NEW PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM

SOCIAL ACTION

A cornerstone of our FAITH

The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation invited Benedictine Academy to have the honor of designing the template for the NEW PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM being presented to Capitol Hill, Washington DC on January 1, 2012 in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln. Freedom Partners: 100 Days to Freedom

 The New Proclamation of Freedom is a Youth Leadership Initiative to speak out as Activists against Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery.  Benedictine Academy, Freedom Partners with the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation,  has joined forces with nine other high schools across the country to draft the new Proclamation of Freedom to be officially released October 20, 2012 in Washington DC..  Hundreds of thousands of students and adults will be asked to join their signature to ours in a nation-wide effort to raise awareness and educate people on this gross injustice to the human race. Press Link for Webinar:  100 DAYS TO FREEDOM WEBINAR

 A few days ago, President Obama has addressed the nation on our country's efforts to lead the Global World in eradicating Human Trafficking.  The United Nations has confirmed that education and raising awareness are the key factors in  combating this inhumane crime. 

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION AND SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER.  ADD HUMAN TRAFFICKING EDUCATION INTO OUR SCHOOL CURRICULUMS TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE.

http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-department-of-education-help-teach-kids-about-historical-and-modern-slavery

Opening Mass of the Holy Spirit

CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST

At Benedictine Academy, one of the cornerstones of our school is to worship together our one loving God.  The entire faith community walks en masse to the Benedictine Sisters Chapel, St. Walburga Monastery, to give thanks and praise worship to our Lord, Jesus Christ in the celebration of the Holy Liturgy and Eucharist. 

 

Father Agustine Curley, St. Benedict's Prep,  celebrated our Liturgy with an inspiring homily.  We pondered, like Mary, how to be true disciples and treat one another in the daily events of our lives. 

What is distinctive about Benedictine Academy from any other public or catholic school?  We are believers of faith.  We are not just a school to learn facts.  We are MORE.  We are a school that excels academically and excels in humanity.  We are a school that recognizes one another and serves one another.  We are a Jefferson Award National  Gold Medal School.  May God Bless You all as God has blessed us.

Singing your Song

FAITH

"I was lost and now I am found" 

Gary Russo, the 2nd Avenue Construction Singer, serenaded the crowds with his award winning smile, beautiful voice and delightful personality at Columbus Circle Fair today in New York City.

Amidst the familiar songs of Frank Sinatra, he briefly shared his story about a man who decided it was not too late to give the gift of his song to the many in exchange for a smile.

His recent book, DON'T DIE with Your Song Unsung, written by himself and Andrea T. Goeglein, tells his story about not giving up on doing what you love and the power of synchronicity or God-connectedness.  How did our paths cross? Robert Benz of Frederick Douglass Family Foundation gave us the gift of his book via his friend, the author Andrea Goeglin.  Andrea supports the Downtown Project of Delivering Happiness, an organization whose philosophy we embodied over the past year.   A very small world indeed!

FREEDOM PARTNERS

PROCLAIM DIGNITY FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING

 

We have heard the voice of the spirit of Frederick Douglass shout through the darkness of history: “AGITATE AGITATE AGITATE”.  In this 150^th year of commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation, the young people of America are uniting as warriors to fight the injustices of oppression and exploitation.  Our battlefield is the National Educational System and society. We must give voice for the protection of freedom for the defenseless and the vulnerable, the victims to human traffickers and modern slave laborers.  It has been said, “You are either with me or you are against me.”  On which side do you stand?  Will you join America’s Youth proclaiming freedom, or will your silence support the voice of the enslavers?  Take action today. Join us in educating our Youth of America. 

The BA Freedom Partners have been selected as one of the ten schools to draft the NEW PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM being signed by thousands of youth across the country and presented to Capitol Hill, Washington DC on January 1, 2013.

Their first order of business is to help get the curriculum out to other schools.  PHASE 1: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

"We have added the FFDF to YLI’s “Related Civics Links” page at http://www.youthleadership.net/civics-resources/related-civics-links/ .

All the best,

Daman

Youth Leadership Initiative, University of Virginia Center for Politics"

Elizabeth Coalition for the Homeless

SPREADING THE FAITH

Saturday was Family Fun Day for the visiting guests of the Coalition.  Our BA Students were asked to supervise, organize and run the game activities with the young children.  It was a day full of smiles and laughter for everyone involved.

Shervonne, a BA Senior, shared: "Helping out with the Family Fun Day at the Coalition for the Homeless was a wonderful experience.  Everyone who came enjoyed themselves with food, games and music.  The young children had the most fun of all.  They were so happy to play the games and win prizes.  It felt good making the children happy for the day."

At Benedictine Academy, we believe we have a shared responsibility to help our brothers and sisters in need, especially the little children in need of love and friendship.  Delivering Happiness and helping others makes everyone feel special!

Sr. Maryanne Tracey, SC shared her gratitude with our students: "The day was a number "10" in more ways than one and a good time was had by all.  Thank you for your continued support. Your students were great and a big help.  You should be proud of them."  BA PRIDE and FAITH!


 Next week, several of our students will begin their weekly tutoring of the younger children. 

"You've Got Chopped"

BENEDICTINE ACADEMY Alumnus, Andrea Mendoza, was front and center at the "Rutgers Foodies Descend on Barnes & Noble Superstore for Ted Allen Signing"

"Grand opening event at new bookstore attracts more than 400

September 07, 2012

By Andrea Alexander

Some of Rutgers most dedicated foodies formed a line stretching nearly out the door at the new Barnes & Noble superstore for a chance to meet Ted Allen, the popular television food personality and host of Chopped.  Andrea knows from her FAITH education at BA that no one gets chopped by God in His love for each of us .

The Food Network Star signed copies of his new book In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate CooksThursday during a two-hour an event to kick off the new bookstore’s four day grand opening celebration. 

Ted Allen poses for a picture with first-year students Jessica Herring, Andrea Mendoza, Nicole Yson, and Sabrina Szteinbaum at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore opening

“The ingredients are so weird and unique, it’ so amazing to see how creative people get in making the food,’’ said Andrea Mendoza, a first- year nutritional sciences major from Union, who has considered going to culinary school. “No one has the exact same dish. That’s amazing.’’

The above excerpt is from the Rutgers News:  http://news.rutgers.edu/medrel/special-content/fall-2012/rutgers-foodies-desc-20120907
 

Andrea shares GO BA!  Joyce Mendoza, Andrea's sister, follows in her footsteps as an Honor Roll Student and Global Leader of Change.  

WELCOME BACK BA!

It was an awesome beginning as we listened, learned, and was led by the love and faith of motivational speaker, Juliene Brzainski Simpson, 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist.

 It is all about PRIDE & FAITH.  She shared an abundance of WISDOM...

"When you do something you love, you get a feeling inside; you feel proud about what you do...  Faith more than luck helps us...  Life without God is like an un-sharpened pencil. It has no point....  I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future."  

Ms. Simpson challenged each grade:

Freshmen Challenge:  Begin to find pride in yourself, each other and in the Benedictine Academy community.
Sophomore Challenge: What can you do to make this class better and more memorable?
Junior Challenge: You are responsible for your Little BA Sisters. Have PRIDE in your responsibility.
Senior Challenge:  No more wishbone, have a backbone. YOU are responsible for your own happiness and success.

What is our responsibility?  How do we achieve success?  By caring for one another and delivering happiness in the world.... one smile at a time!

100 DAYS TO FREEDOM

FAITH WITH WORKS

Benedictine Academy  is taking a stand against modern day slavery with Frederick Douglass Family Foundation through the joint creation of a Service - Learning Curriculum for secondary schools across the United States of America.  The curriculum was developed by members of the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation, Southern Methodist University, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, and Benedictine Academy,.  

The following is an excerpt of the announcement of this historical event on the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation Website: http://www.fdff.org/100days.html

Staff Retreat: Wisdom People

It was an amazing day at St. Vincent Martyr Parish. 

Centering on Eucharist,

we explored Faith and Wisdom in the unknowing. 

Monsignor George Hunt, our Retreat Director, led us on a faith-filled Collaborative Leadership Journey to listen to the Wisdom of God's People and re-discover the Wisdom within ourselves as we deepened our Faith in Jesus Christ.

Filled with God's grace, our Benedictine Staff is committed to make our world better.

Run The Reservoir

SERVICE TO OUR LORD JESUS

United Water Company held a challenging 13.1 mile flat run through Bergen County’s residential roadways and scenic reservoir views to raise money for Hackensack University Medical Center.  

The Campus Ministers heard from Eddie, our Retreat Director, that they were in need of volunteers to distribute water to the runners at various check points and we responded "YES".  It was a fun-filled morning as hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of runners past our station to receive water at the 6 mile point. 

 For every cup of water we distributed, we received a warm, friendly smile with a heart-warming "thank you for volunteering today".   We thank God for the opportunity to deliver His kindness in the world.

Notice our BA volunteers included the whole family - moms, grandmas and uncles!