Your regularly scheduled Stanner E-News update will return with a recap of this past week’s events on Monday, April 14^th.

Photo: Tom Harrison

Molloy returned to Manhattan to celebrate two excellent schools yesterday; St. Ann’s Academy – the school that gave us our 115 year heritage, and Archbishop Molloy High School which has been alive and thriving in Briarwood for the past 50 years.

You realize that the spiritual life at Molloy is not only alive, but thriving when you see nearly 1400 Stanners walking down the hill to the Van Wyck Station in Briarwood ready to celebrate our Catholic, Marist Heritage. Apart from the million details required to make the day run smoothly, there are some interesting underlying factoids we need to celebrate.

With 87% of our current student body enrolled as Roman Catholics, fewer than 20 students opted out of attending the Mass. It was a great feeling to witness the diversity of Stanners celebrating our Catholic, Marist traditions with respect and integrity.

Parents make this school possible, and parents helped us through this day. We had approximately 80 parents assigned to the various home rooms and spots along our route to assure a smooth transition from school to cathedral. Thanks to all who came along for the ride.

Our dedicated Faculty and Staff have encouraged in our students respect for tradition, elders, outside authority and for each other. This showed in the way they conducted themselves while under our watchful eye and apart from our supervision. Doreen Aloizos, a parent volunteer, wrote to Mr. Sherry, “I stayed on in the city for a couple of hours. I did see a lot of Molloy students and I was so proud of them. They were all so well behaved even on their own in the city. You and the staff at Molloy should be extremely proud of them!” We are proud, very proud.

Photo: Tom Harrison

Our 11 Stanner priests showed that vocations continue to be developed at Molloy. We had priests from throughout Molloy’s history celebrating with Father Frank Shannon. It was a powerful statement of our spiritual commitment – Non Scholae Sed Vitae.

Our network of Molloy Alumni helped behind the scenes in orchestrating the NYPD and Transit Divisions, working with the MTA and Ms. Alberteen Anderson to arrange for the “Special” train, and by supporting the Mass with their presence and their prayers. I estimate that more than 200 alumni attended the Mass.

Photo: Tom Harrison

Our students “get it”. They understand the value of being a Stanner and the responsibility that comes along with that title. It is not an entitlement; it is a proud heritage requiring respect and integrity. They did their school proud. They explored the greatest city in the world and showed the city that Archbishop Molloy High School is alive and well – indeed thriving in Briarwood after 50 years.

Photo: Tom Harrison

Saints Marcellin Champagnat and Ann must have heard our prayers as we petitioned for good weather and a safe day. The day was perfect and we were indeed blessed by their intercessions. I was moved when I saw Brother Pat Hogan carry the Champagnat banner into the Cathedral. We were indeed back home in Manhattan and all of our St. Ann’s Stanners were remembered at this Mass.

Finally, Brother Roy – a man with the faith and vision to “see” this happening. Not that there weren’t moments of doubt, there were. But with the teams of people supporting him he became more and more confident that this was the right thing to do. Thank you, Brother Roy – you gave our students a “once in a lifetime” faith experience and, for this, and for you we are grateful.

Tom Harrison, our staff photographer, caught a candid glimpse of Rev. James Krische ’76 as he left the altar. I think it sums up the day and gives us great hope for the next 50 years.

Photo: Tom Harrison

To browse the rest of the day’s photos, visit the 50th Anniversary St. Patrick’s Cathedral Mass photo gallery.