IRISH WEEKLY

Campus Ministry

From Mrs. Goshe's Desk

And just like that the first week of school is over!! I am so thrilled to accompany all these students in this journey of high school and faith.

It was wonderful to share in Lectio Divina yesterday with students. We will continue this every Thursday and also 5 Minute prayer in the LRC every Wednesday.

Some upcoming faith events include:

August 28 - Opening School Mass - Feast of St. Augustine

September 4 - First Friday Mass at 7:15 am in our Chapel

September 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Mother (Marianist LIFE to celebrate)

September 9 - Marianist LIFE Night 6-8pm in the LRC

September 15 - Senior Retreat (all info will be shared with seniors and parents on Monday and Tuesday)

Please be sure to mark your calendars for our Class Retreats. These retreats are a mandatory part of our curriculum and we ask that you do all that you can to not schedule appointments or vacations on these dates. Please see the section marked Save the Date Class Retreats for all the details.

The Kairos dates and Application for Kairos is found in a section below. I will be accepting applications beginning the first day of school. Please be sure to read the Kairos Dates Retreat section for the application and other important updates about Kairos.

Praying for a great weekend for all and Go IRISH!

Peace and prayers,

Mrs. Goshe

Director of Campus Ministry

Hallowed Grounds Is Back!

After such positive feedback from our Hallowed Grounds sessions over the summer, we’re excited to announce that we will be continuing Hallowed Grounds throughout the school year!

We’ll kick off our first session on Tuesday, September 1st, and will meet every other week throughout the school year. Hallowed Grounds is a time for students to start their day with prayer, community, and—of course—coffee! ☕️

We’d love to keep the coffee aspect of Hallowed Grounds going, and we’re hoping some of our STVM families might be willing to donate coffee, creamer, cups, or other coffee supplies throughout the year. If you know of a local coffee shop that may be interested in donating supplies or partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you as well!

If you are interested in donating or know of a business that may be willing to partner with us, please reach out to Mrs. Goshe.

We’re so excited to continue building this community and starting our mornings together in prayer!

Mighty Vincent Project Opportunities

The Mighty Vincent Project is a local service initiative that connects students and families with meaningful volunteer opportunities throughout the Akron area, with the goal of serving those in need while building community and awareness of local nonprofits.

This year, STVM has signed up for two small-group volunteer opportunities through the Mighty Vincent Project. There are only 10 volunteer slots for each opportunity.

The first is with First Glance, a nonprofit that supports children and families in need by providing essential resources and a safe, welcoming environment. Students will assist with cleaning and organizing the children’s toy room on Saturday, September 19th from 10:00–12:00 PM.

To sign up for the First Glance service project please use this link. The passcode is 44314.

The second opportunity is with Homeless Charity and Village (Akron), a local organization that serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness through meals and supportive services. Students will help serve lunch and assist with additional on-site projects on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 AM–2:00 PM.

To sign up for the Homeless Charity and Village service project please use this link. The passcode is 44305.

These opportunities are open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the service sights. Mrs. Goshe and Mrs. Cooper will be serving as chaperones for these service experiences.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cooper.

2026-2027 Kairos retreat Dates!

Seniors and Juniors, I wanted to share the Kairos Retreat dates for the 2026-27 school year. They are as follows:

Kairos 55 (Seniors Only) – November 8-11, 2026 -Application Deadline: October 9, 2026
Kairos 56 (Juniors & Seniors) – January 17-20, 2027 - Application Deadline: December 11, 2026
Kairos 57 (Juniors & Seniors) – March 30-April 2, 2027 - Application Deadline: March 5, 2027

Here is the Kairos Application. You can begin to turn those in on the first day of school. I will not be able to accept them prior to the first day. Besides dates, I wanted to share that the cost at Loyola Retreat House, where we hold Kairos, has increased. This means that our student cost to attend retreat has also had to increase. The cost will now be $300. This increase covers the cost of the retreat house and the meals. The extra things like transportation, t-shirts, and supplies will be covered by STVM. I am giving lots of notice so all are able to begin to save if needed. If a student wants to attend but is in need of scholarship to cover some of the cost, a parent or guardian should reach out to Mrs. Goshe.

Class Retreat Dates – Save the Dates!

Each year, class retreats are an important part of the STVM experience and provide students with dedicated time to grow in faith, strengthen relationships, and reflect alongside their classmates. Please note that retreat dates are subject to change, but we wanted to share them now so families can begin planning ahead.

Current retreat dates are:

Senior Retreat: Tuesday, September 15
Sophomore Retreat: Thursday, October 22
Freshman Retreat: Friday, January 8
Junior Retreat: Tuesday, February 23

Class retreats take place during normal school hours and attendance is required. Please mark these dates on your calendar to help ensure your student is able to participate in their retreat experience.

Parent letters and permission slips will be sent out as we get closer to each retreat date.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Goshe.

2026-2027 Marianist LIFE LEaders!

We are excited to introduce our Marianist LIFE Leaders for the 2026–2027 school year! We are incredibly grateful for these outstanding student leaders who have said yes to helping lead their peers in faith and build a stronger Catholic community at STVM. This summer, our new LIFE Leaders will attend Marianist LIFE, where they will grow in their leadership skills, deepen their faith, and connect with students from Marianist high schools across the country as they prepare for the year ahead.

Pictured (back row, left to right): Ben Nichols, Dominic Ebner, Noelle Keso, Devanand Brickman, Eddie McNea, Danny McKnight. Front row (left to right): Jordan Large, Emerson Huber, Grace VanOss, Grace Keso, Lily Beke. Not pictured: Abby McCarron, Allison Hansen, and Karlen Clark.

New Mary Prayer Garden

Have you seen our new Mary Prayer Garden? It is next to the newly renovated entrance to the VanDevere Family Stadium. It a beautiful place to stop for a visit or to say the rosary. Campus Ministry is making plans on how to use this garden! What a blessing! Blessed Mother Mary...Pray for us!

Support Campus Ministry

SUPPLY SNACKS: for our Campus Ministry Office (granola bars, bags of chips, and fruit snacks are wildly popular). Please consider sending us a box or two of granola bars, etc. Donations may be dropped off to the Main Office; please clearly label for Campus Ministry. THANK YOU!
DONATE CASH/FOOD: for Marianist LIFE Nights. Email Angie Mosher if interested.

Marianist LIFE Meal Ministry

Our first Marianist LIFE Night is Wednesday September 9, 2026. Please click here if you can help with providing items for this month's meal.

We welcome anyone who would like to get involved with the Marianist LIFE Meal Ministry! Each month, a group of parents puts together a meal for the students to enjoy before their meeting. Here's a great article in the Marianist publication Alive, about how the brothers provide meals and fellowship to students at Marianist-sponsored universities, including the popular spaghetti dinners at the University of Dayton. Our meal ministry here at STVM is similar in spirit!

We are blessed to have Angie Mosher take over the leadership of this incredible ministry for our students. Please reach out to Angie at angie.mosher@gmail.com to join this year's group, be put on the monthly SignUp mailing list or if you have any questions.

Extraordinary Jubilee Year of St. Francis

Pope Leo XIV has announced back-to-back jubilees! The Extraordinary Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi, marking 800 years since his death, runs from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. During this time, the faithful have the opportunity to obtain plenary indulgences (a special grace of God’s mercy) under the usual conditions - Sacramental Confession, detachment from sin, Eucharist, and prayer for the intentions of the pope - by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world.

Our diocesan webpage for the year of St. Francis is live. Please invite youth and young adults to download their passport and make pilgrimage to the nine sites!

Upcoming Dates

Sept. 7 - No school! - Labor Day

Sept. 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Mother

Sept. 9 - LIFE Night! 6-8pm LRC

Sept. 11 - Friday Rosary @7:20am

Sept. 15 - Senior Retreat

Sept. 18 - Friday Rosary @7:20am

Sept. 19 - Mighty Vincent Service Opportunities

Sept. 25 - Senior Sunrise - no Friday rosary

Faith Experiences outside STVM to check out

Teens Encounter Christ Retreat

TEC is a weekend retreat with the primary goal of facilitating an encounter with Christ for those who are searching for deeper meaning, purpose, and hope in life, and who desire an authentic relationship with God within a community of believers. TEC is specifically designed for teens who are at least 17 years old or in their junior year of high school, although young adults and adults are also welcome to participate. A great option for those college-aged young adults home now! More info HERE.

TEC 149: October 9-11

Pope Leo's New Encyclical!!

In Magnifica Humanitas, Pope Leo urges us to help young Catholics stay “profoundly human” in the AI era: “the splendor of which no machine can ever replace” (15). In the digital world, youth need discernment (96) so platforms do not become tools of dominance or excessive distraction (136). Youth ministry must continue to “cultivate relationships,” preserving “physical presence” and “genuine closeness” (239). Technology can serve as an instrument of “growth, justice, and fraternity” (180), with education in “digital sobriety” to protect inner freedom (170). Finally, we are to call young people to become “weavers of hope” as the Holy Spirit brings about a “civilization of love in our lives” (245). Read the encyclical HERE.

Podcast of Bishop's Pastoral Letter

Have you had a chance to read Bishop Edward Malesic’s first pastoral letter, “A Flourishing Apostolic Church?” If not, you can listen to it as a podcast by clicking HERE. Six episodes, ranging in length from just over nine to 15½ minutes, were recorded by the bishop. The document, released in December 2024, encourages the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland to spend at least 15 minutes daily in prayer, to worship/celebrate the sacraments and to serve those in need.

USCCB Updated Preface

Create in Me a Pure Heart: A Pastoral Response to Pornography

The U.S. Catholic Bishops have released a new 10th anniversary preface to the Church’s response to pornography, offering fresh recommendations for parents, clergy, educators, and civil leaders on combatting porn’s influence in an age of increased social isolation and the rise of artificial intelligence.

Vocation Office Events

2025-2026

Mark your calendars to build a culture of vocations for your youth this next ministry year! The 2025-2026 Vocation Office Events include R&Rs, come and see dates, BBQ with the Bishop, the Priest vs Seminarian Basketball Game and more! Check it out HERE.

Campus Ministry Mission and Vision

MISSION - Teach, share, support, and live the Mission of St. Vincent- St. Mary and the Marianist Characteristics of Education with an emphasis on invitation and hospitality.

VISION - Every day, every person, every interaction, an encounter with Christ.

THEME (26-27 school year) - Made for More - based on John 10:10 - "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."