LaValla Weekend Retreat

A weekend retreat from Oct. 6 – 8 at the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus, New York, encouraged students to help fundraise for earthquake and hurricane victims of Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Students from Archbishop Molloy, Christopher Columbus, Marist Bayonne, Marist Chicago, Mount St. Michael, St. Joseph Academy, St. Joseph Montvale and Roselle Catholic took part.

During the retreat, they watched a video message from the newly elected superior general, Brother Ernesto Sánchez and took part in a hurricane simulation to help be aware and learn to take action during real life disasters.

During the evening prayer, they poured water from Esopus, the Gier River near l’Hermitage, France and from each school group into a large vase to symbolize the joint Marist heritage.

On Oct. 8, a Mass was held at the Chapel in the Woods, built by students during a previous LaValla weekend retreat.

The students were challenged to raise money during the rest of the month when they return to their schools for the victims of the recent natural disasters.

They were given $100 U.S. to help them invest in the fundraising and were sent off as ‘official ambassadors’ for the campaign at their local schools.