November 2009 - Gratitude...the sweetest of all the practices ...mindfulness of gratitude leads to a direct experience of being connected to life... to the realization that there is a larger context in which your personal story is unfolding.

Cultivating thankfulness for being part of life blossoms into a feeling of being blessed ... an appreciation for the interdependent nature of life... being consciously grateful to family, friends, teachers, benefactors and to all who have come before you who  have made it possible for your existence to be comfortable, informed and empowered.

Gratitude elicits feelings of generosity...creating further joy...softening a heart...building the capacity for forgiveness...meeting life with an open heart... in each moment as it arises.

Wishing you a Happy Thanks-Giving!

ICHS Alumnae Association Florida Inc.

October 2009 - St. Francis of Assisi wrote, “ For it is in giving that we receive.” As the summer winds down, we gratefully reflect on another successful year of giving back to our alma mater. Giving back is one of the most time-honored tenets that Immaculate Conception High teaches.

Thanks to the support of sponsors, friends, all the well wishers of ICHS, and most of all you, our alumnae, turned out in hundreds and as a result our Summer Bash Dance was a success.  We “danced all night till the morning come" and a good time was had by all.

Your focus on our goals, your commitment to generosity and your enthusiasm when the work gets hard is what makes it possible to contribute to a few of the many needs of our alma mater.

I am thrilled to announce that our dedication has yielded tangible results for 10 bright young ladies. The funds raised from the Summer Dance will provide ten ICHS students with scholarships for the 2009-2010 school year.

The ICHSAA Florida Chapter Student Scholarship Fund was launched to assist ICHS students recommended by Sr. Angella Harris, OSF and the School Administration for assistance with the basic needs associated with attending Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS), Kingston, Jamaica. Grant funds have been earmarked to cover the following specific student expenses :

  • school fees

  • uniforms

  • regulation school shoes

  • school tie and school pin

  • school stationary

  • cost of lunch

We hope this assistance will assure these girls that their alumnae cares, and enable them to stay focused on learning and maximize their potential for advanced studies. Thank you to those alumnae who have contributed to this specific fund.

It is our goal that one day no student at ICHS will attend school without the basics needed to succeed. We know the value of an ICHS education.  It has laid the foundation for higher learning and the pathway for building our lives.

In 2010 the ICHSAA Florida Chapter will celebrate our 20th Anniversary !

Our committees are already hard at work on a wonderful dinner/dance to mark this milestone. We welcome the participation of the many alumnae who contributed to the growth and success of the chapter over the years.  The event will be even more special with your involvement, so please contact us at ICHSflalum@aol.com to join the planning committee, or to place a message or advertisement in the Souvenir Journal. This celebration provides the ideal situation for mini class reunions in beautiful South Florida. Alumnae classes have already contacted us to reserve tables.  We look forward to hearing from and being with you as we celebrate this exciting milestone.

It is in giving we receive, and so may we strive to abundantly give our time, talents and contributions.

Ad Astra Per Aspera!

Jennifer

Jennifer Hoyes
President