In the Spotlight

On March 20th and March 21st, the Department of Catholic Schools sponsored a workshop for teachers in each of the four counties of the Diocese. The presenter was Stacey Leitzel from Zaner-Bloser and the topic of these workshops was brain development and its connection to reading and language. In order to maintain convenience for principals and teachers, a school was selected in each county to host the workshop for all of the schools of that county. St. Paul in Burlington (pictured above) hosted the workshop for Burlington County. Our lady of Sorrows in Hamilton was the host school for Mercer County. St. Leo the Great acted as host for the teachers of Monmouth County. Teachers from Ocean County were welcomed to St. Peter in Point Pleasant Beach. The Department of Catholic Schools extends a warm "Thank You" to Mrs. Kimberly CIoci, Mrs. Maureen Tuohy, Mr. Neil Begley, and Mrs. Tracey Kobrin for their generosity in opening their schools for these workshops.

A New Era Begins
On Monday, January 28th, Bishop David O'Connell and members of the Department of Catholic Schools visited the school communities of St. Aloysius and St. Veronica as they came together for the day. This summer, these two schools, rich in history, will join together to form a new school, Mother Seton Academy. The day began with a beautiful Mass, celebrated by the Bishop and the pastors Very Rev. John Bambrick and Rev. Vincent Euk, Rev. John Chang and Rev. James Smith, and Deacon Gino Esposito from the two parishes. At Mass, students from both merging schools proclaimed the word of God and led the community in song. After Mass, students joined together to take part in a number of STEM activities, lunch, and fun games. What a wonderful beginning to a new Era for Mother Seton Academy!

A Special Visit with the Bishop
On Thursday, January 31st, The students and staff of St. Rose of Lima School had a special visitor. Bishop O'Connell came to the school to spend a few hours to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. All of the grade levels had an opportunity to sit and spend some time with Bishop David. The students in the younger grades sang songs, danced, and performed skits. Grades 5 through 8 had the opportunity to sit and spend some quality time with the bishop. These classes had the opportunity to ask the bishop any question that they had on their minds. It was a wonderful chance for the youngsters to have a conversation with their shepherd-a chance that many Catholic school students never have. While the temperatures outside were bitterly cold, the reception at St. Rose of Lima was a warm indeed!