CHERRY HILL – “We need to feed our young students – not with food – but with the opportunity to receive a quality education … a quality Catholic education that may change their lives dramatically.”
Such were the words of Msgr. Andrew Martin as he spoke March 19 about the mission of Catholic education during the South Jersey Scholarship Fund breakfast. About 80 people gathered for the breakfast, which was sponsored by the Catholic Business Network of South Jersey and held at the Legacy Club. The event raised $22,000, though donations continue to be accepted at southjerseyscholarshipfund.org.
“Our purpose is not only to get students into good colleges, but to get them to heaven. If you and I can help accomplish that, we are serving God’s purpose,” Msgr. Martin said.
Msgr. Martin, a lifelong champion of Catholic education, has served at Paul VI High School, Gloucester Catholic High School, Saint James High School, and now Camden Catholic as president emeritus. In his honor, the Monsignor Andrew Martin Award for Excellence in Catholic Education will be awarded annually.
Among those in attendance was Bishop Joseph A. Williams, who reflected on this Feast Day of Saint Joseph.
“We are building bridges for those who desire a Catholic education. … In these green pastures of our Catholic schools is God’s work,” he said. “Through Saint Joseph’s intercession, you are all here.”
Other guest speakers included Ed Wade, former Philadelphia Phillies general manager and 2025 Phillies Wall of Fame inductee, and award recipient Talia Shumate, a Gloucester Catholic senior who will attend Loyola University Maryland to major in biomedical engineering. She said with gratitude, “Your kindness has opened doors for me.”
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