VOW OF SILENCE

We are taking a stand in the fight against human trafficking.  It is agreed by the World Leaders that education is the answer to protecting our youth from falling victim to this modern day form of slavery. 

We must be a voice for the voiceless.  It is our moral responsibility to help free the oppressed.  Approximately 40% of our student body took a vow of silence to help raise awareness and funds regarding this gross injustice. 

 Each of the students wore black as a sign of their solidarity with their sisters and brothers who were suffering and a statistic that often was as startling as it was saddening.  

Did you ever wonder how blessed we are for our lives in America as compared to children across the continents who are enslaved by child labor?  

It was a silent, but loud call for us to take Compassionate Action.  Working as a partner school with the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation , we are promoting the education of children against the dangers of human trafficking. 

Through the Power of One and the Power of We, we believe we can change the world and change history for the years to come.

ADVENT

This past Sunday was the beginning of the Church's new liturgical year, Advent (meaning, "ad-venio in Latin or "to come to").  The Advent season is a time to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus in a deeper way this Christmas season.  

As we prepared our Christmas wreath for the blessing, we also reflected on the new liturgical changes in the Mass.  The Mass had not undergone any revisions since Vatican Council II.  Now was the Time!  Be prepared and on watch for new meanings that are a closer interpretation of the Word of God. 

Although the traditional colors for the candles are purple and rose, we selected the alternative option of blue for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the color of suffering.  This Friday has been declared as the International Day for the Abolition of Modern Slavery.  Let us pray that we replace oppression with the love of God.

JUNIOR RETREAT

The theme of the Junior Retreat was "Living Water".   "If anyone thirsts, let her come to Me."  We had the privilege of retreating at the United Water Company in Hawthorne with our good friend and Retreat Director, Eddie of Eagle's WIngs.  As we toured the water treatment facility and learned of the purification process, we reflected on our own muddy waters that needed to be cleansed by our Lord and each other's kindness. 

We laughed, we prayed and we ate together.  The day flew by as we experienced the Power of Unity which broke through our comfort zones that so often separates us.  

 

 It was such a grace-filled day as our students listened, learned, and left full of God's love in their hearts for their sisters. At Benedictine Academy, we are one sacred community and Jesus is the apex of our daily lives. 

Mrs. & Mr. Everton Harris Visits BA

Each year, we have the distinct pleasure of seeing our dear Ericka Davis, Class of 2007, come visit during our Thanksgiving Prayer Service.  This year, she brought her new husband, Everton to meet her Benedictine Academy family!  Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Davis!

Ericka is currently studying Early childhood and is President of Ladies with Values.  Her husband, also studying and a Preacher, has recently opened his new church near their college campus in North Carolina.  They visited with several of the freshmen classes sharing the importance of self-respect and listening to the Word of the Lord.  When asked what was their favorite Scripture passage, they replied:
"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want... " Psalm 23 

We gave Ericka and Everton a WOW experience in appreciation of their encouraging words of wisdom and warm hearts. 

STUDENTS IN ACTION WINNER

During our Thanksgiving Prayer Service, we gave thanks for all the acts of mercy and good works that our entire school community has been performing.  November was overflowing with food drives, clothing collections, operation shoe box for little children, bake sales, tutoring, and helping the homeless. However, there was one outstanding student who stood out among her classmates.

Caroline, a Student In Action Leader, proudly shared how this unsung hero spends several hours each and every week tutoring young children who cannot speak English, visiting the elderly in nursing homes, and reaching out to lend a hand to anyone in the local community who is in need. 

When asked why, she simply replied it was her life-long passion to help others.  It gives her great joy when she can bring a smile or share her gifts or talents.  The students applauded loudly when they heard it was Ewa, a sophomore student leader. We give thanks to God for Ewa and ask God to bless her in abundance as she has blessed all of us.

Attitude of Gratitude

It is a Thanksgiving Tradition to have our loyal friend, Rev. Bill Paige, share a Thanksgiving reflection for our Ecumenical Prayer Service. We had the added blessing of meeting his delightful granddaughter, Morgan.  

The Scripture reading was from Luke's gospel: Jesus parable of the Ten Lepers.  Jesus healed ten lepers and yet only one returned to say "thank you".  The power of "thank you" is so underestimated and under utilized in our daily lives.  What does it cost?  We are so quick to ask for help, for God and others to have pity on us, but so slow to give thanks and praise in return.

Bill reminded us of the importance of showing our gratitude to God as well as other people in our lives. Let us remember to say "thank you" and show a grateful heart for every kindness shown to us.  It will bring us, the Lord and others much happiness.

N.J. Governor's Award

A few weeks ago, the Star Ledger issued a special edition spreading the Good News on Benedictine Academy's SHAC SQUAD.  The Shac Squad had received the N.J. Governor's Award for their efforts in raising awareness to help eradicate Human Trafficking.  

 

 

Our Students In Action Leaders were selected, one of nineteen nominees out of over 800 adult/youth nominations in the state, for their exceptional community volunteer service and acts of charity!  

The New Jersey Youth Service Award recognized their work with the United Nations Blue Heart Campaign,  Colleges and Universities, and younger children in the local communities.  

 

 

At Benedictine Academy, we believe all our students are called to be great leaders.





You can read the article at: http://www.nj.com/helpinghands/jeffersonawards/index.ssf/2011/11/2011_governors_jefferson_award_19.html

http://njtoday.net/2011/05/25/benedictine-academy-students-receive-nj-youth-service-awards/


http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2011/07/benedictine_academy_in_elizabe_2.html