Thursday, April 25, 2013

FILMING AT BA!


It was a most exciting day as Ken Morris,  Ms. Debra Steinberg of Cadwalader, and the film production  team entered the BA hallways to interview and photograph Ken Morris with our Campus Ministry team, Benedictine's Cor Defenders.

 Ken Morris, Jr. is the great, great, great grandson of Frederick Douglass, the Father of Civil Rights, and the great great grandson of Booker T Washington.  Mr. Ken Morris is continuing his family's legacy to abolish slavery.  It was 150 years ago, when Frederick Douglass spoke out to change American slavery and call President Lincoln and the people to emancipate the slaves.  Today, Ken Morris speaks out to educate the American young people about human trafficking, modern day slavery.  "Education means Emancipation".   Benedictine Academy is their first Freedom Partner High School and one of the leading schools from across the country to help write the New Proclamation of Freedom presented in Washington DC.  This past year, Mayor Bloomberg has instituted the Frederick Douglass educational curriculum in all of the New York City Schools.  http://www.fdfi.org

Ms. Debra Steinberg is an attorney for Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP and the founder of VS.CONFRONTS. http://www.vsconfronts.org/  "VS. Confronting Modern Slavery in America is dedicated to heightening public awareness of human trafficking in America and providing a platform for anti-trafficking organizations and agencies to work collaboratively and innovatively together, outside their organizational silos, toward common goals. VS. is an innovative pro bono project conceived and executed by the Women’s Leadership Initiative of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP."

Taro Yamasaki is a Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist.  He is working on the documentary and will help to tell our story through photos: http://www.taroyamasaki.com/  Mr. Yamasaki  was amazing as he captured the deep beauty of every person speaking.  A gentle man truly filled with God's grace. 


Ms. Steinberg shared after her visit:

 "Thank you for inviting us into your school, introducing us to your amazing students, and inspiring us all to be better, stronger, more committed advocates for those who have neither voice nor ability to protect themselves. Each of your students, through  your guidance, holds “the power of one” to fulfill the promise of our XIII Amendment. I am so uplifted and so inspired by my short time in your school, with these wonderful girls. I know that the spirit of service, compassion for those less fortunate, and leadership, embodied in them, will inform their entire lives and, one by one, they will change this world for the better.      

 I can’t wait to finish the film and share it with you. Until then, my best regards and profoundest respect for the exceptional work you have done, are doing, for your students and our country." Debra

Ms. Steinberg is a most amazing woman who is ushering in a new era of freedom into America.
It truly was a privilege and a tremendous honor to be in the presence of such American heroes and extremely gifted and talented human beings.  We thank God for such a phenomenal opportunity to be with such accomplished beautiful people such as Mr. Ken Morris, Ms. Debra Steinberg, Mr. Yamasaki, Konstantinos (who was truly awesome behind the video camera), Joshua, Liz Butler, and Qian Wang.  

Saturday, April 20, 2013

SENIORS RETREAT AT THE SEA





It was a grace-filled day as the Seniors encountered our Lord Jesus at the Stella Maris Retreat Center in Elberon, New Jersey this beautiful April spring day.






Joined by our friends, Retreat Leaders Eddie and Bill,  Mrs. Michalski and Sr. Donna Jo, designed the Senior Retreat to begin the graduation process for our Seniors to be transformed from young caterpillars in the cocoon of Benedictine Academy to beautiful butterflies in college.

They entered as strangers and leave as BA Sisters forever!  


 The wonderful day ended with a DVD of the highlights of their four years at BA.

We are also grateful to our BA chaperones, Ms. Branco and Ms. Digiaimo.  Mucho Gracias!
As a parting gift, each senior receiving a ladybug pillow pet to remind her of the dreams that God has for each one of them.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Our mission is to spread the Good News by responding to the needs of the local and global communities.  This past year has been an amazing journey of faith giving witness to the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Each morning, we gathered and listened with the ear of our hearts. 

Time after time, we heard Him call and we answered, "Here I am Lord".     

Eileen, feed My sheep.
Ewa, teach My children.
Jada, clothe the naked.
Joyce, reach out to the poor.
Karina, bring joy to the broken-hearted.
Karol, heal the sick.
Kayla, treat everyone with dignity and respect.
Marina, comfort the elderly.
Sydney, help those in need.
Vanessa, pray for those who persecute you in My Name.


We are responsible SERVANT LEADERS.  
BEE THE HOPE!