U.N. Trafficking Protocol

The Olympic Games are rapidly approaching and international sport events often attract people who exploit others for profit. Our students decided to be proactive in encouraging the government to take additional steps to help prevent human trafficking from occurring at the Olympic Games. They wrote letters to Congress sharing their concerns and asking for increased security to keep potential victims safe. Stopping Human Trafficking is a key concern of our BA students. If you are interested in receiving more information or a copy of our documentary, please call Campus Ministry. It is our Mission to preserve the human dignity of all our sisters and brothers. AT BA, we believe "whatever hurts my sister hurts me".

Paper Bag Campaign

We're helping more hungry children get healthy lunches in other schools across the country. Bridges Outreach program has informed us that "Child Nutrition programs are up for federal reauthorization this spring. That means that Congress will have the opportunity to make vast improvements to programs such as School Breakfast and Lunch, Summer Food, and Women, Infants and Children (WIC), so that more children in need will have access to healthy food at home, at school and in the community, helping them learn and grow to their full potential!" Our Campus Ministers gathered the support of their BA sisters to join their voices to the NJ Anti-Hunger Coalition (NJAHC) by decorating lunch bags that will be presented at a press conference at the State House in Trenton and delivered to our Congressional Representative. CHILDREN NEED NUTRITION TO LEARN AND GROW! At BA, we care and are committed to alleviate the suffering in our world.

Goodnight Moon!

Our Campus Ministers were hard at work preparing to make soft cuddly fleece pillows for little children without a home. Babysitting at the Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless is just one of the many ways our BA students are touching lives in the local community. We are committed to caring for the poor and young at risk. Last year over 15% of our student body received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Service Leadership is at the heart of every student as they live out their Mission to Listen, Learn, Love & Lead.

PRO-LIFE MARCH

"The Rally for Life March in Washington D.C. was a phenomenal experience", says Senior Vanessa Devia. People of all ages, from infants to the elderly, joined together to walk for the Right to Life on January 22. Sister Lauren Trinh led 17 BA Students, with St. Benedicts Prep, to come together as a Benedictine family to walk for the rights of the unborn. At Benedictine Academy, we believe in the dignity of every human being, in or out of the womb. Social Justice is part of who we are and speaking out as a voice for the voiceless is our duty, our privilege, our honor.

NOOMA HOUR

This year the Religion Department has introduced a new spiritual component to its curriculum called the Nooma Hour. Nooma means "Breath of the Spirit". Each month, a different theme is selected to reflect the liturgical calendar and the classroom is transformed into a sacred place of prayer. Listen to what students are saying: "The teachings of Jesus Christ and Nooma has helped me understand myself and become closer to God." "I am able to reflect on my life and get closer to God." "Nooma connects me to what is going on in my life and understand where God is in the middle of it all." At Benedictine Academy, we believe Jesus Christ is the first teacher of every classroom. How blessed are we to be able to freely acknowledge the one true Lord of our lives!

EVANGELIZATION

The Spirit is alive at Benedictine Academy. We are blessed to have 14 students who are working with Sr. Donna Jo, Mrs. Michalski, St. Catherine of Siena and the local parishes to receive their sacraments. Our students know that the sacraments offer a deeper encounter with God. They are excited to be baptized into the faith, receive the real presence of the body and blood of Jesus, experience the healing of reconciliation, and be empowered with the Holy Spirit to spread the faith like the apostles in the Upper room. We invited our students to know Jesus in a deeper way, and they said yes". How beautiful is that!

BA FILM FEST

The Good News at Benedictine Academy: Our school has been awarded a grant to purchase the latest technological equipment, cutting-edge software for all the computers throughout the school, and will receive professional training and mentorship in film production. We were recently selected by Free the Children as an Adobe Youth Voices participant for the year 2010. Our BA Students join a global network of schools in the United States, Canada, London and India. They will be expressing their ideas about important social issues and have their voices heard world-wide through the use of 21st century media. Adobe Youth Voices gives BA another creative and exciting way to enhance our students' academic experience.