On Monday, 28 August, La Salle Academy officially started the school year with a retreat for faculty and staff held at Twelve Acres in Smithfield. More than 130 gathered to greet each other after the Summer vacation and to meet those new to the faculty and staff. Department chairs and Program Directors introduced the newest among us: Erica Alves (Middle School Spanish), Adam Cacicio (Physical Education), Mark Carty (Social Studies), Erin Casey (College Counseling), Joseph DeLeo (Physical Education-Dance), Anabel Jimenez (World Languages-Spanish), Katherine Marr (Science), Daniel McQuillan (Religion), and Erica Napolitano (Mathematics). In addition, Debra Konicki (Development Office) was introduced.

Deacon Greg Albanese, Chairperson of the Spiritual Life Committee which sponsored and directed the retreat, led the group in prayer. He used the theme of the retreat (“Zeal”) to focus the prayer. Brother Frederick Mueller, FSC, then situated the theme in a Lasallian context (see LSA Ruminations) and introduced five faculty members of varying amounts of experience to share the role of zeal in their professional lives, i.e. “why I get up in the morning and what keeps me going as a teacher. “ The five teachers who gave witness talks were: Brian Ciccone (Social Studies and Admissions), Katie Thompson (Math and Computer Science), Mike Pare (English), Katie Haidemenos (Campus Ministry), and Chris Hall (Math). Following these talks, faculty members in pre-assigned small groups shared their reflections about zeal using four questions prepared by the Spiritual Life Committee. A large number of faculty and staff shared their reflections in writing; these will be used in the weekly Faculty Bulletin throughout the school year.

Faculty and staff gathered together for Mass celebrated by the Academy chaplain, Father Thomas Woodhouse. At the conclusion of Mass all present signed sheets volunteering to serve the school community through Campus Ministry in a variety of ways. The retreat day concluded with a feast of barbecue!