Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, celebrated 50 years of Catholic education in the Lasallian tradition with a commemorative golden anniversary Mass Nov. 8.

Hundreds of alumni and their families, current students, friends of the academy, staff and faculty participated in the inspirational tribute in words and music. Bishop John M. Smith was the principal celebrant. Father John T. Folchetti, CBA chaplain, was the concelebrant. Academy students served as acolytes, cross bearers, lectors, sacramentary bearers and musicians.

An all-boys private high school with a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, CBA was founded Sept. 14, 1959 and opened with a freshman class of 150 boys and a faculty of six Christian Brothers, led by Brother Bernard McKenna, principal. By 1963, when the first class graduated, CBA had a student body of 750 with a faculty of 30 brothers and five laymen.

Today, there are 957 students, 77 teachers, 54 additional people employed and approximately 9,000 alumni, according to Brother James Butler, principal. Reflecting on the celebration, Brother James pointed to the scores of alumni that were in attendance.

“This school meant something to them. It means something to them now. It changed their lives, and it is changing lives now,” he stated.

Brother James added, “A number of the schools I have worked in are 150 years old. By those standards, CBA is just a youngster. Yet it is remarkable what this school has achieved. The daily exchange among motivated students, committed faculty and involved parents has been a winner for a half- century now.”

As a Lasallian school, CBA dedicates itself to developing and nurturing the total individual. “Relationships are at the core of a Lasallian school,” stated Brother James, “so today, a Lasallian education stresses competitive academic excellence, robust religious education and faith formation programs, and education of the whole person across all dimensions of his or her life.” Brother James explained that St. John Baptist de La Salle’s vision was of an education that would cooperate with God’s saving work in young peoples’ lives by giving them the tools to live good lives, materially and spiritually.

The curriculum, according to Brother James, begins with standard college preparatory materials and includes honors, accelerated and advanced placement courses. “CBA, however, emphasizes the development of a work ethic over native intelligence and offers a broad and balanced humanistic education,” he added.

In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Smith said he was proud to have an institution like CBA in the diocese and spoke of his affection for the Christian Brothers. He noted, “I am myself a ‘Brothers’ Boy’ and am honored to be here because of my special affection for them.” Bishop Smith reflected fondly on his youth while attending a Catholic grammar school in Orange, N.J., which was managed by the brothers from the Diocese of Baltimore.

Father Joseph J. Farrell, pastor of Assumption Parish, New Egypt, and a 1965 graduate of CBA, also had fond memories of the Christian Brothers and recalled the atmosphere of brotherhood at the academy. He noted, “We all have the gift of coming from a school of ‘brothers,’ and CBA is a seed that has grown.”

In his homily, Father Farrell reflected on the inspiration of the school’s name, stressing the legacy of Christian values, a sense of brotherhood and a thirst for truth and virtue in the tradition of academy education. He stated, “We must love God with everything we have, and we must give with our need. It is about our time, our talent, and our souls. That is what being a good Christian means.”

As the Mass concluded, CBA President Brother Frank Byrne presented Bishop Smith with a special gift – a painting of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, founder of the Christian Brothers. “This has been a great celebration,” Bishop Smith noted, “and the painting will occupy an important place in my office, as St. John Baptist De La Salle has had a profound impact on my life.”