A Successful 2014 PhiladelphiaReunion Thanks to You

It was a great time of visiting and catching up with former classmates and making new friends. During the Reunion, the Hospitality Room became the place to be to have refreshments, fun, fellowship and Bid Whist into the late hours. On Saturday, we had numerous activities. Attendees could use their free pass to visit the Constitution Center Museum.

They also toured on their own, the Liberty Bell, the Franklin Institute, other historic museums, restaurants and a nearby casino. The bus trip to the Katherine Drexel Shrine at the SBS Motherhouse was a big success. This was a highlight of the reunion and was enjoyed by both “Cadets” and “Castlelites”. They also visited Father Figaro’s grave site at the Holy Ghost Fathers Home.

May 2015

SFSESt. Francis / St. Emma Alumni

Philadelphia Association

Museum where attendees enjoyed the traditional Philly foods from hoagies, mustard pretzels, Tasty cakes and more. Our guests also had the opportunity to see videos from back in the day at both schools and previous reunions while they dined. During this time, guests could also tour the wonderful exhibits in the museum.

We had lots of fun at our 2014 National Alumni SFSE Reunion. The Philadelphia Alumni Chapter hosted this grand event from August 14th through the 17th at the Wyndham Hotel in the historic city of Philadelphia. Alumni members from across the country converged in Philly and enjoyed the excite-ment and fun activities planned for them.

Friday afternoon, we had a wonderful turnout for our Philly Block party at the African American

SFSE Annual National Reunion August 14-17

Natalie Wiley Browne class of 42’ on left was the oldest alumna attending the 2014 reunionwith her children Maurice Browne class of 69’ and Tanya Browne class of 67’

2014 Reunion Later Saturday afternoon, the National Alumni meeting was held and there was a special presentation from Sister Maureen. This was an informative and well-received meeting. After much discussion and a suggestion by one of the attendees, a generous donation was collected and given to Sister Maureen for the SFSE Foundation.

The Saturday Night Dinner Dance was the grand finale of the 2014 reunion. Good food, good music, and dancing was enjoyed by all. The Reunion ended with more fellowship at the Sunday morning brunch. The overwhelming response shared by the attendees was that this was one of the best Reunions ever.

Looking Ahead

This year’s 2015 St. Francis, St. Emma All Class Reunion is in Virginia Beach on Thursday, October 15th through Sunday, October 18th. Every year our numbers get smaller so let’s enjoy the time togeth-er and keep the memories alive by attending as many reunions while we can. Everyone talks about the “Good Old Days”. Just think, these will be the good old days of tomorrow. So let’s give them something to talk about. We look forward to seeing you this October in Virginia Beach.

Not for the Record, But by Association It has been 48 years since I first stepped on to the campus of St. Emma Military Academy in Powhatan, VA. Even though the campus quad is not there, the images of an active campus are still in my mind. Due to my affiliation with the St. Francis- St. Emma Alumni, Philadelphia Association (which has been an active chapter for over thirty-nine years) I have been able to share those memories with others when

I attend various events sponsored by the local and national alumni. During this time I’ve come to realize that the members of the Philadelphia Association are my extended family. I have not been able to reconnect with any classmates from oth-er schools that I attended like B.G. Comegys, Harrington or Shaw Junior High (which has been renamed the Hardy Williams Mastery Charter School). I feel my true friends and extended family were developed in the late 1960’s in Powhatan, VA and continued to blossom in Philadelphia, PA.

The progressive thinking and productive style of this group has allowed us to meet monthly, make plans and conduct business for our local community outreach projects, our annual Holiday Dinner as well as host the annual ‘Day of Service’ at Belmead and most recently sponsor the National Reunion for our local and national alumni family. I’m proud to be a part of this wonderful group. So, there will always be other stories to share (memories and current events) as long as we continue to work and play together and allow ourselves to experience life through our association with each other. I invite you to come and be a part of this fine or-ganization and join our family.

Calvester Montgomery ‘69

St. Francis/St. Emma Alumni Assoc. 426 N. 60th St. Phila. PA 19151

It was a cold rainy evening last December when the Philly Annual Christmas Dinner was scheduled. The roads were slippery and traffic was backed up. Reservations were made months ago and it was too late to change. Members started calling to say they couldn’t make it. Still a few finally trickled in for the annual Christmas dinner.

The restaurant was Maggiano’s in Center City Philadelphia. We sat down around 7:00 pm and picked several entrees. You see, at this restaurant you can order as much food as you like for one price and keep eating, & when you realize that your tummy hasn’t exploded, you say their must still be room for the unlimited desserts. This of course is the time to suspend all diets for one night.

The food was fantastic and we stayed for hours eating as much as we could and trying foods never tasted before.

But these annual dinners are not about the food, they are about family; the St. Fran-cis, St. Emma family. Almost every month Bill Shearin sends out a message of another person from the rock that has passed.

Annual Christmas Dinner in Philly with Memories to Go

While we still have time on this earth, we should spend a little of it talking about our past and that includes time in Powhatan, Virgina. To relive experiences from decades ago and to talk about our lives today.

Some classmates have earned national recognition, others are out of work. But it doesn’t matter. We were together in high school and we’re lucky to be together again.

Maurice Browne ‘69

Calvester Montgomery ‘69, Donna McLean ‘68 Maurice & Brenda N. Browne ‘69, Kathryn ‘Aisha’ Ford , Charles ‘Precky’ Madison ‘62

(from top left) Warren Nix 62’ with wife Jaye, Allen ‘Skip Cobbs 63’ with wife June, Chase Jackson 66’, Donna McLean 68’ , Charles ‘Precky’ Madison 62’ , Katherine ‘Aisha’ Ford, Calvester Montgomery 69’ with Eileen Burke 68’, Maurice Browne with wife Brenda Nelson Browne both class of 69’

President - Calvester Montgomery

Treasurer - Eileen Burke

Secretary - Donna McLean

Historian - Brenda N. Browne

Alumni Outreach - Charles “Precky” Madison

Editor / Newsletter - Maurice Browne

Officers of the St. Francis / St. Emma Alumni Association of Philadelphia

Upcoming 1:00 pm Monthly Meetings June 27th - Warren & Jay Nix July & August - Summer VacationSeptember 26th - Maurice & Brenda N. Browne

Come Back To School on Saturday, May 16, 2015

Calling All Alumni, Family and Friends

Saturday, May 16, 2015

“Let’s Celebrate at the James” Day

Come spend the day at St. Francis- St. Emma

See the changes, updates, repairs, revisions and future plans for yourself!

---- Fun and Fellowship ---

Picnic, Games, Music, Videos, Card Tournaments, Supporting the Sisters, Etc.

RSVP by May 11, 2015 & for questions and information contact:

Eileen O. Burke Charles “Precky” Madison 215-472-7481 215-336-3866 EOBurke@aol.com Precky62@yahoo.com