By Dubravka Cortese | Correspondent

“It’s not enough just to be Catholic,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., said. “We have to live as Catholics, taking up our crosses and following him.”

Click here to see photo gallery.

Bishop O’Connell’s words reflected the belief that is fostered and reinforced every day in St. Joan of Arc School, where kindergartners through eighth graders have created an atmosphere of not only learning about Jesus’ teachings, but carrying them out as well.

Bishop O’Connell helped to usher in the 50th anniversary of the Marlton school by celebrating Mass with the parish’s congregation Sept. 13. The pews were filled with students proudly dressed in their blue and white and plaid school uniforms, as well as numerous alumni who welcomed their revered guest of honor and the start of a year full of golden anniversary celebrations for the school.

Members of the current student body actively participated in the Mass, including as altar servers, readers and music ministers.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary than to have our spiritual leader Bishop O’Connell with us,” said Msgr. Richard LaVerghetta, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish. 

SJA is served by the Sisters of St. Joseph and a lay faculty. Its curriculum is designed to address “multiple intelligences” in the students and includes specials such as art, music, physical education, Spanish and computers. The original school building was constructed in 1965 and housed grades one through five its first year. By 1968, grades six through eight had been added, with kindergarten coming along in 1988. The school currently offers before and after care, as well.   

In his homily, Bishop O’Connell referenced the day’s readings when he called on us to “get” our faith. He talked about Jesus being the “suffering servant.”

“This is a bit of a contradiction, a suffering Christ, a suffering Messiah, a suffering servant,” Bishop O’Connell said. “But in Jesus’ own personal reality, that’s precisely who he was and precisely what he was and precisely what he was calling his followers to be.”

“We are grateful to Bishop O’Connell for joining us for the opening of our 50th anniversary,” said Sister of St. Joseph Pat Pycik, principal, who described a day full of joy, excitement and gratitude. 

“As disciples of Jesus, we accept Bishop O’Connell’s challenge to continue to put our faith into action,” said Sister Pat. 

The school has planned numerous golden jubilee festivities including an anniversary gala at Tavistock Country Club Oct. 3. There are also plans to complete 50 acts of community service before the end of the school year.

Nikole Martino, a third grader
who is starting her first year at SJA, was all smiles as she sat in a pew before Mass with her mother, Allyson, and father, Tony.

“I think it’s a really nice parish and community,” Nikole said. “I’m really learning a lot. It’s so much fun.”

“I really liked what I saw here,” Tony Martino said. “Everyone’s been very helpful. It’s everything a church should be to a family, and everything a family should be to a church.”

“It’s always a great joy for me to come to this parish,” Bishop O’Connell said. “There is something very special about it, especially during the Mass. You can feel the faith and you can feel the great spirit that is here in your parish, not the least of which is the great leadership in your parish.”

Bishop O’Connell thanked the parish community as a whole for its generosity and support of diocesan initiatives that assist the needy. “It’s great to be with you today….being able to celebrate Mass, the center of our lives.”