60 Years of Faith

60 YEARS OF FAITH  Bishop Serratelli and Father David Monteleone (top row, to Bishop’s left), administrator of the parish, pose with members of the Religious Teachers Filippini, the order that has served at the school since its opening in 1956. They are: front row (from left): Sister Gloria Barone; Sister Louise Lauretti; Sister Maureen Himchak; Sister Marie Antonelli, principal; Sister Rosemarie Facendo; Sister Lois Zampese; Sister Helen Rado, and (back row, from left): Sister Laura Longo, Sister Barbara Paci and Sister Angelina Mazzarella.

PEQUANNOCK  On every day of classes, the community of Holy Spirit School here, which began celebrating its 60th anniversary last month, feels the loving, guiding presence of its namesake. The students say they especially feel Jesus — the greatest teacher of all — walks next to them throughout the school as they explore their faith during the day with religious education, preparation for the Sacraments and frequent Masses. And with a generous gift of spirit, they share the Gospel that they have learned by helping people in need.

“Holy Spirit is certainly an appropriate name for our school. We feel its presence through the love of the people here. Christ walks with us in the halls, because we can speak about God freely,” said Estelle Meyer, Holy Spirit’s curriculum coordinator for the past four years. “Holy Spirit not only offers students stellar academics and strong faith formation but also has a community that is warm, welcoming and generous.”

Students at Holy Spirit also live out their faith by taking turns to lead the school community in praying of a decade of the rosary over the intercom each morning. The recent Jubilee Year of Mercy, which concluded Nov. 20, gave them the opportunity to explore the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit by studying Scripture and the saints. Acting on that faith, students have undertaken numerous service projects, including helping to prepare food boxes for the homeless in New York City and collecting hats, coats and gloves for the poor this winter, said Filippini Sister Marie Antonelli, principal of the pre K-3 to eighth-grade school since 1984.

“We continue to grow spiritually and academically. We have the same challenges as any other Catholic school, but we have thrived because of the strong support of our faculty and staff; pastors, both past and present; Holy Spirit parishioners; parents; alumni; and benefactors,” said Sister Marie, who taught at Holy Spirit for six years in the 1960s. “We are continuing the work of the Church: to prepare our students to becoming evangelizers,” she said.

During this current academic year, the 248-student school celebrates its 60th anniversary, which started on Nov. 20 with an opening Mass, celebrated by Bishop Serratelli and concelebrated by Father David Monteleone, administrator of Holy Spirit Parish and by several priests, who currently serve or formally served the Morris County faith community. Filling the pews in Holy Spirit Church at the liturgy were current and former parishioners, parents, staff and faculty and students.

Guided by the theme, “Crossroads in Time,” Holy Spirit has been planning events for the 60th anniversary. They include visits to its student government and home-school association by alumni, who will speak about how the school influenced their lives; a pasta dinner for alumni, who attend high school now; and a gala in fall 2017. During the school year, staff and faculty will “highlight Holy Spirit’s past with students.” Holy Spirit also continues to collect memorabilia, Sister Marie said.

“I like the friendly atmosphere at Holy Spirit. We all know and help each other. I’ve made lots of friends here. All the teachers want us to do well,” said eighth-grader Alessandra Dotzman, a student here since second grade, who serves as student government treasurer and participates in the performing arts program. Her three older siblings are Holy Spirit alumni.

Impressed with its academics, which stress “the basics,” three generations of families have sent their children to Holy Spirit. Teachers have augmented their traditional teaching methods with modern educational tools. They include a state-of-the-art science lab; up-to-date technology throughout the school, such as laptops, Chrome Books, and SmartBoards in every classroom; a media center; and the incorporation of STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] instruction. The school infuses its lessons with more opportunities for students to learn to solve problems cooperatively with adult guidance and for the older students to mentor the younger students, Sister Marie said.

“I love the small classes,” said eighth-grader Ashley Fischer, a student since pre-K, who serves as student government president, a cheer captain and participates in the performing arts program. Her two older siblings were graduated from Holy Spirit, while her two younger siblings attend the school. “I learn a lot in religion class. When Father David teaches the class, it’s interesting to see his point of view as a priest,” she said.

Over the years, Holy Spirit has greatly expanded its extracurricular programs to include art, music, computers, forensics, physics, CYO sports, cheerleading, chess, martial arts and Spanish. One of the crown jewels of its after-school activities has been its performing arts program that gives students the chance to act, dance and sing in adaptations of popular musicals, such as “Annie,” produced by professionals. Two alumni, Brian Falduto and Danielle Russell, have starred in Hollywood movies, Sister Marie said.

“The administration, faculty and students mirror the spirit of Sister Marie, who is energetic, hardworking and always concerned about us,” Meyer said. “Everyone is so cheerful. We greet each other in the halls,” she said.

Many warm-hearted Holy Spirit alumni maintain a relationship with their alma mater by returning for visits. Many graduates have gone a step further by financially supporting or lending their professional expertise for several capital improvement projects that the school has undertaken in the past, Sister Marie said.

A 1984 graduate of Holy Spirit, Deirdre Walsh could not wait for her four children to attend her beloved school. Her twins, Luke and Chris, are in fifth grade. Her 17-year-old daughter, Emily, attends Morris County School of Technology, while her 14-year-old son, Patrick, attends Morris Catholic High School, Denville.

“I have an overwhelming sense of pride about Holy Spirit. It’s a great school that gives kids an exceptional Catholic education. The amazing faculty — which includes the Religious Teachers Filippini [who have staffed the school from its opening day in 1956]— has an unwavering commitment to the students,” Walsh said. “The morals that my kids are taught at school fit with what they are taught at home.”

Placing Holy Spirit’s 60th anniversary into a religious context, Sister Marie quoted the Filippini’s founder, St. Lucy Filippini, who stated, “The Church of God is not a restful garden, but a working vineyard.”

“Today our community continues to work unceasing in the vineyard of the Lord,” Sister Marie said. “Our Catholic school prides each student with a solid moral and academic foundation so that they will be propagated to make a difference in this world. As we send forth our students, our constant prayer is that they strengthen the mystical Body of Christ and become advocates for peace and justice in our society.”

[Anniversary information: (973) 835-5680 or visit www.holyspiritschoolpequannock.org.]