More photos from the event are here.
Notre Dame held its annual St. Peter Chanel Society Membership Dinner tonight, which, for the first time in many years, was held on the school campus. In fact, tonight's event, which recognizes SPCS members for their generous support of NDPMA, was held in the courtyard adjacent to the school's stunning new science, art and technology wing.
The St. Peter Chanel Society recognizes individuals who display exceptional enthusiasm for the future of Notre Dame. Through their contributions of leadership gifts to The Notre Dame Fund, members demonstrate a belief in the enduring value of a Notre Dame education. Members of the St. Peter Chanel Society include alumni, parents, alumni parents, grandparents, friends, and faculty and staff who share a genuine concern for Notre Dame and who contribute on an annual basis to its continued excellence.
The food and ambience at tonight's dinner were exceptional and this year’s program included a tour of the new wing for SPCS members.
About St. Peter Chanel:
Peter Chanel was born in France on July 12, 1803. He entered the seminary at a time when the missionary spirit was developing in France. He was ordained in 1827. Following a brief period of parish work, he joined a group of diocesan priests who were eager to establish a religious order called the Marists.
During this time, the Vatican was searching for missionaries to evangelize Western Oceania and New Zealand. Ven. Jean Claude Colin, s.m., founder of the Marists, agreed to furnish personnel for this effort if the Vatican would recognize the Marists as a religious congregation under the Pope’s authority. Rome agreed, and Peter Chanel arrived in Oceania to the island of Futuna in 1837.
Peter met with severe resistance and his ministry was unproductive. When the chief’s son asked to be baptized, the chief sent a band of warriors to “remove” the missionary. Peter was martyred on April 28, 1841. Within two years of his death, the island converted to Catholicism. Peter Chanel was canonized on June 12, 1954, by Pope Pius XII. The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day on April 28.
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy's Catholicity is overseen by the Marist Fathers and Brothers of the USA Province.
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org