A.M.E.N.
Welcome to the Alumni Mothers Extended Network (A.M.E.N.)!
About
Alumni Mothers Extended Network (A.M.E.N) is dedicated to carrying on Bellarmine's tradition of men and women for and with others, and provides a variety of social, spiritual and service activities to mutually benefit its members and the Bellarmine community. We strive to foster the fellowship among women established while your son(s) was a student at Bellarmine. Although we transition from "Bell mom" to "alumni mom" upon our son's graduation(s), A.M.E.N gives us the vehicle to enrich our futures by fostering our Bellarmine friendships in the spirit of camaraderie and service.
A.M.E.N Activities Include
- Building community with new and old friends in A.M.E.N’s diverse Interest Groups such as Hiking, Community Volunteering, Thirsty Thursdays, Golf and Movie groups
- Celebrations with the A.M.E.N community through bi-annual events to connect the entire A.M.E.N membership
- A.M.E.N Retreats
- Providing mentorship to Bellarmine parents whose sons are navigating the college process
- Volunteering at local non-profit agencies and organizations
- Providing helping hands at Bellarmine events
- Opportunity to serve on the A.M.E.N Board
Committee
A.M.E.N. Steering Committee
Julie Paulsen - Chair
Contact: Julie Paulsen
The Chair oversees and facilitates activities, events and communications with the general A.M.E.N membership, and adheres to the A.M.E.N bylaws and mission statement. She communicates with Bellarmine and the A.M.E.N Advisor. The Chair also oversees and facilitates the A.M.E.N Steering Committee in its monthly meetings and duties, prepares meeting agendas, obtains reports, and promotes consensus.
Jeanne Villegas - Chair-Elect
Contact: Jeanne Villegas
The Chair-Elect shadows the Chair for a year, and then becomes Chair the following year. She supports the Chair, helps with communications and collects final reports.
Vicki Pope - Advisor
Contact: Vicki Pope
The Advisory provides guidance, expertise, and insights to support the committee's work.
Jeanne Villegas - Secretary & Correspondence
Contact: Jeanne Villegas
Lisa Ruder - Treasurer
Contact: Lisa Ruder
Serves as resource to A.M.E.N Steering Committee members, liaison between A.M.E.N and BCP Finance, tracks revenue and expenses, prepares budgets and financial documents, reconciles BCP financial reports with treasurer’s records, and provides monthly financial updates to the A.M.E.N Steering Committee.
Maggie Pecoraro - Interest Groups
Contact: Maggie Pecoraro
The Interest Groups Liaison gathers monthly updates from A.M.E.N Interest Groups and communicates this information to the A.M.E.N Steering Committee and A.M.E.N Webmaster.
Lenore Grant and Maria von Massenhausen - Communications
Contact: Lenore Grant
Contact: Maria von Massenhausen
The communication chair maintains the A.M.E.N website by posting communications, news, events and photos. Will send a monthly email with a link to the A.M.E.N monthly Newsletter. Also works with Bellarmine staff and technology to stay up to date with the BCP community. This is a 2 year position.
The Communications Chair-Elect will shadow for one year, assisting and training, in preparation for taking over the position as Communications Chair.
Michelle Abene and TBD - Fall Service Project/Spring Retreat
Contact: Michelle Abene
Rhonda Nourse and Liz Page - Membership
Contact: Rhonda Nourse
Contact: Liz Page
The Membership Chair encourages and manages A.M.E.N membership through mailings to new grad moms and past A.M.E.N members, keeps an updated list of members and distributes this list to event chairs as needed.
TBD - Merchandising
The Merchandising Chairs provide Bellarmine-themed items for sale online and at select events throughout the year.
Shannon Tassi and Maris Whitney - Fall & Spring Dinner
Contact: Shannon Tassi
Contact: Maris Whitney
The Co-Chairs plan and create invitations, menu, decor and event program for a fall and spring celebration.
Robyn Klitgaard- Member at Large
Contact: Robyn Klitgaard
The Member at Large works on special projects, could fulfill liaison roles or step into a vacant role as needed.
Diane Seadler - BCP Advisor
Contact: Diane Seadler
The BCP Advisor is the liaison to Bellarmine College Preparatory.
Membership
A.M.E.N is dedicated to carrying on the tradition of men and women for others, and will provide a variety of social, spiritual and service activities to mutually benefit its members and the Bellarmine community.
Congratulations on being the mother of a Bellarmine alumnus! If you would like to continue your involvement with the Bellarmine family, we invite you to join, or renew your membership with the Alumni Mothers Extended Network (A.M.E.N).
Active Membership
Mothers whose son(s) have attended or graduated from Bellarmine. The Active Membership provides access to Interest Groups, invitations to A.M.E.N events, and the ability to participate on the A.M.E.N board.
Transitional Membership
Mothers who have an alumni son(s) from Bellarmine, but still have younger son(s) attending the school. The Transitional Membership provides access to Interest Groups and invitations to annual A.M.E.N events. Transitional members cannot participate on the A.M.E.N board until all sons have graduated from Bellarmine.
For more information about A.M.E.N Membership contact the Membership Chair, Rhonda Nourse and Liz Page
Please join A.M.E.N by clicking HERE!
All mothers of alumni are encouraged to be a part of A.M.E.N. The suggested annual membership fee is $25, however cost should not prohibit anyone to join. Any amount is welcome!
A.M.E.N is self-sustaining and supported through membership contributions, the fall and spring dinners, and purchases from our online and pop up store sales. Any money remaining at the end of the school year is given to Bellarmine's Direct Tuition Assistance Fund. Memberships are renewed annually in July, but new members can join anytime throughout the year. Members include moms of sons who have graduated, and moms who have sons who have graduated and have younger sons too. Become a member today to be a part of this amazing group!
News & Events
A.M.E.N Membership
Alumni Mothers Extended Network (A.M.E.N) is dedicated to carrying on Bellarmine's tradition of men and women for others, and provides a variety of social, spiritual and service activities to mutually benefit its members and the Bellarmine community.
Join, or renew your membership!
Upcoming Events (More to come)
Register here for the A.M.E.N Spring Dinner, Thursday, April 30th.
Interest Groups
Some of our Interest Groups will continue to meet during the summer. If you find yourself looking to play pickleball, play some golf, see a movie, visit a new hiking location, etc., Check out the Interest Group page and contact the chair of the group. Happy Summer!
A.M.E.N Newsletter
Latest Newsletter:
Past A.M.E.N. Newsletters
Merchandising
Interest Groups
Interest Groups
- Book Group
- College Mentoring Moms
- Community Volunteers/Helping Hands
- Elderly Parent Support Group
- Gardening Group
- Golf Group
- Hiking Group
- Mahjong Group
- Knitting Group
- Needlepoint Group
- Pickleball
- Spirituality Group
- Wine Tasting
- Gourmet Group
- Ski Club
Book Group
College Mentoring Moms
This group provides support to current Bellarmine moms as they navigate the college process with their sons. No applications or essays for us - simply share your insights into a college your child (son or daughter) is attending or has attended ... favorite restaurants, hotels near the college, places to shop for dorm gear, your perspective on meal plans etc. You will be a reassuring voice to a nervous mom.
Email the following information to Susan if you are willing to be a college mentor mom.
- Name
- Child(s) year(s) of graduation - can be a son or a daughter
- College(s) I know well
- Phone
Contact: Susan Munne
Community Volunteers/Helping Hands
Join us to be notified of volunteer opportunities both within and outside the Bellarmine community, such as helping at the annual Mother-Son Event or wrapping gifts for children in local shelters.
Also, if you are involved with a charitable organization which is in need of a group of hands-on volunteers, we are happy to spread the word to our AMEN community. Just send your name and email address (as the sponsoring AMEN member) and a short description of the opportunity to the contact listed below.
We also offer assistance such as meals to AMEN families in need, just as the BMG Helping Hands group does. Sign up to receive emails about these opportunities.
This group is open to all Bellarmine alumni moms, regardless of their AMEN membership status.
Contact: Linda Chen
Elderly Parent Support Group
The Elderly Parents Support Group is meant to provide an opportunity for us to seek advice and vent our frustrations. Topics include but are not limited to: Fall prevention. What to do when our parents are hospitalized? How to choose a rehabilitation center? What are the differences between home health agencies and home care companies? How to choose between Palliative and Hospice care?
Contact Alice Ng, OTR/L, otaliceng@gmail.com or 650-255-1838.
Gardening Group
The Gardening Group meets five times a year for a variety of outdoor activities. In the past we have attended garden tours, planting events, floral design classes, farm visits, vegetable workshops, and a garden party. The group mixes up their events to be hands-on as well as tours of gardens.
Contact: Teresa Giovanzana and Lisa Christensen
Golf Group
The Golf Group meets the second Tuesday of each month. Currently they play 9 holes but are willing to schedule 18 hole rounds if requested. Contact Catherine Christofferson to join the AMEN golf group.
Contact: Catherine Christofferson
Hiking Group
The hiking group meets weekly on Mondays throughout the year at a variety of open space parks in Santa Clara County, such as Almaden Quicksilver, Los Gatos Creek Trail, Santa Teresa County Park, Fremont Older, and San Antonio Regional Park.
Please be sure to wear a hat, sunscreen and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. Layered clothing is a good approach, particularly in the winter months.
Contact: Teresa Giovanzana
Mahjong Group
Contact Contact Bik Wah at calpolyglot@aol.com or Nancy Janda at nancyjandais@gmail.com for information regarding the Mahjong group.
Knitting Group
We are a small, but lively group of seven women who never seem to get very far in their individual projects. We meet twice a month for two hours - the first and third Wednesdays of the month - at the San Jose home of a Bellarmine alum mother. This chatty group shares their life’s stories and experiences over purl stitches, tea and cookies, and much laughter. Topics from A to Z pop up in our conversations - from politics to religion, marriage and weddings, the joy of grandchildren being born and the sorrow of saying a final good-bye to parents and friends. Advice and sage wisdom is freely shared, and our motto is “What’s discussed at knitting, stays at knitting!”. You are welcome to join whatever your skill level and even if you only crochet!
Contact: Kathy Pompili
Needlepoint Group
This is a new group. If you have any interest, please contact Maria von Massenhausen for more information.
Contact: Maria von Massenhausen at mtvonmassenhausen@gmail.com.
Pickleball
The Pickleball Group will meet the second and fourth Monday of the month from 9-10 am.
For more information and to sign up contact Liz Page at eapage3@gmail.com or Mary Lavelle at cookiefisher08@gmail.com.
Spirituality Group
Women at the Well: Ignatian Spirituality for Mothers - Meets weekly from 8:00 - 9:30 am at Santa Clara University in the St. Francis Chapel. The group will spend 6-8 weeks on one particular topic or practice, range from book discussions, scripture study, meditation, the Examen, The Spiritual Exercises, as well as other prayer practices. The group will take quarterly field trips to sacred spaces around the Bay Area.
The Spirituality Group is currently full. If you are interested in starting up a new group, please contact Sarah Bonini. Sarah can help advise a new Spirituality Group.
Contact: Sarah Bonini
Wine Tasting
Meet at Testarossa for private wine tasting and charcuterie
Dates TBD
Lead by Michelle Abene, wow123@me.com
Gourmet Group
AMEN currently has two Gourmet Groups. Each Gourmet Group has 4 cook teams of 4 women each, for a total of 16 women in each Gourmet Group, rotating hosting duties amongst all members. Gourmet skills are not required! If there are multiple women on a waiting list, the next member is chosen by blind lottery.
The Wednesday group meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month. To be added to the wait list, contact Jody Knauf
The Saturday group meets the first Saturday of the month. To be added to the wait list, contact Betsy Leff
Ski Club
Come - let’s hit the slopes! Join us for a “ski theme” interest group and discussion on potential dates and places for skiing 2026. We invite you and any fellow AMEN members who love skiing, snowboarding, winter sports, building snowmen, or just having a blast in the snow with like-minded snow bunnies. Let’s make some frosty fun memories together!
Contact: Michelle Abene
AMEN currently has five active book clubs. AMEN accepts new names to create new book groups. If you are interested in joining a book club submit your name to AMEN’s Interest Group Chair, Maggie Pecoraro, to have your name be placed on a list for a new book club.
Book Club
Contact: Maggie Pecoraro
A.M.E.N has many Interest Groups for its registered members. There are no additional fees associated to participate in these groups unless the group has a cost associated for an event, which would be stated.
An overview of each Interest Groups is provided below. Some Interest Groups are at maximum capacity while others are open to as many members that want to join. If you have questions about a group, please contact our Interest Group Chair, Maggie Pecoraro. Maggie can answer your questions regarding the Interest Groups, as well as assist you in creating a new Interest Group.