Heart & Mind, Winter 2026

KELLENBERG MEMORIAL FAMILY MAGAZINE

WINTER 2026

The Ripple of

Faith

May I Have This Dance?

Matt Proietto ’29 dances with Josephine, a resident of Queen of Peace Residence. Since 1989, students from Kellenberg Memorial High School and Chaminade High School have hosted an annual Junior–Senior Prom with the residents of the home, which is sponsored by the Little Sisters of the Poor. In this special tradition, the high school students serve as the “juniors,” while the elderly residents are honored as the “seniors,” sharing an evening of music, dancing, and companionship.

12 From Kellenberg to Rome 38 young men and women took part in an Italian pilgrimage celebrating the Jubilee of Hope.

What’s Inside

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Principal’s Welcome

SPECIAL SECTION: RIPPLE OF FAITH

4 Collaboration in Consecration: Blessed Chaminade and the Ripple of Faith

Project M.A.S.T.

8 Carlo Acutis: Celebrating the Saint for Our Age

Matthew Mormando ’22 answers a call to mission in the Solomon Islands.

10 From Song to Silence: A Ripple of Faith in Eucharistic Adoration 12 From Kellenberg to Rome: A Pilgrimage in the Ripple of Faith 14 Project M.A.S.T.: A Ripple of Faith to the Solomon Islands 15 Where Faith Meets the Future: A Ripple of Innovation

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A RIPPLE OF INNOVATION The new Carlo Acutis Technology Center serves as an innovative, flexible learning environment for student exploration in cybersecurity, engineering, robotics, and more.

16 Maria Regina Reunions 17 Kellenberg Memorial Fall Reunions 18 One Heart One Mind Benefit Outing 19 Forever Firebirds 20 Class Notes 31 In Memoriam Editor’s Note In our Summer 2025 issue, we incorrectly identified Valerie Bell MR’73 as Maria Regina’s first AfricanAmerican female student. The correct distinction belongs to Terryl Hamilton MR’72. We regret the error and thank our alumni community for helping us preserve the accuracy of our shared history.

heart & mind Heart & Mind is Kellenberg Memorial High School’s biannual magazine that is shared with all alumni, current parents, alumni parents, faculty, staff, administration, and friends of the school.

Principal Bro. Kenneth M. Hoagland, S.M. Director of Advancement Mr. Charles Viana Director of Alumni Mr. Thomas Huggard

A LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”

— Mother Teresa

Director of Communications Mrs. Tara ( Joyce) O’Donoghue ’06 Editor Mrs. Erin (Byrne) Cicalese ’98

DEAR KELLENBERG MEMORIAL FAMILY,

Editorial Assistant Mrs. Beth Campbell

Over the years, I have received letters, notes,

the ripple effect of faith touches the hearts

Design Mrs. Margaret Galeano

Kellenberg student in some way impressed

each morning, the Marianist Community of

Contributors Mr. Michael Bavaro ’18 Mr. Matthew Bursig Mr. Nicolas Castelli ’17 Mr. Douglas Cioffi ’97 John D. Gaffney, Jr. ’26 Mrs. Andrea (Licari) Petrosky ’91, P’22,’26 Photography Mr. Jeff Harris ’03, Director Erin Breslin ’27 John Gaffney ’26 Jude Hassett ’25 Mackenzie Minero ’27 Francesca Stein ’27

Send alumni news to: alumni@kellenberg.org 2

HEART & MIND

and emails from strangers, telling me that a

them with a kind word, a friendly gesture, or a generous act of kindness. The experience

prompted the person to let me know that we

“must be doing something right at Kellenberg” to produce such impressive young men and

women. The “ripple effect” from simple acts

of kindness to major acts like fulfilling one’s vocation as a priest, religious, teacher, or

student, generates positive effects in ways

we can never imagine and most likely will never know.

This issue of Heart & Mind explores some of the ways in which our Founder’s vision

of Marianist Religious and Laity working collaboratively creates a ripple effect that

can change the world. Each day, we see how

and minds of over 2,500 students. At 6 AM

Brothers and Priests joins for Morning Prayer

and Mass. This daily rendering of praise to the Lord and celebration of the Eucharist begins

the ripple effect of God’s grace present in the building, reverberating to our community of

believers of Brothers and Priests, teachers, staff, students, and parents. Our lay teachers unite

their efforts to saturate our school community with the mission of Mary, to make her Son known to each of our students.

I encourage you to read in this issue a

comprehensive analysis of the first ripple of

the Marianist movement following the French Revolution in the early nineteenth century,

authored by Mr. Nick Castelli ’17, a faculty

member. Blessed William Joseph Chaminade’s

vision included Religious Sisters and Brothers

Mission of Mercy. They spend a week of their

also mention that so many of our lay teachers

Mary’s vocation of bringing forth Jesus into

at Lourdes seeking physical and spiritual

faith returns home and generates even greater

working closely with the laity to continue the world. His creativity in establishing

small faith communities called Sodalities

continues its ripple effect to this day. As the Founder of the Marianists, his charism and vision continue to make waves through the

Society of Mary, the Daughters of Mary, Lay

Marianist Groups, and our Marianist Schools.

Not only do the ripples of faith affect our school building and our students, but our

students extend those ripples of faith at home

and in their communities. One parent recently told me that his daughter’s experience at

Kellenberg was not only life-changing for her but also for the entire family. His daughter brought the family back to weekly Sunday Mass. Her faith experience at Kellenberg

prompted her to fulfill her Sunday obligation,

vacation assisting the sick people who arrive

healing. In addition to our presence in France, 40 students made a pilgrimage to Italy this

past summer to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope. Father Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02, led the pilgrims on a journey through various

places of significance, particularly featuring

young and modern-day saints. Student John Gaffney ’26 wrote an article in this issue

of Heart & Mind sharing his reflections on

this pilgrimage. I also encourage you to read another article describing our Missionary work halfway around the world in the

Solomon Islands. Brother Patrick Cahill,

S.M., Brother Michael McAward, S.M., and three of our graduates from our Marianist

High Schools conducted classes for catechists

throughout the three Solomon Island dioceses.

and her family joined her. Our students also

One final “ripple effect” I would like to

as Religious Education instructors. Over 300

from Kellenberg Memorial. I am profoundly

expand the ripples of faith in local parishes

Kellenberg Memorial students teach religious education in nine parishes. Our students bring the faith to thousands of children, generating even more ripples of faith in our diocese.

On an international level, each summer we

have 40 students go to Lourdes, France, on a

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mention manifests itself beyond graduation grateful (and proud) to hear about the

engagement our graduates have on their

college campuses, particularly in campus

ministry and Newman Clubs. The apostolic

are graduates of Kellenberg. The ripple of ripples for new generations.

As I am writing this letter, we are in the

Season of Lent. Soon it will be Eastertide.

There is, of course, no greater “Ripple of Faith” than the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ. To paraphrase Mother Teresa’s quote, we alone cannot

change the world, but Jesus Christ did change the world. We are the beneficiaries of that change. Before Jesus ascended to heaven,

he told His apostles, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything

I have commanded you. And surely, I am with

you always, to the very end of the age.” The ripple continues to this day in His Church, our

school, and among our teachers and students.

May the blessings of the Lenten and Easter Seasons have a tremendous ripple effect on the faith lives of you and your families.

To Jesus through Mary,

experiences that our graduates carry with

them to college produce ripples of faith that extend the mission of Mary to make Christ

known to others. I would be remiss if I didn’t

Brother Kenenth M. Hoagland, S.M. Principal

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collaboration in Consecration:

Blessed William Joseph Chaminade & the Ripple of Faith

By Nicolas Castelli ’17 This past October, Pope Leo XIV issued an Apostolic Letter renewing the Church’s commitment to education. He describes Catholic education as a “constellation” made up of various institutions, methods, and charisms; each in their own right has “brightness,” but always “together chart a course.”1 The Holy Father specifically noted: “Educational charisms are not rigid formulas: they are original responses to the needs of each era.”2 Kellenberg Memorial often speaks of “lay Marianists,” or in other words, educators here who are not religious brothers, yet are indispensable and instrumental in the work of the Society of Mary. We do not simply teach alongside the brothers, rather, we become vessels through which their charism permeates the school as it simultaneously becomes our own. Far from being primarily a professional occupation then, lay Marianist education is more so an apostolic endeavor. We are sent on mission not only as “God’s fellow workers” (1 Cor 3:9) as educators for the Church, but also distinctly as Marianist collaborators.3 Given the Holy Father’s call for renewal and rededication to our place in the greater constellation, it is fitting for our whole school community – faculty, staff, parents, graduates, and students – to reflect: What makes Blessed William Joseph Chaminade’s vision of lay, Marianist collaboration an “original response” still pertinent for the Church today?

Chaminade’s “original response” starts with the sodality, which forms the foundation of his later educational vision. As Chaminade described it: A Sodality is a society of fervent Christians… In order to imitate the Christians of the primitive Church, [it] strives by frequent reunions to possess but one heart and one soul, and to form but one family, not only as children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ and members of his mystical Body, but also as children of Mary through a special consecration to her veneration, and an open profession of the privilege of her Immaculate Conception.4 1 2 3 4

Pope Leo XIV, Apostolic Letter Drawing New Maps of Hope (27 October 2025), §8.1-8.3. All references to papal and conciliar documents are taken from the Holy See at www.vatican.va.

Ibid., §2.1; emphasis added.

I borrowed this term from Bro. Michael J. McAward, S.M. Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “The Sodalities that Bear the Title of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Mother of God,” in Marian Writings, J.-B. Armbruster, ed. vol. 2, trans.

Henry Bradley and Joseph H. Roy (Dayton, OH: Marianist Resources Commission, 1980), §318, p. 108. It should be noted that Chaminade emphasizes an “open profession” of the Immaculate Conception because at this time, it was not defined as a dogma.

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Blessed William Joseph Chaminade

The sodality was literally a miniature society within France. There were subdivisions based on age, states of life, professions, and more to meet their different needs; these mixed groups would come together for worship, religious study, and missionary endeavours.5 To the surprise of many, he masterfully and genuinely integrated groups that were typically isolated from one another by cultural pressures and social class. As the Marianist Henry Rousseau explains: “The Sodality was therefore a beneficent center radiating true fraternity; it united in a firm and sincere friendship the representatives of classes that were naturally opposed by interest, and that were rather inclined to war than to harmony and peace.”6 Furthermore, while the sodality was meant to form its members in the faith, it was also meant to propagate it, as St. Paul exhorted St. Timothy: “What you have heard from me before many witnesses 5 6

Vincent R. Vasey, S.M., Chaminade: Another Portrait, ed. Joseph Stefanelli, S.M. and Lawrence Cada, S.M. (Dayton, OH: Marianist Resources Commission, 1987), 96-97.

Henry Rousseau, S.M., William Joseph Chaminade: Founder of the Society of Mary, trans. J. E. Garvin, (Cincinnati, OH: The Brothers of Mary, 1914), 126.

The ripple of faith

“The First Perpetual Vows” by Bro. Nicholas Waldeck, S.M. (1949) from the collection of the National Archives Marianist Province of the United States

entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). The sodality was a reservoir in the spiritual wasteland of postrevolution France, where its members could be formed and nourished by the priests to go forth into the places from which they came with the fruits of Christianity.7 Hence, as Chaminade succinctly explained: “Sodalities should be considered as a perpetual mission.”8 Chaminade’s work with the sodality is truly an original response; it formed and commissioned the laity not in competition with the clergy, but in collaboration with them at a time when this was not common.

“These were,” Rousseau explains, “the ideas of a precursor, the views of a seer; they were not thoroughly understood by the men around him, even in the ranks of the clergy.”9 Today, however, it is difficult to appreciate this – most especially after the growth of Catholic Action throughout the 20th century and the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.

Specifically regarding the latter, the Council taught that all the faithful are called to the apostolate directly by the Lord Himself through their Baptism and Confirmation; they are consecrated to sanctify “all those things which make up the temporal order”10 in union with the Church’s hierarchy. There may be different degrees and kinds of apostolic participation, but nonetheless there is a unity amidst the diversity by the one sacramental bond. Clearly then, as Pope St. John Paul II wrote to the Marianist Superior General, Chaminade prophetically “anticipated” 7 8

See ibid., 149.

Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Document 153: Answers to the Seven Questions or Objections Usually Raised about the New Structure of the Sodalities of Bordeaux and on the Relationship in General between the Sodalities and the Parishes,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 1, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2006), 677.

9 Rousseau, William Joseph Chaminade: Founder of the Society of Mary, 130.

10 See Vatican Council II, Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam actuositatem (18 November 1965), §3-7.

these teachings.11 Nonetheless, there is still a distinction in his approach that will later be essential for understanding his enduring contribution to education. Amidst the diversity, the sodality’s profound unity was first and foremost founded on its members’ Baptism, but it was uniquely expressed through their Marian consecration.12 Recall that regarding faith and morals, post-revolution France was absolutely desolate; the sodality was the means of Christian restoration, but as seen in Chaminade’s earlier definition, through Our Lady. In the Manual of the Servant of Mary, a handbook for the sodality, it says: “In this most perverted age the world has seen, in the very midst of corruption and surrounded by all kinds of vice, we see being born a chaste and virtuous generation. It calls itself the family of the most pure Mary. Indeed, everything about it foretells the nobility and dignity of its divine birth… All the members of this family love each other deeply, and they are habitually united in the heart of the divine Mary… They are all brothers engendered in the maternal womb of Mary.”13 The act of consecration included a renewal of Baptimsal promises for two general reasons.

First, the consecration was a consent – or more so an alliance – to what was already a sacramental reality. Chaminade believed that in Baptism, every Christian is personally born of Mary in becoming another Christ, the Son of Mary (Matt 1:16); she is our spiritual mother not in a symbolic sense, but in the full sense of the term because we have been regenerated in her by the action of the Holy Spirit.14 She was united with her Son’s offering at Calvary, and in that suffering, she was fruitful, giving birth to all those who would receive redemption by their own baptismal participation in the death of her Son (Rom 6:1-11; Col 2:12); she not only gives birth then, but she also continues to nurture her children by her heavenly intercession with the graces won by her Son.15 Consecration to be a son or daughter of Mary reinvigorates this filial, baptismal state. Thus, the “one Baptism” (Eph 4:5) of the sodality took on a further intensity through the consecration, making them form – as 11 Pope St. John Paul II, Letter to the Superior General of the Society of Mary (7 July 2001).

12 Cf. Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “The Proximate Objectives of the Sodality,” in Marian Writings, J.-B. Armbruster, ed. vol. 2, trans. Henry Bradley and Joseph H. Roy (Dayton, OH: Marianist Resources Commission, 1980), §345, p.125. Here, Chaminade says that all the elements of the sodality flow from consecration.

13 Manual of the Servant of Mary (1804 Edition), in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 1, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2006), 64. It is important to note that “divine Mary” does not mean she is God or a goddess; rather, it refers to the grace of her divine maternity in being the Mother of God. All Christians are called to become partakers in the divine nature through the Son (see 2 Pet 1:3:-4, CCC §460); Mary uniquely does so as His mother.

14 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Document 18: The Institute of The Society of Mary,” in The Chaminade Legacy, trans. Joseph Stefanelli, vol. 7, 7 vols. (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2016), 240; “The Retreat of 1827,” in J.-B. Armbruster, ed., Marian Writings, vol. 2, trans. Henry Bradley and Joseph H. Roy (Dayton, OH: Marianist Resources Commission, 1980), §829, p. 325.

15 Cf. Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Document 196: The Compassion of the Blessed Virgin,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 2, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2008), 380–84; “Document 22: Instructions of the Retreat of 1822,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 6, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2014), 224-26; Pope St. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter on the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering Salvifici doloris (11 February 1984), §25; Pope St. John Paul II, General Audience: Blessed Virgin is Mother of the Church (17 September 1997), §3; Pope St. Pius X, Encyclical on the Immaculate Conception Ad diem illum (2 February 1904), §10-13; Ven. Pope Pius XII, Encyclical on the Mystical Body of Christ Mystici corporis (29 June 1943), §110.

Continued on next page

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profession is the highest fulfillment of the sodality’s consecration; their mission of education, therefore, follows from the consecration. The two areas of consecration discussed previously – namely, filial identity and apostolic identity – likewise contain a distinctive perspective on education.

While some sodalists lived private vows to practice the evangelical counsels, the Marianist religious profession contained another: the vow of stability, by which they enlist as “the auxiliaries and the instruments of the Blessed Virgin.”19 All Christians are children of Our Lady, but the Marianist life is a particular adoption for a specific purpose. The signs of the times, Chaminade explains, indicated a calamity:

“The Virgin of the Apocalypse” by Miguel Cabrera (1760)

collaboration in Consecration Continued

Chaminade says – one Son of Mary.16 Hence, the sodality could truly be a society under our Queen, or a family under our Mother. Second, the consecration was a public profession, not only regarding belief in the truths of Our Lady, but also as a firm promise to devote themselves to her service. As the Council would later teach, Our Lady is the “perfect example” of this “spiritual and apostolic life” because of her singular cooperation in Redemption and her continued maternal charity in forming her redeemed children.17 Thus, a sodalist is consecrated to make Our Lady known and loved so that she may do for others what she has done for them; the direct, baptisimal call to the apostolate by Christ is fulfilled by participation in the apostolate of their mother.

The sodality consecration is indispensable for understanding Marianist education. The religious institutes founded by Chaminade – the Daughters of Mary and the Society of Mary – that are dedicated to education came from sodalists who wanted to further their consecration in religious life. Even in their religious life, the foundation was the same; as Chaminade wrote: “Even the religious state formed within the Sodality is simply a more perfect manner of fulfilling the Sodality’s consecration to the Blessed Virgin.”18 The Marianist religious 16 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Document 200: On Calvary. Mary Is Our Mother,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 2, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2008), 388–89: “With [Jesus], we form one only Son of Mary, one Son of God… She truly engendered us at the foot of the cross… This was so her Son and all his disciples might be only one single Son, and that she, her Son, and his disciples, consummated in unity, might form only one Son of God.” 17 Apostolicam actuositatem, §4. Also see Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen gentium (21 November 1964), §62-63.

18 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “The Proximate Objectives of the Sodality,” §346, p.125. This specifically referred to the sodalists who were living a type of religious life while in the world; they would eventually become the first Daughters of Mary.

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In our day the great prevailing heresy is religious indifference, which grows by numbing souls in the stupor of selfishness and the mire of passion. The depths of the infernal abyss belch forth huge clouds of black and pestilential smoke (Rv 9:2) that threaten to engulf the whole earth in a dark night, devoid of every good, fraught with every evil, and impenetrable so to speak to the lifegiving rays of the Sun of Justice. Consequently, the divine torch of faith is growing dim and flickering out in the very heartland of Christendom; virtue is steadily becoming more rare and disappearing, while vice is unleashed with frightful fury. We seem to be reaching that prophesied time of general defection and all but universal apostasy.20 The light, however, always penetrates the darkness ( Jn 1:5). Triumph has been accomplished in Christ (1 Cor 15:57), yet from a heavenly decree, the promised Woman, whose heel was from the beginning set to crush the serpent’s head (Gen 3:15), has been given by Him a final victory over the serpent’s war against her children (Rev 12). “Her power,” as Chaminade says, “stands undiminished… Hers will be the glory of saving the faith from the shipwreck with which it is threatened among us.”21 The star of the sea twinkles in the dark night, preparing our dim eyes for the radiance of the Sun of Justice (Mal 4:2; Matt 24:29-31).

The brothers thus, says Chaminade, are sons consecrated as her “soldiers and ministers,” her “apostles” according to this “design of heaven,” under the rally cry given to the servants at Cana: “Do whatever he tells you” ( Jn 2:5).22 They truly are, as Chaminade proclaimed with an unusual enthusiasm for his ordinary demeanor, the heel of the woman.23 This magnificent and universal mission is then embodied in education, the means by which the Marianist preserve and heal the youth with the “solicitude and kindness of Jesus and Mary.”24 Now the distinctive apostolate comes to light.

19 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Letter to the Retreat Masters of 1839,” trans. Lawrence J. Cada, North American Center for Marianist Studies, 1989, https://www.nacms.org/files/LetterOf1839.pdf, 5.

20 Ibid.,4.

21 Ibid., 4-5.

22 Ibid., 5, 8-9.

23 “Document 17: Meeting of Father Chaminade and Monsieur Lalanne (May 1817),” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 5, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2011), 364-66.

24 Constitutions of the Society of Mary, 1839, §253, in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 7, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2016), 327.

The ripple of faith

Recall that for Chaminade, these souls have been born in Mary at the cross. Likewise, the Marianist religious profession assumes the place of St. John at the cross ( Jn 19:25-27) so that this rebirth becomes their identity.25 Christ Himself entrusts the religious to being “reared under her care”26 as He was, so that in being perfectly conformed to Him by the sacrifice that is religious life, the Marianist himself may become a perpetual Calvary through which Our Lady, cooperating with the action of the Holy Spirit, forms her children as the Mystical Body of her Son (cf. Col 1:24). Hence, the Marianist Constitutions of 1839 say: Jesus, who has shed all his blood for the salvation of all; Mary, who became their mother at the foot of the cross – what can they desire other than that we immolate ourselves to save the souls which are so dear to them? … From the moment a religious is charged with a class or a school, he represents in himself that Jesus and Mary have confided these children to him.27 Elsewhere, a document drafted under Chaminade’s direction says: Every one of [the Society’s] religious would take joy in having to sacrifice his life to his duty. They attach their own salvation to the salvation of their beloved pupils. Nothing costs them too much in obtaining their salvation by means of instruction.28 Many religious institutes are dedicated to education and even to Our Lady; however, the Marianists distinctly educate for the salvation of souls by a total consecration not only under her spiritual maternity, but more specifically to her apostolate. Like the sodality, Chaminade envisioned that these children of Mary would join in her apostolate: “The children there generally make such rapid progress and become so docile and Christian that they carry the good odor of virtue and religion into their respective families. The children become, as it were, apostles to their parents and their apostolate always produces some happy fruit.”29 Chaminade’s response in founding the Society of Mary is clearly an original response to the signs of his times. However, in his wisdom and experience with the sodality he knew, as the Marianist Joseph Lackner writes, that “the intended regeneration through French schools could never be achieved simply through the agency of members of the Society

25 See Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, “Document 19: The Society of Mary Considered as a Religious Order,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 7, trans.

Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2016), 245-49; “Document 197: Mary, Our Mother, on Calvary,” in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 2, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2008), 384-85; “Letter to the Retreat Masters of 1839,” 8.

26 Constitutions of the Society of Mary, 1839, §5, p. 293.

27 Constitutions of the Society of Mary, 1839, §252, §259, p. 327-26.

28 The New Method of Teaching. General Regulations for the Schools of the Society of Mary, §6, in The Chaminade Legacy, ed. Jean-Baptiste Armbruster et al., vol. 7, trans. Joseph Stefanelli (North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2016), 51.

29 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, Letter to Dom Joseph Fréchard, Pastor of Colroy (June 18, 1822) in The Letters of Father Chaminade, Electronic Edition (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2013), vol 1, pt. 2, no. 203.

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of Mary.”30 In other words, he would continue to collaborate with the laity as he did in the sodality. Here it is important to make a distinction.

The Society of Mary itself is a unique union of priests and lay brothers; today, however, by “laity” we typically refer to those educators who are not in religious life. Nonetheless, Chaminade still sought to form non-religious laity. He desired that all lay teachers be well instructed in religion so as to practice it.31 However, he also desired that they master secular and practical disciplines so that they might sanctify those spaces with the Christian spirit.32 In other words, we have come full circle to the original principle of the sodality. The school forms a new society with – as we say here at Kellenberg Memorial – one heart and one mind as the Body of Christ, consecrated to His Immaculate Mother for apostolic response in all places.

Now, returning to our first question: What makes Blessed William Joseph Chaminade’s vision of lay, Marianist collaboration an “original response” still pertinent for the Church today? I suggest that it is collaboration in consecration. In these last days, the Father has spoken His final and definitive word through His Son (Heb 1:1-2), and as His dying wish at the moment of Redemption, this Son has given us a mother ( Jn 19:27). Indeed, all have been consecrated for the apostolate in Baptism, and by the Holy Spirit, Our Lady cooperates “in the birth and development of divine life” in them; however, mothers are not called to merely generate, but to nourish and educate.33 The “original response” of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade endures as a shining star in our Holy Father’s constellation, piercing through the dark night, reminding the Church that the Immaculate Mother – the star of the sea – is continually forming her children with the graces of her Son, not by herself, but in special collaboration with all those consecrated to her. “Among creatures,” says Pope St. John Paul II, “no one knows Christ better than Mary; no one can introduce us to a profound knowledge of his mystery better than his Mother.”34 Perhaps then, the Holy Father’s call for educational renewal can be an inspiration for our own community – students, faculty, staff, parents, graduates – here at Kellenberg Memorial. In the spirit of our Founder, let us consecrate ourselves to the Immaculate Mother, so that united as one heart and one mind in the Marianist family – offering all that we are and all that we do to the Father in Christ on the altar of a Marianist vocation – our living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-1; 2 Cor 4:10-12) may become the means by which the faith ripples to all her children.

30 Joseph H. Lackner, S.M., William Joseph Chaminade: His Apostolic Intent and His Engagement with Schools, Instruction, and Education: An Historical Portrait (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 1999), 38.

31 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, Letter to Fr. Jean Lalanne, Paris (February 22, 1830) in The Letters of Father Chaminade, Electronic Edition (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2013), vol 1, pt. 2, no. 503.

32 Bl. William Joseph Chaminade, Letter to Fr. Jean Lalanne, Saint-Remy (March 31, 1830) in The Letters of Father Chaminade, Electronic Edition (Dayton, OH: North American Center for Marianist Studies, 2013), vol 2, pt. 2, no. 514.

33 Pope St. Paul VI, Apostolic Exhortation Signum magnum (13 May 1967), pt. I. 34 Pope St. John Paul II, Apostolic Letter on the Most Holy Rosary Rosarium virginis mariae (16 October 2002), §14.

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carlo Acutis:

Celebrating the Saint for our Age

By Nicolas Castelli ’17

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his past September, Pope Leo XIV canonized Saint Carlo Acutis. Kellenberg Memorial hosted a public celebration with the Eucharistic Miracles exhibit created by Carlo himself, a screening of the film Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, veneration of relics, and most importantly, Eucharistic Adoration. Our school welcomed over 700 faithful from within and beyond our school to pray before the Lord with our new saint. Since then, as the event’s coordinator I have been asked: Why did we do this? The answer is personal, pastoral, and above all, spiritual.

Though I now hold Carlo to be a favorite saint, I was initially skeptical of him. I knew little-to-nothing about him except the popular descriptions, namely, that he was buried in jeans, played video games, and was a computer programmer. I sarcastically asked: “How does that make him a saint?” I understood and even still admire that these characteristics make him uniquely relatable to our youth, but nevertheless, the Church does not canonize saints for such qualities; rather, through their heroic virtue and visible signs of heavenly intercession, the Holy Spirit moves the Church to decree that this person is to be venerated and imitated throughout the whole Church, or within our theme, that their faith ripple to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Interestingly, Pope Leo did not refer to any of those popular descriptions in the canonization homily. Therefore, to understand our celebration this past fall, we must ask why the Church canonized Carlo Acutis—most especially for this particular time.

Carlo exemplified having “put on Christ” (Gal 3:26-27). He did so in numerous ways, but one encapsulates them all—his Eucharistic heart, as our school statue depicts. Carlo’s mother explains: “To understand Carlo’s spirituality, you have to delve into the Eucharistic mystery.”1 Pope Leo captured this in the canonization homily: “Carlo used to say: ‘In front of the sun, you get a tan. In front of the Eucharist, you become a saint!’”2 Simply put, the Eucharist made Carlo a saint, but how? One meditation from Carlo is most relevant to the intent behind our celebration.

Carlo explains that when God became man, our “planet” changed; divinity not only assumed humanity, but also the spaces that humanity inhabits.3 As St. Paul teaches, a new creation has come in Christ (Col 1:15-20; 2 Cor 5:16-19). For Carlo, however, there is a particular emphasis. Two millennia ago Christ dwelt and walked among us in His body; today, He continues to do so in the Eucharist. Hence, Carlo sees the Eucharist as a type of “second Incarnation,”4 or in other words, 1 2 3 4

Antonia Salzano Acutis, My Son Carlo: Carlo Acutis Through the Eyes of His Mother (Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2021), 210-11.

Pope Leo XIV, Holy Mass with the Canonizations of the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Carlo Acutis (7 September 2025). At the Holy See, www.vatican.va.

Acutis, My Son Carlo: Carlo Acutis Through the Eyes of His Mother, 216-18.

Ibid., 217.

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A moment of prayer in the presence of a modern witness to holiness: Saint Carlo Acutis.

Bro. David Bruner, S.M. views a piece from St. Carol Acutis’s Eucharistic Miracles exhibit.

its continuation. Thus, in his words, there is “an extremely personal, individual fact… a direct contact” between us and Christ in the Eucharist.5 To summarize, creation has been redeemed by Christ and renewed to hold His continued bodily presence in the Eucharist, so that we can have the same, tangible encounter with the God—who out of infinite love—came to meet us face-to-face by the one, unrepeated yet enduring act of the Incarnation (Heb 1:3; Jn 14:9; 1 Jn 1:1-4).

5

Ibid.

the ripple of faith

In front of the sun, you get a tan.

In front of the Eucharist, you become a saint.

SAINT CARLO ACUTIS

So, what makes Carlo’s example unique for this age and fitting for canonization? Simply put and as the film presented, Carlo’s Eucharistic spirituality is the roadmap to reality. This school year, Brother Kenneth has been addressing the Anxious Generation, which undoubtedly has arisen in notable part from the maladies of our unprecedented digital age. Carlo navigated it with sanctity because with wisdom advanced beyond his age, he understood the primary reality—the Eucharistic reality—through which he experienced everything, even death. As our diocesan bishop John Barres preached: “As he battled cancer and faced death, Carlo focused on the Eucharist. He focused on eternal life.”6 Regarding the popular descriptions, Carlo did wear jeans and sneakers, not as an ordinary teenager, but rather as a pilgrim for eternity nourished by heavenly food ( Jn 6:48-51). He played video games, but in moderation (no more than one hour per week) to encounter the real creation where Christ comes to dwell in the Eucharist. Lastly, while he was a talented computer programmer, even more so as a good steward of grace (1 Pet 4:10) he used this gift to lead souls off his websites, into the new creation, and ultimately to the Eucharist. As Pope Francis 6

so admired, he used digital tools without becoming ensnared by them;7 this was the spirit of our celebration. The film presented Carlo as “the antidote to the ails of our age”8 by alternating between a documentary covering his own life and high school students on pilgrimage to his tomb, who when immersed in his roadmap, are progressively healed and awakened from the anxiety and isolation of those ails; they return as youth of hope. Afterwards, we modeled our prayer after Carlo and the film’s lessons during Eucharistic Adoration, with full confidence in his intercession by the presence and power of his relics (2 Kgs 13:20-21; Acts 19:11-12), or the same saintly remains that those students encountered.

Thus, returning to that first question—why did we do this? We celebrated so that we could be sanctified to navigate this anxious and digital age by following the model of holiness that God has raised for us in Saint Carlo Acutis.

7 8

See Pope Francis, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation to Young People and to the Entire People of God Christus vivit (25 March 2019), §104-106. At the Holy See, www.vatican.va.

Msgr. James Shea in Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality | Official Trailer, (Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality, 2025), Youtube, 2:00.

Bishop John O. Barres, “Venerable Carlo Acutis: Chaminade High School Mass Homily” (17 May 2019), 3. At www.bishopbarres.com.

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from song to silence:

A ripple of Faith in Eucharistic Adoration

By Matthew B. Bursig

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magine a dimly lit room filled with the sounds of lightly strummed chords from a guitar. A bell chimes gently. Students rise from their seats; some may choose to kneel. Their faces turn towards a candlelit procession. A priest, familiar to the students, holds the Blessed Sacrament high. He escorts the monstrance to a wooden tower glowing with candlelight and places it high for the congregation to view. The mood is somber and reflective, yet there is a palpable sense of warmth, fascination, and joy. As all participants join in the chorus of a song, a ripple of realization spreads that Jesus is present before all in attendance.

He is now in the room.

As a young teacher at Kellenberg in 2009, I was still finding my way, fumbling occasionally in the classroom, wearing terribly ill-fitted suit pieces, and being my usually awkward, historical self (that hasn’t changed one bit). That year, I was asked to take the lead of the XLT Band and assist with the monthly Adoration service. I was already assisting Mr. Alex Basile with the Gregorian Consortium, and I was honored to explore this wonderful opportunity to grow both my musical and leadership skills, as well as my connection with students in the development of their faith.

Recently, I spoke with Mr. Joe Moncada ’09, who reminded me that XLT began at Kellenberg in the 2005-2006

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school year, making this year the 20th Anniversary of the program. In its infancy, Adoration took place nearly every week and was held in the Millennium Room. The students ate there, then cleaned up, and then participated in Adoration; all in the same space. In those days, the band varied in size, but it was generally a 4-6 piece rock band, styled in the manner of popular praise and worship music. It was louder and edgier, but, at the core, the Blessed Sacrament was the focus.

When I assumed the role of moderator of the XLT Band in 2009, the program had moved to the auditorium. Initially, we maintained a similar musical format, but we continually adapted the music style, band size, instrumentation volume, and band placement in the auditorium. Finding a balance between performance and prayer is not always easy. Every musician wants to be seen on stage and express their art and abilities. I’ll admit that in 2009-2010, I was more focused on the music, the chords, the electric guitar levels, and the cymbal crashes. The students and I would say, “But Matt Maher and Tomlin play it this way!” I’ll also admit that I took several missteps in the beginning, but that is how we learn. It took time and practice to accept the Holy Spirit into the heart of the performance.

This meant choosing Eucharistic-appropriate music, then literally feeling those lyrics

The ripple of faith

as one feels a prayer. This also meant absorbing the atmosphere of the moment through utilizing swells and dynamics. For the non-musicians reading this, that means we are not “turning it up to 11.” It also meant accepting that less is often more. At some point in these years, we moved XLT back to the Millennium Room. This helped refocus the band’s performance, as the intimate space assisted in “bringing down the volume.” We also began taking on more student band members. More singers. More instruments. We now had strings, woodwinds, and brass.

There was an even greater pivot towards prayer, to understanding WHO is in the monstrance.

During this time, I came to the revelation that I needed to worry less about the perfection of the music and more about the Eucharist.

We also needed to focus on the literal emotional harmony of the performance group. It meant listening more and playing less. It meant listening more to what the students suggested, listening to colleagues both at Kellenberg and in the Diocese, and listening more to the vast collection of both modern and traditional music available. It also meant engaging in spiritual growth, as we began including retreats or small Evenings of Recollection into the Band’s activities. Interestingly, with the greater relationship with the students, the performance became sharper. It was like the Holy Spirit grabbed a bullhorn and said, “Duh, you finally understand it!” I am always reminded that this music is a balance between being faculty-led and student-driven. Music performance allows for individualism, but it also fosters unity. To use a history class phrase, “E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many One).”

Throughout the years, we’ve had ripples of change. Former faculty members have played pivotal roles in the program’s growth. The steady involvement of current faculty members, Mr. Liam Von Elm ’17, Mr. Joe Moncada ’09, and Mr. Joe Beyrouty ’92, has been extremely helpful. We are also blessed to have Fr. John Crozier ’11 and Fr. Matt Browne ’11 of the Diocese of Rockville Centre return regularly for our XLT evenings.

Each school year, the XLT Band brings new students. Each year brings new instruments and new personalities. It also brings new abilities and new songs. I hope that in my time moderating the band, I have been able to use the students’ talents for the greater work of drawing people towards prayer. I pray that these moments of music and prayer serve as a ripple of faith, bringing God’s true presence not only to those present for Adoration, but also outward to our entire Kellenberg community and beyond. I am overjoyed to hear of alumni joining choirs and adoration bands during college or continuing their music performance in their adult lives. Most importantly, I hope that we have played a role in fostering our entire student body’s love of the Blessed Sacrament.

I am pleased that the XLT program has experienced significant growth over the past few years. Once again held in the auditorium, the number of attendees continues to grow each month. Recently, students approached Fr. Tom Cardone, S.M., and Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02, and requested that confessions be held during an XLT. As a result, we have Diocesan priests and fellow Marianists from Chaminade High School often attend to hear confessions. This all coincides with the

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Eucharistic Revival taking place in our modern church as well. Our students have spiritual and emotional needs, and they are taking the appropriate measures to fill those needs by attending XLT, receiving grace, kneeling, sitting in silence, singing, and praying. In a world that is often noisy, angry, anxious, and fast-paced, taking an hour of contemplative prayer can be healing.

Mr. Von Elm always says, “Everyone always leaves XLT so happy!” It is very true. When I close my eyes during a song, especially the “Divine Praises,” I can hear all the students singing. I can hear the voices of students past, present, and future, echoing with hope for the future.

When the song ends, we sing the “Salve Regina,” and the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the chapel. The lights come up, and we are renewed, refreshed, and returned to the current world.

The beauty of XLT, and Eucharistic Adoration in general, is that we are expanding the great tradition of veneration and prayer. I am reminded each Christmas that this was started by the shepherds and the Magi in Bethlehem. As a Civil War reenactor, I enjoy seeing the past and the present coexist in a shared moment, which I find at historical reenactments. In the case of XLT, this is a continuous ripple of adoration and tradition. Therefore, do we share in the same presence as Mary and John at the foot of the Cross? Do we share in the pilgrimages of the Middle Ages? Do we share in St. Therese of Lisieux’s contemplative prayer? Do we share in St. Padre Pio’s Holy Hour? Do we share in Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s and St. Mother Teresa’s devotions?

Do we share in St. Carlo Acutis’ powerful love for the Eucharist?

While much change occurs over the centuries, there is a constant invitation shared with each and every one of us to become closer to God. We are all His children, and our faith is renewed with a few moments before the Blessed Sacrament. These moments can provide relief, answers, peace, and sometimes just rest. Yes, the moments change.

Yes, as the years go on, the faces change, the volume changes, the instruments change, the location changes, and the music changes, but still, there is Jesus in the monstrance. It is a constant that continues to ripple through our earthly existence, drawing us ever closer to our ultimate hope: to meet Jesus and live with Him in heaven.

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The group of pilgrims gathers for a photo with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

From Kellenberg to Rome:

A Pilgrimage in the Ripple of Faith

By John D. Gaffney Jr. ’26

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s my senior year begins to wind down, I reflect on the past five years during which I have been privileged to call Kellenberg a second home. I’ve come to describe my experiences as “Pebble Dropping.”

I know this may seem far-fetched, but please give me a moment to explain.

Around this time last year, I was on a retreat at Founders Hollow, standing in the kitchen when I saw a group of friends throwing pebbles into the lake to see whose could go the farthest. It made me realize that all the XLT speeches, classroom lessons, Model UN conferences, school Masses, and many other experiences were just like those pebbles. Each event, moment, and prayer was a pebble thrown, creating hundreds of small ripples—ripples of faith. It is the mission of one to ensure those ripples never stop.

One of the most meaningful experiences I had at Kellenberg Memorial was this past summer when 38 young men and women took part in an Italian pilgrimage celebrating the Jubilee of Hope.

We started the first week of the trip in the north, walking through the lives of saints 12

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Each event, moment, and prayer was a pebble thrown, creating hundreds of small ripples—ripples of faith. It is the mission of one to ensure those ripples never stop.

John D. Gaffney Jr. ’26

who lived not too long ago. I remember being greeted in the small hamlet of Sassello by a friend of the late Blessed Chiara Badano. She guided us to Chiara’s simple grave, where she shared stories of her visits and how they used to write letters to each other. We learned that Chiara, also nicknamed “Luce” for light, was the loving and joyful person we are all called to be.

Later that week, we journeyed to the ancient city of Assisi, where the legacy of St. Francis still lives today. As a Marianist

family, we had the privilege of celebrating a private Mass right at the tomb of the 13th-century Friar.

My most enduring memory from the trip was later that afternoon, when we traveled through the hills from the ancient part of the city to the city center, where we joined the already-packed line outside the Church of St. Mary Major.

Inside, we had the chance to walk past the tomb of the then Blessed, now Saint, Carlo Acutis. Outside, we connected with youth

the Ripple Extends Worldwide

Fr. Daniel Griffin, S.M. ’02 celebrates Mass at the tomb of St. Francis.

Pope Leo reaches out to receive a Marianist bracelet.

from around the world—singing, dancing, talking, and trading. The two and a half hours spent in that line went by so quickly because we had the opportunity to talk with people from South Korea, Venezuela, Peru, Poland, and many other nations. All of us from around the world united to share one message: this faith that has been taught to us is not a panacea for old folks, but rather a living faith alive within us and within the church.

The second week of the pilgrimage was spent traveling through Rome, participating in the Jubilee of Youth events. My first impression of Rome was getting off the bus, crossing the Bridge of St. Angelo, and beginning our walk down the Via della Conciliazione.

This was my first chance to catch a glimpse of St. Peter’s Basilica. My eyes started to fill with tears as I stood in the presence of this building that 1.3 billion Catholics call their KELLENBERG.ORG

The pilgrims gather with the Society of Mary's General Council at the General Motherhouse.

Our Lady of Grace, pray for us!

spiritual home. The heart of the Universal Church was right in front of me.

As we passed through security, we were directed to a section for the General Audience of our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Before he could address the crowd of 80,000 young people, he got into his Pope Mobile and greeted the youth with waves, blessings, and even received a few gifts.

As the Swiss Guard began preparing for the Holy Father’s arrival, I saw a gap in the barricade and moved to fill it. When the crowds started to close in, one of the moderators saw that I was so close and handed me a Marianist bracelet, saying, “If you can, give it to him.”

As the cheers and claps grew louder, I saw the Jeep turn the corner. There was an assistant walking behind the vehicle, taking gifts. I figured that would happen to me.

As the Pope passed by, I simply reached out and said, “America loves you.” He looked at me with a smile and grabbed the bracelet out of my hand.

As Pope Leo told us that day, we are to bring that joy, that enthusiasm, back home and share it with all of you. We are to make sure that those ripples never end.

As we near the one-year anniversary of that trip, I must say that the 38 of us are still very close. We talk all the time, get together for dinners, and continue to support each other, all fueled by the experiences we shared.

I believe I speak for the group in saying that the “pebbles” Kellenberg has dropped into our lives during our time here have prepared us to step confidently into the world with a sense of purpose and conviction, ensuring that the ripples of faith never cease.

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the Ripple Extends Worldwide

project m.a.s.t.:

a Ripple of Faith to the solomon islands

“Y

organization and is now applying to graduate school ou are all missionaries!” These words of for Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Below, Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Matthew shares some thoughts on his participation in continue to inspire the Marianist Project M.A.S.T. call to live and share the Gospel beyond the classroom and across the world. This past summer, the Marianists How did serving alongside the Marianists and the people of the relaunched Project M.A.S.T. (Marianist Apostolic & Spiritual Solomon Islands impact your understanding of faith and mission?

Training), an initiative first begun in 2003 to serve the People of Serving in the Solomon Islands truly felt like an opportunity God in the Solomon Islands. to fulfill Jesus’s Located in the final instruction South Pacific, the to His disciples, Solomon Islands “Go therefore and hold a special make disciples of all place in Marianist nations.” It reminded missionary history. me that we all as Archbishop disciples of Christ Christopher have this collective Cardone, OP, mission to spread the brother of Fr. Gospel to everyone Thomas Cardone, we meet. This S.M., has served sometimes means as Archbishop literally teaching the of Honiara in faith as a missionary Bro. Patrick Cahill, S.M.; Aidan Weber; Bro. Michael McAward, S.M.; Archbishop Chris Cardone, O.P.; Angel Jimenez; and Matthew Mormando ’22 at Holy Cross Cathedral in Honiara the Solomon in another country, Islands since but it’s also a call to 2016. Recognizing the Marianist tradition of faith-filled education teach the Gospel by our love and service to others. and service, Archbishop Chris invited the Brothers to assist the In what ways did you feel you were “giving,” and in what ways did you local Church, beginning a mission marked by deep relationships and find yourself receiving? mutual faith.

Preaching the faith was like providing spiritual nourishment to the After several years away, the Marianists of the Province of Meribah people who treated our every word as truly the Gospel from the lips of discerned a renewed call to mission, one shared not only by the Christ. I also felt called to give myself to people in smaller ways, like in Brothers, but by young adult graduates of Chaminade (Angel Jimenez, a conversation or showing respect as someone shared a personal part of CHS ’22 and Aidan Weber, CHS ’23) and Kellenberg (Matthew their life with me. However, I feel I received more love than I ever could Mormando ’22) who joined them. From mid-June to mid-July, have given through the great acts of charity they showered upon us, participants lived a four-week missionary experience coordinated showing me what true hospitality looks like.

by Bro. Michael McAward, S.M. and Bro. Patrick Cahill, S.M., How did this experience affect your relationship with God? grounded in prayer and shaped by service. Teaching, prayer, music, The sheer number of unknowns in this experience required me to accompaniment, and shared daily life with parish communities formed place my trust in the Lord’s will more than I ever had needed to before, a mission of mutual exchange, revealing a joyful and trusting witness of and it filled me with a stronger desire to continue searching for new faith lived together. ways to love Him through loving His people.

Mission Reflection

Matthew Mormando ’22 is currently in his fourth year, continuing in the Marianist tradition, at the University of Dayton pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Psychology and Spanish with a minor in Theology. He is actively involved with Campus Ministry, serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Matthew also just finished his term as Vice President in the Catholic Life student 14

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How do you see this experience continuing to “ripple” in your faith life today?

I hope that I always look back on this experience and thank Him for so actively working through me to love His people. I think it gives me a new sense of hope for the world and a clearer vision to see the Holy Spirit actively spreading His love so that all people may come closer to Christ. Needless to say, this experience has changed my life.

On November 11, Bishop John O. Barres greeted students after blessing the Carlo Acutis Technology Center.

where faith meets the future:

a Ripple of Innovation

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he ripple of faith at Kellenberg Memorial has always extended beyond the walls of the classroom.

That ripple continues to expand in exciting new ways, where innovation, technology, and Marianist mission meet.

This year marked the opening of the Carlo Acutis Technology Center, a newly renovated space designed to reflect the changing needs of today’s curriculum and tomorrow’s careers. Formerly the school library, the space has been thoughtfully transformed into a flexible, future-focused learning environment. While it continues to foster research and collaboration, it now serves as a dynamic hub for STEM education and hands-on exploration.

Named in honor of Saint Carlo Acutis, who used technology to evangelize and share his love for the Eucharist, the Center reflects a powerful truth: faith and modern innovation are not at odds. Instead, they move forward together.

The Technology Center is a large, adaptable space capable of accommodating three classrooms at once, thanks to removable walls that allow teachers to reconfigure the layout based on instructional needs. Fully equipped with laptops and designed with flexible seating and collaborative work areas, the Center empowers students to move seamlessly KELLENBERG.ORG

between lecture, small-group work, coding labs, and project-based learning. It is a space built not only for instruction, but for innovation.

Recently, the Tech Center came alive in a particularly memorable way when alumnus Kamil Szwed ’20 returned to campus with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot for a hands-on demonstration in our engineering classes. Students gathered around as the robot walked, responded to commands, and showcased the remarkable advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence. Kamil’s visit was more than a demonstration; it was a tangible example of the ripple effect in action. The Marianist education Kamil received sparked curiosity and passion, and now that same spark returns to inspire the next generation of innovators.

The Technology Center also houses our growing Cybersecurity program, where students explore networking, digital forensics, and system protection. In a world increasingly shaped by digital infrastructure, these courses prepare students not only to understand technology, but to use it responsibly and safely.

Here, in a space alive with creativity and discovery, the ripple of faith expands, grounded in our Marianist mission and advancing boldly into tomorrow.

Kamil Szwed ’20 with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot and its “dog.”

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Classes of 1974 & 1975

Maria Regina 50th Reunions Class of 1974 October 26, 2024

Kathleen (Halvey) LaRousse ’74 and Kathleen McFadden ’74

Members of Maria Regina’s Class of 1974

Jeanne (Giordano) Kelsey ’74, Thomas Donovan ’74, Marck Webster ’74, and William Penfold ’74

Thomas Henesy ’74 and Elizabeth (Bidas) McCoy ’74

Mary DiGiglio Sibilio ’74, Sharon Leahy Callahan ’74, and Anne Marie (Kelly) Fisher ’74

Class of 1975 September 20, 2025

David Colbourne ’75, Catherine (Stone) Fountain ’75, Edward Raymond ’75, Lynda (Hopkins) Smith ’75, Kevin Smith ’74, Andrew Lewis ’75, and Patricia Portela ’75

Members of the Class of 1975

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William Hartenfels ’75 and Diane (Exler) Rudnick ’75

Thomas Ward ’75 and James Furey ’75

Classes of 1990, 1995 & 2000

Kellenberg Memorial reunions Reunions for the Classes of ’90, ’95, and ’00 were held in the Firebird Center for Arts & Athletics on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Class of 1990

Derek Chmielewski ’90, Joseph Viggiano ’90, and Christopher Akley ’90

Dwight Williams ’90 and Giovanni Silvagni ’90

Members of the Class of 1990

Class of 1995

Natalie (Dyszler) Casalinuovo ’95, Gina Manzo-Robalino ’95, and Christine Lawson-Abbott ’95

Members of the Class of 1995

Michael D’Amico ’95, Jolie Silva ’95, Kerry Ragusa ’95, and Tim Dalton ’95

Class of 2000

Dave Quinn ’00, Dorothy (McGoldrick) Stanford ’00, Jamie (Costello) Burke ’00, Maureen (Cosgrove) Scatamacchia ’00, and John Scatamacchia ’00

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Natalie Guillaume ’00, Alexis Adams ’00, and Darnell St. Jour ’00

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Kellenberg Community

Firebird alumni gather for a group photo during the cocktail hour portion of the evening.

One Heart, One Mind Benefit Outing & Gala

Supporting Future Firebirds

T

he 33rd Annual One Heart, One Mind Benefit Outing & Gala once again brought together the Kellenberg Memorial community in a celebration of faith, friendship, and gratitude.

More than a day of golf or pickleball, the event continues to serve as a powerful reminder of the Marianist mission — uniting alumni, parents, and friends in support of Catholic education and the future of the Firebird Family. This year’s event took place on September 22, 2025, at North Hills Country Club, Mill River Club, and Nassau Country Club.

Over the past three decades, the outing has grown into one of the school’s most cherished traditions, welcoming more than 300 participants each year. At its heart is a commitment to ensuring that Kellenberg Memorial remains accessible to future generations through the Shepherd’s Fund. Funds raised during the event provide vital tuition assistance and academic scholarships, helping deserving students experience the transformative impact of a Marianist education.

A highlight of the 2025 gala was the recognition of two remarkable honorees whose lives embody the values celebrated throughout the evening: Mr. Kevin Buckley P’09 and Mr. Kevin Hanifan P’08,’11.

Both men dedicated decades of service to Kellenberg Memorial, leaving enduring marks on generations of students and athletes.

Mr. Buckley, who joined the faculty in 1987, served selflessly as a beloved history teacher and legendary coach of the boys cross country and track & field program. While his teams achieved championship success and national recognition, many alumni remember him most for the joy, wisdom, and enthusiasm he brought to the classroom each day.

His influence extended far beyond athletics, shaping students through storytelling, humor, and a deep commitment to Catholic education.

Mr. Hanifan’s 33-year legacy is similarly defined by dedication and leadership. As head varsity football coach and director of the boys and girls lacrosse programs, he built teams rooted in discipline and perseverance while mentoring countless young athletes. Beyond the playing fields, he served the school community in numerous roles, always stepping forward when help was needed and demonstrating a lasting commitment to the Firebird Family.

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Honoree Mr. Kevin Buckley P’09 with three of his former athletes — Mr. Tyler Capozzoli ’12, Mr. Juan J. Estrella, Jr. ’95, and Mr. Joe Moncada ’09 — who now continue his legacy as faculty members and cross country/track and field coaches at Kellenberg.

Honoree Mr. Kevin Hanifan P’08,’11 with fellow members of the Firebird Football Family, Steve Carew ’93, faculty member and coach Mr. Eric Meisse ’06, Jim McDermott ’92, P’25’28, and Tom Vecchio P’13.

SAVE THE DATE! Monday, Sept. 21, 2026 Join us for a day of golf on the North Shore at North Hills Country Club, Mill River Club, and Nassau Country Club, followed by a Gala Dinner!

Forever Firebirds Alicia (Licata) ’04 & Jack Nurnberger ’04

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licia Nurnberger, née Licata, and her husband, Jack, are both graduates of Kellenberg Memorial’s Class of 2004. Married for over 13 years, the couple has three sons: Joaquin (11), Quinlan (10), and Luigi (6). The family lives in Bowdoin, ME, where Alicia is the director of program management for FHC, Inc., a company that specializes in designing, engineering, and manufacturing neurosurgical supplies for Deep Brain Stimulation and SEEG surgeries. Jack works as a construction manager for Asplundh Engineering Services, focusing on high-voltage transmission capital upgrades for the Maine Utility, Central Maine Power.

When and how did you meet?

Alicia: We met in sophomore year (2001) in Church History class. Jack sat directly behind me. When we visited campus last spring, we took a photo sitting at our actual desks in Mrs. Pardee’s old classroom! This was the only class we had together during all four years (besides band).

When and where were you married?

Alicia: We were originally supposed to get married at Sacred Heart RC Church in Island Park, but Hurricane Sandy changed that because the entire church flooded. Saint Martha’s, where I was baptized, graciously let us hold our wedding there instead. Our Nuptial Mass was concelebrated by Monsignor Tutone and Father Tom Cardone, S.M. It was really special to see Father Tom‘s face light up every single time he

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saw a Kellenberg alum. We are still very close with many alumni who attended.

A very meaningful moment was when Father Tom took us aside to pray a Hail Mary together in front of the Blessed Mother.

What is one of the best lessons you each learned during your time at Kellenberg?

Jack: Being in the Marianist environment with a classical education that allows you to live out your faith provides the foundation for how we realized we wanted to live our lives.

Alicia: Never giving up is the best life lesson I’ve learned at Kellenberg. When times are tough, you have prayer, support, and guidance to help you through, and that’s all because of an exceptional Marianist environment.

Many Firebird alumni have entered into the covenant of marriage together. What about your time at Kellenberg helped prepare you to make and keep the promise of being “true to your spouse in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health?”

Alicia: Kellenberg helped us strengthen our faith, which was instilled in us by our parents during a critical time in our lives. We continue to build on that foundation and pass it to our children. With Jesus through Mary, our goal is to have mutual respect to support each other (and our children) in working toward the ultimate goal of entering heaven. Kellenberg changed our lives and trajectories. We’ve never felt more at home or part of a family than we do at Kellenberg. When we returned with our children in the spring, it felt as if we had never left.

HEART & MIND

19

CLASSNOTES MARIA REGINA

Class of 1975

Class of 1989

Mary (Young) Dodge is the proud mother of three daughters, a grandmother to nine grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to one (with another on the way)!

fixed income sales professional with several major financial institutions, he looks forward to bringing his experience and renewed energy into this next chapter.

Class of 1992 John Lehane is an active-duty Colonel

Andrew Lewis retired from Johnson &

Johnson as the vice president of sales for DePuy Synthes, the orthopaedics sector.

He is also retired as an NCAA Lacrosse official. Now, Andrew and his wife travel and volunteer their time.

in the U.S. Marine Corps. He completed his assignment as the Commanding Officer of the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment in the summer of 2025, and moved on to his new assignment as the Director of the Marine Corps Command & Staff College in Quantico, VA. Peter Conway is proud to announce that his son, Nicholas ’26, has

committed to play baseball at American International College.

Class of 1995

Carol (Hodson) Slanetz continues

to work as a nurse practitioner, a profession she truly loves. She has three grown children and has lived in Massachusetts for the past thirty years.

Class of 1978 MaryAnne Aneiro

recently moved to North Carolina, where she serves as a speechlanguage pathologist in a local school. She is a proud grandmother to four (soon to be five!) grandchildren.

Class of 1982 Mary Valentine

lives in North Carolina, where she works for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolina Premier Properties as an accounting supervisor.

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HEART & MIND

Quientrell Burrell graduated with his Charmise (Woodside) Desiré was

honored by the Nassau BOCES Education Foundation with a 2025 Education Partner Award for her work as a board member and advocate for school districts across Nassau County and New York State.

Class of 1990 Salvatore Ruggiero is in his 30th year

serving as a pharmacist for the Stop & Shop supermarket company.

Class of 1991 Jose Rodriguez is excited to share that

he has returned to the professional world as a loan consultant with loanDepot after 12 years as a stay-at-home father. During that time, he enjoyed raising his boys and being present for all the little moments. A former institutional

Doctorate of Ministry from The Chicago Theological Seminary with a concentration in homiletics. He was recently inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. International College of Ministers and Laity Board of Preachers and Scholars of Morehouse College. Quientrell is the current pastor of The New Hope Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC, and the CEO of the New Hope Community Development Corporation, a non-profit community uplift and sustainable future organization. He also serves as director of evangelism and outreach for the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and an ambassador for Global Missions with World Vision, Inc.

Thomas Nicol serves as an IT executive

director at DTCC, where he has worked for 26 years. He resides in Wantagh, NY, with his wife, Jackie, and three children, one of whom graduated from Chaminade in 2025, and two who are members of Kellenberg’s classes of 2029 and 2032.

CLASS NOTES

1995 CONTINUED

Class of 1998

Global Commercial Banking Group, is a member of the Eagle Scout Class of 2000 from Troop 157 in East Meadow, NY. He is actively involved with the Scouts, serving on the Suffolk County Board of Directors for the past 5 years, as well as acting as a committee member for the National Eagle Scout Association. The Eagle Class of 2024 was named after Gary in recognition of his contributions to the Scouts.

Brian Huber and his wife, Nazia, live in Bay Shore, NY, with their three children: Adina (17), James (16), and Owen (15). They are busy with varsity sports and club team tournaments, mainly for volleyball, basketball, and tennis. Brian works full-time for Stryker Neurovascular as a territory sales manager and still teaches and trains basketball on Long Island.

Class of 2002

Jolie Silva, PHD, has opened a new Long Island office in Roslyn. She and her husband have owned their mental health practice, New York Behavioral Health, for over 15 years with offices in Manhattan and Rockville Centre. They are always available to Kellenberg Memorial students and alumni as a resource for career guidance or anything mental health-related.

Elizabeth (McConnell) Vicchio is

proud to report that her daughter, Alexa, graduated from Dobbs Ferry High School in June 2025 and is attending the University of Alabama to study sports management.

Class of 1996

Class of 1999 Teresa (Sanchez) Whitfield recently

started a new job as the director of community standards at Hofstra University.

Mario Calderon and Vincente Calderon ’98 feel blessed for their 45 years

of friendship and brotherhood. Mario says, “Thank you, Kellenberg, for giving us a safe place to grow, create other friendships, learn, and have fun on sports teams and clubs.”

Class of 1997 Capt. Christine Klimkowski passed a

rigorous testing and training program and was licensed by the State of Alaska Board of Marine Pilots as a harbor pilot with the Southeast Alaska Pilot Association in July 2025. Christine has spent the last 20+ years at sea as a deck officer on cargo ships and oceanographic research vessels.

KELLENBERG.ORG

Class of 2001 Gary Occhipinti, Jr., who serves as a senior vice president with Bank of America’s

Clifford Charles

is a certified registered nurse anesthetist and the founder of a professional limited liability company providing anesthesia services throughout the New York region. Dedicated to clinical excellence and patient safety, he also mentors aspiring CRNAs and remains actively engaged in alumni and professional development initiatives. Cliff participates in medical mission work in Latin America, offering anesthesia care to underserved communities.

Outside of his clinical work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Adam, and pursues an active lifestyle through hot yoga, boxing, and CrossFit.

Maritza Jean-Louis ’01 has followed a varied career path spanning law, public policy,

nonprofit leadership, and the tech industry. In 2005, she graduated cum laude from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classics and English Literature. She spent four years working in the Office of the General Counsel at the Open Society Foundations, after which she earned joint JD/MPP degrees from Harvard Law School and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in 2013. Her legal career began with a clerkship in the Office of White House Counsel in 2012. In 2013, she joined the Capital Markets group at the law firm Proskauer LLP and subsequently moved in-house to support mission-driven organizations such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the International Rescue Committee.

In 2019, she transitioned into the tech world.

She has held roles at Deloitte and Meta, at which she supported over 40 global advertising incentive programs and helped enable more than $1 billion in annual payouts, before joining Microsoft. Maritza currently works at Google as a global program lead on the company’s Global Advertising Incentives team.

HEART & MIND

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CLASS NOTES

2002 CONTINUED

Fr. Matthew MacDonald was appointed

parochial administrator of Saint Joseph Immaculate Conception Parish in Millbrook, NY, by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan in the Archdiocese of New York on January 15, 2025. He is also currently serving as Region II (New York State) Representative on the National Advisory Council of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with fellow Firebird alumnus, Jordan Bernhardi ’17. Fr. MacDonald celebrated his 11th anniversary of priestly ordination on May 24, 2025. He wishes his fellow Kellenberg classmates abundant blessings and is praying for everyone.

Jack Nurnberger and Alicia (Licata) Nurnberger visited campus with their children in May 2025. The couple posed for a requisite family photo in front of the Class of 2004 photo display.

Class of 2005 Natalie (Sena) Murray made history at Dangerfest 2025 in Pierceton, IN, becoming the first woman ever named Thrower of the Year. A competitive knife thrower from Wantagh, NY, Natalie is also the U.S. Ambassador for Knife Throwing and a social media influencer known as SavageThrower. In addition to her groundbreaking win, she is the 2025 Soulthrower Open Champion, a two-time World Cup Bronze Medalist, and holds the record for the most long-distance top-three finishes by a woman in the sport’s history.

Class of 2004 Megan (Kline) Dillon, a Kellenberg

Memorial faculty member, and her husband welcomed a baby girl, Eleanor Dorothy, in June 2025.

Kristina (Seligson) Zuvich and her

husband, Ron, welcomed their third child, Xavier Christian, in June 2025. Big siblings Alexandra (6) and Logan (4) are thrilled with the new addition to the family!

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HEART & MIND

Racquel Plummer received a PhD in Teaching and Learning from Clemson University in

December 2025.

CLASS NOTES

2005 CONTINUED Ryan Sheehy has been appointed director of religious education at St. Joseph University Parish in Terre Haute, IN. He now oversees the catechism curriculum for children and faith formation for teens and adults, as well as serving the various needs of the entire parish’s families. By guiding the parish in the pastoral spirit of Vatican II and inspired by voices like James Martin, SJ, and Rosemary Radford Ruether, his faith vision emphasizes racial equity, gender inclusion, and faith diversity as core Catholic principles for everyday life.

Class of 2006 Marisa (Mattson) Lombardo recently

accepted the position of director of student services at Mason Classical Academy in Naples, FL. Mason Classical Academy’s mission centers on developing students’ intellectual and personal character through a rigorous classical education. Marisa says, “I’m honored to continue contributing to this mission and helping students grow into thoughtful, responsible leaders. I’m excited to share that I’m also developing a sensory room at my church to support children with autism and other developmental needs. This project is close to my heart, and I’m grateful to help make our church a more inclusive and welcoming space for children with special needs and their families.”

Meghan (Schiffer) and Jimmy Riegel welcomed a daughter to their

family in 2023. Jimmy works at a financial firm in Manhattan, and Meghan is the optometrist and owner of Good Looks Optometry, a private practice located on Covert Avenue in Stewart Manor.

Meghan’s practice has been open for over six years. She attributes some of its success to the overwhelming support of the Kellenberg alumni network! You can follow her practice on Facebook or Instagram and learn more at GoodLooksOptometry.com.

KELLENBERG.ORG

2008 Ashleigh (Whitfield) Ellis and her family visited campus over the summer for the

dedication of a high jump pit named in her honor. Family, friends, alumni, and current student-athletes gathered to celebrate her remarkable achievements and lasting influence on the Firebird community. A record-breaking high jumper during her time at Kellenberg, Ashleigh went on to compete at the University at Albany and later founded Unity Ice Academy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity and representation in figure skating. Through her work, she continues to empower young people from all backgrounds to grow in confidence, community, and opportunity. Her legacy inspires Kellenberg students to rise Verso L’Alto - “To the Heights!”

Class of 2007 Thomas Varacalli was appointed the

dean of the Honors College at Belmont Abbey College.

Class of 2008 Joseph Walsh

and his wife welcomed their first child, a girl, Kennedy Parker, in July 2025.

Class of 2009 Elizabeth Brannon has served as a

critical care and rapid response nurse at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital for nearly five years. She was recently accepted into the nurse anesthesia doctoral program at the University of Pittsburgh and will start in January 2026.

HEART & MIND

23

CLASS NOTES

2009 CONTINUED Suzanne (Schools) Kenny and her

husband welcomed a baby girl in June 2025.

Emily (Law) Fontano and

her husband recently welcomed their first child, Joseph Robert, in June 2025.

Class of 2010 Luis Diaz recently began a new

Julianne (DeLay) Ignasky and her husband recently welcomed twin boys, Cillian and Niall, this past May. They join their older sister, Keira (2), as Future Firebirds!

position in business development at Technical Adventures.

Arthur Morales was recently promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy Reserve and recalled to active duty to teach Engineering & Weapons and Seamanship & Navigation at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Tore McCarthy, an officer with the Port Authority Police Department, recently graduated from the agency’s emergency service academy and is proud to be a member of the elite Emergency Service Unit.

Lauren (O’Grady) Hammond and her husband, Owen Hammond ’14, welcomed their first child, George Max, in June 2025.

Class of 2011

James Walsh, a Kellenberg Memorial faculty member, and his wife, Jackie, welcomed their second son, Timothy, in April 2025. Big brother Dylan (1) loves the new addition to the family.

Class of 2012 Erica (Berry) Healy and Pat Healy ’10, both

Paul Clores married his wife, Melissa, on November 7, 2025. Fr. John Crozier celebrated the Nuptial Mass for the couple.

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HEART & MIND

faculty members at Kellenberg Memorial, welcomed their first child, a girl named Kyla Jayne, in November 2025.

Lauren Talbot and Connor Powers ’13, a Kellenberg Memorial faculty member, were married on June 7, 2025. Fr. Thomas Cardone, S.M. celebrated the

Nuptial Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in West Hempstead, NY. A reception followed at the Heritage Club in Bethpage, NY, where the many Firebird alumni in attendance danced the night away to live music provided by the band Code Blue, featuring the vocal talents of Pam Lewis ’91.

Lauren serves as an occupational therapist and was named Glen Cove Hospital’s “Therapist of the Year” in September 2025.

CLASS NOTES

Class of 2013

Carolyn Talbot and Joseph Rizzotti were married on October 19, 2024. Fr. Thomas Cardone, S.M. celebrated the Nuptial Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in West Hempstead, NY. A reception followed at The Lannin in East Meadow, NY, where many Firebird alumni enjoyed celebrating the newlyweds!

Class of 2015 Nora (Kassebaum) Beiersdorfer was

married on June 28, 2024.

Theresa McKenna married Dylan Bestler on April 25, 2025, at St. Kilian Church in Farmingdale, NY.

Katie (Riveiro) Scalici, a member of Kellenberg Memorial’s guidance department, and her husband, Dan, welcomed a baby boy, Connor Jack, in October 2025.

Class of 2014 Thomas Boylan

recently moved back to New York after living in Florida and Virginia for the past seven years.

Prior to moving back, he worked in aerospace for Northrop Grumman as a program planner on satellites and habitats for the moon. Thomas’s new role in NY will be as a project controls coordinator for Skanska USA in heavy civil construction within the five boroughs and the northern NJ area.

KELLENBERG.ORG

Lyndsey (Ruchalski) Robinson, a

Kellenberg Memorial faculty member, and her husband, Stephen, welcomed a precious baby boy, Henry Alexander, in May 2025.

Samantha Fontana continued her studies through both her undergraduate and graduate years, serving as a research assistant on an Aging Suit Study and as an editorial assistant for the Journal of College Counseling.

She was also honored with the Chancellor’s Fellowship Award for Academic Excellence to continue her studies within the SUNY system. Samantha earned her Master of Science degree in mental health counseling from SUNY Old Westbury in 2020. She is now a licensed mental health counselor at Spotless Mind Mental Health Counseling, where she provides telehealth services to clients across New York ages 18–50, and also manages marketing for the practice.

Samantha is passionate about helping others achieve greater emotional wellness, with a focus on individuals navigating anxiety, depression, OCD, adult ADHD, and self-esteem challenges.

HEART & MIND

25

CLASS NOTES

2015 CONTINUED Laura Ingenito and Edward Kennedy ’16 were married at Maria Regina

in Seaford, NY, on September 6, 2025. The Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Father Tom Cardone, S.M. and many Firebird alums were present to celebrate the newly married couple at the reception that followed!

John Liguori, who has been an assembly and test technician 2nd class for CurtissWright for the past five years, was recently elected vice president of IUE-CWA Local 81485 and chief shop steward.

Denise Pascullo graduated from St.

John’s University with a PhD in literacy in June 2025.

Class of 2016

Meghan Connolly and Trevor Sheridan became engaged in May 2025 and celebrated with their fellow Firebirds this summer.

Christian Pettinato was recently accepted into NYU’s Stern School of Business, where he

will be pursuing his MBA.

Dana Fasano, a special education teacher at Page High School in Franklin, TN, was named the head coach for the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team. In her first season as the head coach, she arranged a tough schedule against non-league opponents. The effort resulted in an 11-7 overall record and an undefeated record in league play. They won the Tennessee State Championship in a very close game,13-12.

Lauren Mastrianni and Anthony DeGennaro were married on July 12, 2025, at St. William the Abbot Church, followed by a reception at the Heritage Club in Bethpage, NY. They were joined by friends and family, including many Firebird alumni from various graduation classes. Lauren and Anthony first started dating during their sophomore year at Kellenberg and are forever thankful for all of the memories and lifelong friendships that Kellenberg gave them!

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HEART & MIND

CLASS NOTES

Class of 2017

Class of 2018 John Armioia

was named one of Molloy University’s 30 Under 30 Young Alumni for 2025.

This list features thirty of Molloy’s most outstanding young alumni who strive for excellence in their professional and personal lives.

John proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth, in Montauk on May 31, 2025. The couple looks forward to getting married in January 2027.

Bobby Baillie proposed to his fiancée,

Lauren, on August 16, 2025, and the couple is looking forward to a spring 2027 wedding!

Anthony Suarez

completed his first tour onboard USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) as the auxiliaries officer. Stationed in Rota, Spain, he was part of her first patrol in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, operating with the Truman Carrier Strike Group and defending Israel from ballistic missiles during the Israel-Iran 12 Day Conflict.

Doriah Thomas

Theresa Coscia got engaged to her fiancé,

Robert Antonio, in September 2025.

Tina (D’Auria) Taylor and her husband, Mike, were married in the holy presence of God at St. Raphael’s Church in June 2025.

They have been together for six years.

KELLENBERG.ORG

graduated from Molloy University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. One week prior to graduation, she received the Rising Star Award for her work in breast cancer research. She is currently studying for the MCAT as well as looking for research lab job opportunities. Doriah shares, “Being named a Rising Star award recipient for breast cancer research is an honor beyond words. It fuels my passion and reaffirms my commitment to advancing knowledge, advocating for patients, and continuing this important work in the lab and beyond. With a strong foundation in biology, a love for learning, and a commitment to service, I’m building a future where compassionate care and scientific innovation go hand in hand.”

Class of 2019 Kryston Whyte graduated from St. John’s University with a Master of Science degree in education (MSED) in clinical mental health counseling in September 2025. He is now in an associate’s program (AAS) for mortuary science to become a funeral director.

Class of 2020 Daniella Villalobos earned a Master of Science degree in civil engineering with a specialization in structural and transportation engineering from Stony Brook University, where she was selected to serve as the graduate student speaker at the department’s commencement ceremony.

She also obtained her Engineer in Training (EIT) certification after passing the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam and is now preparing for the Principles and Practice of Engineering Exam as she works toward obtaining her professional engineer license. Daniella is currently working as a project engineer at Haugland Group LLC, contributing to major infrastructure projects at JFK Airport and throughout Orange and Rockland Counties.

Class of 2021 Audry Belotte is in her first year of veterinary school at The Ohio State University.

Grace Cavanagh recently graduated

from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in psychology and minoring in cognitive science.

She is currently attending Boston University for a master’s degree in medical sciences and hopes to attend medical school.

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CLASS NOTES

2021 CONTINUED

Class of 2022

Joseph Ferrante graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Maritime College in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in international transportation and trade, and a minor in naval science. He was also commissioned as a US Marine 2nd Lieutenant, and received the NYC NROTC Chief of Naval Operations Distinguished Midshipman Graduate Award for meeting the highest standards of leadership, academic excellence, and military performance.

Erin Cunnane

Brendan Lavarra ended his lacrosse career as a senior at Muhlenberg College as the Mules’ all-time leader with 69 career caused turnovers, adding 101 ground balls.

Andrea McPherson

graduated from Emory University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and behavioral biology and a minor in sociology on the pre-med track. She is now pursuing a Master of Arts degree in biological sciences at the University at Buffalo.

served as codirector for the University of Dayton Summer Appalachia Program (UDSAP) this past summer in Salyersville, KY. Living in community with 13 other students, she helped run a day camp for children, hosted evening programs for teens, and visited nursing home residents. The experience deepened her understanding of rural Appalachia, strengthened her commitment to service, and left her with a profound sense of gratitude.

ESPN’s College GameDay provided her with the opportunity to interview hosts and gain backstage access to the set. Paulina observed the production process and interviewed GameDay analyst and Miami local, Desmond Howard; ACC Huddle analyst and former Clemson football player, Eric Mac Lain; and GameDay host, Rece Davis.

Class of 2025

Class of 2024 Paulina Barnjak,

who attends the University of Miami, serves as editor for The Miami Hurricane.

A recent appearance by

Ian Blaney and John Renz, attending the United States Naval Academy and United States Military Academy, respectively, stopped by the guidance office in May 2025 for a photo with faculty member Mr. Kevin Dugal.

Class of 2023

Chloe Milkowski recently graduated

from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education.

She was part of Clemson’s Honors College and had the opportunity to serve on the College of Education Undergraduate Student Advisory Board. This past fall, Chloe moved to Galicia, Spain, as an ETA (English Teaching Assistant) through the Fulbright Program. She is helping students develop their English language skills while also engaging in cultural exchange. Chloe shares, “Looking back, I am very thankful for the education and encouragement I received at Kellenberg and grateful for the opportunities I’ve had since.”

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HEART & MIND

Sean Cannon, Owen Fitzgerald, and Michael McQuaid co-founded and organized the first-ever Strides for LI 5K, held on July 26 at Southards Pond Park in Babylon, NY. The alumni-led charity event brought together more than 90 participants, raised over $2,500 in registration fees, and secured $1,600 in sponsorships from local businesses. All funds raised benefit 9-1-1 Veterans, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance to local veterans. Now competing at the collegiate level, Sean, Owen, and Michael were inspired to launch Strides for LI as a way to honor veterans and foster a lasting tradition of service and community impact.

IN MEMORIAM Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

John Paul Agulles, husband of KMHS faculty member Christine (Phillips) Agulles ’93

Lauren (Ventimiglia) Laurore ’04, mother of Ethan Laurore ’32 and sister of Michael Ventimiglia ’06

Rashaan Alexander ’92

Mary Anne Leap, mother of Christopher Leap ’07; Caitlin (Leap) Mills ’09; Meghan (Leap) Kroez ’10; Kelly (Leap) Preti ’10; and Ryan Leap ’13

George Armbruster MR’71 Kenneth Avila ’89 Geraldine Bellizzi, mother of Bro. Joseph Bellizzi, S.M., and grandmother of Ken Bartomeo ’03 and Lynn Bellizzi ’06 Ronald Benevento, father of Michael Benevento ’27 and Olivia Benevento ‘22 Joseph Bunich, husband of KMHS music instructor Susan Hugelmeyer James Campbell, Sr., father of KMHS staff member Jim Campbell ’91; father-in-law to KMHS staff member Beth Campbell; and grandfather to Sarah Campbell ’19, Emily Campbell ’21, James Campbell ’24, John Reynolds ’11, and Lori Reynolds ’10

Sean Ledwith ’99, husband of Shannon (Sullivan) Ledwith ’99; brother of Jenny (Ledwith) Atkinson ’88, Tim Ledwith ’91, Katie Ledwith ’97, and Brian Ledwith ’04; and brother-in-law of Tim Sullivan ’96, Meghan Sullivan ’97, and Elizabeth Sullivan ’99 Theresa Mara, mother Thomas Mara ’04 and Michael Mara ’11 Jean Ann McAward, mother of Bro. Michael John McAward, S.M. Timothy McCann MR’75 Henry Miklas, father of Kenneth Miklas ’00, Stephen Miklas ’04, and Daniel Miklas ’06 Ray Nordquist P’96,’02,’04, grandfather of Adrianna Nordquist ’29

Mary Ciorciari, mother of Lisa Ciorciari ’13

Eric Olson, father of Grace Olson ’24 and Avery Olson ’27

James Conway, father of Jamie Conway ’26

Salvatore Pagnotta, father of Antonio Pagnotta ’16 and Brianna Pagnotta ’20

James Corbett, father of Jean (Corbett) Camuti ’88 and Michael Corbett ’94 Carol Cummings, former KMHS staff member, mother of Kerry Shimaitis ’91 and grandmother of Kendall Croutier ’10, Sarah Croutier ’12, and Erin Croutier ’14 Peter R. Dwyer ’06 Bro. Robert Fachet, S.M. Chase Filandro ’23 Robert Flint, father of Steven Flint ’94, Stacey (Flint) Murray ’96, and Kelly (Leone) Flint ’97 Connie Haag, mother of Erik Haag ’92 Lauren Heaney ’93 Walter Hornberger, the father of Bro. Karl Hornberger, S.M.

Angela Panasci, mother of KMHS faculty member Mary Panasci, mother-in-law of KMHS staff member Grace Panasci, and grandmother of Joseph Panasci ’19 and Michael Panasci ’21 Donald Pittaro, father of Steven Pittaro ’17 and Kristen Pittaro ’20 Robert Powers, father of Kenneth Powers ’09; KMHS faculty member, Connor Powers ’13; and Nora Powers ’16 Richard Roche MR’83 Richard Dean Scrima, father of Christian Scrima ’24 Patricia Simpson, mother of KMHS security staff member Kenny Simpson, and grandmother of Zachary Simpson ’20 and Colin Simpson ’23 Carolyn Trotta, mother of Samantha (Trotta) Roman ’11

Daniel Kelleher MR’74

Anna Torre, mother of SMMS faculty member Lisa Haller P’05,’07, and grandmother of Jennifer Haller ’05 and Nicholas Haller ’07

Frank Kenney MR’74

Victor Watson ’94

Elaine LaCombe, mother of Judith (LaCombe) Mack ’97 and grandmother of Aidan LaCombe ’24

kellenberg Memorial High School

Non-Profit

1400 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard

Organization

Uniondale, NY 11553

US Postage

PAID Uniondale, NY Permit No. 10

Attention Classes of…

1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, & 2021!

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 6 PM to 10 PM at Kellenberg Memorial’s Firebird Center for Arts & Athletics for a new & improved reunion experience! Enjoy live music, food, drinks, and more!

Register today! kellenberg.org/alumni/reunion or scan the QR code.