15 Mar 2010
Subject: Life after Maryknoll IS Great!!
Dear Class of 1970 Maryknollers,
It's been three weeks since the Maryknoll 7th World Wide Reunion Gala Dinner at the HK Convention Center and what a grand event it was!! For those of you who couldn't attend, I hope you can come to the next reunion, in 2013 in Vancouver, Canada (probably early August?). I marvel at the warmth and friendship and old flames rekindled that evening --that whole weekend, the few days that the "visitors" were in Hong Kong for our homecoming.
I marvel at how many people attended the dinner--about 2000 in total -- WOW! As I recall, it was about 1700 of MCS and about 200 MSS plus some guests. We had over 50 members of Class of 1970 in attendance. I am not sure the headcount included the current students who performed and entertained us. I just loved the welcome greetings at the entrance by the primary students -- didn't you?
There were many many many MCS former students because of a strong organization that is in existence, called MCS FSA (Former Students' Association). If you are not a member, I encourage you to become a member. Yes, it does cost you HK$1,000 (about US$150) for Life Membership (or HK$200 for annual fee).
Come on, you have benefited so much from your Maryknoll education; it's time to give back to your alma mater. According to Ms. Lucy Khouw, MCSFSA Membership Chairperson (and Class of 1982 Rep) part of this amount goes towards contribution to the Maryknoll Sisters as part of the charitable activities. Here's the mission statement from the website -- check it out at www.mcsfsa.com.
The Maryknoll Convent School Former Students' Association (FSA) exists to promote fellowship among graduates of Maryknoll Convent School (MCS), to strengthen links between the school and its graduates, and to contribute to the well-being of the school and its members. In all its undertakings, FSA strives to uphold the Maryknoll spirit of Sola Nobilitas Virtus (Virtue Alone Ennobles).
Please read attached quote from Mr Aloysius Lee, Deputy Principal for School Development and Panel Head of English Language, and celebrate your love and heritage of Maryknoll by joining the MCS FSA. Also attached is the Membership Application form or you can print it from the FSA website.
If you know other Maryknoll graduates who are not yet members, please share this email with them--whatever class year they may be --we are ALL former students of that GREAT school -- let's become lifetime members and age gracefully together!!
If you need assistance in getting your payment to the FSA, please contact one of your friends who has a HK bank account. As a last resort, let me know if you need my assistance. I can make arrangements to convert your US$150 check (payable to Barbara T. Huang, mail with you application to me at 16929 Inglewood Road NE, Unit C-301, Kenmore, WA 98028, USA).
Written with much affection and fond memories of Maryknoll and my classmates and teachers,
Barbara Tjia Huang
Class of 1970
12 Mar 2010
Dear Steering Committee,
First of all, thank you for doing all the hard work to make the 85th anniversary and celebration weekend such a wonderful time for all of us to get together. This is the first time I have attended reunion in Hong Kong after being away since the mid-1970's.
Please don't take the following as criticisms but as input and food for thought for organizing future events:
1. Table placements - There were over 30 people from my class who came to the reunion dinner... some of them from as far as Sydney, Florida, Bangkok, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, etc. As we do not have a single, strong class representative leader to collect all the money for the tickets, we ended up with three people who each collected for 10 people at the table. As some of us from overseas did not know about the event and make a decision to come right away, we found that our three and a half tables were placed far away from each other and in three different corners of the great ballroom which made communications a little more difficult. I am wondering if the organizing committee can, instead of assigning table by how soon the money was collected, help by grouping all the tables from each class together... or may be at least put classes from several consecutive years (i.e. class year 1980-1985) in the same general area. This would allow people to be more engaged with others who attended the school at about the same time to share more of their experience.
2. Replace raffle drawing with class photography - no one bought a reunion ticket to attend because of the raffle drawing prizes... you can probably skip to allow more time during dinner to call up the classes for an official class photo with the sisters. I noticed that a lot of people had left by the time the official class photography started. Also, I'd suggest providing a little more structure and make sure there are some sort of announcements to call up each class year so there is not mass confusion and complaints that some classes cut in line, etc.
All in all, I had a great time and was able to see some classmates I haven't see since Form 5/6. Thank you again for hosting and putting together this wonderful event for all of us.
Best Regards,
Eleanor Chang '73
2 Mar 2010
Thank you Kathy for flying 6,304 nautical miles from home to Maryknoll! Our collective efforts would not have born fruit but for you and other overseas alumnae support!
Warmest regards,
Maggie Chau
1 Mar 2010
I can only describe the above event with one word - "MAGNIFICENT!" Thank you dear ladies for presenting to all such a magnificent event. We all enjoyed the celebration very much. See you all soon.
Warmest Regards,
Kathy Chu Giannini
www.mcsmsscalifornia.org
26 Feb 2010
Dear MCS 7th Reunion 85th Anniversary Steering Committee
The Class of 1963 would like to express our appreciation for putting this 85th Anniversary Reunion Weekend together for our participation and enjoyment. You have made it possible for us to reminisce and relive our 'good old Maryknoll days'. We will value and treasure this with our fond memories of the last weekend together.
Our thoughts are already on our own 50th Anniversary next 8th Reunion in Vancouver in 2013. We have some initial thoughts on how to commemorate this very important milestone for our Class of 1963 at the Reunion. Please keep us informed of plans for Vancouver so our plans may be incorporated into the whole scheme of things. Marie Cheong will be our Class Representative and will lead our own 50th Anniversary Celebration in Vancouver.
Thank you once again for letting us share the weekend together with all our Class and Schoolmates, the Sisters and Teachers. Well done!
Class of 1963
24 Feb 2010
A heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation for the work put into the program making it so enjoyable and memorable.
Ellen Chan
MSS Class 62
23 Feb 2010
It was a beautiful evening! Will take a week for everyone to recover and a lifetime to remember!
All members of the Committee and supporting staff, you have worked so hard and for so many months to make the WWR happen -- and with such success. Only Love can sustain that kind of intensity and for so long. The Reunion has heightened the love in every Maryknoller who attended and this will certainly ripple out to more.
A great big thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Amy Ho
22 Feb 2010
Co-Chair and Members of WWR Steering Committee,
Sincerest thanks for a warm and simply wonderful experience!
While the highlight was the Gala Dinner and programs, all related aspects are testimony to the infinite attention to details for the care and comfort of the homecoming Maryknollers. You have reason to be pleased and proud of the outcome of your 15 months of planning, preparation and implementation.
Warmest congratulations and many thanks again, regards too.
Yours ever,
Helen Lai Yu
22 Feb 2010
What a great day! Thanks, muchos gracias!
The whole event when on so smoothly yesterday, and people were mingling, chatting, taking photos and rushing everywhere to buy souvenirs! So very typical when females gathered! Probably we didn't even notice what we'd put into our mouths during the meals.
Our poor Sisters were posing for so many photos and probably shaking so many hands, hugging countless people that their feet and hands would be really sore when they lie in bed last night!
I have enjoyed all the meetings of the Steering Committee, and noted how efficient everyone was, and the collaboration towards one single goal worked wonders! Probably we will miss the busy meetings and particularly the fellowship from our MSS alumnae and friends! Look forward to our wrap up meeting!
God bless you,
Dr. Maria Lee
22 Feb 2010
Thank you for your great effort! It must have been a lot of work. We all enjoyed the evening very much.
Best regards,
Calenina Yu
Class of 1980
21 Feb 2010
Dear Committee members,
I just like to say "job well done" to you all. Even the food is good which is not always the case with the Convention Centre. I and many MSS alumnae truly appreciate all your work. It is LOTS of Hard work behind. I have written to Cindy Chu and Nancy Tong separately for their great work as well.
Thank you again,
Magdalen Yum
Feb 22, 2010
Dear Maryknollers and friends,
The 3-day program has successfully completed with hundreds of visitors attended the Homecoming and the Mass; plus over 2,200 guests at the Gala Dinner on Sunday. We have so much fun and joy, and will share the photos here in near future. Stay tuned.
Please note that the 8th Worldwide Reunion will be hosted in Vancouver in 2013. Mark your diary now if you don't want to miss it!
Jan 21, 2010
Dear Fellow Maryknollers,
Join the Stage!
Don't hide away your memorable school day shots! Share them at the Reunion. We're calling for old Maryknoll-related photos to be shown on the backdrop during the dinner performances. What fun to see yourself and your classmates the way you were, up close and personal!
Deadline for submission is January 31, 2010. Please email your photos to wwr@mcsfsa.com. Jpeg files with sizes under 1MB are good enough.
Directory Compilation
Thank you for submitting your personal information for our WWR Directory. The entry of data is officially closed as of Dec 31, 2009, as stated on the Directory Compilation Form. We have already allowed a grace period up to Jan 15, 2010. We apologize that any information received beyond that date cannot appear in the Directory. Kindly refrain from sending in any more data forms as they will not be processed.
Sponsorships
Please accept our sincerest gratitude for your generous contribution and sponsorship towards the event. Unfortunately, we have officially passed the deadline for acknowledging our sponsors in the program booklet. If you still wish to support us with any sponsorship, we gratefully accept your offer but we won't be able to appropriately recognize your contribution.
We're just one month away from this grand reunion. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!
Maryknoll 7th WWR & MCS 85th Anniversary Celebrations Committee
July 27, 2009
Dear Maryknollers,
The high caliber of our Maryknoll Graduates, whether in Business, Finance, Education, Homemaking etc. has made us very proud and happy. You each manifest God's integrity, love and beauty. You are like little stars, scattered all over the world. Keep on shining!
Love,
sr. Virginia Flagg (Sr. Stella Marie)
Dear Maryknollers of MCS and MSS,
