Looking Ahead

Right now is our busy season at Angela Center with meditation groups one right after the other and then followed by Camp Writing Bear, Suzuki violin camp, Meridian University and then the Coming Home Project. So summer is in full swing here.

But we are also gearing up for school year so if you know a non-profit group that is looking for a beautiful place to hold their meeting, luncheon or weekend, do give us a call!

We have already scheduled a weekend with Father Jim Hogan for March 12 & 13, 2011 and in preparation for that, we have his latest book on sale here at Angela Center--- "Yes We Are! The Living Body of Christ". According to Bob Egan, SJ, a priest-professor of theology at Gonzaga University: “.....here is a down to earth, easy to read and inspiring expression of what all of God’s people must learn ...doing theology from life.”

Here's what Sandra Schnneiders wrote about this book: “Vatican II Catholics will be strengthened and encouraged by this theologically sound and pastorally sensitive naming and claiming of the very heart of the counciliar renewal. ... Jim Hogan is not at all naive about the discouraging efforts of some to put the new Vatican II Church back into the old Tridentine box but his genuine hope in the power of the Spirit comes through forcefully on every page. He speaks persuasively from a lifetime of ministry as a parish pastor and from the depths of his engaging humanity.


"Yes We Are! The Living Body of Christ" is avaliable at Angela Center for $19.95
Make checks payable to Fr. Jim Hogan. If you'd like us to mail you a copy, just include another $2.50 for mailing.

Tribute to Jerry Hardy

Jerry Hardy

(Press Democrat Article Published: Sunday, April 25, 2010)

In his 84 years, Jerry Hardy was a Marine, a scientist, teacher, social justice campaigner and health food advocate. But he may be remembered best as “the nicest counselor” at Rincon Valley Junior High School. Since his April 18 death from a rare and aggressive cancer, several former students from his decades as a Santa Rosa educator have shared their memories of him with his family.

One girl recalled, “I used to be a bully, but he brought me into his office and said, ‘You're really not bully material. You don't have to live that way,' ” said Hardy's daughter, Margaux Hardy of Santa Rosa, “And it changed her life.” “Gentle compassion is what he stood for, and justice,” she said.

Hardy died on his 84th birthday at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital just a month after being diagnosed with sinus cancer. “He was a scientist, he would have liked that,” his daughter said. “That's just kind of tidy.” Hardy was born and grew up in pioneer conditions in North Dakota, one of 12 children from a devout Irish Catholic family. He liked to tell stories from his childhood, like when his brothers dangled him out a barn window by his feet or when they crashed the crop-dusting plane. On his 13th birthday, his gift was a broom for sweeping the porch. “He was excited because it was actually a nice broom,” instead of the old one he'd been using, Margaux Hardy said.

After graduating from high school, Hardy went to Carroll College in Montana. A year later, he transferred to the University of Michigan, where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in science. After graduation, he was drafted into the Marines, where he was assigned to teach recruits who hadn't earned their high school diplomas Although he said boot camp was the most demeaning experience he'd ever had, he was proud to have served at Marine Barracks Washington, famously known as “8th & I,” the oldest active post in the Marines, dating to Thomas Jefferson's time. Hardy also served on the presidential guard for Dwight D. Eisenhower at the commander-in-chief's Camp David, Md., getaway. “He wasn't the biggest fan of Eisenhower,” his daughter said. “But when he saluted the president, the president had to salute him back. He liked that.”

After being discharged from the service, Hardy accepted a teaching job in Coos Bay, Ore., where he met his soon-to-be wife, Donna. They were married for 52 years. Hardy took a job at Santa Rosa Junior High School in 1956 teaching science and biology. Donna Hardy, also a teacher, soon followed.

A few years later, Hardy moved to Rincon Valley Junior High School where he spent nearly three decades as a science teacher and counselor. “When I was growing up, he was like a rock star,” his daughter said. “Everyone in Santa Rosa knew him, especially in Rincon Valley, because he was the ‘nice counselor.' ”

Hardy retired in 1986 and spent his later years traveling, involved in church and community activities and lovingly maintaining his half-acre of hillside in Montecito Heights. In addition to his wife and daughter, Hardy is survived by a son, Owen Hardy of Sparks, Nev.; a sister, Mary Muggli of Tacoma; Two brothers, Paul Hardy of Seattle and Charlie Hardy of Beach, N.D.; and three grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. May 23 at Ursula Hall on Ursuline High School's campus, followed by a celebration of his life in Brescia Hall. Services for his large extended family will be held this summer in Seattle and North Dakota.

The family requests any fond memories of Hardy be sent to hardym@comcast.net.

Celebrating the Life of Gerald Hardy

Gerald D. Hardy
April 18, 1926 - 2010

Please join us in honoring and celebrating the life of Jerry. He touched so many lives with his love, compassion, faith and strength. Family, friends, colleagues and students are invited to attend.

Sunday, May 23 at 4pm
Ursula Hall- 400 Angela Drive, Santa Rosa

Funeral Mass at 4pm in the chapel at Ursula Hall. Rev. Bill Donohue presiding.
Reception and Celebration of Life to follow in Brescia Hall on the Ursuline Campus.

If you have a memory/story/words/wishes to send that will be shared in a little book, or have pictures that can be added to a photo presentation shown at the service, please email Margaux Hardy hardym@comcast.net by May 10.

We would love to know you are coming. In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing a small dish, dessert or drink to share. Please email hardym@comcast.net to make arrangements. Jerry always loved a good pot-luck and party.

Donations may be sent in memory of Gerald Hardy to:
Sonoma Land Trust http://www.sonomalandtrust.org/
Ursuline High School http://www.ursulinehs.org/
Cardinal Newman High School http://www.cardinalnewman.org/s/206/index.aspx

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SERVICES

Santa Rosa, California Service
Sunday, May 23, 2010
4pm Mass followed by dinner celebration of his life
Ursula Hall - 400 Angela Drive. Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Beach, North Dakota Service
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Mass followed by visit to the Beach Cemetery followed by Reception at the Farm. (More info tba)
St. Johns Catholic Church - 162 2nd Avenue Southeast. Beach, ND 58621.

Seattle, Washington Service
Saturday, June 12, 2010
10am Mass followed by reception
Our Lady of Guadalupe West Seattle 7000 35th Avenue SW. Seattle WA 98126

Contact: Margaux Hardy 707 696-5511 or hardym@comcast.net

A person is certainly more than what can be written in 1600 characters or less...

Gerald David Hardy passed away on his 84th birthday, April 18. Born in North Dakota, he grew up one of twelve children in an Irish Catholic farm family. After graduating from Beach High School, he went to Carroll College in Montana for his freshman year, then transferred to the University of Michigan where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in science. Gerald was then drafted into the Marine Corps and spent his service time teaching at the Marine Institute in Washington, D.C. and serving weekends as a Marine guard at Camp David. In 1954 he came west to teach high school science at Coos Bay, Oregon. Two years later he settled in Santa Rosa and worked as a junior high school science teacher and guidance counselor for the next thirty years. He was well-known and highly regarded by students, staff and parents. Before and after retirement Jerry traveled widely and involved himself in church and community projects. For 52 years he landscaped and lovingly maintained a half-acre of hillside in Santa Rosa. Jerry had a fine tenor voice and was a devoted supporter of and listener to symphony, opera, chamber music and theater. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna Hardy, and by his children, Margaux Hardy of Santa Rosa and Owen Hardy of Sparks, Nevada; by three grandchildren, Martin Bramhall of Santa Rosa and Brittany and Kira Hardy of Sparks; and by Margaux' partner, Steven Cano and Owen's wife, Sonya; by his sister Mary Muggli, and brothers Paul Hardy and Charlie Hardy and hundreds of nieces and nephews. He loved them all. Friends are invited to a funeral mass for Gerald at Ursula Hall at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 23, followed by a celebration of his life in Brescia Hall on the Ursuline campus. For more information visit What's New at http://www.angelacenter.com/