By Peter G. Sánchez, Staff Writer and Jennifer Mauro, Managing Editor
In addition to new shoes, colorful backpacks and pressed uniforms, some students in South Jersey’s Catholic schools added a new accessory to their wardrobe this year: white sunglasses.
“Pray for vocations,” Bishop Dennis Sullivan said, reading what was printed on the side of the numerous sunglasses he gave to students as he visited campuses across the Diocese during the first week of school – sharing laughs, high-fives and fist-bumps with youth of all ages.
Indeed, prayers were on the hearts and minds of thousands of teachers, administrators, staff, clergy, parents and students as the new school year got underway.
“Lord, look upon the teachers … let them strive to share their knowledge with gentle patience and work always to bring the truth to eager minds. Strengthen them with your gifts that they may teach by word and by example the truth that comes from you,” Bishop Sullivan said during his visits Sept. 6-7 to the schools of Our Lady of Hope, Blackwood; Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral, Camden; Guardian Angels, Paulsboro and Gibbstown; Bishop McHugh, Cape May Court House, and Saint Joseph, Somers Point.
“Look upon these students, let them enjoy their learning and take light in new discoveries. … Give them the desire to learn all things well,” he said.
In Camden, the Bishop walked among the pews of Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral, asking questions of students and answering a few, too.
“Why do we go to church?” he asked, barely finishing the question before a young girl shouted out, “Because we love God!”
Smiling, the Bishop responded, “That’s right. And God loves you. He is here with each one of you. … In our prayers today, let us bless the name of the Lord for providing us the opportunity to learn in a Catholic school.”
At Cherry Hill’s Resurrection Catholic School, fifth-grader Sofia Goncalves – in her plaid uniform, white backpack and carrying a purple water bottle – was among those excited for such an opportunity. At the opening of the school doors at 7:40 a.m. on Sept. 6, she admitted, “[I am] excited to see my friends” and dive into her favorite subject: math.
Accompanying her and her younger sister, second-grader Lilliana, was their mother, Nicole, who attended the school when it was known as Saint Peter Celestine. She praised her Catholic school education and reflected on her children’s experiences. “They appreciate their teacher, their friends. They look forward to school and learning.”
Parent Colleen Monahan noted the “smaller classes, more-focused attention on individual students and family feeling” that Resurrection offers are a benefit to her son, second-grader Bryce Herb. She stressed that this year is particularly important, as he will join his classmates in receiving both the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist.
“It means a lot to our family. It’s a rite of passage in his faith,” Monahan said.
Teachers and administrators joined in the excitement for the day and the year ahead, too.
“I’m excited to take these 350 students on this spiritual journey, academic journey. We are all ready for the next 10 months,” said Kyle Orosz, Saint Joseph Pro-Cathedral principal.
Principal Elizabeth Martino, in addressing youth at Our Lady of Hope Regional School, said she was excited to see how they will “become better disciples of Jesus, to come closer to Jesus each day.”
Patty Murphy, a third-grade teacher at Resurrection, has been an educator in South Jersey’s Catholic schools since 1990. “It’s going to be great getting to know all of them,” she said of this year’s youth. “Resurrection Catholic is a lighthouse for all students, leading them to God.”
After the smiles and welcomes from their friends and educators, students in all of the Diocese’s Catholic schools made their way to their new classrooms – waiting for their days to begin with morning prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
At Resurrection, a student read Scripture over the school’s loudspeaker. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
Eighth-grade teacher Christine Newman beamed as her class prepared to begin. Teaching in Catholic schools for the past 20 years, she enjoys “being able to share my love of God with students, pray with them and let them know that God is always beside them.”
Gerry Janansky, Resurrection’s principal, said she was ready to help students find the joy that comes in a life lived with God. “There’s nothing that beats Catholic education, which educates the whole child spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically.”
She continued, “We respect students for who they are, and see the beauty in who God made them to be. Seeing their smiles as they entered today means everything. They feel safe, they are happy to be here, and we can be their second home.”
See more photos from Bishop Sullivan’s visits to South Jersey’s Catholic Schools at https://catholicstarherald82.mypixieset.com/
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