Malden Catholic Seniors learn to be Leaders

Eighty-four Malden Catholic seniors found themselves laughing, listening, cooperating, and sharing their hopes for the future as part of the school's four-day Malden Catholic Leadership Institute.

More than half the senior class signed up to participate in MCLI, a weekend retreat held by Malden Catholic at Endicott College in Beverly. Led by MC faculty, staff, and graduates, the retreat engages students in activities that include Outward-Bound style exercises, personal reflection and prayer, community service, and athletics.

"Our goal this weekend is to inspire servant leadership," explained Mary Driscoll, director of the school's Campus Ministry and organizer of MCLI. "We want students to understand what it means to lead in an unselfish way, to truly serve others. The weekend also draws the boys closer together as a class, and they just have fun, too."

The students spent one morning assisting at one of seven community service sites: Greater Boston Food Bank; the Hogan Center for disabled adults, Danvers; the cemetery at Xaverian House, Danvers; St Patrick parish school, Stoneham; Mission of Deeds (services for the homeless), Reading; Maplewood Place, Malden (assisted living); and Malden Catholic High School.

Students also listened to guest speaker, Greg Thompson, Coordinator of Youth Ministry at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, Ala. Thompson spoke to students about his own journey of faith and how the students can recognize their own giftedness. He encouraged them think about what they have brought and what they can bring to the community around them.