BELMONT — Where can high school students dive into the works of great philosophers and then take the plunge into whitewater rafting? Registration is now open for the Schola Program at Belmont Abbey College, which offers a week of learning, fellowship and fun.
Schola offers an opportunity for students to read classic works of literature and philosophy, take part in group discussions with faculty from Belmont Abbey’s Honors College, experience Charlotte’s culture and recreation and meet new people.
The theme for the July 5-11 program is “Love and Friendship.” It is open to in-state and out-of-state students who will have completed one year of high school by this summer.
Schola is designed to help participants nurture their faith by participating in the spiritual life of the college, including daily Mass, Adoration,and prayer with the Benedictine monks from Belmont Abbey.
They will also participate in a variety of rotating activities that recently have included rafting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center, hiking, talent shows and chances to explore the city of Charlotte.
“It was nice to have a summer program that focused on spirituality, learning and friendship. It was really a good mix of everything,” said previous participant Monica Amery in a promotional video for the program. Amery ended up attending the college partly due to her summer experience.
“Schola was a week that was really focused on not just learning from books so we could apply it to something, but more of learning for the love of wisdom.”
Kevin Gillett, who came to the program from Colorado, said, “it immediately felt like a second home.”
Gillett appreciated the accessible spirituality and the chance to get to know fellow students. It was “a really special balance of intensive learning and free time and activities. I think that really enabled us to learn a lot about each other and about what we thought, and that really led to some deep friendships in a short period of time.”
The cost for the week-long session is $750, which includes room and board on campus, seminar sessions, and cultural and recreational activities.
To learn more, go to www.belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/honors-college/schola-summer-program.
— Catholic News Herald
GREENSBORO — St. Pius X parishioners recently held a Lenten evening Taizé service of contemplative music, meditation, scripture and prayer.
More than 200 people gathered by candlelight to sing the simple, repetitive Taizé chants, invoking a sense of peace and harmony.
“It starts with a single voice until the whole church fills with all these voices streaming in,” said organizer Francine Britto, director of music and liturgy at the parish. “It is just a beautiful way to bring people together.”
Taizé is a globally recognized ecumenical movement of reconciliation that started after World War II in Taizé, France, by Brother Roger Schütz, a Protestant. Taizé Prayer is a Christian evening prayer that was recognized by then-Pope John Paul II.
The service occurs twice a year at St. Pius X Church, during the “quiet times” of Lent and Advent.
Britto approached the late Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio with the idea of starting a Taizé service and has loved the moments of quiet prayer set to music ever since.
— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by MaryAnn Luedtke
