The MBCE Center Focus__November 2019 Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2019

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2019 Camp Season in the Books!

This summer, campers and counselors from all walks of life entered our gates to spend time at Deaf Camp, Special Kids 1, Special Kids 2, Young Adult, Adult Vacation, Molloy Freshman Camp, Camp Angels, Sacred Heart and Sr. Pat’s Camp.

This was a banner summer as we kicked off the camp season with a new and improved pool for everyone to enjoy.

The summer weather was great and there were enough smiles to go around. Another successful camp season in the books!

Click here to check out our camp season recap in our Annual Report.

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NOVEMBER 2019

THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS & DONORS We’d like to acknowledge and thank our volunteers who are the backbone of our camps and provide the camper experiences that keep them coming back every year. Your selfless acts are what make up the Marist mission, and PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH

we could not do it without you.

We’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to our pool donors and those that made our new pool possible. So many of our campers (and counselors) enjoy their swim time with friends in the hot summer, and with the support of our

or

community we’ve been able to continue to provide a fun and safe amenity that meets the needs of those we serve.

MEET ERICA Erica has been coming to Mid-Hudson Valley Camp for the past 36 years (since she was 8 years old!). She sat down with us to discuss her time in Esopus.

Watch her "Marist Mission" testimonial here.

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NOVEMBER 2019

JOIN US

DECEMBER 3 AND SUPPORT THE MBCE PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH

After you’ve feasted and shopped, consider joining the biggest giving movement in the world by supporting the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus this Giving Tuesday on December 3 through a number of ways: Donate to the Esopus Fund to help secure the Center’s longevity Share our MBCE Mission Video with friends and family Follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @MBCEsopus

or

DON'T FORGET TO The MBCE is an AmazonSmile participant. This black Friday and cyber Monday don’t forget to set up your Amazon account so you can effortlessly support the MBCE. When you do, your Amazon shopping experience won’t change a bit, but Amazon will donate 0.5% to the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus with every purchase.

To participate in this program: Visit smile.amazon.com and select Marist Brothers of Ulster County Sign in with your already established Amazon Account and shop!

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NOVEMBER 2019

MEET JAMES RAIMO, OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hello friends! It's been wonderful starting my work here at the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus. I hope this newsletter provides you with a true peak into the latest and greatest happenings at the MBCE and what we are looking forward to. It's my pleasure to welcome you “home” and I look forward to seeing many of you soon.

Read Jim's full letter here.

THE BROTHER OWEN ORMSBY, FMS SCHOLARSHIP FUND Through the personal financial support of the Board of Directors and the Marist Brothers Province of the USA, the Br.

Owen

Ormsby,

FMS

Scholarship

Fund

has

been

established to recognize the vision, leadership, dedication & accomplishments of Br. Owen as Executive Director of the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus during the past seven years. The fund will provide tuition assistance that will enable those in need to attend a summer camp or retreat.

Br. Owen has always believed that the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus becomes “home” to everyone who passes through its doors. This scholarship fund will make it possible for more young people to have the opportunity to experience God’s love at Esopus and call it “home”.

If you’d like to join in recognizing Br. Owen’s work at the Marist Brothers Center at Esopus by contributing to the Br. Owen Ormsby, FMS Scholarship Fund, please contact Summer Bourlier, Advancement & Development Coordinator, at 845-3846596 or visit the website at www.maristbrotherscenter.org.

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NOVEMBER 2019

MBCE 2018-2019 VIEW OUR 2018-2019 ANNUAL ANNUAL REPORT REPORT HERE!

We've just published our 2018-19 Annual Report & Honor Roll of Donors recognizing those who generously made gifts to The Marist Brothers Center at Esopus – MidHudson Valley Camp during the last fiscal year.

These gifts supported scholarships for those in need to attend camps and retreats, enabled us to make necessary repairs to facilities and buy essential equipment for programs. The report recaps camps, retreats and fundraising events and includes other news about the MBCE.

Read all about our 2018-2019 year here!

The Century Ride is an intense 100-mile bicycle

2019 CENTURY RIDE

ride from Central Park, NYC to the MBCE in Esopus, NY. Riders are made up of past and present MBCE volunteers and this past September, our riders raised over $43,000 for the general needs of the Center. Thank you to all our dedicated riders!

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NOVEMBER 2019

SAY HELLO TO OUR NEW STAFF! ROB DITTUS, or "Dittus" as he's referred to at Esopus, just recently graduated from Saint Michael’s College in Winooski, VT and is now living on property at the MBCE for a year as a VOLUNTEER. “I've made the decision to be a Marist volunteer to try and give a little bit back to the place that’s given me so much.”

VALERIE SAVINO was a Theology Teacher and Campus Minister at Mount Saint Michael Academy in the Bronx, from 2009-2016. Most recently, she served as Principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, in the Belmont section of the Bronx, for the Northwest-South Bronx Region of the Archdiocese of New York. As of September 1st, Valerie has begun her new role as DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS here, at the MBCE. “I’m excited to use my faith, Marist charism, and gifts to serve the Esopus community, making Jesus Known and Loved to all who come home to Esopus.”

TOMAS O'RIORDAN is currently training under Mike Trainor to eventually step into the DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES position.

Tomas volunteered at the MBCE two years ago after he came back from volunteering on the border with Br. Peter, Br. Dave and Br. Louis.

“In my four months here I learned a lot about the Marist mission and charism. Esopus is a very special and endearing home for many many people. There is a very thin veil between heaven as we imagine it and Esopus.”

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NOVEMBER 2019

FALL HAPPENINGS AT THE MBCE

This fall we've already welcomed many young people to the Center for various retreats and service projects.

Marist College gave us one of their weekends and helped to clean "The Pit" in the back of the Retreat House while La Valla weekend welcomed Marist students from across the country to help with a few projects across the grounds.

The Center had groups come to stay from Notre Dame Academy, St. Joseph Regional High School, Fordham Prep, and many others that have immersed themselves in the Center and learned more about their personal faith. We also had a visit from the Marist Brothers of Champagnat Hall from Mount St. Michael Academy who came to visit the Center and see the capital changes we've made.

Lastly, Matt Fallon hosted the Marist Youth Encounter and worked with an amazing group of students to help gain a better understanding of the Marist charism.

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NOVEMBER 2019

13th Annual Turkey Trot When: November 30 Where: Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY An annual fundraiser that benefits our special needs camps.

Click here for more info.

VIEW OUR 2018-2019

ANNUAL REPORT

UPCOMING EVENTS

HERE!

Esopus Counselor Retreat When: January 3-5 Where: Marist Brothers Center at Esopus If you are interested in participating, email esopuscounselorretreats@gmail.com.

The Marist Youth Encounter When: January 16-19 Where: Marist Brothers Center at Esopus The Encounter program has been an innovative and creative retreat for young people throughout the Province of the USA. Through our Catholic Marist tradition of "Making Jesus Known and Loved" the Encounter is an opportunity for young people to connect with each other and God.

Sharing Our Call When: January 19-21 Where: Marist Brothers Center at Esopus A three-day program which builds upon the themes of level 1.

It is designed for those faculty and staff members who have embraced the Marist charism and who are looking to deepen their understanding of Marist mission and spirituality.

2020 Camp Season Just Released!

Click here to view the 2020 Mid-Hudson Valley Camp schedule!

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