France Trip – Marist Leaders
Recently our twelve Marist Leaders travelled to L’Hermitage Notre Dame, France. This trip was part of our Marist Leadership programme which takes place each year where three Irish and three Scottish Marist schools come together to learn about the life of Marcellin Champagnat. They also have the opportunity to visit some of the significant heritage sites, develop leaderships skills and connect with one another as Marist comrades. Students experience the story and history of Marcellin Champagnat and relive the story by visiting where he grew up in La Rosey, the first school that he built in La Valla and walked in his footsteps through the valley towards L’Hermitage.
Student Reflection – Hugh Loftus Transition Year
The following is my reflection on a wonderful experience at L’Hermitage with fellow Marist leaders from Ireland and Scotland. On Thursday morning I got up that bit earlier and had my bag packed the night before. I felt like a boxer or jockey trying to make weight with the amount of Pot Noodles and pancakes I managed to get into my bag. I was excited and slightly apprehensive about what lay ahead, but the opportunity to see where Marcellin Champagnat grew up was something to look forward to. As it was my first year as a Marist leader, I was really looking forward to visiting La Rosey and La valley.
Thursday 3rd October
We left Marist College at 8am, a party of twelve students along with our teachers Ms. Heffernan and Ms. Fleming. The journey to Dublin Airport was quick and we were all thinking about the experiences that lay ahead.
The flight wasn’t too long and before we knew it we landed in Lyon and were on our way to L’Hermitage.
Friday 4th October
We left at 9am to get to the Champagnat Route and visited La Rosey and La Valla. When we arrived, we were given a tour of where Marcellin Champagnat grew up. The house he shared with his parents and 10 siblings has been preserved and showed how small and compact it was. In addition, we saw the chapel dedicated to him after his death. It was built with donations from Marist schools around the world.
Later in the day we went on the pilgrimage that started in La Valla. There we got a packed lunch and had an opportunity to meet students from other Marist schools. We then set off on a hike to L’Hermitage. We had great fun with the other schools along the way. Magnificent views of the French countryside were visible from our hike. When we returned to L’Hermitage we got a very comprehensive tour of the area with Br. Dem.
Saturday 5th October
Another early start saw us divided in to our leadership groups and mixed with the other schools. A day of activities lay ahead and they were very challenging. However, when we worked together we knew we could accomplish the set tasks. We encouraged each other and built each others confidence with praise and cheers. The outcome was the right one for my competitive and fun-loving team – we won! The big win was a great result and undoubtedly brought us closer together as a Marist family. Nothing beats sharing laughs and teamwork. Following our break, we organised ourselves in to two teams and ended the day with a great soccer match. The competition and team spirit was great from all teams. We really enjoyed ourselves. A tired bus load of students ended the day with a beautiful meal in a St Etienne, a near by town. The restaurant was alive with our conversations and stories of the great day we had. The conversation and laughter made easier by the connection we had made with each other. The night ended with games back in the social room of the hermitage.
Sunday 6th October
Sunday started with chores! Remembering that we are part of a community, we stripped our beds, cleaned our rooms and sadly prepared to leave. Following breakfast, we left our luggage at reception and had one final game of soccer with our new friends from the Dublin schools. A beautiful mass in French followed. This will remain in my memory as one of the trips highlights. Hearing mass said in the French language, in the home place of the founder of my school, was a unique experience. In this moment we were sharing this time with the French people of the town and we were included as part of the community. It was a very special experience for us.
Like the blink of an eye the planning, the trip, the games, the fun was over. With one last look over my shoulder, I hopped on the bus and we set off for the airport. All the nerves I felt before we left Ireland, now gone and replaced with happy memories and a great sense of pride that I had been part of something very special that weekend. The conversations with new pals and the jokes shared will stay with me forever.
It wouldn’t have been the trip it was without the careful planning and guidance of Ms Fleming and Ms Heffernan. The Marist Leadership group made it all possible and prove that a sense of community really is everything.