Returning to the heart

Young alumna on staying connected

By Laura Spinelli

When I graduated from the Academy of the Sacred Heart (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan) 11 years ago, I felt a deep sense of loss in parting ways with the traditions and people that had made the school feel like a second home. Celebrating each “last time” and walking across the graduation stage felt like a very final end to a story that had no sequel. The older graduates and teachers tried to reassure us that this wasn’t the case – that we’d always find a home within the Sacred Heart community – but, at the time, I couldn’t quite envision how that would play out. But here I am, 11 years post-graduation, and I’m happy to report that the teachers and older graduates were right, as usual!

I’ve been particularly thankful for several ways in which the Sacred Heart community has provided a sense of connection throughout the last 18 months of pandemic and world challenges. In the depths of COVID-19 isolation, the Academy Alumnae/i Association put together a “Galentine’s Day” Zoom call with alumnae from multiple graduating classes. There is an immediate sense of that comfort and return to home that happens when you talk to a fellow alumna. It was such a bright spot to laugh together across the distance and swap memories.

I am also grateful to the United States – Canada Province for hosting a virtual anti-racism workshop earlier this year. One aspect I most appreciated about my Sacred Heart education was being given a space for reflection, dialogue and action. The gift of having this time and space as an adult was equally, if not more, powerful.

Gathering virtually throughout the pandemic with the Province’s formation to mission committee was also a special part of the last year. In the midst of bad news story after bad news story, it was encouraging to meet with the committee, learn more about the depth of the work the Province was doing, and be inspired by each member’s hope and commitment to doing her part to bring some light to the world.

I will be eternally grateful for my time as a Sacred Heart student, and now for the ability to continue to be a part of the Sacred Heart family as an alumna. My hope is that other alumnae/i can continue to find a home within the Sacred Heart community long after graduation – that for more people, Sacred Heart will always be the place to turn to when you need a laugh, when you need to process what is happening in the world, or when you need to figure out where to turn in order to act.

Laura Spinelli is an alumna of Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, class of 2010.

There is an immediate sense of that comfort and return to home that happens when you talk to a fellow alumna.