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is a bimonthly magazine published by the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco Development Office

659 Belmont Avenue North Haledon, NJ 07508

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With cheers, cake, balloons, and lots of good wishes, Sr. Rosalie Di Peri celebrated her 99th birthday on January 7. Her blood sister, Sr. Domenica (above), joined in, as did Sr. Joanne Holloman (left).

Editorial Board

Dr. Joe McAleer, Editor

Sr. Mary Rinaldi, FMA, Director of Development

Sr. Brittany Harrison, FMA, Editorial Manager

Theresa Anderson, Anna Anderson, and Sr. Suzanne Dauwalter, FMA, Copy Editors

© 2023 Missionary Society of Salesian Sisters, Inc.

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Academy of Our Lady Students dig in to save the planet Academy of Our Lady Students dig in to save the planet

“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish.” – Pope Francis

If a conversation is happening 5,447 miles away, typically your everyday person would not be impacted by its message. That’s the distance between Vatican City and Academy of Our Lady in Marrero, LA. However, one conversation is having a major impact in day-to-day lifestyles of students attending the Academy: Laudato Si’. The 2015 encyclical by Pope Francis calls us as Catholics and inhabitants of the earth to link our spirituality with our awareness of the environment and care for the earth.

Academy Environmental Science teacher

Sr. Janna San Juan (pictured above with her students) heard the Pope’s call to action and has implemented it in her classes.

“Laudato Si’ has definitely given words to my passion for the environment,” she says. “God has given us many gifts, and it’s our moral responsibility to care for them. I’m grateful I can share that with my students.”

The first step in this process was clearing out the few garden beds already on campus that were overgrown with weeds. Students were guided to salvage items that could be replanted in a newly refurbished bed. The next step was building new garden boxes. “It was very important that the students had as much ownership as possible in this project,” Sr. Janna explains. “Having a literal workshop experience with power tools was something very different from what we typically do in class, and what they do in general.”

After the beds were placed, students filled them with dirt. They then decided what would be planted. Life lessons followed.

“I’ve learned that the earth is a beautiful planet and that we should take care of it,” senior Tristyn Landry says. Adds senior Angelina Verberne, “It was an amazing feeling knowing we started this and watched something come to life. It was so easy. We really need to teach people so they can start doing it themselves.”

“I am proud that the students have taken charge of this project from start to finish,” says Sr. Michelle Geiger, Academy principal. “Their learning goes beyond the simple textbook to the nitty-gritty practical aspects of growing food, sharing it with others, and understanding the environmental impact. Today’s learners need to be challenged to go beyond the four walls of the classroom. This is a way to make the learning come alive and help the young be responsible to make our world a bit more sustainable. Here at Academy of Our Lady, we are committed to forming our students to be good citizens in this world and the next.”

Our elderly Sisters in the St. Joseph Provincial Center in Haledon, NJ, were thrilled by the visit of Bishop Kevin Sweeney of the Diocese of Paterson. The Bishop spent time with each Sister and offered his blessing, including Sr. Patricia Winterscheidt (above) and Sr. Louise Passero (right). You are most welcome to visit us anytime, Bishop Sweeney!

Abeloved annual holiday tradition returned on December 11, when the Salesian Sisters hosted their Christmas Party in-person for the first time since 2019 at Mary Help of Christians Academy in North Haledon, NJ. More than 400 guests gathered for a fun event filled with Christmas spirit: a joyous atmosphere, a delicious meal from The Market Basket, shopping at Santa’s workshops, and beautiful baskets.

“We were thrilled to resume our annual Christmas Party and see so many of our friends and family,” says Sr. Mary Rinaldi (pictured here with just a few of the amazing baskets).

Congratulations to the winners of the Christmas Challenge Sweepstakes: Jorge Rodriguez of Paterson, NJ; Cynthia Adamek of Centennial, CO; and Marguerite Cronrath of Clifton, NJ.

Thank you to all who supported this amazing event, which raised more than $90,000 for the Mary Help Financial Aid Fund.

SEEK is an event for college students hosted by FOCUS: the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. It features dynamic speakers, prayer moments, vendors, and opportunities to connect and socialize for young people with Catholic organizations and religious groups. This year’s SEEK conference was hosted in St. Louis, MO. The Salesians had a strong representation! It was a joy to see many past pupils from our Salesian works as well as Salesian priests, brothers, and Sisters (above) from both the Eastern and Western Provinces of the U.S. and Canada. Sr. Elfie Del Rosario, Vocation Director, enjoyed getting in the game (below, left) while all the Sisters hit the photo booth!

Now more than ever Please Adopt a Sister!

Please consider joining our friends of all faiths who have experienced the transforming power of prayer and loving friendship with a Salesian Sister, every day of the year, through our Adopt a Sister Program

Whether the Adopted Sister is for yourself, a family member, or a friend in need of spiritual strength, you will find comfort knowing that your intentions will be remembered each day by your spiritual prayer partner, and your sacrificial gift will support our elderly Sisters. It makes the PERFECT gift, especially for a wedding, birthday, First Holy Communion, Confirmation – any occasion! Please complete the form below, visit www.salesiansisters.org, or call us toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS. Thank you, and God bless you!

CVV: _____________

Please call us toll-free: (877) OUR-NUNS

Birthday wishes at the St. Joseph Provincial Center, this time for Sr. Esther Cruz who celebrated her 89th birthday on December 2. Joining in the celebration are (from left) Sr. Catherine Novo, Sr. Ines Valentin, Sr. Teresita Teran, Sr. Bui Thi Bich-Huyen, Sr. Mary Louise Mazzocco (behind Sr. Esther), Sr. Anne Weis, Sr. Domenica Di Peri, and Sr. Mary Arciga.

Sr. Joanne Holloman (center) recently paid a visit to our Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, at our General House in Rome, which gave her the chance to see the Sisters from our Province who are in Italy for various missions. Sr. Emy DeFillipis (at left) is serving as the Economer in charge of Finances at the House of Mother Angela Vespa. A few miles away at Casa Canta, Sr. April Hoffman (at right) is studying Salesian Spirituality. We miss you, Sisters! You are in our prayers!

Provincial Superior Sr Joanne Holloman visited Immaculata –La Salle High School in Miami, FL, to view the new athletic construction under way. Past Pupil and current faculty member Gaston Arellano served as her tour guide.

The “Building on the Legacy” project includes grandstands with a modernized press box, public rest rooms, and concessions; a multipurpose athletic field to host football, soccer, baseball, and lacrosse; and a field house with locker rooms, state-of-the art training and rehabilitation facility, coaches’ offices, and a strength-training room. A new sports pavilion will provide a venue for dance, cheerleading, and other sports. Learn more at www. ilsroyals.com/buildingonthelegacy

How good are you at identifying the very-cold-looking Salesian Sisters (and priest) taking a stroll in the snow in the 1990s outside of Mary Help of Christians Academy? Houses across the street on Belmont Avenue are seen in the background. E-mail your answers to partners@salesiansisters.org.

The Salesian Sisters Partners Circle was founded in 1991 to provide unrestricted funds for urgent needs of the Salesian Sisters and their mission. These include support for capital needs, scholarship assistance, technology upgrades, and funds for those unforeseen situations that require immediate attention (such as during the COVID-19 pandemic). Your annual contribution to this fund empowers the Sisters to continue their mission: To Provide Financial Assistance and Volunteer Services to the Salesian Sisters and to the Young People in their Care for the Advancement of Education, Vocations, and Community Life.

32nd 32nd

The fire which destroyed St. Joseph Chapel in North Haledon, NJ, in 2018 underscored the vital importance of the Partners Circle Fund, enabling the Sisters to respond quickly in an emergency and begin the rebuilding process – now complete!

There are 8 levels of membership, starting at $250, which are listed on these three pages. PC denotes a member of the Partners Circle National Board of Trustees, a group of talented lay people who advise the Sisters on distribution of the fund. Won’t you consider joining this dynamic group in our 32nd year? Please call us today: (877) OUR-NUNS. Thank you and God bless you!

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In Loving Memory of

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Tom & Laurie Aldinger