SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, December 4th, 7:30 p.m.

We are pleased to invite all family, friends, & special guests (readers of our blog) to a special Advent Family Prayer Service on Tuesday evening, December 4th at the St. Walburga Monastery Chapel at 7:30 p.m. The service will be approximately 45 minutes. Special Guest Artist, Rev. Matthew Labriola, will create a charcoal painting of the Nativity Scene before our very eyes as we hear the Christmas Story. Sister Germaine Fritz and our Gospel Choir will join our pianist in providing sacred music and song. This will be a Christmas event that you will always remember!
No reservations necessary. All are welcome.

Come early and join us for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting, hot chocolate & sandwiches at 6:15 p.m. across the street at Benedictine Academy School. For more information, call the Development office @ (908) 352-0670, ext. 105, 106, or 107. R.S.V.P. only for those who are planning to attend the light dinner hosted by BAPA (Parents Association)

Thanksgiving Prayer Service

Benedictine Academy's Gospel Choir and Praise Dancers

began our special Thanksgiving Prayer Service

giving thanks and praise to our awesome God.

"Our Father, we are thankful in deed
for this time we have set aside,
to call us from our busy walk in life,
to give thanks for the many wonderful things
you do in our lives.
We pause to say "THANK YOU"
because we are grateful... in Jesus Name. Amen."
Our Beloved Rev. Davis gave an inspiring Thanksgiving Sermon to our Benedictine School Community this past Wednesday morning. He spoke of our society being caught between "GREED" & "NEED"; and of the importance of treasuring all that we have been given so that we may take the opportunity to share the excess with others who are less fortunate.

Rev. Davis is the father of alumnae, Ericka Davis, graduating class of '07.

Thanksgiving Food Drive

Literally hundreds of canned goods and nonperishable food items were collected to share with families who are in need. Working together with St. Joseph's Coalition for the Homeless, our National Honor Society Students in conjuction with our Campus Ministers, Sisters on a Mission, raised the awareness of their classmates to help feed the hungry. In less than one week, students were bringing in bags and bags of canned vegetables, soups, boxes of oatmeal, and other food staples. "Lord, when did we see you...? Whenever you gave to the least of my brothers, you gave to me." (Matthew 25:31-46)

PEER MENTORING PROGRAM IS FULLY UNDERWAY

BA's Senior Campus Ministers meet every other week with our Freshmen Students to support and guide them as they become acclimated to new high school/teenage challenges. This week the hot topic of discussion was "gossip" and how it erodes relationships between God, the listener, the person being spoken about, and even one self. Our daily motto is "Whatever hurts my sister hurts me." This Program is only one of the many ways we at Benedictine Academy live out our charism of being a family, a real community.

NOT NOW!

This week, Marisol Rodriguez from the NJ Coalition for Abstinence empowered our students to stand strong and choose to be free. In other words, "NO SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE". Our students learned of the media lies, short term and long term dangers of STD's and the power of self-control. Most important, our young ladies learned they are worthy of the best. They are God's treasure and they have been given the choice to be in control of their destiny!

Especially for Moms

Hi Moms and Grandmothers!
This message is especially for you.
Simply click on the following site, sit back and enjoy...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anSpBUxsgAU
God Bless You.

Blue Angels cook for the Homeless

On Monday, the Blue Angels heard the cry of the poor and responded to Jesus with "Yes, My Lord"! They brought in their chili mix, red kidney beans, macaroni, tomatoes and ground beef to make 12 pans of chili to feed the hungry. The pans were frozen and will be delivered on the third Sunday of the month to Eva's Kitchen in Paterson. Students passing through the cafeteria said it smelled so good that they wondered if there was any leftovers to share!

ALL SAINTS DAY

On November 1st, the entire school, one sacred community walked to our neighborhood church, St. Catherine of Sienna Church. This act of journeying together to celebrate Mass among the local community with Father Aurelio has become a well-loved tradition at Benedictine Academy.

On All Saints Day, we recall that each saint has something to teach us about living as good Christians. St. Benedict in His Rule has taught us how to litsen with the ear of our hearts to God and one another. St. Scholastica teaches us about the gift of faith and the power of prayer. And St. Catherine of Sienna calls us, like St. Francis of Assisi, to be peacemakers in our world. Mary, Mother of Jesus, St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, St. Catherine, and St. Francis, pray for us and all our readers of the blog. Amen.

PUMPKIN PATCH

The Blue Angels planted a surprise pumpkin patch for the precious little pre-school children at St. Walburga Monastery. As Caspar the friendly ghost looked on, the little boys and girls quickly scattered selecting just the right pumpkin to take home to share with their family. But first, they painted their pumpkins with the help of our Blue Angels. The Blue Angels are our Junior Campus Ministers who are dedicated to spreading God's love through prayer and good deeds. Smiles and laughter filled the air. It was a blessed day for everyone!