CELEBRATIONS OF FAITH

CELEBRATIONS OF

1 2 3

Top: On June 8th , 39 members of the junior class were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at a special Mass concelebrated by Father Thomas Cardone, S.M. and Father Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02. These students will serve as important religious leaders at Kellenberg Memorial during their senior year as they distribute Holy Communion at school-wide Masses, as well as special Masses offered in conjunction with Communion Breakfasts, alumni reunions, and other special events. 1. In an effort to ensure that Firebirds experienced as much apostolic growth as possible despite pandemic protocols being in place, Kellenberg Memorial introduced Faith Fridays during the second and third trimesters. The ARK, Guidance Department, and Student Life offices collaborated to create days of prayer and fun activities to foster personal growth and mental well-being for the student body on alternating Fridays this winter and spring. Faith Fridays proved to be enriching and faith-filled experiences for all the members of the Firebird family and provided much-needed breaks from the rigors of academic responsibilities in the cohorts. Chrystelle Senatus ’22, Brienne Lange ’22, Michelle Torres ’22, and Kayla Benjamin ’22 enjoy some fun and fellowship during a Faith Friday in April. 2. On May 20th, the Firebird family celebrated the annual May Crowning of Mary. Assistant Principal for Student Life Mrs. Jennifer (Marr) Mulligan ’96 had the honor of crowning Mary this year with the help of the Floral Park Fire Department. Mrs. Mulligan is pictured with Father Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02, Bro. Kenneth Hoagland, S.M, Father Thomas Cardone, S.M., as well as her husband, Joe, and her two sons, Joe and Jack. 3. Pictured carrying Mary’s crown is Phoebe Falk ’27, who accompanied Mrs. Mulligan on the lift.

4. XLT was held twice this spring on March 18th and May 25th with Mrs. Peggy (Ranieri) York ’03 and Mr. Jeff Harris ’03 serving as guest speakers, respectively. These evenings of praise, worship, and fellowship are special opportunities for members of the Firebird Family to come together and be close to God as a community while also strengthening their own individual faith lives. Students in the XLT Band enhance the experience beautifully by leading participants in contemplative song, both vocally and instrumentally. Pictured is Ryan Varley ’22 genuflecting with Father Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02 before the Blessed Sacrament. 5. During the third trimester, the Parents Club sponsored Communion Breakfasts for each grade level in the high school and one for the Latin School. Masses were celebrated in the auditorium, and students and their families gathered outside for individually wrapped breakfasts. Due to the cohort system in place to keep students healthy and safe during the pandemic, there was little interaction between small groups across each grade level. The Communion Breakfasts provided students with a sense of camaraderie that is so important to their faith lives here at Kellenberg Memorial. Sloane Sackett ’23 told Phoenix writer Isabel Connolly ’23, “This year we haven’t had the chance to see many people from our grade. It almost felt like a new, fun thing to just be talking and hanging out with classmates after Mass.” Pictured is Claire Carney ’22 enjoying breakfast with her parents, Joseph and Susan, after Mass for the junior class on April 25th . 6. Retreats were more important than ever this year as the Firebird community faced learning during a pandemic head-on. Off-campus, day retreats at Kellenberg Memorial’s own Stella Maris Retreat House, which is situated on a bucolic property along the Champlin Creek in Islip, gave students the opportunity to unwind and connect with one another and God. Members of the Class of 2024 and the junior retreat staff take a break on the dock at Stella Maris.

4 5 6