Visiting the community of Saint Peter School, Bishop Joseph Williams looked around the gymnasium, taking note of the purple in the school’s colors – the same shade as the football team in his home state of Minnesota.
“Are you Vikings fans?” he asked with a smile, as the students responded no, they were Eagles fans.
Nevertheless, Bishop Williams noted the eternal connection they all share. “What we all have in common, whether we’re Vikings fans or Eagles fans, is that we believe in Jesus Christ,” he said. “What a privilege that we go to a school where you can mention the name of Jesus.”
The students gathered Sept. 4 for a prayer service before class was similar to scenes across the Diocese during the first week of school. Whether hugging parents before the first bell rung, greeting old friends, meeting new teachers and high-fiving clergy, the excitement was palpable in South Jersey’s Catholic schools.
At Saint Peter in Merchantville, Bishop Williams spoke of the school’s namesake – the fisherman who first encountered Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. When Jesus appeared, the Bishop said, “Peter was tired and disappointed that he hadn’t caught any fish. Jesus said something strange – ‘Go out a little bit deeper, and put your nets out on the right side of the boat.’”
Despite this unusual request, Peter agreed, catching more than he ever could have imagined. After that first encounter, “Peter always wanted to do what Jesus asked him to do, even if it didn’t make sense,” the Bishop said.
Like the first apostle, the youth must be attentive to the voice of Jesus, “found through your teachers, parents, priests and heart,” he said. “Thank God for the voice of the Lord that comes to us through our Catholic schools.”
The voice of Jesus was indeed heard at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Regional School in Berlin as staff greeted students Sept. 3. “We’re thrilled to get students back and worship together again,” said Principal Alice Malloy. Watching students hug their friends and give high-fives, she said, “The school comes alive when we see their excitement and their desire to learn.”
As Nicole Gordon dropped off her two children, first-grader Avery and kindergartener Emmy, she reflected on how she appreciates the school’s family-oriented environment. A 1996 graduate of the school, she is excited to “share the tradition of learning with my children as they grow socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually.”
Another graduate of the school, Carole Supino, Class of 1983, now teaches seventh- and eighth-grade reading and writing. She wants her pupils to “feel happy and fulfilled here, like I was.”
“My spiritual life began here,” she added. “I want them to be spiritually grounded here and help them to become disciples.”
Seventh-grader Sofia Vespe can already relate to Supino’s sentiments. “I’ve been coming to this school for eight years, and I know it’s a good environment, with good people.”
“This school has helped me make a connection with Jesus, and grow closer to Him,” she added.
As she returned to Saint Teresa Regional School in Runnemede on Sept. 2, eighth-grader Daniella King was looking forward to a year of volleyball and time as treasurer of the student council. She also had advice for the school’s younger students. “Listen to your teachers, and definitely put in the work.”
Joe Vandenberg, who teaches advanced math to students in grades five through eight at Saint Teresa, also shared some back-to-school wisdom.
“Come in with the expectation that you are going to have a good time, and be part of the reason other students have a good time as well,” he said.
At Saint Peter School, third-grade teacher Katie Rotondi was pleased with Bishop Williams’ message to be attentive to Christ. “I want all my students to know Him,” she said of the Lord. “Catholic education puts youth on the fast track to heaven.”
Michael Bress, communications and marketing manager for the Diocese’s Office of Catholic Education, contributed to this report.
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