Monitor Mag Feb 2025 In Focus: Catholic Schools Week
Ice cream socials and crazy hat days; science exhibits and sporting events; honoring first responders and worshiping God . . .With its color, excitement and commitment, Catholic Schools Week 2025 succeeded in highlighting the Church’s mission of passing on the faith.
St. Joseph, Toms River
Courtesy photo St. Charles Borromeo, Cinnaminson Courtesy photo
Our Lady of Sorrows, Hamilton Mike Ehrmann photo
St. Leo the Great, LIncroft Courtesy photo
St. Catharine, Spring Lake Courtesy photo
St. Mary of the Lakes, Medford Courtesy photo
Bishop welcomes Jubilee Year CSW 2025 with prayer and gratitude
In a letter to all Catholic school communities in the Diocese of Trenton, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., marked the opening of the Jubilee Year’s Catholic Schools Week, which was observed from Jan. 26 through Feb. 1. The Bishop expressed a sense of gratitude for all involved in the essential ministry of Catholic education and assured them that he continues to pray for them.
Directing his comments to Catholic school educators and leaders, Bishop O’Connell wrote, “I am so happy to greet you as we begin our Jubilee Year
Catholic Schools Week. Each morning, as I begin my day, I pray in my chapel that our Lord Jesus might continue to bless you and your Catholic school families. I am grateful for all the gifts that God gives us through our amazing Catholic schools, especially the opportunities they provide for our students to grow in knowledge and to be ‘united in faith and community.’”
The letter continued, “I thank all our principals, administrators, faculty members, coaches and staff for their daily work, guidance and care for our
New Jersey governor proclaims Catholic Schools Week
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed a proclamation designating the week of Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2025, as Catholic Schools’ Week in New Jersey and acknowledged the contributions of Catholic schools to the public wellbeing of all New Jerseyans. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools’ Week was “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”
Dr. George V. Corwell, director of the Office of Education for the New Jersey Catholic Conference, noted that the governor’s proclamation continues the tradition of recognition afforded Catholic schools in New Jersey by the executive branch of state government.
“The Catholic schools of New Jersey represent an investment in New Jersey’s future, and the sacrifices made by Catholic school parents save the state’s overburdened public school system (and local tax payers) over $1.3 billion annually,” stated Dr. Corwell. “We hope that all residents of New Jersey recognize the dedicated efforts of Catholic school teachers which contribute to the overall success of our schools. Truly, Catholic schools represent a significant opportunity for parental choice in education.”
Gov. Murphy’s proclamation represents one component of New Jersey’s annual celebration of Catholic Schools’ Week. A variety of related activities were planned at both the diocesan and local levels to highlight the achievements of Catholic schools.
students. I am also most grateful to the parents whose sacrifices make an outstanding Catholic education possible.”
Addressing the youngsters in Catholic school, the Bishop wrote, “To all our wonderful students, I pray that each day may bring you joy and hope as you grow. Be generous in sharing your gifts with one another!”
He signed the letter, “With my love, blessings and best wishes in Our Lord.”
Be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ in and for our Catholic schools
A MESSAGE FROM BISHOP DAVID M. O’CONNELL, C.M., FOR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2025
Every generation has the obligation and responsibility to educate the next generation. That involves the teaching of subjects like math and science, language and literature, history and health, among others.
Catholics are no less bound than their public counterparts to educate their young in the same subjects. There is something else, however, that is not merely a subject in the curriculum found in public schools but, rather, an atmosphere, a culture, an environment, a spirit, yes, even a vernacular that pervades the Catholic school community … and that is the Catholic faith. In the
Catholic school, the Catholic religion is a subject to be taught, learned, loved and lived well beyond its doors.
As the Second Vatican Council reminded us, Catholic parents have always been considered by the Catholic Church as the primary teachers of the Catholic faith in their homes. But as their children grow, many parents have come to depend upon Catholic education to support and strengthen what they believe and teach their children. Whether in the Catholic
Bishop O’Connell greets students Jan. 30 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park, after celebrating Mass for the community.
John Batkowski photo
school, the parish religious education program or the Catholic home school –truly Catholic education is the best and most important way for parents to hand on, nurture and promote the Catholic faith for and within the next generation. To neglect or surrender this obligation, whatever the reason, is to risk the loss of the Catholic faith not only for this generation but for generations to come.
At one time, the Catholic school system in the United States was the best and the biggest and the brightest in the world! The history of Catholic education here can be traced back to the early 17th century when being a Catholic was neither popular nor politic. But the Church persevered, despite significant obstacles placed in its path. The seeds of faith sown by parents in Catholic homes and by heroic priests and religious women and men in Catholic schools took root and God blessed their efforts as the Catholic faith grew and spread in our country.
With names like John Carroll, Elizabeth Ann Seton, John Neumann, Elizabeth Lange, Theresa Duchemin and Katherine Drexel, the early history of Catholic education in our country was written. And no one can ever forget the countless religious women who made teaching the Catholic faith their life’s work, regardless of the personal cost and sacrifice. These brave and selfless women whose names may never be known or remembered built the Catholic Church in our country, literally from the ground up, child by child, grade by grade, school by school until every Catholic family in our nation had the chance to hear the “Good News” of the Lord Jesus Christ
Stakes high for educating young Catholics
Continued from 11
and to learn their Catholic faith.
Catholic education made a difference not only in our Church but in American society as well. That is the legacy of Catholic schools.
When he visited the United States in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to Catholic educators at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. I welcomed and sat next to him on the stage that day as he told us:
Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth (cf. Spe Salvi, 4). This relationship elicits a desire to grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ and his teaching. In this way those who meet him are drawn by the very power of the Gospel to lead a new life characterized by all that is beautiful, good, and true; a life of Christian witness nurtured and strengthened within the community of the Lord’s disciples.
Pope Benedict XVI continued:
This task is never easy; it involves the entire Christian community and motivates
each generation of Christian educators to ensure that the power of God’s truth permeates every dimension of the institutions they serve. In this way, Christ’s Good News is set to work.
Catholic schools do an excellent job at educating our young people across the curriculum, graduating more students and sending more graduates to college than their secular counterparts. Catholic schools infuse their students with the “Good News” of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the Catholic faith intended to last a lifetime, with light and hope so contrary to what our contemporary, relativistic society offers. So, what is the risk?
Catholic faith at the age of 13!
How is the Catholic faith to be handed on and nourished? The mainstream media has convinced some otherwise faithful Catholics that long-held Church teachings are “out of touch” and irrelevant to contemporary life. Even the cherished religious freedom as Americans to believe what we believe and practice our Catholic faith is under attack by the very government that was established to protect that freedom. American historian Arthur Schlesinger, Sr., once wrote that “anti-Catholicism is the most deeply held bias in the history of the American people.”
Less than 17% of Catholic adults attend Sunday Mass in the Diocese of Trenton. A large majority of young Catholics in our Catholic schools and religious education programs do not continue to study their faith beyond the time they receive Confirmation and they absent themselves from Mass. Some studies have indicated that young Catholics decide to cease practicing their
These are the facts. So, what do we, as Catholics, do? Give up? Give in? Surrender? Never! The stakes are too high. The battle has been too long and hard fought. The prize, too precious. The sacrifices upon which the Catholic Church in our country has been built have created too solid a foundation to let it crumble. “You are Peter,” the Lord Jesus promised, “and upon this ‘Rock’ I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).” And in another place, “The gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).”
When our Colonial forefathers faced tyranny and suppression from their enemies in the Revolutionary War, did they give up? No. Had they done so, America would never have been born. When our citizens in blue and grey confronted each other in the Civil War, did slavery prevail? No. Freedom won the day and the union was preserved. When two World Wars spilled the blood of so many women and men in uniform defending our nation and its sovereignty, did they surrender? No, they fought on to victory. When Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. stood up to prejudice and unjust discrimination, did widespread opposition or jail or even
St. Jerome School students present the gifts of bread and wine to Bishop O’Connell during his Catholic Schools Week visit to the West Long Branch School on Jan. 29. At right is Father Marcin Kania, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch. John Batkowski photo
an assassin’s bullet weaken the cause of civil rights? No. They changed a nation. Countless stories and profiles in courage in our history, despite the odds, have blended together into the confidence we still have in America. When one door closed, another opened.
“When we have a sense of what is possible in Christ ... our faith prevails.”
Can the Catholic Church show less courage, less faith in the face of adversity? We need look no further than the Lord Jesus Christ himself and the cross that he bore for the answer. The tree of man’s defeat became his tree of victory. The martyrs, the saints of old, the people of faith who have prayed and sacrificed and struggled down through the ages have handed on to us in our time a Catholic faith that still is holy, that still elicits hope, that still inspires love, come what may.
When we have a sense of what is possible in Christ, our courage is strengthened, our convictions become firm, our resolve is emboldened, our hope is restored and our faith prevails.
The gift and grace of Catholic education introduces us to what is possible in Christ. That is what our Catholic faith does and what Catholic schools offer. They are “integral to the mission of the Church” because they lead us and our children to an encounter with Christ, who makes all things possible. I am reminded of that passage in St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: “How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him if they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? … Thus, faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the Word of Christ (Romans 10: 14-17).”
Catholic education – the Catholic school and Catholic religious education programs, building upon its beginnings in the Catholic home – enable us to believe, to deepen our faith and to hear the Word of Christ, indeed, to encounter him, through those who have been sent to share with us the “Good News.”
Our Holy Father Pope Francis has taught us that “true education enables us to love life and opens us to the fullness of life (Pope Francis, “Address to Catholic Teachers and Students,” 2014).” In essence, that love for life is what Cath-
olic schools inspire in their students. Everything that happens in the Catholic school is a call to those students to be the very best they can be in life: not simply by getting by; not just by putting in another day. Catholic schools recognize that their students are the future of our nation and our world.
President Kennedy said it well: “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future (UNICEF Appeal, July 25, 1963).” And we only have a few precious years to make them aware of that and to help them realize their potential. “Catholic schools have it all,” we often say in the Diocese of Trenton. The excellence in “true education” that we impart in the Catholic school is what makes the world better, safer, more just, more loving, more ethical, more peaceful … more holy and more full of hope. What could possibly be more important or greater?
This year, as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with its theme “Faith. Excellence. Service,” let all Catholic families, homes and parishes in the Diocese of Trenton also celebrate the Jubilee Year by responding to Pope Francis’ invitation to be “Pilgrims of Hope,” a hope that our Catholic schools joyfully make possible and provide!
Bishop O’Connell greets a St. Ann School student after the Lawrenceville school’s flag raising ceremony. Rose O’Connor photo
Joined by principal Joanna Barlow, students of Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly, visit with Bishop O’Connell about CSW activities. Mary Stadnyk photo
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK:
Celebrating learning communities where the Gospel is lived every day
Message from VINCENT DE PAUL SCHMIDT Superintendent of Catholic Schools
As the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Trenton, I am honored to represent our many excellent and Christ-centered Catholic schools.
Our Diocese covers a wide-reaching swath of the State of New Jersey with four counties that, together, reach from the Pennsylvania line all the way to the beaches. Each of these counties has a different flavor and make-up, but the Catholic schools in all of these counties have one thing in common … they are living the Gospel values that represent the mission of Catholic education each and every day.
Our schools respond to the needs ... in the community as well ...”
Our Catholic schools are so very special because of the faith-filled communities that support our programs. Every parent, educator and student contribute to their success. Our schools’ leaders never lose sight of their three most important responsibilities: Making sure our schools are living the Catholic mission, are promotors of real academic student achievement and are safe for all that attend and work in our buildings.
How do our schools do this?
Our schools respond to the needs of the students in the classroom, but in the community as well; whenever/wherever it is needed. The needs might be spiritual, educational or even social. It might be a meal to eat or a shoulder to cry on or a
tutoring session for a challenging lesson. The needs are ever present and our Catholic schools continue to help others as true servant leaders should.
The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton are taking off into unprecedented areas of academic growth and rigor along with a continual focus on Catholic identity. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., often says, “Catholic schools have it all!” when asked about this essential teaching ministry. As superintendent, I could not agree more. This sentiment comes from the committed teams of educators that are dedicated to leading all students in our schools to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, strong academic achievement, personal growth in the areas of social awareness/ social responsibility and a sense of self-reliance that is built on the values for which our Catholic schools are known. This is never on display more than during Catholic Schools’ Week!
Our students are just starting the journey into young adulthood with-
Students from St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, have enjoyed using the school’s Virtual Reality system. Students were given the option to visit the Big Apple including Central Park, Wall Street, One World Trade Center, The Met and Times Square.
in their faith, and our students are role models and proof of what can be achieved by putting one’s self second. Men and women for others…just as Jesus did throughout his ministry and is calling us to do. It is on display in our Catholic schools EVERYDAY!
Thank you for allowing our Catholic schools the privilege of educating the children of the Diocese of Trenton.
Two students from St. Joan of Arc School, Marlton, bring up the gifts during the school’s weekly Friday Masses.
A
A student from Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, traveled to Complete Care Bey Lea to visit residents and participate in activities that promote a healthy mind and mindset. Facebook photos
‘They Keep Coming Back’ Catholic schools are magnets for legacy families
St. Peter School seventh grader Ayla Ergunay stands with her grandmother, Mary Basso, St. Peter School class of 1959.
BY ROSE O’CONNOR
Digital and Social Media Manager; EMMALEE ITALIA
Contributing Editor, and MARY STADNYK
Associate
Editor
“Onceyou come to St. Paul School, you never want to leave!”
And the way Darlene Dunn sees it, she never really did leave. Though Dunn graduated from the Burlington school in 1971, the longtime affinity she had for her alma mater was ultimately what led to her decision to send her two sons there. And now she is the proud grandmother of Emma, 3, who attends its preschool.
“... [Catholic schools] are doing something right.”
The Dunns are known as a legacy family, a single family with multiple generations choosing to uphold a tradition by attending the same school. For the majority of Catholic school families, the reasons to carry on the tradition pertain to the values and lived faith experiences instilled in the students.
“Our family’s enrollment span is almost 60 years,” Michael Dunn, a 1998 graduate, said of his family’s long history with St. Paul School. “That means they
are doing something right. It is a testament to SPS’s purpose and message.”
Now with Emma at St. Paul, Darlene and Michael have all the more reason to return to their grammar school. Darlene enjoys seeing former classmates who have become longtime friends and are also grandparents, while Michael gets a charge when “walking the halls and having all the memories come flooding back.”
“Being able to share those memories with my children” is special, he said.
One memorable highlight especially for Michael is the large mural on the school’s entryway wall. The mural, which was painted in the 1990s, shows Jesus surrounded by the St. Paul School students, one of whom is Michael.
TOOLS OF FAITH
A similar sentiment on legacy families was expressed by Cristina Ergunay, who is delighted that her seventh-grade daughter, Ayla, attends St. Peter School, Point Pleasant Beach. Cristina’s mother, Mary Basso, graduated from St. Peter’s
in 1959. Although Cristina attended public school, she believes that Catholic schools teach connectedness in that everyone belongs to God’s family.
“We need to care for and love one another as family,” she said. “That connectedness and love – learned at home within families and reinforced in Catholic school families – will enable children to grow in God’s love and ultimately empower them to care for the larger world as their own family.”
Building on that connection, Ergunay could easily identify with the values St. Peter School “vibrantly embodies and teaches – respect, reverence and responsibility.” These values resonate deeply in their family, she explained, “and we knew that we wanted our daughter to learn the same tools that others in our family have been given at St. Peter School – tools of kindness, love, mercy and compassion.”
‘GREAT
SCHOOL WITH GREAT PEOPLE’
Adelaide Torpila says St. Raphael
Courtesy photo
School, Hamilton, is more than just a place of learning – it’s become part of her family’s tradition.
Along with Adelaide’s many years of being involved as a pre-K aide, her husband, John, graduated from the school, and their daughter followed in her father’s footsteps. Now, two of her grandchildren are continuing the legacy as St. Raphael School students.
“It really has a family-like atmosphere,” Torpila said, adding she takes pride in how her grandchildren, fifth
extracurricular activities as a cheerleader, a member of the student council and being an altar server.
“We go to Mass on Fridays,” Elizabeth said, noting that she likes how students can participate in the Mass such as readers.
DEEP ROOTS IN HOLMDEL SCHOOL
The current vice principal of St. Benedict School is very grateful for the extensive history her family has with the Holmdel school.
“The foundation for life that I have received from St. Benedict School rooted me in my Catholic faith and has stayed with me throughout my continuing career in education and beyond,” Megan Gallagher said. “I have a strong sense of being centered in my faith and look to find opportunities to serve others.
grader, Elizabeth, and second grader, Charlotte, represent the third generation of family members attending the school.
“It’s important to come together and support the legacy of Catholic education,” she said, adding that she regards the opportunity for them to celebrate Mass and receive their Sacraments to be a blessing.
Elizabeth shares her grandmother’s appreciation for St. Raphael School. Elizabeth noted that she enjoys her science class and her participation in
“The community that SBS has remained from 1985, when I was in kindergarten, to 2025, speaks volumes about the dedication to the mission and vision of SBS as it upholds the Beatitudes and serves others. I am so proud to be a lifelong member of this community. SBS resonates with the community as this pillar of Catholic education, and I am so proud to say that I have been a part of it for so long.”
Megan Cullinane Gallagher explained that her now deceased mother, Claire Meehan Cullinane, taught in the school while she and her siblings were students.
Then during her years of teaching and now as vice principal, Gallagher has relished seeing her own two sons – John, who graduated last year, and Matthew, a seventh grader – flourish in the school. Her nephew and nieces also attend
Three generations of the Dunn family with connections to St. Paul School, Burlington, are from left, Michael Dunn, who graduated in 1998; Emma, who currently attends preschool, and Michael’s mother, Darlene Dunn, a 1971 graduate. Mary Stadnyk photo
Megan Gallagher, right, a 1985 graduate of St. Benedict School, Holmdel, who now serves as the school’s vice principal, is shown with her sons, Matthew, left, who currently attends St. Benedict School, and John, a 2024 graduate who is now a freshman in Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft. Courtesy photo
Members of the Torpila family pose for a photo with Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., during a visit he made to the parish in September. Courtesy photo
CSW visits were graced occasions for Bishop, school communities
BY MARY STADNYK Associate Editor
The photos and video footage capturing the very packed Catholic Schools Week schedule of Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., gave every indication that everyone was enjoying the celebrations.
Conversations with some of the students and staff left no doubt they did have a great time during a week filled with many graces, blessings, smiles and memories.
“Ultimately, the Bishop is the person responsible for Catholic education in the Diocese,” Filippini Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio said of Bishop O’Connell’s Jan. 29 visit to St. Jerome School, West Long Branch. “We are happy to show him that our Catholic identity is strong. Bishop O’Connell inspires us by his ministry to grow in hope and joy. His joyful presence impels us to share that hope and joy with others. His presence among us proves to us that he cares, supports and is proud of our school community.”
“The message of the Gospel is indeed alive and well.”
Besides going to St. Jerome School, Bishop O’Connell celebrated Masses and engaged in an array of activities Jan. 27-31 at Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton; St. Paul School, Princeton; St. Ann School, Lawrenceville; Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park; and Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly.
“This is Catholic Schools Week – a very special week,” Bishop O’Connell
said in his homilies.
“And you’re so lucky to go to a Catholic school, because not only do we learn history and math and English, we learn about our faith and our God, who created us and loves us so much.”
ON THE ROAD
While Bishop O’Connell visited six of the Diocese’s more than 30 Catholic schools, other schools received a visit from staff of the Department of Catholic Schools – Superintendent Vince Schmidt and Assistant Superintendents Bonnie Milecki and Dan O’Connell.
“No matter the school, there is a whirlwind of activity” during Catholic Schools Week, said Dan O’Connell, who visited Medford, where the St. Mary of the Lakes School community honored first responders from their town and treated them to breakfast. He also attended the talent show at St. Gregory the Great Academy, Hamilton Square, as well as Sacred Heart School and St. Paul schools.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” O’Connell said Catholic Schools Week “gives our schools the chance to show the world that the message of the Gospel is indeed alive and well and can be experienced in each and every Catholic school in the Diocese of Trenton.”
“The week affords our schools the opportunity to demonstrate to their school communities and local communities exactly why we say that Catholic Schools have it all,” he said.
Milecki visited St. Dominic, Brick; St. Ann; St. Rose of Lima, Freehold; St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach; Red Bank
High School; Holy Cross Academy, Rumson; and Sacred Heart.
“Whenever we visit schools throughout the year, the students express that one of their favorite school traditions is the celebration of Catholic Schools Week,” Milecki said.
“It’s so clear why this tradition has a lasting impact on students. It is a time in Catholic schools when the commitment of parents, the passion of teachers, and the joy of students aligns for a full week of fun and a celebration of our Catholic faith,” she said.
“Getting to visit schools and seeing creative teachers lead events and lessons connected to our faith, and students leading at Mass, and parents bearing witness to the faith community they have selected for their children to experience – it’s powerful.”
VALIDATING WORK WITH STUDENTS
Bishop O’Connell’s week began at Our Lady of Sorrows School, where principal Maureen Tuohy noted how nice it was to have him help start the school’s 70th anniversary year.
“This is the beginning of a year of celebrating,” Tuohy said.
After the Mass, Tuohy and Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, accompanied the Bishop on a walk-through of the school, where he engaged with students and stopped in the gym to watch students playing basketball.
“He makes us feel that our work is important, and his support in our endeavors builds us up,” Tuohy said.
with a class in St.
For more Catholic Schools Week photos, visit TrentonMonitor.com and click on More Galleries
After blessing the new mobile classroom on the campus of
and
School, West Long Branch, Bishop O’Connell poses for a photo with Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Education; Father Marcin Kania, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, and Filippini Sister Elizabeth Seton Dalessio, principal of St. Jerome School. John Batkowski photo
Bishop O’Connell engages in conversation with a student from Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly. Mary Stadnyk photo
Bishop O’Connell visited the classrooms in Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Asbury Park. Also pictured are the priests who serve in Mother of Mercy Parish, Asbury Park. John Batkowski photo
Bishop O’Connell poses
Ann School, Lawrenceville, along with Father Leandro “Lines” Dela Cruz, pastor of St. Ann Parish,
Ameriquin Dalmasy-Laccetti, head of school. Rose O’Connor photo
St. Jerome
Students from Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, present the gifts of bread and wine to Bishop O’Connell during Mass. Mike Ehrmann photo
Bishop O’Connell and Father Christopher Dayton, pastor of St. Paul Parish, look on as a student and principal, Kim Clauss, play rock paper scissors. Mike Ehrmann photo
CSW celebrates faith and community
“Catholic Schools Week is so important because it validates all we strive to accomplish with our students.
“We celebrate our faith and the impact it makes upon each individual, as well as the larger community and nation,” she said. “We use this week to reinforce our relationship with our families through the many activities we offer. We also take the time to focus on our values and mission: faith building and service to others. … This is what sets us apart from the public sector.”
After the Bishop’s Jan. 27 Mass at St. Paul School, the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade honor roll students were recognized and posed for a group photo with the Bishop. After Mass, the Bishop visited the classrooms, accompanied by Principal Kim Clauss and Father Chris Dayton, pastor.
“Catholic Schools Week is a great
“CSW celebrates the hallmarks of Catholic education.”
way to celebrate, in a big way, our faith and who we are,” Clauss said, adding that the Bishop’s presence “gives our students the opportunity to get to know the spiritual leader of the Diocese of Trenton.”
“Our children stated that they enjoy the presence of Bishop O’Connell because he relates to them in a special way,” Clauss said.
THE BISHOP ‘IS OUR FRIEND’
Bishop O’Connell was at St. Ann School bright and early Jan. 28 for the outdoor flag-raising ceremony and special recognition of community leaders. Honorees included Lawrence Township Mayor Patricia Hendricks Farmer, members of the Lawrence Township Police Department and the Slackwood Fire Department.
“I received the foundation of my faith and made friends that I still have today,” Farmer, said, recalling her days as a student in St. Ann School. Her alma mater, she said, “helped make me who I am today.
Lt. Kevin Reading, also a St. Ann School graduate, expressed appreciation for the school’s support, especially in his current role as the town’s interim police chief.
“I love to see the smiles on the kids’ faces. The staff is very supportive of us, and we are happy to support the school. We love participating in events,” he said.
After the ceremony, the Bishop had breakfast with the community leaders before visiting classrooms with Father Leandro Dela Cruz, St. Ann Parish pastor, and Ameriquin Delmasy-Laccetti, head of school.
of the Bishop: “‘I know him. He is our friend.’
“You can’t get any better than that,” she said.
CORE VALUES
Bishop O’Connell’s Jan. 30 Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School began with a procession of students carrying items that represented what Katie O’Meara, principal, called “the core values of who we are as a school”: a statue of Mary and Rosaries, reminders of the power of prayer and deep-rooted traditions that guide lives; symbols of service efforts – Birthday in a Bag and the Annual Warming Wall; and certificates and plaques that recognized student achievements.
At St. Jerome School Jan. 29, Bishop O’Connell blessed and dedicated the new modular STEAM classroom, which Sister Elizabeth Seton described as “the culmination of years of work and preparation by our school administration, teachers, staff as well as the awesome generosity of donors who have supported this project.”
“Curiosity and critical thinking are fruits of STEAM” – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, said Sister Elizabeth. “As a Catholic STEAM school, we will help our children experience the beautiful harmony of faith and reason so they can be a light in the secular world, both in their careers and in their lives.”
Sister Elizabeth smiled when she said the St. Jerome students took great pride in the work they did to “make this day a reality.
“The students were very happy to see Bishop O’Connell once again,” she said, then referenced one student saying
Second grader Yumi Nunez said how much she enjoyed Catholic Schools Week simply because “we get to celebrate how great OLMC is.”
The Bishop’s Jan. 31 visit to Sacred Heart School coincided with the its “Special Persons” celebration, in which each student invited a special person in their life to attend the Mass and then visit their classroom afterward.
“Catholic Schools Week celebrates the hallmarks of Catholic education: faith-focused learning, strong communities and a commitment to service,” said Joanna Barlow, principal. “It’s a time to showcase our strengths and achievements, bringing our school community together in a shared purpose reflecting on our core values and traditions.
“Having Bishop O’Connell is a deeply meaningful experience for our faculty, students and families, allowing us to connect with our faith on a deeper level,” Barlow added. “His visit enables our small school to feel a stronger sense of belonging to the larger Catholic community.”
BISHOP O’CONNELL WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE ACTION PROMOTING
PARENTAL CHOICE IN EDUCATION
WASHINGTON •
“The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary educators of their children and have both the right and responsibility to direct their child’s education,” said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Catholic Education. Bishop O’Connell offered the following comments in response to the Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump, “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families.”
“I welcome President Trump’s Executive Order, which takes meaningful steps to expand educational freedom for families across the country. This Order rightly recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their children. As the Church proclaimed in Gravissimum Educationis, since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate them and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators of their own children.
“I also applaud the Executive Order’s emphasis on ensuring that Native American families and military families enjoy the benefits of parental choice. Importantly, this order affirms families who seek to choose faith-based educational options. For generations, Catholic schools have enriched America by providing a rigorous education rooted in faith. Our schools are committed to serving all students, regardless of income, and we support policies that ensure families are truly free to choose the educational environment that aligns with their values and meets the needs of their children.”
Catholic K-12 excellence shows kids ‘the vision of life in Jesus Christ,’ says USCCB leader
BY GINA CHRISTIAN OSV News
Ahead of national Catholic Schools Week 2025 (Jan. 26Feb. 1), OSV News spoke with Mary Pat Donoghue, executive director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Catholic Education, for her thoughts on the state of Catholic education in the nation.
The secretariat addresses Catholic education, wherever a U.S. Catholic bishop has recognized it as such, in all of its institutional settings.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
OSV News: Broadly speaking, how would you describe the state of Catholic schools in the U.S. at this moment in time, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Donoghue: After the tremendous losses at the beginning of the pandemic, and then the regain of about half of what we lost (in terms of enrollment), we have remained stable. And I think that’s a good sign. It’s a good place to be.
I think we’ve seen over the last decade – but even with more urgency over the last few years – Catholic schools really connecting to their heritage, their mission
and their purpose. That’s a beautiful development. Our Catholic school system as we know it today came into existence in order to counteract a concern that we were losing our young people to the strong Protestantism of public schools during the late 1800s. We have the same urgency today, although (in the face of) a different religion, in a sense: secularism. It’s very pernicious. And just as the bishops resolved back then that there would be a Catholic school in every parish – although not quite realized – we need that same determination to have that on hand today for people now.
The unique mission in Catholic education to transmit the vision of life in Jesus Christ to kids is different from anything they’ll receive anywhere else.
And so the combination of that mission, the recognition that we are the heirs to a 2,000-year beautiful, rich tradition and culture that we’re passing on in our schools – I think those are the things (sparking) reawakening, reimagining and
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Ministrare Non Ministrari
Like its counterparts across the Diocese, Red Bank Catholic High School kicked off Catholic Schools Week 2025 by celebrating their faith during a school wide Mass. Pictured, altar servers and clergy of St. James Parish, Red Bank, make their way across the high school’s gymnasium at the beginning of the CSW Mass. Courtesy photo
Mary Pat Donoghue
Catholic Schools SHOWCASE 2025 SHOWCASE 2025
The Catholic schools of the Diocese were invited to share some of their good news with our readers. The Monitor is happy to feature this special content in honor of Catholic Schools Week 2025.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY, LINCROFT
Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, juniors spent some time in prayer, reflection and conversation at San Alfonso Retreat House, Long Branch..
This January, Christian Brothers Academy’s Office of Mission & Ministry completed its first overnight junior retreat. Nearly 50 CBA juniors spent 24 hours at the San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch.
Led by Matthew Meehan, CBA’s Director of Mission, the boys spent this time having good conversation, listening to guest speakers and personally reflecting on their time at CBA. Several CBA faculty members accompanied the boys to the retreat house, leading group discussions and helping to challenge the students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their peers and God.
Additionally, CBA ran four consecutive days of freshman retreats during Catholic Schools Week. Their theme revolved around “Becoming a Lasallian Man of Virtue” and helped the school’s youngest students gain a better understanding of CBA’s Catholic, Lasallian mission.
DONOVAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, TOMS RIVER
Donovan Catholic High School embraced faith, tradition, and commitment to Catholic education during Catholic Schools Week, coming together in prayer, appreciation and service, deepening our connection to Christ and one another. Each day reinforced the values at the heart of the school’s mission.
To celebrate families, the Campus Ministry team hosted a heartwarming Cookies & Gratitude event where students enjoyed a
Donovan Catholic, Toms River, students show the various items they collected to assist the community on both local and national levels.
sweet treat and wrote heartfelt thank-you notes to their families for the priceless gift of a Catholic education.
Students and staff of Donovan Catholic High School and St. Joseph’s Grade School gathered as one community to celebrate St. Joseph Parish, shared faith and tradition with Mass, strengthening bonds in prayer and worship, followed by a spirited Jeopardy competition focused on the Jubilee of Hope!
Student Life hosted a Student Appreciation event in the gym along with an exciting fundraiser gift card raffle. Students also had the chance to explore many club offerings during the school’s Spring Club Fair.
To support the community both locally and nationally, students took part in a fundraiser benefiting California Wildfire Disaster Relief. In addition, they collected hot and cold cereal, along with pancakes and syrup, for St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. They also gathered diapers, wipes, onesies and baby blankets to support Open Door Pregnancy Center.
To show gratitude for the dedicated faculty, staff, and teachers, the National Honor Society hosted a special Appreciation Lunch for the Donovan team.
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL, LAWRENCEVILLE
Notre Dame High School has introduced six new college partnerships, including guaranteed admissions and generous scholarships with prestigious institutions such as The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.; University of Scranton, Pa.; St. Joseph’s
University, Philadelphia; Holy Family University, Philadelphia; Assumption University, Worcester, Mass.; and Mount St. Mary’s University, Emmitsburg, Md.
The Office of College and School Counseling is also working on three additional partnerships, with more in development. These collaborations are transformative for our students, providing exceptional access to higher education and helping to reduce the stress often associated with the college application process.
Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, is proud of its new partnership with six colleges. The partnership provides guaranteed admissions and awarding of scholarships for prospective students.
OUR LADY OF SORROWS SCHOOL, HAMILTON
We were honored to have Bishop O’Connell celebrate our Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass on Jan. 26. The Mass was a wonderful celebration, followed by a successful Open House.
Catholic Schools Week events included Career Day to celebrate community – parents spent the morning with our students sharing their careers, and how important an education is to their success. It was very well received by the parents, students and faculty and a terrific morning.
A fun Family Ice Skating Party was sponsored by the PTA at Mercer County Park. Our Special Person’s Breakfast was a time for each child to have breakfast with a special someone, and everyone enjoyed beginning the morning together. The spelling bee was held for our 5th – 8th graders; two of the three winners were in last year’s CYO event, with one of them winning that event. We are definitely excited and looking forward to the upcoming CYO spelling bee in April.
Our Church Buddy Bingo game saw the older students assisting their church buddies; we had quite a few winners this year! Celebrate our Nation gave some students the opportunity to show their allegiance to our country, and we ended the week with Friday Mass and our Honor Society Induction Ceremony. The PTA was so supportive and creative, and everyone had a wonderful week celebrating our Catholic school!
RED BANK CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, RED BANK
The RBC community celebrated a Catholic Schools Week filled with faith, community, and school spirit. The week opened with a school-wide Mass, bringing students, faculty, and staff together in prayer and reflection, setting the tone for a meaningful celebration. The highlight of the week was a powerful presentation by Gian Paul Gonzalez, whose inspiring message about being “All In!” resonated deeply with everyone. His words challenged students to commit fully – not just in academics and athletics, but in their faith and personal growth.
Msgr. Joseph Rosie, pastor of St. James Parish, Red Bank, administers the Eucharist to Red Bank Catholic High School students during a Catholic Schools Week Mass.
Students participated in special activities and community service projects, reinforcing the values of Catholic education. Many shared how Gian Paul’s message motivated them to approach their goals with greater purpose and dedication. There was a renewed sense of unity and commitment to living out the principles of faith, excellence, and service – ensuring that the spirit of Catholic Schools Week continues long after the celebrations have ended.
SACRED HEART SCHOOL, MOUNT HOLLY
Givingback to our community is a cornerstone of our faith. This past year, Sacred Heart School families embraced this call to service in remarkable ways. We invited families to contribute six hours of their time and talents to support various school events; many families generously exceeded this commitment.
Parent volunteers and their students in Sacred Heart, Mount Holly, enjoy a thankyou lunch during Catholic Schools Week.
Dedicated volunteers helped to beautify our campus, painting hallways, constructing benches for our outdoor classroom, and sprucing up our grounds. Our volunteers have been invaluable partners, contributing to the success of numerous school events, including Catholic Schools Week.
To express our gratitude, we hosted a special luncheon with festive décor and thank you cards for our volunteers during CSW. Volunteers enjoyed a pizza lunch, shared stories, and strengthened the bonds within our school community.
Youngsters from Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, enjoy a Catholic Schools Week ice skating party hosted by the PTA.
We are truly blessed to have such a generous and dedicated community of volunteers at Sacred Heart School. Their selfless contributions enrich the lives of our students and create a vibrant and supportive learning environment.
ST. ANN SCHOOL, LAWRENCEVILLE
AThe massive wildfires in southern California hit a personal note for the St. Ann School, Lawrenceville, community, as a student was impacted by the devastation. The students, teacher and staff showed their support by collecting items for the fire victims.
mong the many activities at St. Ann School celebrating Catholic Schools Week, our students came together to support the L.A. community and specifically assist victims of the wildfires. This cause is significant as it directly impacts one of our student’s families.
Riley Sawicki, a seventh-grade student whose relatives were affected by the fires, led our Service Society Club in collecting items and assembling toiletry bags for those in need.
ST. BENEDICT SCHOOL, HOLMDEL
In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. Benedict School turned the spotlight on alumnae members who have selflessly given back to the community and credit their Catholic School education for their service-related careers.
Alumna Alex McCahill-Boettcher, Class of 2007, visited students in Grades 2-8 and expressed her love of science throughout her SBS years, which eventually led to her career as a registered nurse at NYU. Mrs. McCahill-Boettcher shared her stories of working through COVID and taking care of patients during a pandemic.
During Catholic Schools Week, St. Benedict School, Holmdel, touted their alumni, namely those who have pursued fields that serve the community.
Alumnae Stephanie Pagano-Rubino, Class of 2007, and Ashley Hall, Class of 2006, visited on “Celebrate our Community Day” to share their exciting careers as police officers and the challenges they faced in a male-dominated profession. The most rewarding parts of their professional careers relate to their love of serving others; a value that has been instilled in them since their early childhoods and
further reinforced in a Catholic school environment.
Beyond their incredible service to their communities, the alumnae also showed the close friendships they share to this day. Alex, Stephanie, and Ashley formed early childhood friendships and exchange many fond memories of their days spent at SBS. Catholic Schools Week was an opportunity to showcase and emphasize St. Benedict School’s mission to build “A Foundation for Life” as evidenced by these three incredible young women.
ST. CATHARINE SCHOOL, SPRING LAKE
This year, St. Catharine School launched a new and improved faith-filled curriculum, anchored by the school year’s theme, “Faith First.” This powerful theme both literally and figuratively serves as a guiding principle for students and staff alike.
One of the key elements of the “Faith First” initiative is that each school day begins with religion class. By prioritizing faith from the very start of the day, the school hopes to build a strong sense of community, integrate Catholic values into every lesson, and nurture a spirit of service in their students.
Father Damian McElroy, pastor of St. Catharine-St. Margaret Parish, Spring Lake, celebrates Mass for the school community during Catholic Schools Week.
In addition to the emphasis on faith, St. Catharine’s has enhanced their curriculum for the academic year. Recently appointed as the new Director of Curriculum, Mrs. Tara Brazinski has been instrumental in implementing new reading and math programs. These updated curricula, from kindergarten through 8th grade, align closely with the school’s mission of fostering academic excellence within the framework of Catholic education.
In keeping with the high standards set by the Diocese, the curriculum is carefully planned to meet educational requirements and monitored by the school’s administration. This revamped approach has already resulted in more engaging learning opportunities for students, enabling them to better grasp key concepts. To further support their academic growth, the administration has also integrated several digital resources to complement classroom instruction. These resources align with the school’s Star testing, offering a data-driven approach to enhance students’ learning experience.
ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SCHOOL, CINNAMINSON
Ahost of engaging and service-based activities filled Catholic Schools Week in St. Charles Borromeo School. We started the week by duct-taping our principal, Mr. Johnson, to the wall as a reward for collecting diapers and deodorant for local outreach organizations. Students collected more than 150 packs of diapers,
more than $300 in cash, and hundreds of sticks of deodorant. All the items and money have been distributed to local outreach organizations that serve adults, teens, and children in Burlington County.
hard-working PTA, the talented volunteering moms and dads, and all of the families that have made the choice to send their children to a school where they can learn and thrive in the Catholic faith. St. James is truly blessed by so many who are motivated by their love of faith and the desire to create an excellent Catholic school.
ST. JEROME SCHOOL, WEST LONG BRANCH
FJeffrey Johnson, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, actively engaged in the school’s various Catholic Schools Week endeavors.
They played Puzzle the Principal, Penny Wars and Minute to Win It, wrote letters to U.S. Service Members, conducted our annual spelling bee, welcomed our special friends and continued our school’s celebration of 60 years of Catholic education. We ended the week with a beautiful celebration of Mass with the parish community led by the student body and school choir before the annual 8th grade versus staff volleyball game.
Staff members rewarded students in classes other than their own for their acts of kindness throughout the week and 8th graders taught a lesson to a younger grade level on Teacher Turnabout Day. The students learned about different vocations on Career Day from an accountant, a priest, a deacon, a musician and a paramedic.
ST. JAMES SCHOOL, RED BANK
At St. James School, Catholic Schools Week began with a special Mass and Open House where students actively participated as readers, greeters and gift bearers, demonstrating their leadership and faith. The successful open house welcomed prospective families to explore the campus, meet teachers and students, and learn more about the school’s programs, with Royal Ambassadors leading the tours.
Daily events included a book fair, science assemblies, rock music concert, classroom door contest, bingo games, spelling bee, spirit day, student appreciation, cereal and cozy blanket donations, “dress to impress,” teacher appreciation, “dress like a teacher” and Basketball Blowout. The activities kept students and teachers alike enthusiastic, giggling, and reflecting on what it means to be part of a great Catholic school.
A preschooler in St. James School, Red Bank, had a chance to take on the role of teacher during a Catholic Schools Week event.
or over 30 years, the St. Jerome School community (students, their parents, faculty and staff) has been dedicating their time and talent to help the residents of Operation Life, a barrier-free, fully accessible housing location created for people with developmental and/or physical disabilities.
None of the success of the school would be possible without the dedicated people who make it a reality every day. St. James School sincerely thanks the administrators who tirelessly lead the schools, the teachers and staff who educate and care for the children daily, the
This community outreach project has continued through the years thanks to school secretary Stella Monteleone and countless parents, students and alumni. Throughout the year, these compassionate volunteers come together to bring joy and warmth to those in need. Each visit includes singing festive songs, engaging in meaningful conversations, and sharing delicious food and refreshments. Additionally, they prepare goodie bags filled with treats to brighten the spirits of those they visit.
Community service is a hallmark event for students in St. Jerome School, West Long Branch.
This ongoing initiative exemplifies a genuine commitment to community service and compassion, making a lasting impact on both the students and the families they support. Currently, 8th grade students and Mrs. Monteleone are gearing up for the Operation Life Valentine Day’s Party.
ST. JOAN OF ARC SCHOOL, MARLTON
Students in St. Joan of Arc School, Marlton, enjoyed having special persons in their lives join them for Mass and a visit to their school.
During Catholic Schools Week St. Joan of Arc students participated in a variety of joyful and faith-filled activities. For a school-wide service project students collected cereal and soup for
In Focus the community food pantry, along with monetary donations for the Archdiocese of L.A. Wildfire Relief Fund.
Students gathered for SJA Bingo, 8th grade and Faculty Volleyball Game, Sports Teams Showcase, and our highlight of the week, Grandparents and Special Persons Day. The day began with the celebration of Mass, for which the church was packed with students and special persons. After Mass, guests enjoyed refreshments by the PTA and were welcomed into students’ classrooms. It was a wonderful day and a perfect way to celebrate CSW highlighting faith, service and the school/parish community.
ST. JOHN VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL, HOLMDEL
Awas “The Bible Comes Alive.”
Each class chose a Bible story to study and bring to life. Many classes re-enacted their chosen stories through plays, songs, dances and interactive station activities. All 31 classes traveled to other classrooms to experience the Bible in a variety of creative ways, collecting paper Bible charms along the way to create a keepsake ring adorned with Bible verses.
Students involved with Catholic Athletes for Christ in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, during a visit to the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Menlo Park.
s Catholic Athletes for Christ, SJV Lancers serve elderly and disabled veterans at NJ Veterans Memorial Home (Menlo Park) twice a month. Our Cathletes live the Gospel by visiting the sick. They serve those who served, by assisting staff with the planned activities for the day. Bi-weekly, different SJV athletic teams interact with and brighten the days of our beloved veterans. SJV also hosts field trips from the veterans’ home to its campus for athletic events where they are recognized as honorary captains. The Campus Ministry, through Catholic Athletes for Christ, promotes Catholic Identity at SJV by giving back to those who have defended our freedom.
SJV is excited to share its curricular offerings to its newest academy, the Pre-Law Academy, which will begin in September of 2025. This program will offer students a challenging path, dual enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. Students will also have the opportunity to graduate from St. John Vianney High School with twenty-seven college credits and a digital portfolio of projects, videos, and written work. The Pre-Law Academy will give students an opportunity to have real life experience studying business law, criminology and other areas of law, with a culminating capstone experience in their senior year as participants in a mock trial program.
ST. JOSEPH GRADE SCHOOL, TOMS RIVER
St. Joseph Grade School family embraces the call to holiness to know, love and serve Jesus Christ. The school dedicated this Catholic Schools Week to a special theme – and this year, the theme
As part of the celebration, students dressed as saints and shared information about their lives and virtues. The highlight of the week was the Saints Parade, where students proudly showcased their chosen saints throughout the school.
“The Bible Comes Alive” was among the features of Catholic Schools Week events in St. Joseph School, Toms River. Classes had the opportunity to reflect on a story from Scripture and then reenact it by presenting plays, songs, dances and teachings on what they learned.
In the spirit of being the hands and feet of Christ, SJGS held a paid pajama day to support the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s National Pajama Day fundraiser. The school is thrilled to donate $1,305 to C.H.O.P. to help provide comfort and care to children in need. Additionally, the school hosted the “SOUP-er” Bowl soup can collection for the St. Joseph Food Pantry. Students voted for the team they believed would win the Super Bowl, all while helping provide meals for families in need.
ST. LEO THE GREAT SCHOOL, LINCROFT
During a Catholic Schools Week Mass celebrated by their pastor, Father John Folchetti, students from St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, participate in the presentation of the gifts.
St. Leo the Great School joyfully celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a series of events honoring students, teachers and families, beginning with an opening prayer that set a reflective tone for the days ahead.
The school recognized its dedicated faculty for Teacher Appreciation Day with a dress-down day and head and shoulder massages, while the PTA provided a grab-and-go breakfast, followed by a catered lunch in the cafeteria.
Father John T. Folchetti celebrated a special Mass for the entire community as a beautiful reminder of why we celebrate. He spoke
Saint Leo the Great School
about the true purpose of Catholic education – to know, to love, and to serve God in this world and the next. Parents were lauded for their dedication and support of the school and the sacrifices they make. Parents were then invited to visit their child’s classrooms. Students in grades 4-8 showcased their spelling skills in the Scripps Spelling Bee. The event was live streamed to all classrooms, while parents tuned in from home to share in the excitement.
Student Appreciation Day concluded the week, with students dressed in spirit wear and enjoying ice cream. Pre-K students were captivated by a performance from George the Magician, while K-5 students were inspired by Corey the Dribbler, a youth motivational speaker who wowed them with his basketball tricks. Meanwhile, students in grades 6-8 had a blast with the Game Bus experience. The 8th graders capped off the celebration with a lively game of Family Feud.
ST. MARY ACADEMY, MANAHAWKIN
Focusing on the Jubilee Year theme of hope and peace in January, St. Mary Academy kicked off Catholic Schools Week by having the students show gratitude for the Armed Forces/Law Enforcement for serving as its guardians of peace. Not only did they create a petition for peace in the Universal Prayer at our CSW Mass, but the students also created and wrote thank you cards to those currently serving. The week was filled with fun activities that included a Student
STEAM Curriculum Pre-K–8th Grade
Back to Back U.S. Department of Education
National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
School Wide Character Development Program
State of the Art STEAM Wing
STEAM Curriculum Preschool - 8th Grade
Microsoft Tablets Provided for all Fifth through Eighth Grade Students
Positivity Project Character Development Program
3 and 5 Day Academic 4 Year Old Pre-K Program
Microsoft Tablets Provided for All Middle School Students
Extended Day and After School Care Available
Full Day Kindergarten 2, 3, and 5-day Preschool for 3 and 4 year olds
Extended Day and Afterschool Care Available
Lizanne Coyne, principal, and students from St. Mary Academy, Manahawkin, enjoy many of the Catholic Schools Week activities.
Showcase, the 6th Annual PreK-K Prom, Middle School Movie Day (6th-8th), Middle Grades Social (1st-5th) the Annual 8th Grade versus Faculty Volleyball Match up and Pep Rally, and closed with a Spaghetti Dinner and Social. Throughout the week, the PTA supported these activities with great treats.
The students and faculty at St. Mary Academy look forward to Catholic Schools Week each year and the opportunity to celebrate our Catholic education and each other, fostering a sense of unity and pride.
ST. MARY OF THE LAKES SCHOOL, MEDFORD
Honoring first responders was a Catholic Schools Week highlight in St. Mary of the Lakes School, Medford. Here students stand in front of a helicopter that was flown in by a Coast Guard member.
St. Mary of the Lakes School spent Catholic Schools Week creating memorable moments. A day of service celebrated the community, with students writing letters to the homebound, making cards for first responders and making sandwiches for Cathedral Kitchen. Students were celebrated with a special movie viewing and popcorn.
To celebrate the nation, the school had a First Responders Parade and the Coast Guard landed a helicopter on the front lawn followed by a Q & A with 8th grade. Vocations were highlighted with a visit from Sister Laura Downing from Immaculate Heart of Mary. She spoke to younger grades and to the girls in 3rd-8th grades while Father Kevin met with the boys in 3rd-8th grade. A pep rally closed out the celebratory week.
ST. MARY SCHOOL, MIDDLETOWN
St. Mary School has embraced a Catholic Classical Liberal Arts educational philosophy, leading to a profound cultural shift within the school community. This model prioritizes intellectual depth,
spiritual formation, and moral character, shaping students to seek truth, beauty, and goodness. The classical model also places a strong emphasis on the arts and creativity. Education at St. Mary School is not solely about academics; it’s about nurturing students’ hearts and souls.
“We’re not just preparing students for tests or careers; we’re preparing them for life in its fullest sense,” says Father Jeff Kegley, director of St. Mary School and pastor of St. Mary Parish. “The Catholic Classical Liberal Arts philosophy reconnects students with the essence of learning, where faith and reason are partners in discovering God’s creation.”
Father Jeffrey Kegley, pastor of St. Mary Parish, Middletown, and Craig Palmer, principal of the school, join current students for a photo following Mass. The school prides in providing a Classical Catholic Education.
At the heart of this transformation is the integrated nature of classical education, which views all subjects as interconnected pieces of a greater whole. Subjects such as logic, rhetoric, theology, and the Great Books are woven together to create a cohesive curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and holistic understanding.
“Our goal is to teach students to think, question, and understand the world deeply and meaningfully,” notes Craig Palmer, principal. “We want them to see the connections between subjects, and ultimately, how all knowledge reflects God’s wisdom and truth.”
ST. PAUL SCHOOL, BURLINGTON
Faculty and students enjoy a themed dress-down day in St. Paul School, Burlington, during Catholic Schools Week.
To celebrate the community during Catholic Schools Week, St. Paul students wore neon accessories and wrote letters expressing their gratitude to different community organizations.
Teacher chose a dress-down theme for their students on the day set aside for celebrating staff; each classroom represented a different theme and dressed the part. The school celebrated the teachers and staff with a lovely luncheon, and they received a gift in their mailboxes.
Students wore pajamas and staff wore spirit wear for a day focused on celebrating students and donated $5 to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The annual pep rally kicked off with an exciting exhibition basketball game, energized by our spirited cheerleaders
and lion mascot. The fun continued as 8th grade students took on the staff in a thrilling volleyball match, making for a memorable day of school spirit and friendly competition.
To celebrate vocations, all students dressed as their envisioned future vocation. Bob Kelly from Fox29 News visited to view the Catholic Schools Week activities, which included Penny Wars and a friendly staff Mario Brothers race.
The Catholic Schools Week Special Persons Mass celebrated families, followed by an early dismissal so students could leave with their special person to have lunch with them.
ST. PAUL SCHOOL, PRINCETON
The Sunday Open House launched Catholic Schools Week by welcoming many prospective families for tours. The following day students were blessed to attend a school-wide Mass celebrated by Bishop O’Connell, followed by his visits to several classrooms, where he spent time with our students. Throughout the week, students enjoyed a variety of activities that highlighted the spirit of Catholic education.
Father Christopher Dayton, pastor of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, poses with two students during the Catholic Schools Week Vocations Day celebration.
Student/Teacher Swap Dress Day brought laughter and fun as students and teachers switched wardrobes for the day. Religion/USA Bingo, broadcast live from the library by our Student Council, kept everyone engaged and learning. Career Day inspired students to dream big as parents visited to share about their professional lives, truly emphasizing the “bright” futures ahead. Jersey Day gave students a chance to dress down and show off their favorite teams. Vocations Day allowed St. Paul clergy to visit classrooms and speak about the beauty of answering God’s call. The annual pep rally on Friday brought the whole school together in celebration, capping off a week of excitement – including the much-anticipated conclusion of the Rock Paper Scissors tournament!
Service is always at the heart of Catholic Schools Week, and St. Paul students lived out their faith through acts of kindness. They created placemats for Loaves & Fishes, delivered treats to school neighbors (thanks to the PTA!), and wrote letters of appreciation to local first responders. They also ran a week-long cereal drive, collecting 815 boxes for Mt. Carmel Guild to help those in need.
ST. PETER SCHOOL, POINT PLEASANT BEACH
At St. Peter School, the excitement of discovery comes to life in the new Living Science Lab, where science and faith converge to
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St. Peter School, Point Pleasant Beach, students receive animal and plantbased lessons in the school’s new Living Science Lab.
form a dynamic, hands-on learning environment.
Guided by dedicated science teacher, Andrea Langella, students discover the beauty of God’s creation through the care of animals, including two bearded dragons, a gecko, a bunny, a guinea pig, a turtle, a bird, and fish. Caring for these animals isn’t just about feeding and cleaning; it’s about nurturing respect for life, showing reverence for God’s creatures, and taking responsibility for their well-being. These lessons extend beyond the animals, teaching students to approach all living things with compassion and care, which are foundational to our Catholic values and the teachings at St. Peter School. Through these experiences, students not only grow in their understanding of science but also in their understanding of their role in the world as stewards of creation.
In addition to the animal- and plant-based lessons, St. Peter’s students utilize Discover Ed kits to enrich their scientific exploration. These kits are designed to support hands-on experiments and laboratory activities that expand upon their classroom science curriculum. Each kit provides a new element of discovery that makes science come alive.
In the Living Science Lab, science becomes a pathway to living out the core values of St. Peter School – respect, reverence, and responsibility – while encouraging students to build a stronger connection to their faith and the world around them.
ST. RAPHAEL SCHOOL, HAMILTON
Torder, the Sisters of St. Francis. In her touching letter, Sister Mary recounted her own experiences with devotion to the saint; her words, which accompany a cherished relic of St. Marianne, highlighted the enduring legacy of service and love that the saint exemplified in her life, especially in her work with the marginalized in Hawaii.
The entire community is immensely proud of the 8th graders for honoring this remarkable saint and the values she represents. Through this celebration, the school continues to embrace their Catholic heritage and inspire one another to live out the Gospel each day. St. Raphael’s expresses deep gratitude for Mrs. Stokes, whose passion as a music teacher and embodiment of Catholic values enrich and bless the school community every day.
ST. ROSE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, BELMAR
During Catholic Schools Week, our 8th grade students hosted a school-wide Pep Rally, a time-honored tradition at St. Rose. The students prepare for weeks under the guidance of their teachers, Mrs. Colleen Reilly and Mrs. Laura Urspruch, practicing their leadership and public speaking skills announcing the games, tributes to the sports teams and their accomplishments, engaging the audience, and talking about the blessings of a Catholic education.
“Celebrating the Nation” was among the most enjoyed Catholic Schools Week activities in St. Rose Grammar School, Belmar.
St. Raphael School, Hamilton, eighth graders gather for a photo during Catholic Schools Week. A highlight for the students was learning about the life of St. Marianne Cope.
he 8th graders at St Raphael’s brought history and faith to life with a recent, heartfelt presentation on the life of St. Marianne Cope. Under the direction of music teacher Julianne Stokes – who has a deep personal devotion to Mother Marianne – the students shared inspiring stories of the saint’s unwavering compassion, dedication, and trust in God’s plan. Mrs. Stokes’ commitment to living out St. Marianne’s values is evident through all her work, and her devotion serves as a model for the St. Raphael’s community.
The school also received a testimonial through Mrs. Stokes from Sister Mary Nobis, a respected member of St. Marianne’s religious
Using the theme for that day, “Celebrating the Nation,” the theme of the pep rally was Red, White and Blue. The hosts certainly looked the part! During the rally, each grade was able to perform a song or play a game for the entire school to watch, and the excitement and energy in the gym throughout the morning was contagious. The last game of the day was a basketball knockout game with the 8th graders, teachers and staff. This year, principal Kevin Donahue was the last man standing! The pep rally is one of the school’s favorite ways to celebrate Catholic Schools Week as an entire school community – cheering each other on, singing, dancing, laughing and enjoying all of the gifts with which St. Rose Grammar School has blessed them.
ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL, BELMAR
This year, St. Rose High School and St. Rose Grammar School had the incredible opportunity to unite as one community, wrapping up Catholic Schools Week with a beautiful gathering that embodied the spirit of faith, fellowship, and family.
From Pre-K through 12th grade, students stood side by side, a powerful reminder that St. Rose is more than just a school – it is a family. This unity is at the heart of its mission that extends beyond the classroom and into the lives of students as they grow into faithfilled leaders of tomorrow.
Belmar’s St. Rose High School and St. Rose Grammar School students gather for a Mass during Catholic School’s Week.
At St. Rose, Catholic education is built upon a foundation of faith, service, and academic excellence, instilling in students the importance of community and discipleship. Coming together with the grammar school reflected this, as older students set an example of leadership while younger students were uplifted by the encouragement and support of their high school mentors.
This celebration was a testament to the strength and unity of the St. Rose community. As they continue their journey in Catholic education, they are reminded that faith binds them together, shaping the next generation of disciples who will go forth to serve, lead, and inspire.
VILLA VICTORIA ACADEMY, EWING
Villa Victoria Academy is pleased to announce that a group of Middle School and High School students will be singing at three locations in Rome during Easter week.
The Villa Victoria Select Concert Choir is an ensemble of students from grades 6-12, who have auditioned for the Junior and Senior Choruses, Middle and High School Honors Choirs, and High School A Capella group.
Shown are members of the Select Concert Choir in Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing, who are preparing to sing at three locations during an Easter Week visit to Rome.
Members of this choir have sung in biannual school concerts, and various local community events such as the Ewing Veteran’s Day Memorial Service and Trenton Thunder baseball games.
The Select Concert Choir will be performing in three recitals in the city of Rome the week of April 21-28, 2025. A group of Villa alumnae, parents, and teachers will accompany these 18 students. The Villa girls will be performing a variety of songs such as “Ave Verum,” “Festival Canticle” and “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”
Directing the Select Concert Choir on this international trip is Ms. Olivia Quinn, a proud graduate of VVA and Temple University. She currently works as an administrative assistant and additionally runs her own private music studio, where she gives vocal and piano instruction. Last spring, she directed two of Villa’s extracurricular choirs and musically directed their spring musical.
The group will be touring Italy and visiting historic and religious sites in Pisa, Pompeii, Siena, Florence and Rome. The choir also plans to meet up with the Rome-based Religious Teachers Filippini, the order that has owned and operated Villa Victoria Academy since 1933.
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