On June 6, 2021, the Province of the United States celebrated a historic day. Not only was it the Feast Day of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Institute, but the US Province also celebrated the first cohort of the Marists of Champagnat, who completed their six-month formation process. The cohort includes Molloy alumni and faculty: Joseph Chowske ’81, Dorothy DeNoto, Frank Gambino ’74, Molloy President Richard Karsten ’81, Jonathan Mangar ’09, and Dan O’Reilly ‘14.
A hybrid Prayer and Commitment Ceremony welcomed approximately 30 people to Esopus, while other groups gathered via Zoom from across the country. The prayer was led by members of the Lay Council: Maureen Hagan, Matt Fallon, Vice Provincial Br. Owen Ormsby ’74, Br. Ken Hogan, Lindsay Irwin, Earline Tweedie, Ellen Salmi van Cleef, Richard Karsten ’81, and Provincial Br. Dan O’Riordan ’85. Many Marist Brothers also participated in the festivities virtually.
“Everyone found the day to be quite moving and meaningful,” said President Karsten. “A quote from the prayer that resonated me is, ‘Awaken us to a brighter vision so that we, as Marists of Champagnat, may be a people of healing, peace, compassion and hope for all those we encounter in our daily lives. May we be faithful to our mission of making Jesus Christ known and loved.’”
The Lay Council is looking forward to the next cohort formation journey, which will take place January – June 2022. If interested, please contact Maureen Hagan at [email protected].