By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

As Christ is the fulfillment of priest, prophet and king, it is by virtue of Baptism that all of the faithful share in this mission.

One place where young people can learn this lesson is through their education in Catholic schools, Father Gabriel Zeis, diocesan vicar for Catholic Education, said to those assembled for a luncheon at the 91st Annual Conference of Trenton Diocesan Council of Parent-Teacher Associations held Sept. 24.

Catholic schools, said Father Zeis, is where “our students are called to be priests and learn what is sacred to our faith, to be prophets and share the Good News and to be servant leaders. To bring that into the life of others is to be a Catholic school educator.”

For the administrators, teachers and parents from Catholic schools around the Diocese that gathered in Holy Cross Academy, Delran, the conference --  which had as its theme, “Love is Our Mission, Mercy is Our Way” -- provided an opportunity for networking, sharing ideas and being affirmed in their role in Catholic education.

Along with giving the keynote address, Father Zeis, a member of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, was also principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass that opened the day. While a number of priests concelebrated, representatives from the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools and Diocesan PTA Council took part in proclaiming the Readings and Presentation of the Gifts. A choir from Holy Cross provided the music for the Mass.

In his homily, Father Zeis recounted memories of the PTA from his own Catholic school days as a child and admitted that it wasn’t until he became a Catholic school educator that he came to appreciate the “depth of the commitment of the men and women” who are involved in PTAs and “the wondrous things they did to support the school.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

Father Zeis implored PTA members to support the continued mission of Catholic schools in their respective communities by supporting the children who attend the schools and their families.

“I pray the PTA takes that as a challenge to support families through your mentoring, reaching out and helping other families. We need to make a difference, we need to find a way and the Holy Spirit will lead us to it,” Father Zeis said.

At the luncheon that followed the Mass, PTA members had an opportunity to socialize and network with their peers.

The audience delighted when Father Zeis shared an anecdote about his days as a student in Bishop Egan High School, Fairless Hills, Pa., and how a series of pranks had landed him in the principal’s office. Yet, it was also in high school when he realized he had a vocation to the priesthood and his desire to serve as a Catholic educator.

“They had mercy, they saw something in me and were merciful to me; they believed in me and that God had a mission for me,” Father Zeis said as he reflected on the encouragement he received from his teachers while in high school. “They showed me my true mission, and they did so with mercy.”

JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools, also addressed the group, acknowledging the PTA members for their contributions toward Catholic education.

“We lift each other up, and we have faith in what can be,” she said.

As in the past, the conference offered an opportunity to recognize an individual for his or her contribution to the PTA. A tribute to that person is summarized in the PTA yearbook.

This year’s honoree, according to Tier, was Mary Anne Altobelli, who recently retired after many years of service as an administrative assistant in the diocesan Department of Catechesis and the Department of Catholic Schools. 

 “She has shared her faith-filled life as a religious education teacher in her parish,” Tier said of Altobelli. “A wife, mother and a grandmother, she has devoted her life to caring for others. Never looking to be in the spotlight, her attention to detail provided that source of pride in a job well-done. A thank you brings a smile to her face and encompasses unexpected recognition.”

“Mary Anne, as retirement brings new paths for exploration, know how much you are appreciated by all in the Chancery and more specifically in the Office of Catholic Education. You have positively affected the leadership of our Catholic schools and the leadership of the PTA. Your work is truly a portrait of excellence,” Tier said.

Following the conference, PTA members spoke on having a renewed sense of affirmation and purpose as they prepare to serve another school year.

“These conferences help us understand that we’re not all alone, it brings us together and to celebrate why we do this -- the real purpose of our work,” said Lucy Tomczynski  of St. Paul School, Burlington.

Fellow St. Paul School PTA member Kerri Chewning added, “It reminds us that we’re all on the same page and the importance of reinforcing these ideals at home.”

Reflecting on the role of the PTA, Lisa Turchio, a PTA member in All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin, said, “We contribute a great service to our families; we create a loving, fun, caring environment. We incorporate that into the structure of the school.  And it’s fun to be involved.”

“We get to be involved more in our children’s lives, and our children love it,” Liz Huff, also from All Saints Regional Catholic School, added.

Lisa Davanzo, a PTA member in Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Moorestown, Davanzo, summed up her thoughts saying, “The PTA is the bridge between the school and the families. We increase the sense of community in our schools.”