On Friday, March 18, Father Gino de la Rama visited the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the invitation of Father John and Mr. Conwell. Father Gino is the Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark. Students in Grades 5 through 8 attended Mass with Father Gino and Father John. In his homily, Father Gino shared his own vocation story, and how he heard God's call to be a priest, especially during his time as a layperson working in the missions. Father Gino talked about vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated life as religious brothers and sisters. Following the Mass, Father Gino presented a video which showed highlights from the ordination of priests in 2019 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. He explained some of the rituals that take place during this beautiful liturgy, including the laying on of hands, the anointing with sacred chrism, the singing of the Litany of Saints, and the newly ordained priests offering their first blessings to family and friends. After the video, Father Gino answered questions posed by the members of the four grades in attendance. We are grateful for the time Father Gino spent with us. May all of us pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially from Most Blessed Sacrament.

For March, Mrs. Gall and the 1st grade class chose to collect for the Sisters of St. Joseph who live at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, PA.  Saint Joseph Villa is a well-respected Catholic senior living community and a sponsored work of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  In the spirit of loving its neighbor, the Villa provides skilled nursing care and welcomes everyone to its short-term rehabilitation and its compassionate, state-of-the-art long-term living community.   The children collected movies, books, snacks, socks and more through the Sisters of St Joseph's amazon wish list.  Students also wrote letters to the retired Sisters to offer thanks and prayers. 

Congratulations to Nina P. and Maximo C. who received the Archdiocesan Youth Parish/School Sportsmanship Award at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Sunday, April 3rd. The award is presented to an athlete who displays outstanding sportsmanship through service or actions on and off the athletic field in their parish or school community.

Ms. Dragonetti and the 2nd grade chose Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ as their February service project. These inspiring 2nd graders collected donations of puzzle books, playing cards, magnifiers, short novels and more for the Senior patients there.