August 16, 2021

Dear Members of the Esopus Family,

Summer Blessings and hopes that you are all well. Much joy and many happy days have returned to Esopus with the re-opening of our MHV Camps. Many familiar sights and sounds such as laughter, campfires, dances, and kids enjoying good times at the pool have once again been the norm most days this summer. Deep gratitude to Mr. Jim Sheldon for his incredible leadership as our summer Director. We are also grateful the MBCE Staff, Camp Directors and all our summer volunteers who continue to work many long and hard hours to make our Camps a lived reality once again. Special thanks, as well, to our MBCE Board who worked closely with the MBCE Staff and Camp Directors most of this past spring to create the necessary Covid-19 safety protocols to keep our Camps safe.

As you know, Mr. Jim Raimo retired as Executive Director of the MBCE on June 1^st. The MBCE Search Committee for the next Executive Director did an outstanding job in conducting the recent search, interviewing the candidates, and making a final recommendation to me for our next Executive Director. Sincere appreciation to our Search Committee of Bryan Doran, Kerry McCormick, Barry Donnelly, Br. Owen Ormsby and Br. Hank Hammer for their work and all the time they invested in this important process.

We are very pleased to announce that Mr. Tomas O’Riordan has accepted the position as our next Executive Director. He will assume this new role on September 1st. Tomas most recently served as the Director of Facilities & Capital Projects for the MBCE. He had also previously volunteered with the Marist Brothers both in Esopus, as well as in Texas. We offer Tomas our full support and confidence as he takes on this new leadership role at the MBCE.

On behalf of the Marist Brothers, the MBCE Board and all connected to Esopus, we wish Tomas and all members of the MBCE Team every blessing and success as they work to ensure the Mission of the MBCE in the years ahead.

Let us pray for the continued success and safety of our remaining Camps and for the many young people in our schools who will soon return to the MBCE for retreat programs this fall.

With Gratitude,