sisters with me everywhere I go. Their impact on me is nothing short of life-changing. Everyday interactions and moments with the Sisters brought me and my peers closer to God. If the Sisters wanted to be close with us in all of our silliness and inquisitions, it was a tangible reminder to me that God wanted to be close with us too.

Christina Eichelman Gordon ’07

The opportunity to be taught by the Dominican Sisters and Mount de Sales Academy was such a gift for me! The Sisters create a calming and joyful presence throughout the school. They are beautiful witnesses to our Catholic Faith and mirror our Father’s love to all who encounter them. While attending Mount de Sales, the Dominican Sisters provided me a special daily reminder of what it looks like to give one’s life to God and to truly love and serve Him through serving others. They showed me the true joy that comes for a life lived for Christ. I will forever be grateful for the impact that the Dominican Sisters had in my life! Maria Schuberth Schuster ’09

Mount de Sales is incredibly unique and special for many reasons but one in particular is the Dominican Sisters. Sister Thomas Moore and Sister Mary Cecilia were both teachers of mine. They were women of such strong faith and it radiated out of them. I am forever grateful for Sister Thomas Moore and Sister Mary Cecilia.

Lauren Offerman ’17

Sister Maris Stella was my senior religion teacher. I will never forget her. Sr. Maris Stella

gave me an understanding of my faith that I take with me in my life wherever I go.

In times of uncertainty, when I feel lost and dejected, I know there are concrete truths of His presence and mercy that I can rely on to hold me together. She allowed me to know that there is more beyond just this world and for that I am forever grateful to Sr. Maris Stella and Mount de Sales. Natalie Popper ’18

I have a fond memory, even after graduation, of visiting Sister Angela Marie in Scotland. I studied abroad in Ireland during the fall of 2019, and I was able to take a weekend trip and visit with her and the other Sisters for a weekend over a retreat. It was truly an amazing opportunity to see her again after the amazing time at Mount de Sales. I truly connected with Sister during my freshman year and continued until she left in 2017.

Sister Angela Marie made my experience at Mount de Sales special in so many ways and I will always remember being able to visit her a couple years after graduation. Sarah Endres ’18

As freshmen, we were slightly nervous about the unfamiliarity of the Sisters. As it turns out, they are the heart of our school. You’ll never see the Sisters without a kind and warm smile or wave. It doesn’t matter if you know them or not, they always make you feel welcome. The Sisters make us feel loved, protected, important and above all, loved by God. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be taught by the amazing Sisters and be opened to the face of God through them and their teachings.

Sophia Hess ’23