Mater Dei Prep: A success story begins new chapter
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
By Rosemary Daniels | Correspondent
The Sept. 18 Mass marking the opening of the new school year for Mater Dei Prep, Middletown, was like none other in the school’s more than 50-year history.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
A sense of celebration was almost palpable as students from the Catholic high school gathered in St. Mary Church with youngsters from the adjacent parish elementary school, to welcome Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and some of the many community members who worked together in the effort to save the school from closing.
There was much to celebrate. In February, the school was in imminent danger of being closed, due to a recurring shortfall of funds. The school, in concert with the Seraph’s Fund, raised more than $1.5 million in approximately 45 days. On April 30, Bishop O’Connell approved a plan to close Mater Dei as a parish-run school, and re-open as a new, private Catholic high school.
The school opened their 2015-2016 school year Sept. 8 with 343 students, slightly more than last year’s enrollment. This number includes approximately 40 freshmen and 75 transfer students from Cardinal McCarrick High School, a Catholic school in South Amboy closed by the Diocese of Metuchen in May. Mark Quinn, 17, one of the many seniors now attending MDP, feels the transition was easy. “Mater Dei is the only one my family and I saw as compatible. Cardinal McCarrick was always a small school. The students (here) have been very open and welcoming.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell talked about appearance being important to teenagers, but that “appearance is what you look like, not who you are.” Alluding to a popular song “One Man Can Change the World”, by hip-hop artist Big Sean, the Bishop noted that the message is “more important than having everything you could want in the world, is being able to make a real difference, and that one person can do that.”
He continued, “The Lord Jesus Christ did more than any other person who ever walked this earth. He made a difference. He reaches out to all of us to grab hold of his hand, and to go with him, and in him, to make a difference. He invites us to do just that.
“Catholic schools show you what a difference that faith and religion can make in your life, and that through faith in the Lord, the difference you can make in those around you.”
The Bishop applauded the efforts of parents, alumni, donors, board members, and students to bring Mater Dei to this point. He said, “A lot of people worked hard to keep this school going against all odds...Why all the fuss? Because Mater Dei, because Catholic schools, make a difference.”
Briefly reviewing some of the developments that led to the transition of Mater Dei, the Bishop said, “Over the past seven years, the Diocese has contributed $6.8 million to keep Mater Dei going. Thank God it did. And thank God for the many people who showed their support.
“Now, boys and girls, now it falls to you. You have to keep it going. You have to show your gratitude to God; you have to set your minds and hearts on making a difference, being truly Catholic, being truly people of faith.
“Look in the mirror, look at what you look like. Then ask yourself who you are, and what can you be in life. And go for it.”
Student reactions to the Bishop’s message were overwhelmingly positive. Maggie Klatt, a senior, said, “He acknowledged that it’s our job to be ambassadors, and continue it for another 50 years. Even though we are now a separate school, we are still part of the Diocese. We have to keep our faith strong.”
A reception followed the Mass, hosted by principal/president James Hauenstein. He said of his new position, “Coming from the Toms River public schools, I have always tried to live out my faith by ‘walking the walk’, because I could not officially ‘talk the talk’. Now I can do both.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Randy McDonald was quick to note that Mater Dei is “not there yet.” He explained, “I view today as a milestone. There’s a lot more to do. What we’ve done is unprecedented in the Diocese’s history. It took a lot of courage for the Diocese to entrust Mater Dei to a bunch of lay people. We are hoping it’s a good model for Catholic education going forward.”
At the reception, Seraph Fund campaign chairman Jim Shaw presented Hauenstein with a check for $1 million. Hauenstein thanked all the people for the vast amount of work that has been done, and predicted, “Fifty years from now, Mater Dei will still be going strong.”
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By Rosemary Daniels | Correspondent
The Sept. 18 Mass marking the opening of the new school year for Mater Dei Prep, Middletown, was like none other in the school’s more than 50-year history.
To see photo gallery on this story, click here.
A sense of celebration was almost palpable as students from the Catholic high school gathered in St. Mary Church with youngsters from the adjacent parish elementary school, to welcome Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and some of the many community members who worked together in the effort to save the school from closing.
There was much to celebrate. In February, the school was in imminent danger of being closed, due to a recurring shortfall of funds. The school, in concert with the Seraph’s Fund, raised more than $1.5 million in approximately 45 days. On April 30, Bishop O’Connell approved a plan to close Mater Dei as a parish-run school, and re-open as a new, private Catholic high school.
The school opened their 2015-2016 school year Sept. 8 with 343 students, slightly more than last year’s enrollment. This number includes approximately 40 freshmen and 75 transfer students from Cardinal McCarrick High School, a Catholic school in South Amboy closed by the Diocese of Metuchen in May. Mark Quinn, 17, one of the many seniors now attending MDP, feels the transition was easy. “Mater Dei is the only one my family and I saw as compatible. Cardinal McCarrick was always a small school. The students (here) have been very open and welcoming.”
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell talked about appearance being important to teenagers, but that “appearance is what you look like, not who you are.” Alluding to a popular song “One Man Can Change the World”, by hip-hop artist Big Sean, the Bishop noted that the message is “more important than having everything you could want in the world, is being able to make a real difference, and that one person can do that.”
He continued, “The Lord Jesus Christ did more than any other person who ever walked this earth. He made a difference. He reaches out to all of us to grab hold of his hand, and to go with him, and in him, to make a difference. He invites us to do just that.
“Catholic schools show you what a difference that faith and religion can make in your life, and that through faith in the Lord, the difference you can make in those around you.”
The Bishop applauded the efforts of parents, alumni, donors, board members, and students to bring Mater Dei to this point. He said, “A lot of people worked hard to keep this school going against all odds...Why all the fuss? Because Mater Dei, because Catholic schools, make a difference.”
Briefly reviewing some of the developments that led to the transition of Mater Dei, the Bishop said, “Over the past seven years, the Diocese has contributed $6.8 million to keep Mater Dei going. Thank God it did. And thank God for the many people who showed their support.
“Now, boys and girls, now it falls to you. You have to keep it going. You have to show your gratitude to God; you have to set your minds and hearts on making a difference, being truly Catholic, being truly people of faith.
“Look in the mirror, look at what you look like. Then ask yourself who you are, and what can you be in life. And go for it.”
Student reactions to the Bishop’s message were overwhelmingly positive. Maggie Klatt, a senior, said, “He acknowledged that it’s our job to be ambassadors, and continue it for another 50 years. Even though we are now a separate school, we are still part of the Diocese. We have to keep our faith strong.”
A reception followed the Mass, hosted by principal/president James Hauenstein. He said of his new position, “Coming from the Toms River public schools, I have always tried to live out my faith by ‘walking the walk’, because I could not officially ‘talk the talk’. Now I can do both.”
Board of Trustees Chairman Randy McDonald was quick to note that Mater Dei is “not there yet.” He explained, “I view today as a milestone. There’s a lot more to do. What we’ve done is unprecedented in the Diocese’s history. It took a lot of courage for the Diocese to entrust Mater Dei to a bunch of lay people. We are hoping it’s a good model for Catholic education going forward.”
At the reception, Seraph Fund campaign chairman Jim Shaw presented Hauenstein with a check for $1 million. Hauenstein thanked all the people for the vast amount of work that has been done, and predicted, “Fifty years from now, Mater Dei will still be going strong.”
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