PRESIDENT'S LETTER

not always in the way that you want it to be answered, yet in the way you need it to be answered.

Another wrote:

In all honesty, first coming here I was not very religious at all. Surely my family attended church every Sunday, but I never viewed it as God’s home, but rather a chore. I did very well in my first three years of religion, but it was more of a history class to me. My faith and understanding became much more meaningful in my Senior Year. I finally came to the understanding that this is not so much a task but a necessary means for communication/relationship with God. I’ve come to pray more and communicate much more often with God not because I have to, but because I want to. I also began to attend adoration before lunch a few times a week, as I truly feel the connection with God. This connection has helped me become a happier person most definitely. I could not have found this connection so smoothly and efficiently without this class.

As I read and graded these essays, I had a calm sense that all will be well. These kids get it, eventually...

Dear Chaminade Family,

Every year on Accepted Students Day, I give a keynote presentation in Darby Auditorium to the parents and prospective students, offering a full overview of the Chaminade experience and all it has to offer. One aspect I always touch on is the faith life on campus. It is truly in our DNA here at school. It is intertwined in every facet of student life.

I don’t think you can walk ten feet into the school building, or even onto the campus, without getting a sense of beauty, respect, faith – in a word: God. Everything we do and everything we say reflect our nature as sons and daughters of God. And our students have so many ways to live out this calling to grow in faith.

On May 10 we celebrated the senior last exam and the “walk down” the main steps afterwards. They were greeted by almost 600 cheering, smiling, and some crying parents. It was a wonderful celebration of their four years at 340 Jackson Avenue. In the days leading up to the final week of classes, I had asked the seniors in my religion class to reflect on their four years here. I was genuinely humbled and thrilled with their responses...across the board!

One of my scholars wrote:

Chaminade has allowed me to have a different outlook on my faith and the true meaning behind it. It started with the basics, as everything does, to build knowledge on exactly what it is we believe in. As we matured and advanced to higher grade levels, we began to dive deeper into our faith, and most importantly, question our faith. This class specifically has given me a better outlook on my faith. One of my main takeaways from this class is that God works in mysterious ways: he always answers your prayers, however, it is

As you know from the last issue of Chaminade News, we launched our rugby program this spring. I received this email from one of the rugby coaches recently:

It should be noted that following the coaches’ remarks and presentation of jerseys in the locker room, these young men were left to themselves for a moment. Before anything else was said by the captains, they first led themselves in prayer together.

A very poignant moment and the right way to begin this journey. That’s what Flyers do.

An alumnus from the Class of 1988 whose son recently graduated summed up our mission perfectly when he wrote to me in a letter:

What the Chaminade Family and the Marianist Community do daily can be likened to the parable of the sower: seed planted in good soil grows and yields an abundant crop. Chaminade provides a tremendous faith-based foundation (the good soil) for boys to grow into amazing men strong in body, mind, and spirit.

Wishing you all a peaceful and restful summer! And remember, if you are in the area, please drop in…that’s what families do!

Bro. Thomas J. Cleary, S.M. ’81 President