The Freshman Day Retreats have once again been a success! From January 30th - February 1st and on February 9th, members of the Class of 2026 visited Thomas Berry Place in Jamaica, Queens. There, freshmen were taught what it means to be a Marist Youth, participating in group bonding activities that strengthened their relationships with each other and the Marist faith.
During the retreat, Stanners learned about the five Marist Pillars: Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work, and In the Way of Mary. Activities highlighted what it means to follow these pillars, as well as their importance to the Molloy community, in and out of school. Students learned about St. Marcellin Champagnat, and listened to talks given by fellow students about how Molloy has positively impacted them.
Although annual retreats are usually held at the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus, the Freshman Day Retreats have shown students that the physical place is not as important as the people inhabiting it. Students learned about each other, participated in group activities, and built a community that will continue to grow through their four years at Molloy and beyond. Director of Marist Life and Mission Ms. Lori Wilson shares, “For most of the freshmen, it was their first retreat experience…and they were pleasantly surprised that they were able to do so much!” She also thanked the junior leaders, saying, “Our nine junior students who led the retreats worked hard, and felt like they accomplished what they had hoped for.”