Campus Ministry

As a Catholic institution, Marist is committed to fostering the spirituality of each student. While we teach from the Catholic perspective, students of all faiths are welcomed and respected. Through example and explicit instruction in the daily Religion class, students learn the teachings of Jesus, as well as the Catholic traditions of prayer, service, community and justice.

All students at Marist learn to incorporate into their lives the five Marist values which are deeply rooted in the Christian tradition: Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Honesty and Professional Behavior.

The Campus Ministry program enables each student to develop a life of prayer, as well as an on-going spiritual approach to life. Daily prayer, an extensive Retreat program, whole school masses and prayer services all serve as means for students to deepen their faith.

Campus Ministry also provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate concern for others. Whole school projects, such as the Thanksgiving Food Drive, enable students to share with those who are less fortunate. Opportunities for service to others are also encouraged. Marist endeavors to develop in each student concern for others, a spirit of community, a well-developed spirituality and an acute sense of justice.

The Purpose of Campus Ministry

The presence of a Campus Minister and Campus Ministry programs are to help the students integrate the concept of a personal and communal spirituality.  Our students know that we are people who pray. They know that we are believers in a loving God -- believers who live ethically. They learn by explicit example that we are people who help and love and respect each other. Constant exposure to our Marist spirituality teaches them that family ethos.  Special spiritual programs designed for adolescent interests and involving them in age-appropriate activities reinforce that character and also reflect sound educational theory.

As a family we are all about loving each other and loving others….for our students know that they are loved.  As Champagnat said:  "…to educate children properly, we must love them, and love them all equally."

Campus Ministry Programs

Because of its central location, students are able to drop by the Campus Ministry office frequently. It is a comfortable space where they feel welcomed by candy, a cordial atmosphere and the availability of the Campus Minister. The Campus Minister welcomes interruptions and offers a loving and affirming presence.

Campus Ministry Programs

Prayer and Liturgy

Campus Ministry at Marist seems to flow naturally from Champagnat’s “great desire and legacy that we relate to each other and to the young people in our care as members of a loving family” (In the Footsteps)

Prayer is the center of activities at the school.  Students soon realize that this is a family who prays.  Every day, every class, many activities, begin with prayer.  School Eucharistic liturgies and Prayer Services are held monthly, and sometimes more often. The administration and faculty willingly assist the Campus Minister with spiritual activities. Thus the students become accustomed to adults who integrate spirituality naturally. The Liturgical Year is marked, celebrated and integrated into the curriculum.

Students assume great responsibility for preparation and participation as lectors, praise dancers, Gospel Choir members,  “Knight Jam” members (a Christian rock band) or in other liturgical roles. Some students enjoy making the gathering place (the gym) into a “sacred space”.

Students in Campus Ministry

Any student who lives the Marist values is eligible to be a member of Campus Ministry. Many programs and projects throughout the year require student coordinators and all skills are needed. Sign-up is at the Campus Ministry office.

Retreat Leaders

At the core of Campus Ministry is a group of seniors who are the Retreat Leaders. They plan and lead retreats, liturgies, etc. throughout the school year.  Any senior who wishes to become a Retreat leader is welcome to apply. The only requirement is that the student consistently displays the Marist values.

Juniors who express interest in the Retreat Leader program will be trained in the 2nd semester of the junior year to assume leadership in their senior year.

Retreat Leaders plan and organize retreats and Campus Ministry programs for the other students.  Each year they also organize fund-raisers to off-set transportation costs.  Several year-level retreats are planned each year, to be held at the Marist Brothers Retreat House in Esopus, NY.

Gospel Choir

Students are encouraged to join our talented Gospel Choir, which is under the auspices of Campus Ministry. Led by a professional musician assisted by students who sing in Gospel Choirs in their churches, these students perform at school functions and grace our liturgies. New members, even those without experience, are always welcomed.

Praise Dancers

Several of our students are Praise Dancers who perform at school liturgies. They choose their accompaniment and choreograph the pieces themselves. New students, even those without experience, are welcome to join.

Social Justice

Together, Student Council and Campus Ministry sponsor various drives, collections and fund-raisers for the benefit of agencies that serve the poor.

We have a special relationship with the Soup Kitchen at St. John’s Church in Newark, which serves thousands of homeless in the community. As befits a family, St. John’s pastor is an alumnus who generously supports us. In turn, our students respond eagerly to the opportunities to give food, coats, socks and gloves, toys, or any other items requested.

Retreats

Throughout the year students are invited to attend retreats at the Marist Brothers Retreat House in Esopus, NY.  A beautiful spot on the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley, our students soon learn to call Esopus “home.”  Some of the programs offered there are:

Days of Reflection: One day programs that involve sharing, fun, prayer and orientation to the concept of “retreat.”

Year-level retreats: Classes have the opportunity to get away to think about becoming the kind of persons we want to be and God wants us to be, in a beautiful environment.

Encounter: Available to only Seniors, a more serious, 4 day program that focused on the great questions of life and one’s relationship with God. This program is open to students from all Marist High Schools in the East.

Adventure retreats: Team building and Leadership skills are the focus of this program.

Marist Youth: A select group of Sophomores are nominated for this International Gathering of students from all the Marist schools. Leadership skills and Marist identity are emphasized.

Marist students are welcome to attend these programs. However, no student should be forced to attend. We believe that retreat must be a choice or the program is ineffectual.  Retreats are priced according to length of stay and type of program. Some scholarship money is available. No student should miss retreat because of finances.

Marist Young Adults

After graduation, Marist alumni are encouraged to continue their spiritual life through several Marist Young Adult programs.  Periodic retreats, service projects and “Esopus” gatherings are available, as well as a large social network of all Marist  schools’  alumni throughout the world. The popular website, www.maristyoungadult.org keeps young adults in constant contact with Marist spirituality and charism.

Also available are opportunities to work at Esopus on retreat projects. Some young adult volunteer for a year to live and work at the retreat house, giving programs to high schools students and experiencing life in a volunteer community.  Other young adults volunteer for week-end or day programs and provide valuable insights to younger Marist students.

Further information is available from Br. Steve Milan at the young adult website.