Thanksgiving Food Drive

Two months ago, our students made a commitment to perform 

911 good deeds.  In remembrance of the good lives lost on 

September 11,  they have been doing small acts of kindness, 

generous giving to help those in need, and volunteering 

their time and talents to the local and global communities.

Filled with passion to make a difference in this world, our school 

community showed what the Power of One and the Power of 170 

students when they joined together. 

This morning, the Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless sent a large 

van to our school to collect over 1520 cans and boxes of dry goods 

to feed those who have less than us.  Together, we can and are 

making our world a better place!

Operation Shoebox

The holiday season brings much cheer and joy to all the little boys 

and girls around the globe  But what about the child who will wake 

up on Christmas morning to an empty spot under the tree?  

While our National Honor Society was planning and organizing gifts 

for the Christmas Giving Tree for the Elizabeth Coalition for the 
Homeless, Ms. Medina's students decided to work with Santa 
in wrapping shoe boxes filled with stocking stuffer items such 
as new boxes of crayons, pens, T-shirts, balls, stuffed animals 
and boxes of Uno.  They also collected over $100 to give for 
shipping costs of the shoeboxes.

Franklin Graham, the President of Samaritan’s Purse, which oversees 

Operation Christmas Child, encourages all his volunteers to “Pack 

your shoe box with love, send it with prayer, and share the Good News 

of Jesus Christ with a poor little child. That’s the power of a simple gift.”

At Benedictine Academy, we did just that!  Students and staff 

brought in shoeboxes packed with love, good things, and a 

little prayer.  It was an early Christmas for all of us as we experienced 

our own gift of joy this season.

Clothing Drive

Benedictine Academy is paying attention to the signs of the times.  
The early snow fall was a message from Mother Nature warning us to 
be prepared for the cold winter months ahead.   We also had cause to 
reflect on our neighbors who were falling on hard times.  "Whatsoever 
you do to the least of my brothers that you do unto Me.  When I was 
naked, you clothed me..." (Matthew 25:31-46)

Mrs. Paul sent an S.O.S.  throughout the school and we collected 
over 20 giant bags of clothing weighing in at over 1000 lbs!!!  
 At Benedictine Academy, we believe it is our responsibility to reach 
out into the local communities and serve our brothers and sisters in need.      

FAITH FOR JUSTICE TEAM

Three of our Senior Globe Changers Leaders, Ariana, Andie, and Caroline
had the distinct privilege and honor to be invited by Ken Morris, Jr., 
the great great great grandson of Frederick Douglass, the "Father of
Civil Rights" to be part of the Faith for Justice Team, comprised of young
people across the country who are interested in advocating against Human Trafficking, a 21st century Modern Day Slavery.

 

 

THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS FAMILY FOUNDATION has recently released a new Service-Learning program for schools entitled HISTORY, HUMAN RIGHTS, and the POWER OF ONE.

Kay Buck, the Executive Director of CAST, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Tracking, says:  

"The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking is honored to partner 

with the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation in their effort to create
social change by engaging our youth ... 

Youth are a critical force in this movement and this curriculum will go far in nurturing anew generation of leaders and agents of social change."   

For more information, go to 
http://www.fdff.org/history-human-rights-and-the-power-of-one.html  or call us at (908) 352-0670, ext. 125

POWER OF ONE

It was a fun-filled day as our Faith for Justice Team gathered family and friends to make a video for/with the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation to abolish Human Trafficking.

We feel it is our social responsibility to stop this gross injustice. The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation received the rights to the most awesome song by Christian Singer, Israel Houghton, The Power of One.

Benedictine Academy Students are joining several youth groups across the country to advocate on behalf of their suffering younger sisters and brothers across the globe.

As the lyrics state, "What if all depended on me to change the world?  Don't hang around. Stand up or sit down...  It all began with the Power of One joining the hundreds of millions of people believing... we can change the world." 

SOPHOMORE RETREAT

Although it was a cloudy day on the outside, the sun was shining brightly on the inside of St. Joseph's Shrine Retreat Center in Stirling.  Rev. Bill Paige, Youth Chaplain of Young Life shared the Good News of Jesus to our sophomore class. 

  
As he spoke about the importance of forgiveness, Bill reminded the students that before we can forgive others, we must first forgive ourselves.  We gently closed our eyes and listened to the Word tell us of God's healing touch.  We laughed, we cried, and we broke bread together. 

Gathered in the Name of Jesus, we experienced His loving presence in our midst.  At Benedictine Academy, we are one sacred community, a family who cares about our sisters.

Celebrating our Youth

On Sunday, November 13, the Archdiocese of Newark will be celebrating young people who have given outstanding service to the community, school and/or parish.   These are the young people who move us to say "Thank God" for all of their support throughout the year.  


We have two Junior Students at Benedictine Academy who will be receiving the recognition and honor they so justly deserve.  On Sunday,  MARTHA DEVIA and KELLY AMORIM will receive the ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARD.   

We congratulate you both and are grateful for all you do and are to our communities.  Our prayer is that God bless you one hundred fold for all the blessings that we and others have received from your good works.