ALUMNI NEWS Sacred Encounters

sacred ENCOUNTERS

In continued celebration of Providence High School's 65th anniversary, we've asked alumni and faculty and staff members to share their sacred encounters with our community. Following are a few submissions that we've received.

To submit your sacred encounters, please visit our website.

FRANCES ACKART DUDLEY ‘59—"In 1955, I entered Providence a baptized Catholic; however, my family was not practicing the faith at the time. Sisters Theresa Marie, Esther and Alexis were filled with the love of God and shared Him with such joy. I experienced Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for the first time, as well as retreats, special events, and Masses. I found a love for my Catholic Tradition. I promised God I would be a good practicing Catholic all because of the example of these Sisters and the school's curriculum.

1959

Sister Esther invited me to assist her in teaching the Holy Communion class at St. Finbar's parish. Over two years, I spent Saturday mornings with Sister Esther in religious education classes. I have taught religious education in some form ever since, starting after graduation at the local parish near my college.

Today, 60 years later, I am a facilitator for GriefShare at my parish. God chose a good Catholic man for me. Together, with God's help, of course, we were able to raise up a wonderful Catholic family. My husband entered eternal life after 54 years of marriage. All four daughters have been married 27 through 37 years. Our Catholic faith is being lived out in the lives of our 20 grandchildren. My grandchildren are accomplishing amazing things for God and our church because I was blessed with my experience and education at Providence High School. I believe I am the person I am today because God placed me at Providence High School. Providence is where I learned about Him, His church, and, most of all, I truly felt His presence in the chapel and especially in those three special women at Providence."

CAROL LEX TANNER ‘59—"A cement strike delayed the completion of Providence High's original two buildings by two months in 1959. Three tents (donated by Disney? We thought they came from Barnum & Bailey - just kidding) served as homerooms with Sisters Maria Theresa, Esther, and Dorothea in charge. During the hot days of September, we rolled up the sides of the tent to allow for some air. 68 of those 81 original teens graduated four years later.

Our sacred encounter is that seven of us have met for

lunch annually since our 50th high school reunion in 2009 and now during COVID we Zoom together the first Tuesday of every month. Other Class of '59 classmates are welcome to join; contact me at cdtanner46@gmail. com." In an effort to help his family pay for this lifesaving surgery, Theresa Candido and I contacted some musicians to hold a concert in the school gym. We ended up recruiting "The Brotherhood," Phil Volk and Drake Levin, formerly with Paul Revere and the Raiders. They, in turn, recruited Lee Michaels who had the #1 hit on the radio charts, as well and Ralph and Rene Mathis. The fundraiser was such a success, a new concert was put on in 1971 by different students to help with David's continuing recovery."

1960's BETTY DALTON DAHMUS '67—"I remember how much fun it was for us to dress crazy and ride to school on our bikes. JUDY EGAN UMECK '75—"A truly sacred encounter of our It was very special to go through all four years with these class of '75! We started an annual "birthday" dinner special friends." at the Smoke House every November. At this event we also continue the tradition of collecting money for PATTI FAUST HUXLEY ' 67—"Each year during my time at PHS a scholarship fund to honor the memory of LeeAnne the Art Department held the Pageant of Masters under Schwend Willis. After several successful years of gathering the guidance of Ms. Gabriel Lefevre. She took a group of and sharing our adventures, we found out one of our girls and convinced each of us that we were unique and classmates was terminal and gathered to honor Sibby talented in our own special way. I never realized what we Syracuse. We were amazed at the turnout this particular accomplished until I saw the "real" Pageant of Masters in year. We are truly proud of the women we graduated with Laguna Beach. We weren't just good, we were amazing." and are happy to continue this journey as PHS Alums." SANDRA PROBASCO WAIBEL '78—"In 1974, I arrived at PHS as DEBBI BENNETT '71—"In 1969, a relative of a Providence a freshman. I never really fit in with any of the groups and was very unhappy. You see, I had a very abusive alcoholic student by the name of David needed a kidney transplant. father at home, and I dared not tell anyone what kind

1970's

of environment I was living in at the time. Sister Val Fernandez saw how miserable I was and tried to take me under her wing. She became the only one I trusted, and I was so grateful for her. Mr. Van Alphen (Calculus teacher) also saw that I was having problems and understood my 'weirdness.' By the time my junior year arrived, my living situation had become intolerable, and I was angry at the world.

In my senior year, Mrs. Torres and Sister Jean-Marie noticed a change in my behavior: I could not focus and felt very depressed. I was in jeopardy of not graduating. The teachers at PHS are truly caring; they gave me extra help with my classes. Mr. Vega was a steady encouraging person at the school! Thankfully, I did graduate in 1978 and went on to model in Europe before going to college.

It's been a long time since 1978, but what I do remember is the feeling of not fitting in and thinking I was the only one that felt that way. As a result, I decided to donate my PHS yearbooks to the school library. Inside, I wrote pieces of my story, hoping that another student who may be in a similar experience feel encouraged.

A few words of advice to current Pioneers: Reach out to a PHS teacher, coach, staff member, or whoever you are comfortable with and talk with them. Know that we all have felt as if 'we don't fit in' and will never be good enough at some points in our lives. And finally, please know that wonderful things await you in life, and 'fitting in' is overrated. The magic happens when you realize that you may be very bad at 'fitting in,' but be very good at thinking outside of the box."

1980's KAREN AASEN RODRIGUEZ ‘88—“When I graduated from Providence High School in 1988, I would have never believed, if at that time you would have told me, that I would marry Oscar Rodriguez ‘88. Oscar and I "knew" each other and shared a few common friends. This was not hard when your graduating class was less than 100 students. However, the divine Providence would not change our lives until we "re-met" at our 10 year high school reunion. A small gathering at a local art studio arranged by our amazing classmates. A simple exchange of business cards led to a few phone calls, a date, a commitment, and in July of 1999 we were wed. If not for the foundations that were instilled by our families and nurtured by our loving Providence community we would not have had the basics needed to start our married lives together.

We have lived in Burbank for more than 25 years, raising our two children, Aimee (22) and Jesse (19). We will forever be grateful for the time we each had at Providence. We may not be high school sweethearts—but the principles that Providence instilled led us to each other and is what we pull from today to nurture our relationship.”

MARISA PAOLONE '96—"My mentor was Jan McLaughlin. Jan emulated skills and traits that are now a part of my daily work, my sacred encounters.

I loved how tough, independent, articulate, and amazingly funny she was and still is. Jan conveyed concepts better than anyone I have ever known. Every time I think of her, speak with her, I am beaming.

1990's

I admired her for her tenacity, humor, reliability, consistency, and naturally, her teaching skills. Jan loved what she did…now I can say the same.

Jan was always true and just plain good to me—she treated me like a young adult and wanted me to succeed. She was also a second mother - she listened always, and if necessary, offered constructive criticism, that I still hold in high esteem. She knows how valuable and precious she was in my formative years. What she gave me, I now

Though I have always been a reader, Jan made me love words - to dissect them, to write. Her sense of humor is unsurpassed, and her class made me feel alive, happy, reassured, home.

We are still close. She is with me, as I channel her each day in my English classes.

Jan drastically altered her voice as we read and discussed - she was grand in her physicality too. She moved about the room - she was truly, an active teacher. I had her for junior and senior English. When students tell me they love my class, that it's their favorite, that they always feel happy coming to English class, or that now they enjoy reading and writing, I am humbled, I am beyond blessed - though I remind them to pay homage to my mentor too."

ALLISON HASTINGS KNOWLES '99—"When I was a junior, I attended the Close Up Washington DC trip, which was a really big deal because it was the first time I'd flown without my family and on a red-eye flight, no less! At the time, the City of Burbank offered scholarships for Burbank residents to attend this trip. I don't remember the application process, but I do recall Sr. Lucille meeting with the group of about three or four of us Burbank students to go over our speech that we would present to the Burbank City Council during their weekly council meeting.

We all worked together after school to create this speech and took turns reading a section during the live and televised meeting. Sr. Lucille went to great lengths to ensure that everything was just right: that we would be sure to look presentable, and that we were wellrehearsed, remembering to make eye contact with the council members from time to time while we read from our scripts. I was so nervous to speak in public but having her sitting in the audience, rooting us on, was such a great comfort. We all went to dinner either before or after the meeting to celebrate and I remember Sr. Lucille being genuinely interested in our lives.

Many years later, when I joined the PHS staff, Sr. Lucille, though no longer the principal, would email me every so often to let me know that she was proud of the work I was doing, still rooting me on but this time from afar. To this day, I look forward to her emails and visits. Sr. Lucille is very much a north star in my life and I will always treasure my time spent with her." SR. ROSA NGUYEN, SP—"I believe every interaction between staff, faculty, students, families, and others is a sacred encounter when we treat each other with respect, dignity, care, and compassion. In our encounters we wish to connect with others as an image of God. Our mission and values support this kind of engagement. In my service I serve in care for each person and the common good of all."

Faculty & Staff

SONA ASHJIAN—“I had a very meaningful sacred encounter in 2011, when I had my bilateral knee surgery. After four hours of surgery, when I opened my eyes, along with my family and friends, I saw Dr. Harjani and David Rufus. They had been waiting for me to come out of surgery. After my surgery and during my rehab, they both visited and called constantly, checking in on me and asking me if I needed anything. I will never forget their kindness and friendship. That was a sacred encounter for me.”

JANET FONTAINE—“A beautiful, sacred encounter was at the Senior Awards Ceremony with my son, William Harrison '18 who graduated from the Cinema Arts focus program in 2018. I am blessed that I am an alumni parent, and I am even more blessed that I am on staff as our Christian Service Coordinator. My PHS family has been a lifeline navigating this global pandemic. I'm not sure what I would do without this nurturing, compassionate, heartcentered community.”

ARJAN HARJANI—"My first meeting with Sr. Lucille and Sr. Mary in the business office in 1991 when I came for an interview [was a sacred encounter]. It was Providential! I had just lost my job as a teacher at Pater Noster because the LA Archdiocese decided to close the school. Sr. Mary hired me in a matter of minutes, another sacred encounter. They both were very welcoming."