Students stepped into the reality of thousands of refugees when the Senior Capstone Group of Phil Hawthorn, Noah Meyer, Spencer Mullins and Jacob Troutwine hosted a refugee camp simulation for freshmen.
"We want to do it as a way to advocate for the refugees more than just working with them and as a way to get kids in our school interested," said Meyer.
The weather may have been chilly outside, but the spirits and hearts were warm inside of those who attended the public dedication of the Sr. Dorothy Stang '49, SNDdeN, Ohio Historical Marker on Monday, December 12.
A Marianist icon that was commissioned in honor of the order's bicentennial and being taken to Marianist communities around the world was on display at Chaminade Julienne on Thursday, December 8. The icon's visit correlated with the school's celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
"CJ has been a really influential part of my life and I've had a lot of opportunities that if I hadn't gone to CJ, I wouldn't of had otherwise."
Sarah Hartley '18 was one of the dozens of students who shared that sentiment with benefactors during the annual scholarship breakfast on November 18.
"I've had a lot of faith development and gotten to go on mission trips and retreats," Hartley reflected. "With the academics and athletics too, it's really helped shaped me into the person I am."
Throughout the month of November, an addition was seen in the CJ Chapel. An altar, decorated with flowers, skulls, and pictures was in place in honor of Dia de los Muertos.
For more than 25 years, the CJ community has spent the week before Thanksgiving thinking of others by participating in the national Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
"The timing is nice because it is right before Thanksgiving and we can be thankful for our blessings," Director of Ministry & Service Kelli Kinnear said. "It can inspire us to give more."
The school's theme for this year's Hunger & Homelessness Awareness week is #bemercyCJ.
On October 21 and 22, more than 120 students and 16 faculty and staff members served in the greater Dayton community as part of Join Hands Miami Valley. The annual two-day service opportunity has been a CJ tradition for more than 25 years.
Eight students spent what they described as a life-changing week with more than 60 people from around the world as part of the Marianist LIFE Week at Mount Saint John.
“I gained a lot from my time at LIFE week, although most of which is very difficult or impossible to put into words,” said Andrew Buchanan ‘18. “I met a ton of new people who I became very close with and I am grateful to call them my family. I grew closer to God than ever before and grew closer to the other CJ kids who went with me.”
