Ontario Maryknollers

Official Newsletter of Maryknoll Convent Former Students (Ont.) Inc.

2003 MCS-MSS Joint Fundraising

Planning for the next biennial joint Maryknoll Fundraising Dinner is well under way. It is tentatively set for Saturday, April 5, 2003 at the exclusive Granite Club, Toronto, and MSS is the host school this time.

As you know, nearly all the Maryknoll Sisters who have taught us are past retirement age. Some of them are now in frail health, and need nursing care, which is expensive. Maryknoll Alumnae Ontario is committed to helping raise funds for the care of the Sisters who have given so much of themselves for the people of Hong Kong. You can help your 2003 Fundraising Dinner Organizing Committee help the Sisters with:

Donations of items for door prizes
Donation of items for silent auction
Sponsorship of airfare and accommodation for the Sisters to come to Toronto next April
Corporate sponsorships
Donations

Volunteers are also needed to help in all areas of this fundraising campaign. Call up former classmates and form a group to sponsor your favourite Sister to come to Toronto. Don't forget, frequent flyer points are transferable. And invite those old girls from out of town you haven't seen for some time to come visit Toronto next April.

More details about the event would be posted on the web site from time to time. Please visit us every now and then and give us suggestions as to how we can make this function even better than the one we had two years ago at Crystal Fountain Banquet Hall.

An Extraodinary Wedding
By Anna Li Chan (1974)

Simon Wong, son of Dorothy Chan (1974) and Michael Wong married Nana Furukawa on August 4, 2002. Many of Dorothy’s MCS former teachers and friends, some of whom came from Vancouver and New York, were delighted to join them for the special occasion.

Ceremonies in Chinese, Japanese and western styles filled the day. In the morning, the Groom and his closest friends happily whisked away the Bride in a Chinese sedan from her house to his, followed by a conventional Chinese tea ceremony. Adding grace to the ceremony, Simson and Nana, their wedding party and their relatives all dressed in traditional Chinese costumes.

Later in the afternoon, a formal wedding ceremony took place at the Royal York Hotel where the stunning Bride and Groom exchanged their vows with the blessing of the priest. After the ceremony, the festivities began. At one end of the room, some guests took their first opportunities to have their pictures taken with the newly weds. Other guests were demonstrating their skills in mini-golf and other prize-winning games, posting for their portraits sketched by famous cartoonists, or enjoying cocktails and refreshments while visiting with their friends.

An amazing Japanese drum performance set the tone for the magically romantic banquet. In the elegant hotel Ballroom, the hosts indulged their 300 guests with a lavish dinner consisting of a combination of Chinese, Japanese and western cuisines, amidst amusing games with the new couple, live music and dancing. A decadent dessert buffet wrapped up the evening and each guest brought home a fine silver Maple Leaf coin and a basket of goodies.

Our belated congratulations to Dorothy and her family.

Dear Friends,

We celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary on 8 Aug 2002 with our 5 children, Kendrick, Vanessa, Miranda, Lesley & Cameron.

It was a fun & memorable evening with over 90 good friends coming from all over the world. Miss Edith Wong & Patricia Wu came all the way from Vancouver. They are the two guests who attended my wedding in Hong Kong 25 years ago.

Jacqueline Fong

Over 40 alumnae attended the 3rd Networking Dinner on Wednesday, June 5, 2002 at Ruby Restaurant in Scarborough. The 2 speakers were Alexandra Ngan and Shirley Cheong who gave very interesting and informative talks, complete with a PowerPoint presentation. Alexandra enlightened the group about "Living Will" -- (a) when there is a need to prepare one, (b) whom to call on as executors and (c) the importance of having a written document . To complete her presentation, she gave out gift vouchers to visit her office.

Shirley gave a talk about the most common dental problem -- (Gum) Periodontal disease and its prevention. We now know that it is a bacterial infection and so proper treatment and maintenance will help us preserve our teeth for life. The pictures she showed us were so vivid that many in the audience were awakened to the importance of regular dental visits.

Shirley's office has recently moved to Centre Point Mall. We wish her every success in her new location.

Fall Picnic for the Whole Family

WE provide the LUNCH and GAMES ……YOU provide the COMPANY AND LAUGHTER (not forgetting your swimsuit). So, do join us and bring the family (Grandparents too!)

Where: Milliken District Park (Area C)

Steeles Avenue (on the south side/east of McCowan Road, west of Middlefield Road

When: Sunday, September 22, 2002 at the Milliken District Park in Scarborough

Time: 11:00a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Deadline: Friday, September 13, 2002

Name: ____________________________________________

(Please print)

Telephone No.: _____________________________________

Number of Attendees*: Adult(s) ________

Child(ren) Age 0 – 3 __________Age 4 – 11 __________

*PLEASE SPECIFY CHILD’S AGE as games are provided.

Amount Enclosed: _____________payable to Maryknoll Convent Former Students (Ont.) Inc.

Mail to: P.O. Box 20056, Nymark Postal Outlet, 4839 Leslie Street, North York, Ontario M2J 5E4

Congratulations to

Gloria Ko as she retires from Maryknoll Convent School, Secondary.

And at the same time to Winifred Lin ( former student of Maryknoll Sisters' School) as the new Principal beginning September 2002.

We wish them both success in their new divergent careers.

Academic Achievement Award

Once again it is time for the Academic Achievement Award. So far we've received only two applications. Children of members are eligible to apply with an overall average of above 80% in six Ontario Academic Credits. The awards will be given out at the picnic on Sept. 22. Transcripts should be sent to P.O. Box 20056, Nymark Postal Outlet, 4839 Leslie St., North York, M2J 5E4 no later than Sept. 13, 2002.

For further queries, please contact Gertrude Chan at 416-496-9671.

All our newsletters published since 1999 have been uploaded to our website. Please visit us and give us your ideas and input as to how we can improve on it. We are no experts, but we strive to match your expectations.

Beginning with this issue, we'll only be mailing to those who have no access to the internet or who prefer to receive hard copies via the post office. Please let your friends know about the change as this would save a lot on postage. If any member encounters any problem with reading the newsletter on the net, please let Gertrude know so she can send her a hard copy.

Are you moving or Have you Moved?

If you wish to continue to receive your copy of our newsletter after you’ve moved, please fill out the change of address notification form below and mail or fax to :

Maryknoll Convent Former Students (Ont.) Inc.

Fax No. (416) 222-5483

P.O. Box 20056
Nymark Postal Outlet
4839 Leslie Street, North York, ON M2J 5E4

North York, Ontario, M2J 5E4

Name (First)______________________ (Maiden) _______________ (Married) ________________

Year of Form 5 ____________________Year Left Maryknoll_______________________________

Please change my address effective on (day)_________/ (month) __________/ (year) ____________

NEW ADDRESS IS:

Street No._________ Street Name________________________________________________

Apt. No. __________City __________________Postal Code ___________________________

New Home Phone No. _________________________Work Phone No. _______________________

Cell Phone No. _______________________________E-mail Address ________________________

Signature______________________________ Date _______________________________

Committee Members
2001~2003