By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

This year, the annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week was a bit more significant to the parish community of St. Benedict, Holmdel, as their school celebrates 50 years of Catholic education. 

“It is a great joy to be here, “Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., shared with students, families and parishioners who gathered Jan. 29 to celebrate two significant events.

“It is the beginning of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the school here at St. Benedict’s and what a great thrill that is as we begin Catholic Schools Week,” Bishop O’Connell said.

Bishop O’Connell shared in his homily that the most common title used for Jesus is teacher or rabbi, and that religious instruction has always been of paramount importance to the Church.

“The research has been done and the data are there: Catholic schools do make a difference!  They make a difference in the lives of faith of thousands of our young people as dedicated teachers hand on the Truth of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church,” he affirmed.

1. He congratulated Father Daniel Swift, pastor, and Mary Ellen Lilly, principal; the faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and benefactors for “teaching with authority” – after the model of “Jesus the Teacher.”   Noting the national Catholic Schools Week theme, “Faith. Academics. Service,” Bishop O’Connell congratulated the parish for 50 years of quality, Catholic education and implored them to continue to work to spread the good news.

“We celebrate your part in that success: 50 years strong!  Keep going.  Keep bringing the message, the teachings of the Lord Jesus and his Church to life … keep making a difference!”

And it is evident that St. Benedict School has made a difference in the lives of students and families in the areas of faith, academics and service.

“This is a very active parish, the school provides a great education and promotes our faith,” Richard Crowe said of the school where his two daughters are students.

Ben Laguerre, whose son, Brandon, is in the kindergarten class, chose the school for its sound academics and Catholic foundation. 

“I want him to continue to build his moral character.  He’s going to church, he’s praying and knows his prayers.”

The strong bond between the parish and school community is evident as parent volunteer Mary Granito explained. “We all share a common vision and common purpose, there is never a shortage of volunteers in the parish and school,” she stated.

Lilly agreed, “Father Dan is wonderful.  It is a really great collaboration between parish and school,” and added that her school is “a truly happy place that focuses on education and service,” having raised almost $30,000 in monetary donations for the parish food pantry during the Advent season alone.

This collaboration is one that has worked for the parish and school community from the beginning.  Jackie Cunningham, who retired from the school this past June “after 42 wonderful years” spoke fondly of her “school family.”

 “We are a family.  There is not one person here who would not help a student, a parent or a family.  It’s truly a home away from home.”

While the school celebrates the special milestone of their 50th anniversary, there are those in the parish who are working hard to ensure that St. Benedict School will be around for another 50 years.

“We are installing solar panels in the parish and this will be done by the end of February,” Cathy Warshaw, parish administrator, explained. The parish was recently informed that they were grant recipients through Solar Renewable Energy Credits, SREC.

“This will teach the kids directly about science, finding alternative energy sources and protecting the environment.  It will reduce our energy costs by 30 percent and at the same time it will generate an income stream as we were awarded a grant from the Board of Public Utilities. This will ultimately benefit the students,” Warshaw added.

Certainly, benefitting the students is what is truly important to the both the school and parish community at St. Benedict.

As fourth grade student Tara Hoskey summed up succinctly, “I like my school because everybody has fun, I love everything about it!”