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Faith and Fun on Fontbonne Retreat
By Victoria Silva,
Kristin Herbert and Patricia Lavelle
For three days, Fontbonne Hall Academy’s freshman class went on a special retreat to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse in Brentwood, Long Island. During this mid-week break from everyday life, the Class of 2010 made friends and learned how to better follow the Fontbonne philosophy. Freshmen had a wonderful time learning about the purpose of Fontbonne Hall Academy and the Sisters of St. Joseph while getting to know each other better.
The freshman retreat to Brentwood was a way for freshmen to get away from our school environment and learn more about each other. During the retreat, we were able to relax and grow spiritually as a group. We began by talking about what grammar schools we went to and then watched a movie on what the Sisters of St. Joseph do for the community.
We made posters displaying what we, as Fontbonne freshmen, would do for our community to help those in need. A talent show, a clothing drive for babies, a carnival and a Giving Tree were among the ideas. Not only did we learn more about ourselves, we learned about how students at Fontbonne and young adults in general should live their lives.
After we made our posters, we ate lunch and toured the buildings. As we walked through the dining hall, we were greeted by happy smiles and questions about our school and what we want to be when we grow up. We proceeded to walk into the huge and magnificent chapel. With stained-glass windows and beautiful statues, the chapel was breathtaking. As we calmed down and prepared for our retreat to come to a close, we had a guided meditation and then a small prayer service. We learned a lot about ourselves and each other on this retreat. Not only was it time away from school, it was a chance to relax and find out who we are as children of God.
This experience was very enjoyable and enlightening. We all had fun and were able to learn about our faith, while learning how to live our lives as young Catholic adults.
Silva, Herbert and Lavelle are all freshmen at Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge. They attend Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dyker Heights; St Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor; and St. Ephrem, Dyker Heights, respectively.
Maura Clarke’s National Jr. Honor Society Inductees
Ann Cordes, director of the Maura Clarke Jr. High program at Stella Maris H.S., Rockaway Beach, recently inducted six students into the National Junior Honor Society for excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. They are, from left, Joseph Re, Will McGuire, Alexa Francavilla, Kirsten McCabe, Regina Hemminger and Rezina Foulkes.
Kearney Boasts Two Commended Students
Seniors Danielle Behette and Jessica Friscia at Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, have been named Commended Students in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program. They placed among the top 5% of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2007 Merit Program by taking the 2005 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Danielle, daughter of Anthony and Maryann Behette, attended St. Ephrem School and lives in Bay Ridge. Jessica, daughter of Paul and Franca Friscia, attended I.S. 30 and lives in Bensonhurst.
Sister Thomasine Stagnitta CSJ, Kearney’s principal, left, and Sister Joan Dillon CSJ, Kearney’s senior guidance counselor, right, congratulate Friscia, second from left, and Behette, second from right.
Scholarships at Williamsburg Parish School
Seven students from St. Nicholas School, Williamsburg, won academic scholarships. From left, they are: Robert Colon, full scholarship to Christ the King R.H.S., Middle Village; Cesar Pina, full scholarship to Bishop Loughlin M.H.S., Ft. Greene/Clinton Hill; Maria Garcia, full scholarship to Cathedral H.S., Manhattan, and partial to St. Joseph H.S., Downtown Brooklyn; Gianna Sciangula, full to Notre Dame H.S., Manhattan, and full to Cathedral; Amanda Molina, full to St. John’s Prep, Astoria, a $5,000 grant to Notre Dame, and partial to Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood; Justin Vega, partial to LaSalle H.S., Manhattan; and Brandon Matias, partial to Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope.
YOUTH VIEWS
The Academy Awards will be presented Sunday evening. Which film would you like to see win an Oscar? Why?
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Noreen Doherty
St. Saviour H.S.
Sophomore
I’d love to see Flicka win because the movie was poignant and showed family ties and freedom. I’d also like to see Pirates of the Caribbean and Night at the Museum win Oscars.
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Meaghan Soccoa
St. Saviour H.S.
Junior
I would like to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest win an award because it had an amazing adventure and kept me in suspense.
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Tricia Gelling
St. Saviour H.S.
Sophomore
I’d like to see Night at the Museum win because it was a film for all ages. Little kids will love the giant creatures and there are jokes for teens and adults too.
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Nicole Monastero
St. Saviour H.S.
Senior
I would like to see The Queen win an Oscar because I thought Helen Mirren’s performance was brilliant and the screenwriter’s point of view was very original.
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Ginamaria Baldwin
St. Saviour H.S.
Senior
I enjoyed The Departed and I hope it wins an Academy Award. The storyline was well written and it was artistically portrayed.
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Got Purpose? That’s the theme of the Youth 2 Life Coalition’s Fourth Annual Lock-In Retreat at St. Brigid’s, Bushwick, Feb. 24-25, 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. The chaperoned retreat includes Scripture readings, discussions and activities, skits, music, meals and Benediction. Contact Mike at 718-909-8162 or youth2life1@aol.com.
Malcolm X, Angela Davis and W.E.B. DuBois will come to life on Feb. 25, 3 - 5 p.m., when St. Catherine of Sienna’s LOX Youth Group, St. Albans, presents “The African-American Wax Museum,” an interactive exhibit in the parish hall featuring Civil Rights leaders. Free admission. Call Jeff at 718-527-3720.
Attention seventh- and eighth- graders! Register now for the Junior High Diocesan Youth Days, on March 10 and 17, 12:30 - 7 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Center, Douglaston. Theme: “Dare to be Different.” Enjoy workshops, Mass and dinner, all sponsored by the diocesan Faith Formation Office and the Alive in Hope Foundation. Registration: $15 per person. Contact Marilyn Santos at 718-281-9584 or msantos@rcdob.org.
The C.A.F.m.E. Junior High Youth Room is now open at St. Frances Cabrini, Bensonhurst! Seventh - ninth graders are welcome every other Tuesday, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Next meeting: Feb. 27. Call 718-259-4636.
Junior High Faith Formation Group for seventh - ninth graders meets every other Wednesday at St. Dominic, Bensonhurst, 7:30 - 9 p.m. for 12 - 15 year olds. Next meeting: Feb. 28. Call 718-259-4636.
Congratulations to the Twirlers of O.L.P.H., Sunset Park, who competed in the New York Twirling Organization’s Twirling Competition last month. The Angels Trio placed first in Dance and Twirl; The Brooklynettes Military Team placed second, and the Brooklyn Babes Duet placed first in the Freestyle Dance and Twirl Duet competitions. Each girl went home with a medal.
Shawn Rafferty of Holy Name parish, Park Slope, achieved Dean’s List during the fall 2006 semester at Susquehanna University, PA. Rafferty, a senior public relations major, is a 2003 graduate of Xavier H.S., Manhattan. Congratulations to Shawn, Grandma Helen and the entire Rafferty family.
Catholic Committee on Scouting Bishop’s Dinner is March 15 at El Caribe Country Club, Mill Basin. Call 718-722-6112.
The Charismatic Renewal Office’s 20th Youth Conference/ Retreat is March 17, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Mary Queen of Heaven Church, Mill Basin. Guest Speaker: Father John Maduri. Celebrant: Father Jamie Gigantiello, pastor. Music provided by the Life Teen Music Ministry. Call 718-859-7065.
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