Vocation Awareness

It was a delightful day as Sister Mariette Therese,  Sister Joan, Sister Monica and Sister Collette joined us to share their stories about their calling to religious life.  After a brief interesting introduction, students were able to ask questions and listen to the joy in each of their hearts as they responded to their inquiries.

We thank God for these dedicated women who have given their lives to the Lord.  They are beacons of light spreading the good news of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  May the Lord bless them as they have blessed us with their grace. Amen.

Direct Descendent of Frederick Douglass

How often do you get to touch the hand of someone who was one hand touch away from the Father of Civil Rights, Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington?  This past Friday, Ken Morris Jr., the great great great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great great grandson of Booker T. Washington shared stories of his ancestry and current mission to abolish human trafficking, a form of modern day slavery with our school community.

Words cannot express how amazing it was to listen to Ken Morris, Jr. share the spirit of Frederick Douglass.  It was as if Frederick Douglass, himself, was standing there in our midst. "Frederick Douglass was one of the best orators this nation has ever produced, was one of the most influential voices and thinkers of the nineteenth century.  His words and ideals have inspired hope, change and advocacy.  His rallying mantra for human rights was, `Right is of no sex- Truth is of no color - God is the Father of us all and we are all brethren.'" (Ka'mal McClarin)  At Benedictine Academy, we too believe that God is the Father of us all and we are all sisters.

(For the complete 30 minute viewing of Ken Morris, please see the four-parts video below)

After their visit,  we received the following note from Mr. Benz and Mr. Morris after their visit:

Dear Benedictine Academy,

I can honestly say it's our best school experience and a day we'll remember always. What a tremendous group of young women. We can't wait to see what great things these bright and poised students do in their lives.  We're so happy to call you and the Benedictine Academy our partners!

The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation

We are "ALL IN" at BA!

Guess who came to Benedictine Academy?  Gian-Paul Gonzalez and his 4-One Team!  Gian-Paul prayed with the New York Giants during their playoff run on route to their Super Bowl.  NY Giant Captain Justin Tuck used Gian's mantra about commitment - "ALL IN" as the mantra for the team - and the rest is Super Bowl History.

 Next month, Benedictine Academy is getting ready to go into the Jefferson Award Students In Action playoff.  The competition is fierce and we need to continue to be "ALL IN" to have a chance to win the Regional Gold Medal again this year. 

We reached out to Gian-Paul and his team to share with us the same motivational speech he gave to the NY  Giants and to pray with us.  After a scrimmage with our girls, Gian invited us to join him in being ALL IN for Jesus!  Why?  Jesus is ALL IN for each one of us.

We concluded by awarding over 89 students with a Students In Action BA ALL IN towel.  Each of the students completed  their annual service goal of 12 hours in only five months!  Our hope is by the end of the year, everyone will be ALL IN and have helped their neighbor in need.

At BA, we echo Gian-Paul's motto:  

"Because ONE gave ALL we give ALL for ONE!" And his holy name is Jesus!

CNN INTERNATIONAL: BA is Making a Difference!

We just received the Good News!

 Hi from CNN iReport,

I’m writing to let you know that your iReport was featured 

in a Freedom Project special on CNN International 

about modern-day slavery, 

and how individuals are making a difference.

The program airs Thursday February 23 at 3:30 a.m. ET 

and Friday, February 24 at 12:30 a.m. ET.

PART 1 of 3: 
http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/23/ways-to-help-making-a-difference/

Thanks for your contributions,

Producer-TV Integration

CNN iReport

You can get review of our full IREPORT :  http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-621223

Interfaith Basketball Scrimmage

We had a most amazing time as Rising Star Academy, Union City, joined Benedictine Academy for a friendly game of basketball this afternoon.  Both schools are members of Jefferson Award Students In Action Team engaging their classmates as Service Leaders to the local and global communities.

The final score was a symbolic 30 - 30.   Our students exchanged friendship rings as a sign of their new work together in making our world a better place.  The Truth is of no color or race. God is the Father of us all and we are all sisters.  How beautiful is this!

 A BIG THANKS TO COACH MIKE JONES for taking the time out of his busy day to referee this wonderful event. 

News From 20th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

** PRESS RELEASE **

                                                           FOR RELEASE:     February 16, 2012                                           IMMEDIATE CONTACT:     Dave Jenkins, 201-230-8545

                                                                                  

LESNIAK, CRYAN AND QUIJANO PROTECT GOOD SAMARITANS

Bill S852/A832 has now passed both Houses of the New Jersey Legislature

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, Assemblyman Joseph Cryan, and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano to increase access, availability, and the use of automated external defibrillators by Good Samaritans in emergency situations, has now passed both the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly, and awaits approval by Governor Chris Christie.  The State Senate passed the measure by a vote of 37-1 on Monday, and today the General Assembly followed suit with a unanimous vote of 75-0. 

The bill (S-852/A832) will provide immunity from civil liability to certain individuals who acquire or use an automated external defibrillator in emergency situations.

The legislation was inspired by the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation and JTB Heart Club at the Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, NJ.  John Taylor Babbitt was 16 when he passed away suddenly of cardiac arrest from an undiagnosed heart condition while playing basketball in his Youth Ministry League.  He was a junior at the Pingry School in Lawrenceville, NJ, and an active, healthy teenager.  At the time of the incident, an automated external defibrillator was within 50 feet from where John collapsed, but was hidden from view.

As a result of student interest and first-hand knowledge of similar tragedies, the JTB Heart Club at the Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth was founded in order to help prevent sudden cardiac death.  They have worked closely with the John Taylor Babbitt Heart Foundation, and conducted research regarding the American Heart Association’s efforts to improve the safety of our young and aging population. 

Throughout the legislative process, Lesniak, Cryan, and Quijano were led by the powerful testimony of David and JoAnne Babbitt, as well as students Andrea Mendoza and Ariana Taveras, President and Vice President of the JTB Heart Club at the Benedictine Academy.

Lesniak, Cryan, and Quijano took a moment to acknowledge the significance of the moment;

“Today is a victory for all of us. This legislation will bring New Jersey’s Good Samaritan law in line with the modern age in which we live.  Automated External Defibrillators are extremely easy to operate, and should be readily available for Good Samaritans to use in life-threatening situations, without hesitation.  This measure will also increase the availability and public awareness of the effectiveness of these devices.  We owe organizations such as the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation and JTB Heart Club a debt of gratitude for their leadership on this issue. Their hard work may be saving the life of someone you love.”

Benedictine Academy gives thanks to God, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother, Mary, and the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation for allowing us to be part of such a momentous event. 

JEANS FOR TEENS

"Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do unto Me!"   

Did you know that 1 out of every 3 homeless people are under the age of 18 and there are approximately 1.6 million young people under 18 who experience homelessness each year?  

DO SOMETHING, a great organization that empowers young people to make a difference, invited young people across the country to give their used jeans.  At Benedictine Academy, the Globe Changers and African American Club said "YES" and asked their classmates to clean-out their drawers.  Each day, we listen with the ear of our hearts and take Compassionate Action to alleviate the cries of the poor.  It is our privilege and our social responsibility to help others in need.