Article by Phoenix writer Cristina Palmieri ’25:
The 11:18 bell rings, signaling the end of fourth period. Students shove materials in their bags to hurry to their next class. My friends and I rush to our lockers that are conveniently located next to the Maria Regina Chapel downstairs, where most of the seats are already taken. Behind us are at least ten students who have given up on finding seats. Our stomachs rumble in hunger and we are all eager to share stories about our days so far, yet our time with the Blessed Sacrament comes first. The second bell rings and everybody immediately goes silent, with a sense of peace filling the room. Midday Prayer has begun. This is everyday life at Kellenberg.
It is not just in this small chapel before lunch that Kellenberg’s faith is on display— it’s woven into every aspect of the day. The faith of the school is made clear at the start of every class, when the teacher leads his or her students in prayer. Time is carved out of the school day often to make time for mass or prayer services. There are also full days dedicated to religious betterment, such as retreats or field days with God at the center. It’s clear that the school does not view faith as just a subject, but a way to approach life.
This culture of faith is exactly why clubs like P.R.E.P. and C.R.O.S.S. are so popular. P.R.E.P. members go to a parish every week where they teach religious education to elementary school children, while C.R.O.S.S. members gather weekly to pray together and participate in outreach projects. Every Monday after school, there is a half hour period where the only available activity to be in is Sodality. This is a club where students gather with a teacher to discuss day to day life as a Catholic teenager, whether it be moments of happiness or difficulty. Fr. Dan, S.M., says, “Kellenberg is the school that never sleeps , but it is a school that pauses to spend time building relationships first with God and then our small Christian Communities.” Sodality moderator, teacher, and member of ARK staff, Miss Doodian, is extremely proud of the faith life exemplified by her students. “I think that the students are really open to the faith and the different opportunities that we offer. Having that openness to faith is very difficult, so I really admire that. They have a heart for service and for helping others, which is all that I can ask for as an assistant in the ARK,” she shares.
Beyond this, well over one hundred students attend XLT monthly for adoration and dinner in the evening. Faustino Club, Adele Club, Aquinas League, the Pro-Life Circle— the list of religious activities can go on forever. These clubs give way to applying for leadership opportunities, such as hospitality leaders, spirit leaders, or community leaders. It is not a coincidence that leadership is directly linked to faith. Once again, faith is established as the way to approach life.
Kellenberg’s faith life is on display when Juniors apply for opportunities such as Marianist LIFE or to be on a Lourdes mission. In LIFE, members connect with students from all over the country to bond over their shared faith. Lourdes missions travel to the fountains in Lourdes, France to assist the sick and elderly for just service alone. Both opportunities point the students to something greater than themselves.
Justin Karcher, a member of the senior class and part of the Marianist LIFE team, has been engrossed in religious activities since he began attending Kellenberg. About LIFE, he says: “As a member of the LIFE team we have done many charity events in and outside of school. One that sticks out most to me is the tunnels to towers run in New York City . We ran in the pouring rain and showed our support for those that were affected by 9/11. In this way we used the Marianist tradition to give back to the community.” LIFE and Lourdes are both selective in who is involved, speaking to just how many people love faith at Kellenberg. The competitive yet supportive nature of these opportunities is indicative of the fact that faith is not just encouraged at Kellenberg, but it is strived for.
At Kellenberg, faith is more than just a tradition— it’s a way of life. It pushes the community to serve each other. It molds how we learn both inside and outside of the classroom. Faith is in the chapel, in every classroom, and in the hearts of every student who walks through the doors. Faith pushes Kellenberg as a whole to exist with purpose, knowing that we are serving something way beyond ourselves.
