Grade school students of Berlin’s Our Lady of Mount Carmel School recently created footprints with paint and then had their feet washed, imitating Jesus’ cleansing of his disciples’ feet on Holy Thursday, and providing a lesson on serving others. (Katie Hudrick)
With in-person learning, South Jersey Catholic Schools have remained immersed in their collective mission: to educate and inspire young minds spiritually, academically and in service to others. The pace and breadth of activities during Lent has enabled growth in all three areas.
Growing Spiritually
Throughout the 40 days of Lent, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Camden have had Masses and prayer services, walked and performed the Stations of the Cross and dedicated countless hours and acts of service as a way to grow in faith.
To celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph, many schools had Masses to honor Jesus’ earthly father. At Saint Mary School in Williamstown, second graders planned Mass for the feast of Saint Joseph, with a large cross on the altar bearing prayers and petitions from the school and community. In keeping with tradition, eighth grade boys at Our Lady of Hope School in Blackwood planned the Mass for Saint Joseph — a chance for them to identify with a role model on their journey to become young men.
Second grade students at Saint Vincent de Paul School in Mays Landing and Christ the King School in Haddonfield received the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time, a milestone on their path to first Eucharist later this spring. The youngest students at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School created footprints with paint and then had their feet washed for an early faith lesson about the love and humility that come with serving others, as Jesus did.
Growing Academically
For both full-time and remote learners, South Jersey Catholic Schools remain committed to academic excellence and creative ideas for learning. Elementary schools broke records with read-a-thons, especially during Read across America week, which coincided with Dr. Seuss’s birthday. At Wildwood Catholic Academy, students imitated their favorite Seuss character. Costumes were also a hit at Saint Margaret School in Woodbury Heights, where students dressed as an assigned adjective. It was Roaring 20s attire with students’ presentations at Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral School in Camden
Whenever possible, schools make use of the outdoors. At Saint Michael the Archangel School in Clayton, seventh grade students have been outside studying biomes and ecosystems and helping to get the school’s garden ready for spring planting. In Vineland, Bishop Schad fourth grade students had a nature scavenger hunt on the school grounds, checking off the list when they found things they could touch, like “something spikey,” or hear, like “something repetitive.” Sixth graders at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Atlantic City had a sensory experience as well, working with graduate students at Stockton University to make sensory devices for occupational therapy.
The creative use of Oreo cookies to show phases of the moon likely served up some delicious sensory benefits for sixth grade students at Saint Mary in Vineland. Popsicles provided the base materials — sticks — for catapults designed by fourth graders at Guardian Angels School in Gibbstown and Paulsboro. In a less tasty science lesson, Saint Teresa, Runnemede, seventh graders dissected owl pellets (undigested food) to learn about owls’ digestive patterns.
Science and history intersected during Women’s History Month at Resurrection School in Cherry Hill, where first graders learned about Mae Jemison, the first African American woman astronaut, and completed an “out of this world” writing activity. Stepping back in time, sixth graders at Saint John Paul II School in Stratford got under their desks to paint like Michelangelo.
Saint Peter School, Merchantville, sixth graders researched travel destinations and used spreadsheets and Google Maps to create tourist guides for places like Paris, Mexico City and Tokyo. In Woodbury, Holy Angels School welcomed new middle school students into its National Junior Honor Society chapter.
March Madness came to Sacred Heart School in Camden in the form of fun academic competitions — such as spelling bees, math drills, Jeopardy and all-around trivia. At Saint Cecilia School in Pennsauken, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students collectively completed 100,000 math questions on the learning site IXL. Camden’s Holy Name School is having fun learning with their new smart boards.
Serving Others
The pandemic hasn’t hampered efforts to serve others, a core value in every Catholic school. In response to a request for 100 “blessing bags,” families at Saint Joseph School in Somers Point delivered 1,973 bags filled with snacks, drinks, toiletries and other personal items to shelters and missions in southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Assumption School in Galloway provided a meal to Atlanticare Health System and Air National Guard Reserves who were giving out vaccines at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Saint Rose of Lima School, Haddon Heights, Girl Scouts had a similar idea, selling more than 200 boxes of cookies to donate to vaccination sites. In Cape May Court House, families at Bishop McHugh School collected money for Little Sisters of the Poor, a Lenten tradition for sisters who care for the elderly poor.
Time for Fun
After spending a third of last school year learning remotely, students in South Jersey Catholic Schools have relished being together in person. Navigating the world of social distancing, schools have found ways to continue treasured traditions and create new memories.
At Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, the National Honor Society completely transformed the hallways with a star-studded surprise to celebrate every member of the class of 2021.
High school theater made a comeback with socially distanced performances of “A Chorus Line” at Holy Spirit in Absecon, and “She Loves Me” at Wildwood Catholic.
A dazzling new basketball dance team made its debut at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield. At Gloucester Catholic High School, Spirit Week and open mic nights have kept students entertained and connected.
The Diocese of Camden has 25 elementary schools and five diocesan high schools. Limited seats are still available for the 2021-22 school year.
To learn more visit www.southjerseycatholicschools.org.
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