During the weekend of October 16 & 17, Molloy held its first service retreat of the year. Ms. Wilson, along with student volunteers, stayed at the Marist Brothers’ Center at Esopus. On Sunday, the volunteers served the Marist retreat community by helping with fall cleanup. On Monday, Stanners picked 21 cases of apples, 840 pounds from the orchards at the Hudson Valley Research Farm Lab. These apples were donated to People’s Place (an organization that serves the community of Kingston), a wellness center, and a boutique thrift shop. Volunteers also used the apples to make 55 apple pies at the Angel Food East Pantry, a pantry that provides food to those in need around the Kingston area. Grace Vahey ‘24, a Stanner that participated in the service trip, states, “This weekend I was not only able to connect with other people, but with myself as well. I learned to be grateful and thankful for how fortunate I am and that not everyone is as fortunate. We should help out anyway we can."
Ms. Wilson, our Director of Campus Ministry and Marist Mission, shares, “God is found in all things, sunsets and in hunger. Creating a way for students to understand that their lives have meaning, and that they have the power to make a difference was the goal of this retreat.” Our newest member of Campus Ministry, Mr. Matt Corrado reflected after the experience, "I continue to be inspired by these young people who selflessly dedicate themselves to serving the marginalized in our communities. It is their commitment and dedication to becoming servant leaders that brings me joy and tremendous hope for the future of our world!”