By David Karas | Correspondent

From the intersection of faith and athletics, to service in the community, video spotlights recently added to the Catholic Schools Have It All website showcase some of the many attributes and activities of Catholic schools throughout the Diocese.

Sponsored by the Diocese, the website – CatholicSchoolsHaveItAll.org – was created in the spring of 2015 to serve as a dynamic and accessible way for parents and students to get to know what Catholic schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties have to offer.  The CSHIA site was built around a mini-documentary produced by the Diocese by the same, featuring a clear supportive message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and interviews with educators, priests, and parents from numerous schools. 

This fall, the site’s media collection has been expanded with new short videos highlighting some of the happenings in schools throughout central New Jersey.

One of the new additions covers a recent Catholic Athletes for Christ conference, which drew students from high schools throughout the region to gather, pray and reflect on the importance of keeping faith at the heart of their pursuits on the field, court, mat, pool or arena – much like the classroom.

The piece includes comments from students attending St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, and Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton – with comments touching on faith, sportsmanship and fellowship.

Two other videos feature footage and comments from school representatives taking part in a Diocesan Day of Service, an annual event that brings students out into the community to provide acts of service.

One such piece focused on St. Charles Borromeo School, Cinnaminson, where students can be seen working on a variety of service projects. Some are shown writing letters to members of the New Jersey State Police to thank them for their service and dedication to public safety, while others captured the preparation of sandwiches for the homeless.

Another piece profiles similar efforts that took place in St. Joseph Grade School, Toms River, where students rallied to contribute some 4,000 cans to the parish food pantry – a program often in need of such donations.

Other additions to the website’s video library showcase some of the individual Catholic school communities. One, focusing on Holy Innocents School, Neptune, includes footage of students in class and participating in activities around the campus, as well as interviews on the topics of Catholic identity, technological innovations and the many opportunities that are part of the student experience there.

Another piece highlights St. Paul School, Princeton, and the joyous messages offered from students and teachers about the ways in which prayer and faith are integrated into each and every day on the Nassau Street campus.

Also featured in the digital collection are Our Lady of Sorrows School, Mercerville; St. Benedict School, Holmdel; Trenton Catholic Academy; Donovan Catholic High School; St. Gregory the Great Academy, Hamilton; Pope John Paul II Regional School, Willingboro; Sacred Heart School, Mount Holly, and St. Peter School, Point Pleasant Beach.

“Since first conceiving of the CSHIA initiative, we always knew that video was going to be the most central element,” Rayanne Bennett, executive director of communications and media, acknowledged.  Crediting the talent and hard work of the Diocese’s Department of Multimedia Production, Bennett added, “It is our hope to be able to produce these brief videos for each of our schools, so that they can share the pieces on their digital media sites and make use of them as a marketing and information tool.”