EASTER JOY:What are you hungry for?

April 29th saw the installation of Eucharistic Ministers at Kellenberg Memorial. A reception followed in the Millennium Room.

When we come to Jesus, and for Jesus, we receive Jesus.

When our souls are fed and filled by the work of Jesus, we will never, ever be empty.

May we follow Jesus not so that He can meet our needs but rather knowing that He is all we need.

May we feast on the Food that offers true sustenance for our souls.

EASTER JOY: Humble thyself

We are in the middle of the Blue and Gold season. Every afternoon hundreds of young ladies gather together to prepare an evening of storytelling, tumbling, hip-hop, and more. The one night performance will be an evening of energy and excitement.  Everyone has their place of honor in the sunlight. It's the dream team.

Now, nothing made the Pharisees happier than having the place of honor at banquets, the best seats in the synogogues and respectful greetings of people in the marketplace. They sat on the seat of the great prophet Moses dressed as wise teachers of the law, with broad phylacteries and long fringes — the religious bling of first-century Judaism. They stroked their beards and beamed with pride when people called them “rabbi."

They were the height of arrogance. Flying high. Just not with it. And Jesus wanted to bring them down.

“Do whatever they teach you,” he says, “but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach."

The scribes and Pharisees are hypocrites — people who talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk. As exceptional men, they believe it was their duty to offer the gift of moral clarity to others. But as for practicing a little charity? Someone else’s problem!

Clarity, without charity, equals hypocrisy.

In place of arrogance, Jesus recommends humility. And then Jesus surprises everyone by making a statement that turns everything upside down, sending the arrogant down to the basement and the humble up to the penthouse suite. “The greatest among you will be your servant,” he predicts. “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

WE learn this so well when we work with people. The Blue and Gold participants learn this day in and day out. Little steps add up. Serving others produces great results. Those who humble themselves will be exalted, says Jesus. That’s the height of humility.

In the end, we don’t get anywhere by exalting ourselves. We learn that the only real lift comes from exploring humility. Call it the height of humility. Call it God's dream team. See you at Blue and Gold!

EASTER JOY: Simple wood

So this morning before daily mass at our high school, I was asked if I can write a reflection once a week. I am not going to lie to you, I thought to myself, “What in the world can I write about?” I mean it seems right now the biggest thing for me is to live in preparation for my future endeavors with this vocation, and to deal with the struggle with girls that keep lingering for some reason. That seems to be the case for most high school guys who have a vocation, right?

Well, as I helped prepare what was needed for this morning’s Mass, I was thinking about what I should write about next. Making small talk with our celebrant, Fr. Tom, as well as Brother Michael and a few other students, I opened up one of the cabinets to grab a chalice to be used during Mass. Among the many beautiful chalices we have in that sacristy, my favorite by far has to be the very simple chalice that is made from olive wood. It’s interesting how something so important- a chalice, used to hold the Precious Blood – can be so simple. I don’t know why, but the simple shape and material it’s made from appeals to me. It makes me focus on humility whenever I receive the Precious Blood from that particular chalice.

Now my mind went spinning for some reason trying to figure out a topic to write about (I only had about a day to write this reflection). Out of nowhere I began to think about how wood is such a simple object, but so important, especially in my life. For example, even though I am a terrible surfer, I realized that the first surfboards people ever used were made out of wood. And apparently, this “lax bro” epidemic that I am trying to stay out of made me think… and guess what! The first lacrosse sticks ever used…wooden lax sticks! My house, well the foundation is made out of wood. Who knew how important wood could be?

Now you are wondering where in God’s name am I going with this reflection. Well here it is.

Jesus Christ was born in a cheap wooden manger, probably very simple and small. Nothing too fancy, a true sign of humility. As the years went on and the Big Guy hit puberty, guess what He and Joseph were doing with their lives? Carpentry! Years go by and guess what Jesus goes and does for us? Allows himself to be brutally scorned, whipped, beaten, and nailed to wood in the shape of a cross to save the world from sin.

Pretty incredible to think about in my opinion. A little over 2,000 years later and Jesus is still calling us. Do you have the tools to work with wood? Pray about it, you’ll figure it out then.

Contributed by one of our Marianist high school students

EASTER JOY:Witness of truth

Father Jerzy Popiełuszko

It was announced recently that Fr Jerzy Popieluszko is to be beatified in Warsaw on  June 6th. 

On October 19, 1984, officers of the Polish Security Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs pulled over the car of a thirty-seven year old priest. They bundled him into their unmarked car and drove near Wloclawek. They then savagely beat the priest until he was unconscious and drowned him in the river.

The murdered priest was Jerzy Popiełuszko. He had been born into a farming family in the harsh conditions of post-war Poland. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1972 and began to work with children and youth.

Fr. Popiełuszko started to support the strikers of the independent Polish trade union Solidarity. He said Masses at the picket lines, heard confessions and organised 'workers schools' for the strikers. When martial law was declared in 1981, Popiełuszko helped those persecuted by the regime, providing food and sanctuary when he could.

During this period the Church openly challenged the state. Fr. Popiełuszko became one of its greatest weapons. From 1982 he began to preach homilies that interwove the spiritual with political messages, criticizing the Communist system and motivating people to protest. Popieluszko’s preaching was a thorn in the government’s flesh. He pointed out social injustice and became the “conscience of the people” and tried to “conquer the bad through the good.”

The communists tried to intimidate this  priest: break-ins, shadowing, damage of private goods, bombs, a false trial, numerous arrests, and finally car accidents but he refused to be silenced because he believed that he had a duty as a Christian and as a priest to proclaim the truth. The only way they could silence him was to take his life.

His funeral attracted thousands of mourners who were convinced that they were “witnesses of the sacrifice of a priest who gave his life for the truth.” Communism would cling on in Poland for another five years but the witness and example of Jerzy Popiełuszko would inspire many to rise up against the regime.

EASTER JOY: Marianist Musings

This is the third in a series of student reflections from from the Life Teen Leadership Conference this past summer. Over 500 young men and women gathered together to learn and express their faith.

"The week at the Life Teen Leadership Conference was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. While we were there I was able to learn about the Catholic Church and how to be a good Christian. Listening to the various speakers showed me different perspectives on how I should be a Catholic leader.

My favorite part of the trip was worshipping during Adoration in a more expressive manner while Matt Maher played music. Also, I was able to get to know the other students from Chaminade and Kellenberg Memorial and establish new friendships. In addition to learning and getting to know the other students, one of the most memorable parts of the trip was eating in the dining hall. Not only was there a large variety of food to choose from, but also the food was very delicious. While we were in the dining hall, I was also able to meet several kids from other States and learn what it was like for them at home. Over the course of the trip my faith has strengthened. Having Mass in the Basilica made me want to be more influential in my parish at home."

Justin La Marca

EASTER JOY: The Shepherd calls.

In just a few weeks we will kick off the playoffs in our spring sports. All of our players who have qualified will have very different expectations, but all would like to win. Some of the athletes will simply be glad to be there and will enjoy the experience whatever happens. Other players however will be expecting so much more. To be part of the team that wins is the highest achievement any athlete can attain. It would certainly be helpful if we could bottle whatever formula is needed to win a championship.

All the teams that take part in a championship have, by and large, the best players a school can offer. They are good players. The teams that win have ‘great’ players. Players that are one step ahead of the rest. They are not just born as great players. They certainly do have natural talent, but what they have more than most is a passion to win. This 'fire' inspires those around them. The more of these types of players you have on your team the greater chance of victory. Yet when all of these great players were at school you probably couldn’t tell them apart from the rest.

When you look at a flock of sheep, they too look pretty much the same; it’s hard to tell one from another and yet they are all different. When a shepherd calls them, they don’t all necessarily respond at the same time. There are usually one or two who have the greatest desire to follow and so draw the rest of the flock around them. It’s not that they’re the quickest or perhaps even the smartest, they simply recognise something in the shepherd that attracts them and they want to follow his call.

Christ, The Good Shepherd, is calling. Among the flock of His Church are people who follow Him in so many ways whether it is as a Teacher, Doctor or Insurance Worker. There are others who follow Christ in their vocation to be a parent or as a married person. But there are others who feel a call to take a particular role of leadership in the Church’s flock, as priests, deacons or in consecrated life. Like the sheep it is not that these people are necessarily the quickest or smartest, but they too recognise something in the Shepherd that attracts them. These are not people who will succeed in getting a greater reward when the Good Shepherd brings them to their promised pasture; they are simply the ones who take a lead because of their overwhelming desire to follow.

People who have answered the call to these vocations are seen as leaders because their visible desire to follow Christ encourages others to ask “Why?” What is it that attracts them to follow this true God, true man; Jesus Christ? However, unlike the great lacrosse players they are not the star players in God’s team. On the contrary, to truly be a follower of Christ is to want what Christ wants. The greatest desire of one in consecrated life is to enable others to be stars. Stars, who in the life of the Church, are the saints.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. And it gives us an opportunity to look and acknowledge the leaders who accompanied us in our journey. We also pray that others of those people among us at Mass today, who we know to have an overwhelming desire to follow Christ, will be open to the call in the Church, the flock of Christ.

EASTER JOY: Distractions

This year, I began attending the Holy Hours and dodge ball games at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. When I went for the first time earlier this year, I thought I was just going to the Seminary for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. That seemed fine by me, but it is so much more. Hundreds of high school students from schools all over Long Island attend, along with friends and family, as well as, priests and religious. It is a very moving experience in the packed chapel, especially during Benediction and the Candle-light ceremonies.

This past Friday I made the trip to Huntington again. When we got there, I decided to go downstairs to the crypt where they have confession before the night’s festivities. I sat down alone since I was the first sinner down there. As I tried to focus on examining what wrongs I had done since my last confession, I noticed that I became pretty distracted by the female species since then. I have been getting distracted with hanging out with girls a lot more recently. It certainly is not a bad thing, but it can be a hindrance when one is discerning a religious vocation. So as I sat there waiting for a priest to arrive, who comes in but a group of fine girls from a local Catholic high school. Great. This was the last thing I needed, a group of beautiful young women to come sit next to me while I’m just about to go to confession. Whatever. Let’s just get this over with. So I get through what turned out to be an awesome confession, and as I am leaving I notice two girls give me that look. You know that look? I’m telling you, I thought I saw their phone numbers start to appear on their foreheads. I finally get to the chapel upstairs. I put down the kneeler and I am about to say my penance. But who enters the chapel? Those girls, and they brought friends this time! I wanted to scream “ARE YOU KIDDING ME JESUS?!”

I looked around, eyes darting to various places in the room, just trying to get my mind off this. I finally knelt down. And peace just hit me. I can’t explain it, but the word I am going to use is peace. I finally made the move. I sat down, closed me eyes from the distractions around me, and said “Thank you Jesus.”
It is truly incredible how vocations work. In the past month I have had so many incredible and strange experiences with this vocation. And it seems it just keeps coming. God uses these times to see what we can do. He sometimes puts stuff in front of us knowing we can overcome them only through His Son. So have no fear, God is with us. Be patient and pray. You’ll find Him then.

Contributed by a student of one of our Marianist high schools

EASTER JOY: Hail Our Messiah!

The early Fathers and medieval theologians saw the Old Testament events as not only predicting Jesus, but also prefiguring many aspects of his life. This often found its expression in poems like the 17th century Latin hymn:

Where the Paschal blood is poured
Death's dark angel sheathes his sword
Israel's hosts triumphant go
Through the wave that drowns the foe
Praise we Christ whose blood was shed
Paschal Victim and Paschal Bread
With sincerity and love
Eat we the manna from above

EASTER JOY: Holy Goalie

Recently Rome announced that Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki was made Ordinary of the Diocese of Springfield, IL.

For years the Bishop has shared his love for hockey and especially playing goalie. He even was on the cover of USA Hockey Magazine.

In the letter, he wrote this:

"My most important tip for a goalie is the mental aspect of the goalie's game. To be successful, a goalie needs to play with CONFIDENCE. Interestingly, the word 'confidence' comes from the Latin, con + fide ("with faith"), which means that a goalie needs to play with great faith in God and in the talents, skills and abilities that God has given to him. Remember that Jesus said, 'All things are possible with God' (Mark 10:27)."

I finish with a little thing on You Tube I found on the Bishop.

EASTER JOY: Breathe

EASTER JOY: Fight the good fight

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Here is an example of virtue. Take a look at this video of Olympian Derek Redmond at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. He had spent countless hours training and toiling to the point of exhaustion in order to win that gold medal, only to suffer an excruciatingly painful hamstring tear. One cannot help but be moved, not only by his tragic fall, but even more so by his heroic determination to finish the race, and by his dad coming out of the stands to literally carry his son across the finish line. The sight of this man hobbling along, sobbing on his father's shoulder in pain and disappointment while his father supports him and encourages him to continue serves as a powerful image for all of us - especially the sons and fathers among us.

No matter how trying, difficult, painful or long our trek in the valley of tears may be, Our Father is carrying us on his shoulder, giving us the graces to fight the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith.

EASTER JOY: Marianist Musings

This is the second in a series of student reflections from the Life Teen Leadership Conference this past summer. Over 500 young men and women gathered together to learn and express their faith.

“The Life Teen Leadership Conferences was an unbelieveable experience for me as it was for everyone else that went on the trip. It was by far the best trip that I have ever gone on and was probably the best week of my life. There was never a moment on the trip where I was bored or ever questioned why I was on the trip. I met great people from Kellenberg Memorial whom I am still in touch with and I also got to know my fellow Chaminade classmates. This trip has made me a stronger Catholic as well as a stronger person. It has allowed me to grow in my faith and not be embarrassed when I am praising God. No matter what the topic of discussion, I was always attentive towards the speaker. Each discussion made me realize the impact of the topic and how it related to my religious life. After our personal discussions in the small group activities, I decided that I wanted to make those requests a reality.

When I returned home, I decided that I wanted to spend the 4th of July with my Dad. I helped my Dad clean up the pool area and the yard in preparation for our company. After the long work, my Dad and I decided to watch the Yankee game. After explaining several parts of the game that my Dad doesn't understand very well, we watched the Yankees' thrilling comeback. Afterwards, my Dad said to me,"Wow Tim, I'm really glad I got to watch this game with you." After watching the game, I spent a good amount of time helping my Dad prepare dinner. It was a great meal, and I said a silent prayer to myself in remembrance of all I experienced at Life Teen.

The next day, we attended Mass as a family in remembrance of my Grandfather, who had died 7 years ago to that day. It was an emotional day for my Dad as he dealt with the passing, which he has done phenomenally well since he died in 2002. The one thing I will never forget was when my Dad, Grandmother, and I brought the gifts to the altar in preparation of Holy Communion. I was completely overwhelmed by God's presence and was at complete peace that day.”

Timothy Schulze

EASTER JOY: Do you love Me?

After the Resurrection and just before Jesus left this earth, He instructed Peter to care for the object of His love—His sheep. How could anyone care for them as Jesus cares? Only out of love for Him. There is no other way.

Three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Do you love Me?” And Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Each time, Jesus answered, “Feed My sheep.”

Was Jesus unaware of Peter’s love? No! His threefold question was not for Himself, but for Peter. He asked His questions to underscore the essential truth that only love for Christ would sustain Peter in the work that lay ahead—that arduous, demanding work of caring for people’s souls—perhaps the hardest work of all.

Jesus did not ask Peter if he loved His sheep, but if he loved Him. Affection for God’s people in itself will not sustain us. His sheep can be unresponsive, unappreciative, and critical of our efforts to love and to serve them. In the end, we will find ourselves defeated and discouraged.

The “love of Christ”—our love for Him—is the only sufficient motivation that will enable us to stay the course, to continue to feed the flock of God. Thus Christ asks you and me, “Do you love Me? Feed My sheep.”

EASTER JOY: Amazing Grace

Teaching fifth grade religion to a bunch of absentminded ten-year-olds doesn’t exactly sound thrilling. During one class I was teaching last month, Jake, the class-clown, was rambling on about his dog, and Nicole and Hailey seemed to be chatting endlessly about, well, nothing. I started to become frustrated by this chaos and thought, why God? Why I am here? Pressing forward, I frantically tried to regain order, and I turned to Jake and said, “God loves you more than you can imagine;” after all, that was the theme of the lesson about the Triduum. That stopped him dead in his tracks, and then, so nonchalantly, he pointed to the crucifix hanging in the classroom and blurted out, “that’s why Jesus died for us, right?” Smiling and relieved, I simply said, “yes, that is how much He loves you.”

That is grace, a gift from God. In that moment, I found my reason to stand in the front of that classroom. I did not do anything that made Jake say that, so it had to be completely in God’s hands.

But how can we have any grace in our lives if we don’t have faith? The Catechism tells us that “grace is favor, free and undeserved help” and “participation in the life of God.” (CCC 1996-7) We don’t collect grace like spare change waiting to be cashed in; God gives it to us out of His unbounded love. We certainly don’t deserve any special grace from God, but that is what we celebrate during Easter. Christ’s victory over death is the greatest gift God has given us, and it points to one virtue- love. Despite every flaw that we have, God’s love for us has no end. That is grace, and that is love.

Wow! Grace truly is amazing!

Patrick Cahill

EASTER JOY: Buon Compleanno!

Happy 83rd Birthday to Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI!

"My dear friends –

at this moment I can only say:

pray for me,

that I may learn to love the Lord more and more.

Pray for me, that I may learn to love his flock more and more

– in other words, you, the holy Church,

each one of you and all of you together.

Pray for me,

that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.

Let us pray for one another,

that the Lord will carry us

and that we will learn to carry one another."

~ His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Papal Inaugural Mass, April 24, 2005

EASTER JOY: Is God Calling?

The beach has in the past few years become a very spiritual place for me to visit over the summer. I always enjoyed going to the beach when I was younger and I still love to go. I especially love bodyboarding in big waves and attempting to get up on a surfboard now and again. Just the other day, over my Easter vacation, I decided to take a trip down to the beach because a friend told me the waves were good. So I grabbed me wetsuit and went down there. Once I got onto the beach I finally paddled out and waited for a wave. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining warm on my face, and my friends were enjoying some beach volleyball on shore. The cold water ran through my wetsuit but I didn’t mind. God gave me this beautiful day and beautiful waves as well.

The first big wave came and I started to paddle towards shore, picking up speed as the wave began to push me forward. As I caught the wave I took a face-dive down the face of the wave and was pummeled by what seemed to be mountains of water over me. As I was being tossed and flipped under the water for what seemed like minutes I fought viciously underneath the water to reach the water’s surface. The wave finally was done breaking and spit me out onto shore. I got out, unhooked my leash, unzipped the wetsuit, and walked back over to where my friends were. Beach volleyball seemed a lot more promising than the choppy waves out there.

Hours later I finally reached home and almost passed out on my bed. I looked over on my desk and saw the large Crucifix that my great aunt had given to me earlier this year. I started to think that it was definitely God who was protecting me in the water today, especially when I was being tossed around. I looked up towards the ceiling at said “Thanks Big Guy.” But then I had a change of thought. I started to think about the whole idea of “God’s ocean” and all the other parallels between God and the ocean that has been made throughout Christianity. I realized that God was tossing me around underneath the water. I realized a parallel - Those big waves was my religious vocation- so powerful, overwhelming, and able to take hold of you by storm. But I was resisting those waves, fighting back, and I was struggling more because of that. Instead, I should have just let the waves take me, allow myself to be tossed around for a few seconds, and then paddle back out to catch some more. So I pray that I can allow myself to be taken by the waves, just allow the vocation to take me by storm. Enough of worldly distractions that enrapture teenagers these days such as parties, girls, and sports dominating one’s life. If you want to enjoy this life God has given you, live out your vocation. Easier said than done sometimes, but ride the waves, you won’t regret it.

EASTER JOY: Rain

Things don’t always work out the way we want them to. So where is God when bad things happen? How can God just stand by and watch us suffer? Maybe it’s when we’re in storms of life that God gets an opportunity to remind us of how much he really loves us.

EASTER JOY: Nothing Compares

Prodigal by Michael Gungor Band

EASTER JOY: Marianist Musings

This first in a series of student reflections from the Life Teen Leadership Conference last summer. Over 500 young men and women from around the country gathered together to learn and express their faith.

“Overall the week at the Life Teen Leadership Conference was one of the most positive experiences of my life. Never before has God's presence become evident in my life, and I feel that we have a greater connection now. At first I didn't know what to make of the trip, but as the time went on, and we started to get to know each other, I really didn't want to leave. The atmosphere was positive, and everyone was overtaken with God that I didn't how to react. I really liked the songs and the music, it was fun to express my faith in different ways. I also liked Reconciliation because it reassured me that God never stops loving us. Lastly, I really liked the Adoration.  It was a breathtaking experience that will help me pray for the rest of my life. After coming home my family and I have committed to praying before meals and going to Mass regularly. On the personal level, I have decided to make God present in everything that I do because of this week I know He is always there for us, but we have to choose to make Him present to really feel him. Also, I have decided to try to donate time to others rather than just myself. This great opportunity at the Life Teen Leadership Conference left a permanent mark on my faith and will influence not only my religious life but everything that comes around it.”

Matt Woop

EASTER JOY: Jesus, I Trust in Thee

Pope John Paul II shared these thoughts on Divine Mercy in 2001:

"It is a great joy for me to be able to join all of you, dear pilgrims and faithful who have come here from various nations to commemorate, after one year, the canonization of Sr. Faustina Kowalska, witness and messenger of the Lord's merciful love. The elevation to the honors of the altar of this humble religious is not only a gift for Poland, but for all humanity. Indeed the message she brought is the appropriate and incisive answer that God wanted to offer to the questions and expectations of human beings in our time, marked by terrible tragedies. Jesus said to Sr. Faustina one day: 'Humanity will not have peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy' (Diary, 300). Divine Mercy! This is the Easter gift that the Church receives from the risen Christ and offers to humanity at the dawn of the third millennium....

"Today the Lord also shows us His glorious wounds and His heart, an inexhaustible source of light and truth, of love and forgiveness.... St. Faustina saw coming from this Heart that was overflowing with generous love, two rays of light which illuminated the world. 'The two rays,' according to what Jesus Himself told her, 'represent the blood and the water' (Diary, 299). The blood recalls the sacrifice of Golgotha and the mystery of the Eucharist; the water, according to the rich symbolism of the Evangelist St. John, makes us think of Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jn 3:5; 4:14). "Through the mystery of this wounded heart, the restorative tide of God's merciful love continues to spread over the men and women of our time. Here alone can those who long true and lasting happiness its secret."

EASTER JOY: Let's Make a Little Trouble

Today we embark on a spiritual pilgrimage to the National Shrine of the Baslica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Our Diocese has organizied a pilgrimage to the National Shrine. Our Marianist high schools will fill three buses and participate with the Diocese.

Fr. Robert Baron has great words about a pilgrimage. He writes, "a secularized culture wants us to beleive that processions and pilgrimages are somehow inappropriate, sectarian, troublemaking. I think we should make a little trouble."

So, we are off to "make a little trouble" today. Yes, we will socialize on the bus, eat, pray, sing songs, explore the vast Basilica and celebrate the Eucharist. Not a bad day at that. Wish you came with us!

EASTER JOY: This is the Day the Lord has Made

This is the day the Lord has made!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

It took time for the disciples to come to see the Easter light!
Mary Magdalen did not have the eyes to see the the Risen Christ.
The disciples did not recognize Him on the road to Emmaus.

Someimes we even fail to see the great signs of New Life.
It is even difficult for us to see what lies ahead in our own lives.
Our past is often shrouded in darkness and our future is heavy with shadows.

So what is keeping us from seeing the Risen Christ?
What are we still holding on to?
Are we still holding onto how things were?
Are we free to embrace today!

Don't let anybody or anything that has happened in your life steal the joy from you.
Thank God for what He has already done in your life.

EASTER JOY: Don't Dodge God

Every third Friday of the month the Vocation Office of the Diocese of Rockville Centre sponsors Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception in Huntington. Our two high schools travel to the Seminary regularly.

It has been a rich source of prayer for all of our students.

At the end of the evening those attending are invited to dodgeball in the gym. I am pretty sure our students would still come even without a competetive game of dodgeball. Here is a little glimpse of the grace-filled evening. The clip below captures the main event of the evening. Without a doubt, while there is food, competition, dodgeball, and a comraderie among all. The thing that our students talk about most on their way home is their contact with the divine.

The next Aoration night is the third Friday in April. Don't miss it! And we better win dodgeball!

EASTER JOY: Life where there was lifelessness

Isn't Easter more than just a day on the calendar? Easter says we are embraced, graced and saved by God!

This four minute video captures what Easter joy is all about!

EASTER JOY: Keep the Joy Alive

Easter is certainly the most important feast of the Christian year! It is so important that the church sets aside a full fifty days to celebrate Jesus’ victory over sin and death. Not many of us are used to sustaining an "Easter spirit" of celebration all the way to Pentecost.

Consider this visual meditation as one way of sustaining the "Easter Spirit." Lifeteen offers the following on the great "I AM."


"How is it possible to find Jesus without Mary, since Jesus himself did not come to us except with the consent of Mary! . . . We reach Jesus but through Mary, as Jesus came to us but through Mary." (Spirit 1, 142)

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

EASTER JOY: On the Road to Emmaus

Our Province has a tradition of taking long walks on Easter Sunday after the celebration of Mass and dinner. This Easter was no exception. Easter was spent doing what the Disciples did to get to know Jesus: talking, walking, sharing and knowing. Duplicating what the disciples did on the road to Emmaus is what our Community life is all about.

The Province of Meribah gathered together for Morning Prayer and Mass at Founder's Hollow. The Brothers hosted the Marianist USA Provincial, Fr. Marty Solma during Holy Week..

Our meal was prepared by Bro. Thomas with the assistance of many other Brothers. We finished the day with Evening Prayer and dessert. Some of the Brothers were even able to get in a typical Easter Sunday walk. 

EASTER SUNDAY - Do you look Redeemed?

Last evening Fr. Thomas Cardone peached on the theme: Do we love our Real Life? Not our defense mechanisms, masks, games, nor wanna-be's. No! But do you love your real life?  Because Christ asks us to love our real life which is hidden in God.

At the start of the Vigil the Brothers gathered outside at the Mohawk Circle. Bro. Thomas, Bro. Daniel, Bro. Kenneth, Bro. Dermot, Bro. Thierry, Bro. Nestor, Bro. Gary and Bro. Nigel wait before the bkessing of the new fire. Our homily theme continued to ask us questions, Do you look redeemed? Do you look joyful? Are you a witness to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Here Fr. Thomas Cardone, Bro. David Bruner, Fr. Francis Keenan and Fr. Philip Eichner prepare the Candle. Christ yesterday and today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Oemga, all time belongs to Him, and all the ages, to Him be glory and power, through every age for ever. Amen.  As Christians and consecareted men, in every action and in every moment of our lives, we are called to say to ourselves:  "I believe in the Resurrection that will save and restore all things to Himself."

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I believe in the Resurrection!

Yes! Lord! I do believe!

I believe when we celebrate the Eucharist each morning.

Yes! Lord! I do believe!

I believe when I listen to the Word.

Yes! Lord! I do believe!

I believe when we gather for meals together.

Yes! Lord! I do believe!

I believe when we go out each day to love & serve the Lord!

I believe in the Resurrection!

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May we be worthy of our Baptism & the Profession of Vows we have all made.

May our Baptism and Profession of poverty, chastity, obedience and stability

be an act of our belief in the Resurrection!

Happy Easter!

Holy Saturday - Wait at the Tomb

The Chaminade Mineola Community celebrated solemn Good Friday services in their Community chapel.

Fr. James Williams shows the Cross at the beginning of the Veneration of the Cross. Bro. Joseph Bellizzi, Fr. Ernest Lorfanfant, Fr. Garrett Long, and Bro. Ryszard Decowski assist at the Veneration. Last evening, Pope Benedict said, "Good Friday is the day of greatest hope, which matured on the cross."

Brother Peter Heiskell venerates the Cross during Good Friday services.

"We have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God"

Holy Saturday - Roll Away the Stone

Roll away your stone I will roll away mine

Together we can see what we will find

Don't leave me alone at this time

For I am afraid of what I will discover inside

You told me that I would find a home
Beneath the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal
And all the while my character it steals

Darkness is a harsh term don't you think
Yet it dominates the things I see

It seems that all my bridges have been burned
But you say 'That's exactly how this grace thing works’
It's not the long walk home that will change this heart
But the welcome I receive with every start

Darkness is a harsh term don't you think
And yet it dominates the things I see
Darkness is a harsh term don't you think
And yet it dominates the things I see

Stars hide your fires

For these here are my desires

And I won't give them up to you this time around

And so I will be found

With my stake stuck in the ground

Marking the territory of this newly impassioned soul

And you, you've gone too far this time
You have neither reason nor rhyme
With which to take this soul that is so rightfully mine

Good Friday - You Were on the Cross

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"Whenever I feel that the things of the world are too much for me, I take refuge at the foot of the Cross. Even if the whole world is shrouded in darkness, if the curtains of all my temples are rent, if I cannot see, nor hear, nor understand, I know that I am safe at the feet of my crucified Saviour."

Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty

The Marianist Community fixed its gaze on the Cross with solemn Good Friday services. It is a time where we try to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. We unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.

Bro.Roger Poletti, Fr. Philip Eichner and Bro. Michael Gillen sang the Passion from St. John's Gospel. The homily followed reminding us of Christ’s humiliation and suffering during his Passion.

Bro. Michael, Fr. Albert Bertoni, Fr. Francis Keenan, and Bro. Daniel Griffin begin the Veneration of the Cross. The Cross is inseparable from Christ's sacrifice. During this Veneration of His Cross we are, in effect, adoring Christ. Here we affirm: ‘We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You because by Your Holy Cross You have redeemed the world.’

Bro. Kenneth Hoagland kneels before the crucifix and kisses it. During the Veneration of the Cross we are paying the highest honor to the our Lord’s cross as the instrument of our salvation.

Good Friday - No Greater Love

What Jesus Saw on the Cross

by Tissot 

Holy Thursday - O Sacrum Convivium!

The Province of Meribah gathers in their local Community for a Holy Week retreat. The Kellenberg Marianist Community is on retreat at Founders Hollow this week. Together the Community started the Triduum with the Commemoration of the Lord's Supper.

The Washing of Feet took place during the Holy Thursday Liturgy.

In procession the Brothers the Eucharist to the Altar of Repose.

The Brothers ended the day with Night Prayer at the Altar of Repose.

Holy Thursday - Ubi Caritas

“He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.”

He “got up from the table.”

He “took off his outer robe.”

He “tied a towel around himself.”

He wipes their feet with “the towel that was tied around him.”

He puts on his robe and returns to the table.

The celebration of the Seder Meal is from the 1st grade of St. Martin DePorres Marianist School.

Mr. and Mrs. Haller, Bro. James Conway and Fr. Thomas Cardone were responsible for the celebration this week.