Reaching Out To Youth

Since the 1970's, the Marist Brothers have been using the Esopus Retreat House and facilities for a series of summer camps that range from hosting children with cancer, to the deaf.  Over 4000 children enjoy this beautiful property each summer.  The camps are staffed by alumni of our schools, our Marist Young Adults, and even current high school students.  It has been a tradition for brothers to take care of the cooking during these camps.  A healthy and happy Marist Family Spirit prevails.
Later this month, two Marist Brothers, Bros. Armand Lamagna and Todd Patenaude,  once strongly connected to the Esopus property will venture to the Island of Jamaica to work in an orphanage which serves homeless youth.  This will be our first community in Jamaica and a further step in fulfilling St. Marcellin's dream of brothers in every diocese of the world.
And just recently further outreach to youth began in Monddulkir, Cambodia, as three brothers in the Ad Gentes Program set up a community, in typical fashshion with no electricity or water for the first few days, these later being installed by the brothers themselves.  In these days of so much challenge in our world and church, these needed signs of life and hope provide stimulus to the Marist Mission and assurance that it is alive and well.
Bro. Rene .