In an effort to better relate to the some 600 children gathered for the annual Catholic Schools Mass, Sister Ellen Anderson shared stories of her work in education.

She explained that her order, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, works in 13 regions – much in Africa and Brazil – and that her order was originally founded to educate women in Nigeria. It was through the women they educated that the sisters were led to work in the medical, social work and agricultural fields.

“There’s so many children I discovered that were not in school,” she shared of her work in educating the younger population.

Sister Ellen spoke as a missionary representative, someone who works in bringing about the love of Christ to areas all around the world.  Her talk coincided with Extraordinary Missionary Month, declared by Pope Francis.

“When you’re a missionary, you’re with the people,” Sister Ellen said. “You suffer with them. You learn from them what is happening in their lives.”

“What I want you to do today is find out about children in other countries. Find out about their situations and to help them. Help them with your prayers. Try to make sacrifices. I want you to be aware of children everywhere. Be aware and be learning all the time,” she said.

In a presentation before the Catholic Schools Mass held Oct. 10 in St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, Father Peter James Alindogan, diocesan director of missions and pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish, West Long Branch, acknowledged those schools in the Diocese that had the highest contributions to the missions appeal this year. 

In the elementary schools, first place was awarded to St. Jerome School, West Long Branch; second place, St. Benedict School, Holmdel; and Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Maple Shade, earned honorable mention.

In the high schools, first place was awarded to Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing; second place went to Donovan Catholic, Toms River, and honorable mention was awarded to Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.

Leigh Machion, a junior in Villa Victoria Academy, spoke of how the Filippini Sisters – who established and staff the school – create a giving spirit among the students.

“I think the presence of the sisters at Villa Victoria really inspires all us. We learn how to serve others,” she said. “I think being around the sisters who spend their lives serving and teaching really encourages us to go out and serve other in the world.”

Barbara Galiz, a seventh-grader in St. Jerome School, West Long Branch, which is also staffed with Filippini sisters, said she feels accomplished when she is able to help others. “It also give me hope that people will always be there for one another and for me if I need help.”

Father Alindogan also acknowledged eighth-grade student Angelina Ramos of Pope John Paul II Regional School, Willingboro, and sixth-grade student Juliann Dietrich of St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft, who are two of 24 winners named in the 2018-2019 National Christmas Artwork Contest sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Missionary Childhood Association.

Their artwork, which was displayed at the Mass, will be on display during the 2019 Advent and Christmas seasons in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington.

Ramos and Dietrich will visit the shrine in December and will attend Mass and a luncheon with the other contest winners and will receive a plaque honoring their artistic achievements. All winning artwork will be available as shareable digital greetings beginning the first week of Advent.   

Joel Bodon, an eighth-grade student in Trenton Catholic Academy, Lower School, Hamilton, took part in the Mass procession, carrying a missions artifact.

“I carried a piece of Scripture. The Bishop, he said, knew it was religious in nature. “He told me it was in Hebrew. It was cool.”