Chaminade Julienne's MFEP initiatives this year

Carlos Stewart, Ministry Lead for Marianist Encounters at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton, OH, sends us this update about advancing the MFEP goals at CJ.

On behalf of the Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School community, I am pleased to provide an update on our continued commitment to the Marianist Family Encounters Project (MFEP). We remain deeply dedicated to advancing the five goals of the MFEP, integrating them meaningfully into our school culture, curriculum, and community engagement.

One of the core goals—to foster a sustainable lifestyle—has inspired several concrete actions within our school this year. Every employee and member of our Board of Trustees received a reusable CJ-branded tumbler as part of our effort to eliminate the use of disposable drinkware that harms the environment. Staff have been encouraged to bring these tumblers to meetings and school events, and use them daily as a visible expression of our ecological commitment. Additionally, we have transitioned to environmentally safe wooden utensils in our staff break room as another step toward sustainability.

In alignment with the MFEP’s educational focus, our Senior Capstone Project continues to be a powerful platform for student-led social justice advocacy. Working in small groups, seniors develop formal proposals and conduct research-driven inquiries to implement initiatives that reflect their passion for justice and systemic change. This year’s capstone themes included environmental justice, mental health, education, literacy, poverty, and youth empowerment. Notably, several projects are directly aligned with each of the five MFEP goals. One group launched a CJ Garden initiative to promote healthy eating and sustainability, while another group created Girl’s Talk, a mentorship initiative connecting CJ students with a local Catholic grade school to empower young women and foster a spirit of justice, peace, and family.

Looking ahead, we are in the planning stages for a new retreat experience for the 2025–2026 academic year, where all sophomore students will engage in a day-long program centered on environmental stewardship and care for creation. We also intend to launch a poster campaign across campus, highlighting members of the CJ community who are actively living out the MFEP goals. Each poster will feature a specific MFEP goal and a personal reflection or example of how that commitment is being embodied in daily life.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in this important work. We are grateful to be part of a larger Marianist network united by faith, justice, and transformative education.