At Diocesan PTA conference, speakers urge participants to ‘Remember Why’
September 23, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.
UPDATED Sept. 23, 2024
Speakers at the 99th Annual Trenton Diocesan PTA Conference challenged participants to remember why they volunteered for their roles.
PHOTO GALLERY: Diocesan PTA Conference
“Today, I ask you an important question. As active members of the various groups to which you belong: ‘Why are you doing this?’” Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent of Catholic schools, asked participants. “As members of the PTA, you are putting others first, and in this case, those ‘others’ are our students, faculty and staffs.”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., opened the Sept. 21 conference with a Mass, concelebrated by six priests at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold.
‘Be like St. Matthew’
In his homily, he described the importance of incorporating faith into education, how the PTA acts as a bridge that connects from home to school, and the roles as parents to lead by example and live according to Christ’s teachings — so their children feel valued and respected and can grow in their relationship with God.
On the feast of St. Matthew, he related the saint to present life.
“Let us allow Jesus to look at us. Let us allow his look to become our joy, our hope,” the Bishop said, urging participants to “strive to be like St. Matthew … may we inspire our children to do the same.”
For the first time in years, every school in the four Diocesan regions — Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Mercer — had representation during the conference. Participants reflected on their true purpose and reason for their membership in the PTA as this year’s foundational theme was announced, “Remember Why.”
A shared commitment to students
Daniel T. O’Connell, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, explained the PTA’s function in encouraging the power of connection among students and teachers.
“Because of your kindness and generosity, the schools of the Diocese of Trenton are seeking to remove some of the stumbling blocks to the unity that all children seek to find and develop,” he said. “Because of you, we are helping teachers to use the tools at their disposal to help those children to feel more confident and secure in who they are and to feel that they are part of the group.”
“‘Remember Why’ reflects our shared commitment to the success and well-being of our students, and it also aligns with the values we hold dear in our Catholic faith,” said Elia Landino, Diocesan PTA president emerita. “Our faith teaches us the importance of community, service, and compassion, guiding us in our efforts to provide a nurturing and enriching environment where each child can thrive and is valued.
“It is also important that we value each contribution within our school community. Every parent, teacher, and community member plays a vital role. Recognizing these contributions helps us amplify our positive impact on the children we serve, thus answering the question … ‘Why.’”
Cyndi Primerano, vice president of the Diocesan PTA Board and Burlington/Mercer regent, said board members try to make sure they are available to provide guidance to all school PTAs.
“We are really working on increased collaboration with the people at the Diocese of Trenton level, at the Catholic office, to make sure we have good communication between their initiatives and how we can disseminate their information to the schools … and in general making sure we are available to attend the PTA school meetings,” she said.
Helping children and families
Craig Palmer, principal of St. Mary School, Middletown, explained how important unity and service are to St. Mary as well as the students and their families.
“One of the biggest strengths of our school is our community,” Palmer said. “We make sure that any child that wants a Catholic education has an opportunity to come meet with us. … We’ll sit down with that family and find out what they can afford.”
He said the St. Mary PTA has raised money for the annual fund and is beginning an endowment so “we can help more children out.” He said it is important “not only to evangelize the child, which is the actual mission of Catholic education, but to evangelize the family through the child.”
Jennifer Fialo, president of St. Mary PTA, noted the organization sponsors other fundraisers, such as helping families at holidays.
“We just try to give back to the community and get everyone involved,” she said.
Guest speaker Kim Hewski, founder and chair of Lauren’s Light, explained “your ‘why’ is the driving force in everything you do […] your ‘why’ gives you direction.”
“My ‘why’ is Lauren’s Light,” she said. Lauren’s Light, a 501c3 charity organization, was created in memory of Lauren Hewski, who was a senior in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, when she lost her life on May 11, 2023 in a car accident. Miss Hewski had just received her associate’s degree from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
In St. John Vianney High School, Miss Hewski was a member of the Early College Academy which allowed her to pursue college-level stories and earn the associate’s degree as a high school student.
Lauren’s Light has as its mission to assist young women in grades six to 12 to discover themselves and follow a path in which they can pursue their dreams and goals successfully.
Connecting Lauren’s Light to the day’s theme ‘Remember Why’, Kim Hewski said, “Reflect on your passions […] identify your strengths […] examine your struggles […] when you live with purpose, everything changes.”
Bishop O'Connell preaches his homily during the Mass he celebrated for conference participants. Staff photo
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UPDATED Sept. 23, 2024
Speakers at the 99th Annual Trenton Diocesan PTA Conference challenged participants to remember why they volunteered for their roles.
PHOTO GALLERY: Diocesan PTA Conference
“Today, I ask you an important question. As active members of the various groups to which you belong: ‘Why are you doing this?’” Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt, superintendent of Catholic schools, asked participants. “As members of the PTA, you are putting others first, and in this case, those ‘others’ are our students, faculty and staffs.”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., opened the Sept. 21 conference with a Mass, concelebrated by six priests at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral in Freehold.
‘Be like St. Matthew’
In his homily, he described the importance of incorporating faith into education, how the PTA acts as a bridge that connects from home to school, and the roles as parents to lead by example and live according to Christ’s teachings — so their children feel valued and respected and can grow in their relationship with God.
On the feast of St. Matthew, he related the saint to present life.
“Let us allow Jesus to look at us. Let us allow his look to become our joy, our hope,” the Bishop said, urging participants to “strive to be like St. Matthew … may we inspire our children to do the same.”
For the first time in years, every school in the four Diocesan regions — Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Mercer — had representation during the conference. Participants reflected on their true purpose and reason for their membership in the PTA as this year’s foundational theme was announced, “Remember Why.”
A shared commitment to students
Daniel T. O’Connell, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, explained the PTA’s function in encouraging the power of connection among students and teachers.
“Because of your kindness and generosity, the schools of the Diocese of Trenton are seeking to remove some of the stumbling blocks to the unity that all children seek to find and develop,” he said. “Because of you, we are helping teachers to use the tools at their disposal to help those children to feel more confident and secure in who they are and to feel that they are part of the group.”
“‘Remember Why’ reflects our shared commitment to the success and well-being of our students, and it also aligns with the values we hold dear in our Catholic faith,” said Elia Landino, Diocesan PTA president emerita. “Our faith teaches us the importance of community, service, and compassion, guiding us in our efforts to provide a nurturing and enriching environment where each child can thrive and is valued.
“It is also important that we value each contribution within our school community. Every parent, teacher, and community member plays a vital role. Recognizing these contributions helps us amplify our positive impact on the children we serve, thus answering the question … ‘Why.’”
Cyndi Primerano, vice president of the Diocesan PTA Board and Burlington/Mercer regent, said board members try to make sure they are available to provide guidance to all school PTAs.
“We are really working on increased collaboration with the people at the Diocese of Trenton level, at the Catholic office, to make sure we have good communication between their initiatives and how we can disseminate their information to the schools … and in general making sure we are available to attend the PTA school meetings,” she said.
Helping children and families
Craig Palmer, principal of St. Mary School, Middletown, explained how important unity and service are to St. Mary as well as the students and their families.
“One of the biggest strengths of our school is our community,” Palmer said. “We make sure that any child that wants a Catholic education has an opportunity to come meet with us. … We’ll sit down with that family and find out what they can afford.”
He said the St. Mary PTA has raised money for the annual fund and is beginning an endowment so “we can help more children out.” He said it is important “not only to evangelize the child, which is the actual mission of Catholic education, but to evangelize the family through the child.”
Jennifer Fialo, president of St. Mary PTA, noted the organization sponsors other fundraisers, such as helping families at holidays.
“We just try to give back to the community and get everyone involved,” she said.
Guest speaker Kim Hewski, founder and chair of Lauren’s Light, explained “your ‘why’ is the driving force in everything you do […] your ‘why’ gives you direction.”
“My ‘why’ is Lauren’s Light,” she said. Lauren’s Light, a 501c3 charity organization, was created in memory of Lauren Hewski, who was a senior in St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, when she lost her life on May 11, 2023 in a car accident. Miss Hewski had just received her associate’s degree from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft.
In St. John Vianney High School, Miss Hewski was a member of the Early College Academy which allowed her to pursue college-level stories and earn the associate’s degree as a high school student.
Lauren’s Light has as its mission to assist young women in grades six to 12 to discover themselves and follow a path in which they can pursue their dreams and goals successfully.
Connecting Lauren’s Light to the day’s theme ‘Remember Why’, Kim Hewski said, “Reflect on your passions […] identify your strengths […] examine your struggles […] when you live with purpose, everything changes.”
Bishop O'Connell preaches his homily during the Mass he celebrated for conference participants. Staff photo