“We hope that our students graduate with a … commitment to compassion, justice, and service.” These words are part of the Brothers’ of the Sacred Heart goals for graduates of their schools, and they resonated throughout the Junior Day of Reflection this past Wednesday, March 23rd, as the Class of 2017 not only prepared for the celebration of Easter, but also for the transition into their Senior year as leaders of Brother Martin High School.
At the beginning of the retreat, I was unsure if I could learn anything from the day with my mind focused on the impending break from school. However, the Junior Class Retreat at St. Stanislaus College in Bay St. Louis profoundly affected me, as I reflected upon and deepened my understanding of the values of service and character.
Above all, two speeches stood out to me. Mr. Vicknair’s discussion on the action of service and the discernment of the words “compassion,” “justice,” and “service” impressed upon me the importance of utilizing my talents to serve my community in a direct way. His speech not only gave meaning to the sixty service hour requirement as a Junior but also helped me to realize that small actions of service could help others in large ways. Mr. Lagattuta’s speech emphasized the importance of character and honesty towards oneself. To me, his speech helped me to see the importance of hard work in all of my endeavors.
Most profoundly the retreat posed several fundamental questions that only each individual could answer: “Who am I? Where am I going?” Only in silent meditation on the pier could my fellow classmates and I discover our unique answers to these questions. During this silence, I discovered the power of positivity, the importance of the “present,” and the value of friendship along with a deepened faith in God. I discovered truths within me that I had never realized before.
During the day other teachers and student ministers, including Dr. Melito, Mr. Joyner, Mr. Devlin, Alex Lucas ’16, and Juan Carlos Torres ’16, talked with the junior class on their own topics of service. The retreat ended with Mass celebrated by Brother Louis, S.C., an ordained Brother of the Sacred Heart. The Junior Class Retreat prepared the Class of 2017 for their forthcoming leadership role at Brother Martin in emphasizing service to our community and to our school.
Shared Reflection submitted by Justin Levy ’17
