Companionsinformation2018

     Both Monday and Tuesday found the boys working hard in the service of others and in the care of the environment.  We have discovered much about the Australian sense of care for nature and of their connection to the land.  Especially in their Aboriginal heritage, the boys have begun to see the need for the care of God's creation.  Our own Pope Francis has written of this, and it is an important concern of the Society of Jesus, worldwide.      Monday brought us to a training and residential facility for adults with disabilities, mostly intellectual and emotional.  Our work was very simple, raking leaves and spreading mulch.  But, as the boys discovered, our efforts had significant benefits for their community, even if indirectly.  We helped beautify part of their common space, and saved many hours of work for their small maintenance staff.     Tuesday was spent under the direction Ms.Sue Martin of the staff here at Riverview, who is their  'environmental officer&

     Just like at home, Sunday is a day of prayer, rest, and recreation.  We all went in different directions:  Mass & museums, rugby matches on TV, family boating on the river.  Not much to report, except time for all of us to explore this marvelous experience.  We continue to see so much;  being 'open to growth' takes on a special meaning with each new encounter.       This Ignatian brotherhood to which we belong feels so much more real because of our journey.  In some ways, too, it has been a 'pilgrimage' of sorts, not only discovering 'God in all things', but discovering more about who WE are, as His children, in a global family!      More to come.  Continued prayers for each other, on both sides of the globe.     Cheers!

Saturday began as a relaxed day for most of us.  The highlight was later in the day when our host school, Riverview, took on their arch rivals, Newington, in a great rugby match.       Their school spirit was fantastic, and so much we could learn about supporting our own teams from their enthusiastic example.  We have been following our own BCH rugby, baseball, and lacrosse online, and we are all eager for thie continued playoff success! As we watched from the hillside, some our boys caught the enthusiasm as they started a chant of "USA! USA!", and the trumpet player from St. Ignatius offered a tribute with a few bars of our "Star Spangled B"!  Pretty special indeed.  As you can see from the scoreboard, the men of Riverview prevailed in a decisive win, 50 - 21.  Our own rugby coach, Mr. Paul Carty, will be pleased with the new enthusiasm our trip has generated for BCH Rugby.      Keep praying for us, that God's grace will touch each of us in the w

     Friday afternoon was a new adventure, as we gathered at the St. Ignatius Boathouse, down on the river.  After some excellent instruction and explanation, the School's rowing coach carefully guided the boys as they took out the 8-man rowing shells, and guided them into the water.        Nervous, but eager, with a couple of experienced Riverview boys in each boat, they had a novel experience of classic rowing, and no one got wet!  A whole new appreciation for this great sport.  Watch out for new interest in the 'Head of the Charles Regatta'! And a special inspiration to know that they row in the heritage and tradition of the great Saint Brendan, himself!  

Today's class day was focused on discovering the deeper roots of St. Ignatius' College, some fascinating history of the School and of Australia.  We had a wonderful talk by one of Riverview's History teachers about the history of Australia, and especially its strong connections to the USA.  Especially in war-time, our countries have forged a very strong link, and the affection for the States is very clear.  We then had a class conducted in the School's archives collection, by the resident archivist, that showed so many artifacts and memorabilia of the School's life, with a special focus on World War II Digging through old yearbooks of the School Typical Riverview school uniform After some more class visiting, we were invited to an "Indigenous Smoking Ceremony".  A wonderful experience of Welcome by the students of Aboriginal heritage at Riverview.  (No tobacco was involved.)  The ceremony was a spiritual ritual of 'cleansing' as a way

Sorry for not keeping up our blog!  The days are full with new experiences, and so much to take in.  Our boys are making wonderful connections with the boys here is Australia, as well as the boys from Fordham Prep.  Their horizons are stretching in so many ways.  New ideas about the world, about life, and even about school are buzzing in their heads each day.  And the signs of God's presence and grace are abundant!  Thursday was a day in class with their host brothers at Riverview.  They saw what a typical class day was like with the similar hustle and bustle that gives vibrancy to any school.  Riverview's day begins with House Meetings, not unlike homeroom in a US school, but it crosses grade levels.  There are 16 Houses at Riverview, many with familiar Jesuit names.  Be sure to ask the boys more, and ask about their impressions of the system.  It also leads to spirited competition within the School.  After a few periods of class, the students pause for a 20 minute

We traveled to the nearby town of Ashfield, to spend time helping at "Loaves and Fishes".  This is a food and social service project for the poor and the homeless.  They do marvelous work providing breakfast and lunch to whoever shows up at their doors, and then weekly bags of food for those on assistance programs.  In addition, they offer medical, dental, and counseling services. For our service, Fordham Prep and BC High split up for the day.  The boys from Fordham Prep attended classes with their host brothers, while we went out for service.  On Thursday, we did the reverse.  Our tasks were to help prepare the lunch meal for the guests, both in the kitchen and in the dining area.  We worked hard!  The quality and care of food preparation, and the dignity and respect shown to guests, modeled for us by other regular volunteers, was inspiring. Returning back to Riverview, the boys all joined together for an impromptu basketball 'tournament', school against schoo

Tuesday brought us to Sydney's Taronga Zoo.  What a fantastic place.  We were able to see animals that are native not only to Australia, but from other parts of this wider region.  Animals are presented in humane and natural habitats, well care for, and the whole arrangement of the Zoo lends itself to education and exploration.  We will have much more to tell and show you when we get home.  Be sure to ask any of us about the Bird Show! It was a full day, for sure.  We have walked, a lot!  The rest of the evening the boys spent with their host families.  We are all so glad we came.

For all of us, the day began leisurely, with a variety of activities with host families, and some exploring of this beautiful city.  Visits to local beach areas, and relaxation with families filled the day.  The evening brought us all together, down at the waterfront.  The host families had arranged for us to meet for dinner at an Italian restaurant, noted for great pizza!  Following dinner, after sundown, we were treated to a harbor cruise that featured the chance to see the city's wonderful celebration of lights called Vivid.  Multi-colored light designs projected on the city's tall buildings, and especially projected on the iconic shapes of the Sydney Opera House.  Seeing it all by boat was very special. The boys really seem to be connecting well with their families and with each other.  We are so blessed to be part of such an extraordinary global network of Jesuit schools.  And the bonds that unite us are very clear.   Brothers, for sure! Cheers, to all

Our day dawned, overcast and showering, as the boys were with their host families and the adult trip leaders headed into Sydney, for Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary.  It was a special Mass with a visiting Cardinal from Burma, celebrated in a very high liturgy, with a magnificent resident boys and mens choir.  BC High was a special part of our prayers at this Mass, today. A leisurely day for all as we became acclimated to the hospitality of our host families, and the hospitality of St. Ignatius' College.  Australia feels very comfortable, and we continue to be impressed with the kindness of everyone, and the beauty of everything we see.  It is also very special for the boys to be making wonderful friendships with both the boys from here at Riverview, as well as the boys from Fordham Prep. Weather reports are for brightening skies as the week begins.  But everyone's enthusiasm is more than bright.  More to come! Cheers!

     Our day began after a good night's rest, with mostly cloudy skies, cool (50's), but with renewed energy for discovering this new city, country, and continent!  We met together with our host families at the world famous Sydney Opera House.  The story behind this building is so extraordinary!  More on that when we see you all.  And thanks to the kindness of our host families, we were treated to a private, guided tour of the Opera House! The view of the city and the Sydney Bridge, from the Opera House was pretty spectacular. The boys went off for lunch with their host brothers, and a variety of sight-seeing experiences around Sydney.  Pretty amazing to face the noon-day sun, while looking to the North!  Are really are on the other side of the world!  Make a comment on any of these posts, if you'd like. Cheers!

As we were trying to set up our Blog, Ryan Caron posted this entry while we were in LAX; Ryan Caron 6/6/18      Today we left from Boston international airport for our long awaited journey to Australia. Everyone is excited as we wait for the flight to Australia to board from LAX. The fifteen hour flight will be daunting but hopefully everyone gets a chance to sleep. While at LAX we ate at a 8oz burger which was quite tasty after a lob six hour flight. We stopped by Cafe Homeboy Bakery which is owned and operated by the author of the all school read Father Boyle. More blogs will be updated as the trip goes on but that’s all for today. 

Hello from 'Down Under"! After a long, but not uncomfortable flight, we arrived in Sydney, excited and eager about our adventure.  When we stopped at LAX, we were able to visit "Homeboy Cafe", right next to our arrival gate.  It was very special to connect with the extraordinary ministry of Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, author of the book our students will read this summer, "Barking to The Choir". After connecting with the boys from Fordham Prep, and their trip leaders, Dr. Patty Lee and Dr. David Gelpi, we cleared Australian customs, and were warmly greeted by members of their staff and host families from St. Ignatius College - Riverview.   Our students each went off with their host families, as we adults were taken to our quarters, on the campus of St. Ignatius. Some breakfast, freshening up, and some simple food shopping got us ready to head out to Balmoral Park, by the water on the north side of Sydney, to meed with the boys and their host families for a fe