TODAY Magazine Fall 2022

TODAY NEWS FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS & FRIENDS | FALL 2022

T DAY

In This Issue

Fall 2022

TODAY Magazine is published for the alumni, parents and friends of Saint Joseph High School.

Features

School Leadership

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Welcome Brother Dan St. Jacques Saint Joe’s welcomes a third Brother of the Sacred Heart to campus. Learn about his lifetime devotion to spreading God’s will to the world’s youth.

John G. Nolan, Jr. - President Anne Rivera - Principal Miguel Cabrita ‘91 - Assistant Principal/ Director of Admissions Jessamyn Bergin - Dean of Studies Brian Jenkins ‘98 - Dean of Students Mark Southern - Director of Guidance

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Office of Advancement

Formation Around the Nation A mission trip can be a critical experience for our students as they grow into Saint Joseph Men.

Nancy Alfano - Director of Advancement

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John Eppensteiner ‘02 - Director of Alumni Relations Tim LeCras - Director of Communications and Marketing/Editor of TODAY Dylan Hollender ‘17 - Communications and

22 Hall of Distinction

We are proud to announce the Hall of Distinction, a new opportunity to honor Saint Joe’s distinguished alumni, friends and Partners in Mission.

Marketing Coordinator/Designer of TODAY Send us your comments and suggestions.

By mail to: Today Magazine Office of Advancement 145 Plainfield Avenue Metuchen, NJ 08840

By email to: tlecras@stjoes.org

By phone: (732) 549-7600 x. 270

Facing Page: Photo by Lors Photography

Brother Dan, Photo by Dylan Hollender ‘17

Formation, Photo provided by Tracey Coudriet

News Around Saint Joe’s 4

Back to School

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Meet the New Partners in Mission

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Fall Sports Update

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18 A Commitment to Service: Kevin Ryan ‘85 24 A Year of Excellence

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A Letter from the President Dear Falcon Family, I hope this letter finds you happy and healthy. As many of you know, Saint Joe’s has a rich history of academia, formation, stewardship and brotherhood - some would call it a tradition of excellence. I am proud to announce that we are celebrating the Saint Joseph Year of Excellence. Throughout the year, you will see tributes to our past in our publications, websites and social media channels.

To kickoff the Year of Excellence, the Saint Joseph High School Board of Directors is delighted to announce the creation of the Saint Joseph Hall of Distinction. Beginning in the Fall of 2024, we will recognize members of the Saint Joseph Brotherhood, Partners in Mission and friends who have made a great impact on campus. We have kept this under wraps for quite some time and I was happy to officially announce the Hall of Distinction during halftime of our Homecoming football game on October 7.

This year’s game was our first venture into Friday Night Lights at Saint Joe’s and I am happy to say that it was a tremendous success.

The Falcon Flock came out in full force which brought back many terrific memories for the alumni that were on campus.

Speaking of the student body, we welcomed 527 students to campus on August 31, including 132 members of the Class of 2026. The students are overwhelmingly excited to be back on campus. Thanks to you, our alumni and friends, the Saint Joseph Annual Fund is supporting 280 students this year with more than $1 million in scholarships, need-based financial aid and grants. This is the most the fund has ever provided our students and we wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.

We are excited to welcome 13 new Partners in Mission across the campus, including a new Brother of the Sacred Heart, Br. Daniel St. Jacques SC, who joined the Guidance Department. Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to three PIM who retired over the summer, including Betsy Donohue, who stepped away in August after spending 26 years at Saint Joe’s.

Our Fall Sports teams are in full swing, with several big wins already on the books. It has been a lot of fun watching our young men compete and build new bonds with each other. I’d like to give a special recognition to cross-country runner Michael Alvarez ‘23 who committed to run for the United States Military Academy at West Point next year, continuing a long tradition of Falcons attending the service academies.

Back on September 27, we acknowledged Br. Gary Humes SC’s 25th anniversary as a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

We will be honoring him with a mass and luncheon on Tuesday, November 1. Since joining us at Saint Joe’s, Brother Gary has become an integral part of the community and we can’t wait to celebrate with him in November.

Additionally, we are very excited to celebrate the life work of Kevin Ryan ‘85 at this year’s Green Tie Gala on November 5. Kevin has spent his entire career in public service, including 30 years at Covenant House International, where he is currently serving as President and CEO. Kevin is a role model for all of us, so it made perfect sense to honor him with the Fr. André Coindre Award. You can read more about Kevin’s Saint Joe’s journey later in this magazine.

Finally, I want to invite the entire Saint Joseph High School community to celebrate Christmas at Saint Joe’s with our annual Advent Mass on Saturday, December 3. The mass will also serve as a memorial to Br. Ronald Cairns SC, who passed away in April 2020.

This is the year of EXCELLENCE at Saint Joe’s and we are excited to bring you stories and updates in this edition of TODAY magazine that exude the Saint Joseph Journey to Excellence. Enjoy the journey with us.

Gratefully,

John G. Nolan, Jr. President

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A Letter from the Principal Dear Saint Joseph Faith Community, We are well into the new school year and the campus was busy right from the start. Students and Partners in Mission (faculty and staff) were very busy during the summer with service trips, volunteer work, retreats, professional development, and facility upgrades.

However, nothing compares to the fullness of having all of our students back in the building. The noise and laughter re-energizes us all.

We pray our entire Saint Joe’s community had an enjoyable summer and start to fall.

With the opening of school, we welcome back our upperclassmen and say “Hello!” to our newest Falcons, the Class of 2026. The freshmen class is 132 strong coming to us from 57 sending schools and 43 towns. We have 13 siblings of current students joining us as well as two sons of alumni and one son of a Partner in Mission. Please join us in welcoming them to the Falcon Family.

In the first few weeks of school, our students have made the transition back to school work. But as you know, our school is so much more. Here are some highlights of the school year so far: •

19 students were recognized by the National Merit Program for their scores on the PSAT/NMSQTR Test last fall

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More than 70 percent of our students are participating in extracurricular clubs and activities

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Our Department of Campus Ministry is off to a strong start teaching the importance of community service

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The Falcon Flock has been out in full force supporting our football and soccer programs.

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75 members of the student body were inducted into a National Honor Society this fall

We pray that the year ahead will be a successful one for all of us. There will never be a dull moment as we work hard to enrich our students, as well as building the Saint Joe’s community. We remain true to our core values: open heart, missionary spirit, respect, compassion and trust, and holistic perspective. The ripple effects of this commitment are seen within our school on a daily basis as we witness the amazing things that happen on our campus. None of it would be possible without our Partners in Mission, students, families, friends and alumni.

We thank our Partners in Mission for their dedication to our students and the mission. We thank our alumni for supporting the educational, athletic and extracurricular activities through the Saint Joseph Annual Fund. We thank our families for entrusting us with the education of their sons. Most importantly, we thank our students for embracing the brotherhood, providing us purpose, and bringing our mission to life.

Ametur Cor Jesu!

Ametur Cor Mariea!

Saint Joseph, Pray for Us! Your Partner in Mission, Anne Rivera

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Back to School As the Summer turns to Fall, it is a time for new beginnings at Saint Joseph High School.

The 143 members of the Class of 2023 rise up to their place as leaders in the school. The class is about to embark on the balancing act that goes with being a senior, including looming college applications, along with daily responsibilities inside and outside the classroom. It is not an easy transition, but it is an important one in the development of Saint Joseph Men.

Juniors in the Class of 2024 now enter the second half of their high school careers, and begin to think about what they want to do with their time past the Nest. This is truly a year of looking forward while reflecting back on the path that led them here.

Rising sophomores have arguably the biggest challenge in front of them. After spending a year as the youngest members of the Saint Joe’s community, the new school year brings new responsibilities for the Class of 2025. They must now serve as role models and guides to the new freshmen class, an adjustment that takes time but proves critical in the foundation of young men.

This is going to be a great year for Saint Joseph High School. Students are already setting themselves up to thrive and excel in their academics, athletics, faith, and growth. By this time next year, our Falcons will have grown significantly, continuing on the tradition of excellence that has been in place for over 60 years.

Senior Year

Falcon Strong 4 | TODAY FALL 2022

2022-23

A New Generation

Welcome Class of 2026 The Saint Joseph High School community is very excited to welcome the 132 members of the Class of 2026.

As a collective unit, the Class of 2026 brings a wealth of new knowledge and energy to the campus.

This year’s freshmen entered the Saint Joe’s hallways for the first time on August 30 for Orientation Day. Following a quiet summer on campus, the energy that the Class of 2026 brought to school with them on the first day was long overdue.

Their first day was filled with morning mass and a meet-and-greet with five members of the Class of 1965, Saint Joe’s first graduating class. Freshman also learned about the process of becoming Saint Joseph Men, a feat they all hope to accomplish by the time they graduate in May 2026.

Most importantly, the class was able to bond with their new brothers, creating lifelong memories that they will reminise about in 2076, the year of their 50th reunion.

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2022 Retirees

Thank You for Your Service “It has been a pleasure working here for 26 years, meeting so many great students and seeing them grow into successful young adults.”

-Ms. Betsy Donohue

26 Years of Service Betsy Donohue is a name that has been integral to the Saint Joseph community for 26 years, both as a long time Partner in Mission and as a Falcon alumni parent.

but most students know her from working in the Dean of Students Office with Mr. Brian Jenkins ‘98, taking attendance and getting students where they needed to go.

Ms. Donohue began working at Saint Joseph High School in September of 1996. The rest is history.

“When school begins and I am not there to sign in the late comers, especially those young freshmen who are scared to death, I will miss being able to put them at ease,” she said. “I will miss the boys a lot.”

“I had been working at Saint Augustine’s where Brother Kevin Finnegan was the Principal” she said.

“He knew of an opening at Saint Joe’s and asked if I was interested. Since I had a son who was a sophomore and a son who was a freshman there I knew this was the right move to make.”

Ms. Donohue served in a variety of roles throughout her 26 year tenure, 6 | TODAY FALL 2022

Saint Joseph High School would like thank Betsy Donohue for her years of service and strong devotion to the Saint Joseph community. Now entering retirement, she plans on devoting her time to her family, especially her five grandchildren.

Mrs. Nadia Salzer Mrs. Nadia Salzer has been a Partner in Mission since 2008, and has taught Spanish at various levels, as well as Art. Thank you for your committment to the Saint Joe’s community!

Mr. Patrick Fowler Mr. Patrick Fowler has worked at Saint Joseph High School since 2015, and has taught physics at the honors and AP levels. Thank you for your service!

Meet the New Partners in Mission With the dawn of every new school year comes a plethora of new faces to the Saint Joseph community. While many of these faces are transfer students and incoming freshmen, a handful are new Partners in Mission who have come aboard to continue the mission of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

This year, Saint Joe’s is excited to welcome 13 new Partners in Mission, including eight new teachers and two new administrators. The school also welcomes a third Brother of the Sacred Heart, Brother Dan St. Jacques.

“The core of our mission at Saint Joe’s is to prepare young men for their future through holistic education in the Catholic traditions bestowed upon us by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart,” President John G. Nolan, Jr. said.

“Without the commitment that our Partners in Mission make to our school, we wouldn’t be in a position to provide the journey to excellence that we are known for.”

Each of the 13 new members of the Saint Joseph High School faculty and staff are committed to following in the footsteps of Father André Coindre, whose vision was to educate and enrich the lives of young people.

“We are very excited to welcome Saint Joe’s newest Partners in Mission to campus,” Principal Anne Rivera said.

“All of our Partners in Mission have made a commitment to enrich the lives of the young men in our school. I know that as a collective unit, our new faculty and staff will challenge our students day in and day out, forming them into the best men possible.”

Saint Joe’s welcomes these highly successful professionals to our community: •

Gemma Altobelli - School Store Manager

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Matteo Bellantoni (Biology)

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Persis Bessada - English

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Ryan Carter ‘91 - Director of Athletics (beginning January 3, 2023)

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Collin Dougherty - Social Studies

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William Fitzpatrick - Assistant Business Administrator

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Dr. Ludmilla Mecaj - Science (Chemistry)

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Claudie Ramirez - World Language

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Joseph Roberts - Theology

• All of Saint Joseph High School’s Partners in Mission work to embody in their educational service to the school’s • young men the substance of Father Coindre’s original charism.

• •

Dr. Marvin Shumowitz - Computer Science & Applied Technology Brother Dan St. Jacques - Guidance Department Bill Tracy - Physical Education Karen Wilton - Dean of Students Office

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Counselor, Servant, and Friend: Brother Dan St. Jacques By: Dylan Hollender ‘17 The mission and dedication of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart takes men of faith, character, and devotion, and brings them to where God needs them most. The Saint Joseph High School community is excited to have gained such a man in Brother Dan St. Jacques, who arrived on campus this summer. Br. Dan has traveled far and wide spreading the message of Christ and the Brothers, and has been doing so faithfully since the 1960s.

A Faithful Upbringing Br. Dan grew up in Nashua, New Hampshire with three older brothers and two younger sisters. His family is of FrancoAmerican descent and he flourished in his heritage, being taught both English and French during his early childhood days.

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His first interaction with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart came at an early age when he was a member of the first graduating class of Bishop Guertin High School in his hometown of Nashua.

Br. Dan thrived in his spiritual journey at Bishop Guertin and decided to take on God’s call to religious life by joining the Novitiate of the Brothers in Rhode Island in 1966.

“I have always had a spirit of adventure and enjoyed experiencing new visions of Church, community living and religious life,” St. Jacques said. “I found that attempting to take on the mind and heart of Christ takes you to very exciting and challenging places.”

He soon found his way to exciting and challenging places while on his journey of faith, a tradition in Br. Dan’s life that would continue for decades to come.

God’s Will Around the World There is certainly no shortage of travel in Br. Dan’s history of work.

Over the course of several decades, he has worked in many different cities, states, and countries. While specific responsibilities have varied from location to location, there is an underlying theme of service to young people in the Church.

“I am a counselor by profession,” St. Jacques said. “It is what I really enjoy most about my work as a Brother.”

Br. Dan served as a student counselor in many high schools around the United States, such as Saint Dominic Regional High School in Maine, and even returning to his alma mater, Bishop Guertin. Throughout his time, he has also used his talents in language to teach French at various grade levels.

Travel took him across the ocean to the United Kingdom, where he worked for Saint Columba’s College in St. Albans as counseling coordinator. He even spent time in Lusaka, Zambia with other Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

In 2020 he returned to the United States to work part-time as a counselor at Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, Louisiana. When his ministry there ended in 2022, it was time for a new change of scenery.

Arrival in Metuchen Br. Dan began his newest assignment at Saint Joe’s over the summer, ready to work with the students and instill in them the charism of the Brothers of

the Sacred Heart alongside Br. Richard Leven and Br. Gary Humes. Upon his arrival, the total number of Brothers on campus increased and their presence has been well-felt around the campus.

“Having another Brother of the Sacred Heart on campus gives an additional opportunity to give witness of our dedicated service to our students at Saint Joe’s by words, deeds, and personal presence,” Leven said. “This has been the mission of every Brother of the Sacred Heart who has served the Saint Joseph community.”

As a member of the community and as a Partner in Mission, Br. Dan works as a part-time counselor engaging with the freshman class. He meets with them one-on-one to see how they are adjusting to high school and to aid in their transition to new surroundings.

Community is the strongest and most important feeling he stresses with his students, a feeling that dates back all the way to the first Brothers.

“The spirit of Coindre and Polycarp is alive and well at Saint Joe’s,” St. Jacques said. “It is the same sense of community, warmth, and compassion that I have felt in every Brothers school that I have worked in.”

Brother Dan lives up to the longstanding tradition of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Not only is his goal to make students feel welcomed and acclimated to their new environment at Saint Joe’s, but he also strives to instill the values of Father André Coindre. His message to incoming students is simple:

“The world needs more compassion. This was the message and challenge of André Coindre.”

The students, Partners in Mission, and families of Saint Joe’s are thrilled to have Br. Dan as a new member of the community. The addition of a new Brother is a testament to the mission and dedication of Father Coindre, and the long lasting tradition of what it means to be a Brother of the Sacred Heart school.

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FALL SPORTS ARE IN FULL SWING

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FOOTBALL The Saint Joseph Falcons came out firing in the first three games of the season, beating New Brunswick, Somerville and Union. Omari Jones ‘23 and Jeremy DeCaro ‘24 lead the team with five rushing touchdowns each, while quarterback Daniel Degennaro ‘24 has five passing touchdowns. Saint Joe’s hosted its first ever Friday Night Lights football game on October 7, with one of the largest turnouts at an athletic event in recent history. While the game ended in a loss to Edison, it was one of the most prominent displays of Falcon Spirit from students, families, and alumni.

SOCCER The Saint Joseph Varsity soccer team’s season is off to a 6-7 start, including victories over New Brunswick, North Brunswick, East Brunswick, and South Brunswick. Jakub Cielak ‘23 leads the team with nine goals and one assist, while Giancarlos Gary ‘23 has eight assists. Goalkeeper Troy Boucher ‘25, has 56 saves on the year. The Saint Joe’s Varsity soccer team has had some thriller finishes, including September 20 when Saint Joe’s defeated East Brunswick at home in overtime. Armon Singh ‘23 had the game’s golden goal.

CROSS-COUNTRY The Cross-Country team has been sprinting through meets this Fall, especially Michael Alvarez ‘23 and Devon Kiessling ‘24. Earlier this Fall, Alvarez and Kiessling took home medals at the Magee Class Meet in Clark. The Running Falcons are looking forward to their success in the upcoming weeks as county and state championships loom on the horizon. Alvarez has commited to run for the United States Military Academy - Westpoint next Fall.

CREW Being the only scholastic rowing team in Middlesex County since 2010, the Saint Joe’s crew team takes great pride in its position. The Crew team made its Fall Rowing Season debut in Delaware on October 2 where they competed in the “Head of the Christina Regatta,‘’ a highly competitive rowing competition. Having the largest group of rowers ever, the team’s Varsity B boat came in third place, with the Varsity A boat coming in fourth.

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FUNDRAISING SUMMARY

More and More Falcons Join the Flock

The Saint Joseph Annual Fund % 49 INCREASE IN DONORS OVER 2 YEARS

2021–2022

2020-2021

2019-2020

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Alumni

The numbers don’t lie.

Over the past two years we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of alumni, family and friends of Saint Joe’s who are coming together to support our school and our students by donating to the Saint Joseph Annual Fund. The 2021-2022 fiscal year realized a 49 percent increase over the past two years. This is amazing! We cannot thank you enough for your support in helping to form Saint Joseph Men.

The Saint Joseph Annual Fund is a critical tool in helping to maintain the financial health of the school. Gifts to the Annual

Fund support the annual operating budget and directly impact the education and formation experience of our students. Your unrestricted gift allows us to direct funds where they are needed most throughout the year, providing us the ability to continue offering all of the amazing programming that has made Saint Joe’s an institution of excellence for the past 60 years.

Every gift makes a difference no matter the amount. Thank you for your continued (and growing!) support year in and year out!

Scan here to access our donation site and make a gift to

The Saint Joseph Annual Fund https://alumni.stjoes.org/g/give-annual-fund

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900

1,000

Looking Ahead Giving Tuesday–November 29th On Tuesday, November 29th, Saint Joe’s and other nonprofit organizations around the globe will celebrate GIVING TUESDAY— a day focused on philanthropy and giving back. This year, we are asking you to support Campus Ministry, one of the most iconic programs at Saint Joe’s.

Campus Ministry is the heart and soul of the student body. Our young men get to faithfully follow in the footsteps of Christ by participating in retreats, mission trips and volunteering at outreach events. Campus Ministiry is designed for and by the students.

Giving Tuesday donations will be used to fund the Campus Ministry program and allow students the unparalled opportunities to give back and provide service to their communities.

Saint Joseph Giving Day 2023 After an unbelievably successful Saint Joseph Giving Day in 2022, where we raised $177,488 from 753 donors, we are setting our sites even higher for 2023! Our goal for our next #SJGIVINGDAY on MARCH 20, 2023 is to have 1,000 donors participate! WE CAN DO THIS!

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Formation Around the Nation By: Benjamin Chadwick ‘23

Ever since he was a child, Alex Canada ‘23 has had a passion for service. Wherever he felt his help was needed, he would offer it without hesitation. When Canada learned of the JusticeworX mission trips at Saint Joseph High School, he felt as though he had been given a golden opportunity to volunteer his time and effort to those who needed it most.

The service trips are a great way for students to complete their service hour requirements as well. One trip will provide a student with 35 total hours of service, more than enough for the yearly requirement.

Mission trips occur right after school ends and they last for about a week at a time. The trips include around 16 students from Saint Joe’s and 16 students from Mount Saint Mary’s.

“I always enjoyed service whether it be at a food pantry or even just helping out a local neighbor,” Canada said. “Once I learned Importance of Service about the mission trips at Saint Joe’s I knew they would be perfect for what I Mrs. Tracy Coudriet, the director of Campus Ministry, which enjoyed doing.” sponsors the Justiceworx program at Saint Joe’s, sees the trips as an opportunity for students to not only help others One of the values that the Brothers of the Sacred Heart have in need, but to also discover their own Christian values instilled in all of their schools, including Saint Joe’s, are the through their service. principles of service. Saint Joe’s exemplifies these values and the JusticeworX mission trips are one of the most prominent ways that these ideals are fulfilled.

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“Students can expect to have a great time and expect to work hard,” Coudriet said. “You’ll be sleeping in the community and depending on where you’re going, it’s a different situation. You’ll come back with a renewed sense of faith.

You’ll have an eye-opening experience of poverty and need, either in our local area, if you’re in Trenton or as far away as Klagetoh, Arizona, with the Navajo Reservation.”

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Aside from Trenton and Klagetoh, students can choose to volunteer in Philadelphia, Down the Jersey Shore, or Dunlow, West Virginia.

No matter where students go, they will be helping serve the underprivileged communities in that area.

There are a wide variety of services that students take part in. These include offering aid in food pantries, home renovation, daycare centers, and gardening among many other service opportunities.

In helping the underprivileged, students tend to find that they are being strengthened in their faith and spirituality during these JusticeworX trips.

Building Formation Through Service Will Kwiatkowski ‘24, who attended both the Trenton and Dunlow JusticeworX trips this past summer, has connected his faith to real-world problems with the help of the JusticeworX mission trips.

“The trips have helped me see what my faith and charitable deeds can do to help the world around us,” Kwiatkowski said. “Our Job is to take care of others and being able to do it with your friends is something you must experience, it’s truly life-changing”.

Kwiatkowski plans on traveling to Dunlow once again for his third JusticeworX mission trip next year.

Canada cherished his mission trips, specifically the daily reminders that special moments can happen in a blink of an eye.

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“During my first trip to Trenton, we helped package meals into people’s cars and they were extremely grateful,” Canada said. “It felt good knowing that I was making a difference in those people’s lives. The next day when we were helping at the Boys and Girls Club, I gave a little girl $2 for a soda from the vending machine. I had never seen someone be so happy over something so little. After work, we were able to learn more about each other and had a really fun bonding experience”.

These trips certainly take a student out of their comfort zone but there is a reason why over 80 percent of Saint Joe’s students sign up for multiple trips.

“Going on these trips is life-changing,” Coudriet said. “They help you to bond with your classmates and meet new people. Friendships have come out of this that people didn’t expect. It’s an amazing experience that you may never get another opportunity to do.”

Ask anyone who has ever been on a Saint Joe’s mission trip and they will tell you the same thing - the trips are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that have a positive impact on everyone involved.

If you are interested in supporting a mission trip, contact Tracey Coudriet at tcoudriet@stjoes.org to learn more.

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Saint Joe’s to Honor Kevin Ryan ‘85 at Green Tie Gala Community service and formation was and always has been front of mind for Kevin Ryan ‘85 and his family.

These were two of the many reasons why Ryan attended Saint Joseph High School in the early 1980s. His success at Saint Joe’s led the Ryans to become a legacy family, as four of Kevin’s brothers, Tim ‘87, Jim ‘87, Owen ‘95 and Christopher ‘95, followed in their big brother’s footsteps and joined the Brotherhood.

“My parents wanted my brothers and me to have the strongest possible high school education,” Kevin Ryan said.

“They wanted us to think about the future and to follow our dreams. They thought Saint Joseph High School would make those dreams achievable.”

Kevin’s dreams have always involved helping people and his career trajectory proves just that. The former Falcon athlete, Model UN leader and student government Treasurer built a life around making the lives of those less fortunate better. From leading the New Jersey Department of Human Services to expanding Covenant House 18 | TODAY FALL 2022

International to reach thousands more children and youth experiencing homelessness, Kevin Ryan has devoted his life to service - a trait nurtured while at Saint Joseph High School.

“The Brothers of the Sacred Heart helped cultivate a mindset of service,” Ryan said. “My experience at Saint Joe’s God and their colleagues accompanied came at a formative time. And I left there with a mindset of service fixed in me across a bridge from boyhood to the adventure of life.” me.”

It has been more than 30 years since Ryan first started serving youth at Covenant House International, and he has spent the last 14 as President and CEO. Under his leadership, Covenant House has grown to support homeless children in 34 cities across six countries - a feat that was in part inspired by his time at Saint Joe’s and some of “the greatest men” he ever knew - the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

“Saint Joe’s opened the world to me,” Ryan said. “The Brothers taught me to stretch and aspire, to be faithful and nurture a heart for others. At the most formative time in my life, these men of

Saint Joseph High School is proud to honor Kevin Ryan ‘85 with the Father André Coindre Service Award for his decades of service making the world a better place for today’s youth.

Announcing the Saint Joe’s Evergreen Society

Did you know there are ways to support Saint Joseph High School that don’t affect your current lifestyle or your family’s security?

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You don’t have to be wealthy to make a generous, long-lasting gift.

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Make a gift right now that costs you nothing during your lifetime

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Save on taxes by giving appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual fund shares

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Donate life insurance you no longer need

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Use a gift to reduce your estate tax exposure and eliminate capital gains

Planned gifts make it possible to support the mission of Saint Joseph High School in a far more significant way than you ever thought possible.

Contact Nancy Alfano, Director of Advancement, to discuss the options which suit you best: nalfano@stjoes.org or 732-549-7600 x 208 TODAY FALL 2022 | 19

HOMECOMING

Friday Night Lights

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WEEKEND

Falcon Fall Fest Class Reunions

The Saint Joe’s football team hosted Friday Night Lights, the first ever night home game in program history on October 7.

With a couple thousand fans in attendance, including over 300 students and many alumni ready to watch the Falcons take on crosstown rival Edison, it was one of the most exciting games ever held at Brenner Family Field.

Although Edison took the win, the Falcon Flock was in full force and the camraderie from the Saint Joe’s community could not have been stronger. Throughout the weekend the classes of 1972, 1992, and 1997 held their class reunions. On Saturday, the Father’s Club hosted the Falcon Fall Fest, full of pumpkins, mums, and fun.

With a successful weekend of events, we look forward to next year’s Homecoming Weekend to continue the tradition of Brotherhood and Falcon spirit. A special thank you to Steve Brenner ‘82, Ed Lubowicki ‘78 and Joseph Costello ‘07 for generously donating the lights to make this memorable night possible.

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The Excellence Campaign world that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. They showed their excellence by being nationally commended as merit scholars, committing to prestigious universities, and signing national letters of intent to play collegiate athletics.

By: Dylan Hollender ‘17 How do you describe a long-lasting tradition of educating and shaping young men while preparing them for life? How do you boil down 61 years of history and over 10,000 alumni into a singular theme or idea? That was the challenge for the 2022-23 school year. One word came to mind, one that encompasses all of what makes Saint Joseph High School what it is today: EXCELLENCE.

The Saint Joe’s administration is proud to announce the Excellence Campaign, the theme for the academic year that allows the school to focus on a lesson that many alumni know well and hold dear to their hearts.

not a goal,” a translated quote from the Greek philosopher Aristotle. It tells us to go above and beyond what is expected.

There are many ways that Saint Joseph Men are excellent - academics, athletics, faith, and formation. It begins with the admissions process and continues for a lifetime. It is the duty of every Falcon to live up to this standard.

“Saint Joseph Men are wellrounded, articulate, and unique.” John G. Nolan Jr., President of Saint Joseph High School, said. “They stand out and stand tall in a crowd of their peers.”

From the very first graduating Class of 1965, all the way to our new crop of freshmen in the Class of 2026, students The Class of 2022 took the idea of are often told that “excellence is a habit, excellence to heart and proved to the

24 | TODAY FALL 2022

“Excellence is a way to recognize individuals who, through their struggles and endeavors, have managed to defy expectations and carve their own path in the world,” 2022 Valedictorian Aayush Agnhotri said. “It is a way to unite our similar, yet different experiences and expectations under one umbrella, encompassing all the blood, sweat, and tears involved with getting a Saint Joseph High School diploma.”

With the new academic year comes a new wave of students, ones who will continue the tradition of excellence in their own way, all in the Saint Joseph name. This cycle of excellence is one that has been occurring decade after decade, and will continue on for many more years to come.

Share Your News To Serve and Protect Saint Joe’s is proud of all our alumni who choose to serve their community. Over the Summer of 2022, our campus held the Port Authority Police Department Medal Ceremony, where we were joined by several alumni including Ryan Carter ‘91, Joseph Francavilla ‘09, and Erik Broezek ‘07.

Passing of Lou Stiegelmayer We call to mind the passing of Lou Stiegelmayer, a parent of alumni Mark ‘94 and Ryan ‘99. Lou was very active in the Saint Joseph Fathers Club, where he served as president and made many friends in our community. He will be greatly missed.

Do YOU have news?

Did you land your dream career?

Get together with your fellow Falcons? Get married? We want to hear about it!

Please email your story to alumni@stjoes.org and you might be featured in the next edition of the TODAY Magazine!

Gifted in the Arts Christopher Deibert ‘89 has been appointed as the Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi in Metuchen. He will also be the Director of Diocesan Liturgical Music and Excutive Artistic Director for the Cathedral Concert Series.

Forty Under 40

Chicken Soup for the Soul

Sean Baptiste ‘06 has been named as one of NJBIZ’s Forty Under 40 honorees. Sean works for RWJBarnabas Health as a Chief Human Resources Officer. Congratulations on this honor!

John Torre ‘74 submitted a story entitled “Christmas Validation” to the upcoming “Chicken Soup for the Soul: Christmas Magic” book. His story was selected among thousands of entries to be included in the publication! The book is scheduled to release in October of 2022.

Signing on a New Team

Taking the Lead in Soccer

Marc Johnstone ‘15 has signed with the Toronto Marlies, the NHL’s top affiliate team of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Johnstone was a standout player for Saint Joe’s hockey, helping the team win four straight GMC titles.

Evan Marques ‘12 has been named as the Head Soccer Coach at Caldwell University starting in the Fall of 2022.

He returns to his collegiate alma mater to guide and direct student athletes to a successful season.

TODAY FALL 2022 | 25

145 Plainfield Avenue Metuchen, NJ 08840

Save the Date

Christmas at Saint Joe’s

Mothers Club Pocketbook Bingo

Come visit our campus as we celebrate the holiday season.

Activities include a Christmas tree sale, winter treats, and more.

Join the Mothers Club for a night of fun, games, and Falcon spirit. Play bingo with your fellow Falcon moms for a chance to win a number of high end designer purses! Details on registrations and ticket purchases will be sent out soon.

Saturday December 3, 2022

A Community Advent Mass will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 4:45pm in the Maglio Gymnasium. The mass will also serve as a memorial to Br. Ronald Cairns SC, who passed away in April 2020.

December 9, Doors open at 6pm