Community News

Parent's Weekend - 2009

With a concert by Tony Melendez, and an inspirational homily and talk from Fox News Analyist Fr. Jonathan Morris, Parent's Weekend at Magdalen College was a huge success!

The weekend began as usual with a Mass to kick off the festivities. Afterwards the parents, families and friends were treated to lunch. The freshmen seminar was a hit as they discussed individualism and its effects on our culture. After the seminar, the parents of the enrolled students were able to ask questions to the faculty and staff of the college to get updates about their children who are currently enrolled in the program. During this casual and imformative meeting, the rest of the guests enjoyed sports activities on the soccer field.

Dinner followed the afternoon activities and then the guests gathered in the college chapel to recite the rosary. During this time, Tony Melendez and the Toe Jam Band dawned their musical instruments to prepare for the evening concert. The local community was invited to attend the concert and nearly 400 people gathered in the college gymnasium to be entertained by Tony and the band. The concert was inspirational and the story of Tony Melendez and his ability to play the guitar with his feet moved the entire audience. After the concert, Mr. Karls, President of Magdalen College, thanked the band and presented Tony with the CD's of the college, stating "you have given us the gift of music, and now we do the same." Mr. Karls also let Tony know that the college would be offering him an Honorary Degree in May with the class of 2010.

The next day Fox News Analyist, Fr. Jonathan Morris presided at the community mass. During his homily, Fr. Jonathan spoke of the need to listen to God speaking to you even during difficult moments. Fr. Jonathan joined the guests to brunch where he gave a brief talk about how he began working for Fox News and the story behind his book, The Promise: God's Plan for When Life Hurts. After his talk Fr. Jonathan signed copies of his book to the guests.

The weekend came to a conclusion with the student entertainment. The girls and guys each sang group songs and then joined as a whole group to send off all the guests with the Irish Blessing.