23rd annual Marist Youth Gathering
Over 250 Youth from all the USA Marist schools, young adults, faculty, and members of the youth group from Canada and Mexico gathered at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, from 26 to 29 May, for the 23rd annual Marist Youth Gathering (MYG2023). The theme this year was “Shine Like the Son” launching the third year of the province prayer theme set by Br. Dan O’Riordan which is focused on Jesus.
The participants came from the Roselle Catholic, St. Joseph Regional, Mount St. Michael, Archbishop Molloy, Central Catholic, Marist Chicago, Monsignor Pace, Christopher Columbus, St. Joseph Academy, Marist Catholic – Eugene, Marcellin Champagnat (Canada), St. Mary Magedeline Parish, (Blue Island, IL), St. Francis of Rome Parish (Bronx, NY), St. Michael Parish (Union, NJ), and the Province of Mexico Occidental.
The Liturgy this year was led by Father Richard LaMorte, who previously was the Campus Priest at Marist College before he retired.
Following the opening welcome ceremony, each school set up a booth at the annual “School Fair”, where students went around collecting items from each school present and took the opportunity to know each other. To end the first night of MYG2023, Br. Robert Dittus led the group in a night prayer, inviting each person to write the name of someone who has been a light for them in their school communities on a post-it.
The second day, Ash Johnson, (Guidance Counselor at Mount Saint Michael Academy) and Br. Luis Ramos (Archbishop Molloy High School) presented the first keynote of the weekend, discussing questions such as ‘Who is Jesus and how did we become aware of and connected to him?’, ‘How have we felt Jesus’ love in our lives?’ and ‘Is there a right way to love Jesus?’
Students had the opportunity to attend four different workshop sessions throughout the weekend. Workshop topics included: Embracing Diversity Through Synodality, The Art of Spiritual Discernment, ‘Joy, Grace, and Mary’, Our Marist Journey, Recharging Our Energy so we can SHINE!, Shine like the Moon, Prioritizing the Priorities!, Fuel to SHINE!, The Son is shining, why aren’t you?, Called -a panel discussion, Music to Shine, and Leading a Group of People. On the other hand, the Marist Young Adult team attended a session called ‘Marist Always’ and the adult team was offered a session on Our Marist DNA.
The thirs day, on May 28, Br. Ryan Richter presented the second keynote and facilitated a panel discussion centered on how we have made Jesus known and loved in our lives and difficulties we have faced living out this mission. Panelists included Fernando Machado (Christopher Columbus High School), Maureen Hagan (USA Province), Karam Hallak (former Marist Young Adult), Br. Terry (Marist College), and Celeste Solis (Saint Joseph Academy).
Following the program for the 23rd annual Champagnat Games the Students were split into 12 teams! Stations included Izzy Dizzy Relay, Ultimate Frisbee, All Aboard, Water Balloon Volleyball, Alaskan Baseball, Key Punch, and Human Ladder & Ring Toss. In keeping with tradition, Matt Fallon was the winner of this year’s games.
On May 29, during the final keynote presentation of the Gathering, Dr. Darius Penikas (Principal – Archbishop Molloy High School) and Br. Steve Schlitte (Principal – Mount Saint Michael Academy) spoke to the Youth Marist about taking what they learned from the weekend back to their respective schools to continue to SHINE LIKE THE S-O-N; theme that inspired the 23er Marist Youth Gathering.
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