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A quiet sacred place

Letter to the Editor

Published: Monday, October 11, 2010

Updated: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 00:10

As I watched the Notre Dame claim a victory, I could not help but think of Coach Weis and his wife Maura, Charlie Jr. and sweet Hannah. I was watching the game with my precious son and his wonderful neighbors at Hannah and Friends Farm in the beautiful Eck Rec Facility. My son just recently became a resident there this summer.

My autistic son will never graduate from Notre Dame like I did, but he graduated to becoming independent at the Jon Bon Jovi home with support from Mosaic staff and Hannah and Friends staff. Having autism, a communication disorder and auditory processing difficulties, he greets each new day with enthusiasm and hope. My son is my champion. I am proud of his many accomplishments at his ripe age of 22. He has become a leader, and helps his friends at the Day programs at Hannah and Friends — a quiet sacred place not far from campus, where miracles happen daily. This is one place every student needs to visit before they graduate from the University of Notre Dame.

Come and see the legacy the Weis family left. A place where angels walking the earth are respected, celebrated and loved unconditionally. Come and say hello to the welcoming residents — they will make your heart smile. When you leave, you can say a prayer at the grotto of Mother Mary donated by the Golic family. I will never forget the legacy the Weis family left us, and when my time comes to meet my Almighty Maker, I know my son will be taken care of.

Until then, it's just 2.8 miles away to visit my favorite hero.

 

Katherine Robinson Coleman

alumna

Class of 1978

Oct. 11

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8 comments

Ed Heilbron
Tue Oct 12 2010 23:29
As parent of a current Domer, I will be suggesting that he do exactly as the writer suggests, spend some time at Hannah and Friends Farm. Thank you to former-Coach Weis for providing such a facility. And boo to gutless people who are emboldened to scribe small-minded barbs because they can hide behind the moniker, "Anonymous".
Anonymous
Tue Oct 12 2010 20:40
Thank you for your perspective. I love the values that Charlie Weis modeled in his charity work, in his community outreach, in knowing that Notre Dame is so much more than football. I enjoy college football and the traditions of Notre Dame football, and I really enjoy winning, but the most important lessons of the game transcend football- Charlie Weis knows that and I think his players know that as well.
nddomer
Tue Oct 12 2010 17:36
This letter to the editor is the best Notre Dame football letter ever submitted!
Don in LA
Tue Oct 12 2010 16:43
Touching. When you read the message boards with small-minded people attacking public figures from the safety of an anonymous email, it is easy to become cynical. You remind us that life is not a simple case of good and bad. Thanks
Milhouse
Tue Oct 12 2010 14:59
Where's the "like" button? Thanks, Katherine -- great stuff.
Anonymous
Tue Oct 12 2010 12:01
I volunteered at the Logan Center as an undergrad; one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. Great to hear of the newer facilities available to help such special, precious people. Glad that the former ND football coach had some influence on that. May he stay in KC a long, long time.
Tue Oct 12 2010 11:43
Charlie Weis was and is a good person, he was a good recruiter he was NOT a college football coach and he is happier in K.C. as an O.C. in the pros, and good luck to him.

Why so many people still insist in dumping on him is a question only they can answer, and it is THEIR problem.

G-reg
Tue Oct 12 2010 08:45
Great letter. With all the commotion surrounding his departure, people easily forget all the good things Weis and his family did for the community.






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