Stanners Spend Fall Travelling, Serving Others, and Living Out Their Faith

This fall, Molloy’s Campus Ministry team and our Stanners have been busy traveling, engaging in service, and continuing to learn about and live out their faith. In November, Liz Canty ’26, Cameron Picarello ’26, Connor Picarello ’26, Kirstine Perez ’26, Matt Binay ’26, Emmerson Villaman ’26, Chelsea Joseph ’27, and Kaya Bednarczuk ’28 traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana, with Dr. Price, Ms. Kussman, and Mr. Costa to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference.

The three-day gathering brought together over 18,000 young Catholics from across the country for inspiring talks, workshops, liturgies, and activities. In a lively atmosphere, our students connected with peers who shared their faith, exchanging hats, clothespins with Scripture quotes, and meaningful conversations. A highlight of the conference was a livestreamed Q&A with Pope Leo, followed by a powerful closing message from Youth Minister Steve Agrisano: “Don’t worry about leaving and going back to ‘real life.’ This is real life.”

Weeks later, students traveled to Belize. Vanessa Guilfoyle ’26, Alex Gonzalez ’26, Oona Woods ’27, Lucas Lui ’27, Hannah Abenante ’27, Lilly Kacziba ’27, Emily Mussalli ’28, and Ovi Oke ’28 traveled with Marist Director of Integral Ecology and Sustainability Sam King, Dr. Alice Prince, Ms. Jennifer Federico, and Mr. Richard Costa for a week of service and learning focused on climate change and global sustainability.

During the week, our students joined peers from local schools for beach cleanups, where meaningful connections formed between the Stanners and Caribbean Belizean youth. Students also visited an inland school serving Mayan children, where they taught various subjects, played games, and helped prepare for the school’s Christmas pageant. Stanners also toured a cacao plantation, gaining insight into sustainable farming and daily life in Belize. Through these encounters, students reflected on faith, gratitude, and the difference between material wealth and spiritual richness.

These trips are part of Campus Ministry’s Project 153, which invites students to grow through experiencing the world around them. More trips will be available later this school year!