NEWS FOR ALUMNI, PARENTS & FRIENDS | FALL 2023
Back to School 2023
TSchool Leadership
John G. Nolan, Jr. P’09 - President
Anne Rivera - Principal
Miguel Cabrita ‘91 - Assistant Principal/ Director of Admissions
Jessamyn Bergin - Dean of Studies
Ryan Carter ‘91/P’19 - Dean of Students
Lisa Listo - Director of Guidance
Nancy Alfano - Director of Advancement
John Eppensteiner ‘02 - Director of Alumni Relations
Stephen Brandenburg ‘08 - Advancement Database & Special Events Manager
Tim LeCras - Director of Communications and Marketing/Editor of TODAY
Dylan Hollender ‘17 - Communications and Marketing Coordinator/Designer of TODAY
With enrollment exponentially increasing, see why more students are choosing Saint Joe’s as their home.
The No. 2 bowler in New Jersey and a 3-time German medalist. This Falcon gives it his all in everything he puts his mind to.
What Did the Falcons Do Last Summer?
Saint Joe’s students, Partners in Mission, and alumni had an eventful summer. Read more about their incredible experiences.
Meet the newest members of a long standing tradition of athletic excellence and accomplishment.
A Letter from
John G. Nolan, Jr. President
Dear Falcon Family,
I hope this message finds you happy, safe and enjoying the start of fall.
The beginning of a new school year brings tremendous opportunities for our students to make new friends, take more challenging classes and join an array of clubs and activities. Every decision our students make puts them on the path to success. This year we will celebrate how Saint Joseph High School empowers our students to succeed inside and outside the classroom.
Devon Kiessling ‘24 exemplifies what every Saint Joe’s student can become if they set their mind to it. An honor student and multi-sport athlete, Devon was recently awarded the Jerome Reso Scholarship by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, the third Falcon recipient in the last eight years. We are very proud of everything Devon has accomplished at Saint Joe’s and hope you enjoy reading his story.
We are very excited to announce the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023. The men selected exemplify the tradition of success at Saint Joe’s and we can’t wait to honor them at their induction ceremony on Saturday, June 8, 2024.
While summer used to be a time for trips to the beach, many of our students participated in advanced educational opportunities, study abroad and immersion programs, service trips and many other formation activities. In the center spread of this magazine you’ll see a snapshot of how our Falcons, past and present, set themselves up for success this past summer.
Other highlights in this edition of TODAY Magazine include:
Defying the Odds: Receive an in-depth look at how the Saint Joe’s admissions team is bucking the trend and growing enrollment in numbers unseen in Catholic schools around the country.
Pilgrimage Lyon: An Andre Coindre Experience: Science Department Chair Roel Mercado ‘07 and I spent three weeks in Lyon, France learning about the charism of Father André Coindre and the Brothers of Sacred Heart.
A memorial for Br. Robert Ziobro, S.C.: A longtime fixture at Saint Joe’s who passed away in June, Br. Robert was a graduate of the Metuchen juniorate program in 1963. He changed the lives of countless people as a Director of Religious Education for many parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen and as Vocation Director for the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
Thursday Night Men’s Club: A tribute to the founding Class of 1965 and John Shibles ‘65, our distinguished honorees at the fourth annual Green Tie Gala.
Forming Men of Honor: The story of how four graduates from the Saint Joe’s Class of 2018 became officers in the United States military.
Do a Good Turn Daily: Celebrating six members of the Saint Joe’s Class of 2023 who earned their Eagle Scout awards.
As you can tell from this issue of TODAY Magazine, we take immense pride in the continued growth of the entire Saint Joseph High School community. Your support of Saint Joe’s and the holistic educational experience allows us to foster an environment built on the pillars of success and brotherhood. We couldn’t do it without you.
May God bless you,
John G. Nolan, JR. President
A Letter from Our Principal
Dear Saint Joseph Faith Community,
We are more than two months into the new school year. The bustling and excitement of the new school year is a welcomed site after a quiet summer.
During the last week of August, we welcomed 200 new students to campus, including our largest freshman class in the last decade. The Class of 2027 is 170 members strong, representing 61 sending schools and 49 towns from across New Jersey. There is a lot of Saint Joe’s pride in the group, featuring siblings of current students, sons of Saint Joe’s alumni and one son of a Partner in Mission.
Additionally, we welcomed the seven members of the inaugural Falcon Bridge Program. We launched this new initiative last spring for parents to provide their sons an opportunity to undergo additional preparation, ensuring a smooth and successful transition into high school. The Bridge program students have adapted to their new school and have been accepted with open arms into the brotherhood.
With the increase in student population, the school leadership team expanded our educational resources to include new Partners in Mission and we reopened the third floor of O’Neill Hall to add five new classrooms. These additions were made to keep our class room sizes low and ensures our students will get the best educational experience possible.
Additional upgrades include a renovated makerspace/robotics lab and new furniture in Campus Ministry. We are also in the process of building out a state-of-the-art Esports Lab, which will provide increased opportunities in science, math, tech and engineering. We look forward to a formal launch of the program later this year.
Over the summer, 150 students participated in service trips across the country, including Dunlow, West Virginia, the Jersey Shore, Trenton, Nashua, New Hampshire and Klagetoh, Arizona. Through these trips, our students bonded together to help those in need, a core principle of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.
Formation remains strong on campus, as the students accumulated over 14,000 service hours last school year, a new school record. We are very proud of the boys’ commitment to service and are excited to see the new opportunities that will be available to them this year, including the launch of a new program called SJ Outreach.
These campus upgrades and service trips would not be possible without our alumni. Your commitment and dedication to Saint Joe’s does not go unnoticed and we thank you for continuing to believe in our mission.
We also need to thank our Partners in Mission who are devoted to providing the best Catholic education possible. Their unwavering commitment to the principles of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart make our school a place where our students can learn and grow.
Finally, we owe a great deal of thanks to our families for continuing to trust us with the education and formation of their sons. I am proud to be a part of such a loving community and am excited to see what this year holds for all of our Falcons.
Ametur Cor Jesu!
Ametur Cor Mariae!
Saint Joseph, Pray for Us!
Anne Rivera Principal
Saint Joe’s Admissions Defying the Odds of Private School Enrollment
Enrollment at private schools has been the center of attention across the country. While states such as Florida are seeing modest increases in Catholic school enrollment, the Wall Street Journal reported in August that similar schools in New Jersey are seeing more than a 30 percent drop in admissions.
This is not the case for Saint Joe’s, which is bucking the trend and seeing higher enrollment rates than any state average across the country.
By: Tim LeCras
“Saint Joe’s had such a record setting year for applicants that our leadership team decided to increase the freshman enrollment from 150 seats to 170,” Director of Admissions Miguel Cabrita said. “The candidate pool was very strong and we are excited to see the Class of 2027 flourish into successful members of the Saint Joseph Brotherhood.”
The incoming class is 21 percent larger than the recently graduated Class of 2023 and 31 percent larger than last year’s freshman Class of 2026. When you add in the 27 transfer students for the sophomore and junior classes, as well as the seven Falcon Bridge Program students, there are over 200 new faces on campus excited to take advantage of everything Saint Joe’s has to offer.
“The transfer students that entered Saint Joe’s this year are such amazing, intelligent, talented young men. I wholeheartedly believe they are Falcons - they just took a little longer to make it
Saint Joe’s welcomed in 27 new transfer students into the long lasting tradition of brotherhood.
into the nest,” Cabrita said. “The seven members of our Falcon Bridge Program are the pioneers of the new innovative program at Saint Joe’s. These young men successfully completed their 8th grade year at different schools across New Jersey but have decided they wanted more time to grow and mature before entering into high school. They will have the opportunity to take courses specifically catered to their academic development while also benefiting from a year of physical growth and maturity”
While the increase in the total number of students on campus could be a concern for some administrations, it is not at Saint Joe’s. With 574 students on campus this year, the school leadership team, including Cabrita, school President John G. Nolan Jr. P’09, Principal Anne Rivera and Dean of Studies, Jessamyn Bergin, have expanded resources to increase the amount of faculty and classroom space on campus.
“Academics has and always will be at the forefront of the Saint Joe’s experience,” Rivera said. “When Miguel Cabrita updated the rest of school leadership on the exceptional students in the Class
of 2027, new transfers and the Falcon Bridge Program, we knew an investment in new faculty and educational space was needed. We are extremely grateful that 200 new families selected Saint Joe’s for their sons’ academic success and are excited to welcome them to the Saint Joe’s family.”
Cabrita and the rest of the school leadership team have been working diligently to provide new opportunities for prospective students to take advantage of Saint Joe’s.
As of 2019, the school began offering the Early Action Program, a weeklong seminar for rising eighth graders interested in attending Saint Joe’s. Historically, over 90 percent of the program’s attendees went on to attend the school. The 2023 Early Action Program included 96 students, a 26 percent increase from the previous year. With classrooms reaching full enrollment, Cabrita decided to expand the program to three sessions for the Summer of 2024.
“The Early Action Program truly has taken off at Saint Joe’s,” Cabrita said. “What
started back as almost a legacy program for young men who were eager to follow in their father or brother’s footsteps at Saint Joe’s has now evolved to young men who have dreamed of attending Saint Joe’s since an early age. They are receiving a unique summer experience that sets them up for future success at Saint Joe’s.”
Regardless of the path the 200 new Saint Joe’s students took, they are embarking on a journey to excellence, with opportunities for formation and growth around every corner.
For more on Saint Joe’s admissions, read our Viewbook online:
New to campus this year is the Falcon Bridge class, who are using this year to grow and develop before starting their freshman year at Saint Joe’s.
“He Gives His All.”
By: Tim LeCras
This phrase, included in an email from Brother Ronald Hingle, S.C., to the entire Brothers of the Sacred Heart community in August radiates a feeling of pride. Of respect. Of gratitude. Br. Ronnie was referring to one of the most well-rounded students who has walked the halls of Saint Joseph High School in recent history, a decorated German student, one of the top high school bowlers in New Jersey, and the third Falcon to earn the coveted Jerome Riso Scholarship, awarded to only one student from a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school – Devon Kiessling ‘24.
“Devon impressed the Council in several ways,” Hingle said, “Mainly because he seems to be taking full advantage of all Saint Joseph has to offer. When Devon makes a commitment to himself, his team, or his community, he gives his all.”
Ask anyone who has come into contact with Kiessling over the last four years and they will say the same thing - he strives to be the best student, athlete and person possible.
When you speak with Kiessling, you get an aura of confidence. You see someone who is never content with being average. He wants to be the best, and he’ll do anything to get there.
“I’m all in,” Keissling said. “I
know I am definitely putting forward my best effort. To think that someone else sees that I’m giving my all makes me feel a lot more confident in what I do inside and outside the community.”
Kiessling wasn’t always as confident as he is today. Having been born with lifelong, profound hearing loss, he utilizes cochlear implants to gain some hearing functionality with his disability. Kiessling has endured more than his fair share of roadblocks in his life.
Saint Joe’s entered his life at the perfect time. After struggling with several bullying incidents in middle school, he was looking for the right high school opportunity that would allow him to grow as a student and a young man. What he found at Saint Joe’s was a new home.
“My first year at Saint Joe’s I was beaming with a smile from cheek to cheek,” Kiessling said. “It was so heartwarming to see that these people would approach me to see how I was
doing. They won’t just leave me behind because of my disability. They see that I’m a person, not just a number.”
Inside the classroom, his course load includes AP German Language and Culture, AP Calculus and Discrete Math and Linear Algebra, three of the toughest classes in the Saint Joe’s course catalog.
A three-time medalist on the National German Exam, Kiessling has become a role model for all world language students. According to Petra Jones, Saint Joe’s German teacher and World Languages Department Chair, Kiessling “works twice as hard as other students.”
“Devon has grown into an exceptional German student through his strong work ethic and commitment to his goals,” Jones said. “Devon decided early on in class that ‘German’ was his thing and he wanted to excel in it. In German, the word is ‘stolz,’ and in any language, his hard work and perseverance translates to making all of us at Saint Joe’s very proud.”
Outside the classroom, Kiessling takes advantage of the wide array of extracurricular opportunities available to students. Most days you can find him at the local bowling alley where he will head into the season as the No. 2 high school bowler in New Jersey.
“Last season was a wild ride, especially in the state individual tournament,” Kiessling said. “Just knowing that I was leading the whole tournament after the first round, I was thinking to myself, ‘Listen, you have a chance right now. You can do this.’”
The bowling alley is where Kiessling’s competitive edge comes alive and you get to experience who he really is. At any given moment, you see him coaching up his teammates, intensely focused on his
next shot, or pacing down the corridors to hype himself up. Regardless of what he’s doing, Kiessling’s presence on the team is special.
“From freshman season to now, Devon has grown and matured immensely and demonstrates excellent leadership qualities for his teammates both on the lanes, as well as off the lanes on a daily basis,” Saint Joe’s bowling coach Russel Thomsen said. “He understands the importance of providing positive guidance and leadership, as well as being a role model for all of his teammates. I know I can count on him at all times for various tasks off the lanes, as well as being one of our ‘Leaders by Example’ on the lanes at all times.”
Kiessling’s actions are rooted in humility. Ask him any question related to his success at Saint Joe’s, and you will see what everyone else does: a confident young man who is thankful and gracious. But, most importantly, you’ll see someone who “gives it his all.”
Outside of the classroom, Kiessling is a star athlete, even being ranked the Number 2 bowler in the State of New Jersey this past season.
Kiessling is an accomplished German student at Saint Joe’s, being inducted into the German National Honor Society this September.
Kiessling is taking full advantage of the academic opportunities at Saint Joe’s, including some of the most rigorous AP courses available.
Do a Good Turn Daily
A lifetime of hard work, dedication and service to the community culminated in six members of the Saint Joseph High School Class of 2023 earning their Eagle Scout award.
Christopher Feliks ‘23, Christian Foster ‘23, Liam Kelly ‘23, Rocco Lippi ‘23, Joshua Oliviera ‘23 and Dalton Vassanella ‘23 earned the “highest and most coveted award” in all of scouting during the 2022-2023 school year - a feat only 6 percent of all scouts reach.
Lippi said his journey to become an Eagle Scout started in first grade and was the “most involved and transformative experiences” he’s ever had.
“Being a Boy Scout led me to try new things through the merit badge program,” Lippi said. “I developed
confidence in multiple areas and developed lifelong friendships through scouting. Throughout my time in Scouts, I always had one goal: rising through the ranks to achieve my Eagle Scout. Through my scouting experience, I learned the skills to be a better citizen and earn the support of my troop and my community.”
Each Boy Scout working towards their Eagle Scout rank must meet several requirements, including holding an accepted position of responsibility for a minimum of six months, complete 21 required merit badges and complete an Eagle Scout Service Project.
Kelly chose to build a new oar shed for the Saint Joe’s rowing team. During COVID-19, the team was forced to move to a new training location that “didn’t
By: Tim LeCras
have any of the infrastructure necessary for the team to compete. Kelly saw an opportunity and volunteered his time to build something for the betterment of the program.
“We had to build our own docks, boat racks, and refurbish an abandoned barn,” Kelly said. “I decided to continue this trend and asked my coach, Tom Langowski ‘03, what else we needed for the team. He told me that the team was looking to expand, but our current oar box didn’t have enough space to support that. Coach Langowski gave me the task of designing and building a new shed to fulfill the needs of the team.”
After speaking with Ryan Lechner, Saint Joe’s Director of Operations, Feliks built five wooden garbage can holders for the school’s grounds. Feliks said the support
Rocco Lippi ‘23 credits the Boy Scout program for allowing him to try new things and learn new skills through earning merit badges.
Joshua Oliveira ‘23, Christian Foster ‘23, and Christopher Feliks ‘23 were among the elite few in the Class of 2023 to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
of the entire Saint Joe’s community was a driving force in him completing the process.
“My friends during my senior year definitely encouraged me to keep going toward Eagle Scout, and they were a big help on the day of the project,” Feliks said. “I also had a lot of support from other students going for Eagle Scout when it came to the paperwork and planning for the project.”
Oliveira said Saint Joe’s leadership opportunities prepared him most for the Eagle Scout process. As a student leader for various clubs, including the award-winning Robotics team, Oliveira acquired the necessary skills to lead a group of volunteers who helped build new storage shelves for the Hands of Hope Food Pantry in Edison, N.J. Before
the project was complete, the pantry would leave food and other supplies on the floor of three storage units. Oliveira created a system to better organize the storage facilities.
“In these storage units, food is often just left on the floor and the space is not optimized and it is difficult to ascertain what types and how much food the pantry has at one time,” Oliveira said. “For my project, I resolved this problem by creating four wooden shelving units with storage totes to create more usable storage space and allow the pantry to consolidate the storage units and allow for greater organization and ease of use for the pantry volunteers.”
Vassanella completed one of the most ambitious projects to obtain his Eagle Scout recognition. Vassanella
constructed a walking trail in the wooded area behind St. Matthias Church in Somerset, NJ. The project took almost a year to complete and included clearing a half-mile path, then laying down mulch and other supplies to make the trail walkable.
He said his entire Saint Joseph experience guided him during the process.
“Saint Joe’s fostered an environment that supported hard working students,” Vassanella said. “The hard-working mentality of everyone at the school helped inspire me to follow in the footsteps of many Saint Joe’s students before me.”
After tremendous hard work, Dalton Vassanella ‘23 takes his oath as a new Eagle Scout.
For his project, Liam Kelly ‘23 led an effort that benefitted a cause close to his heart: constructing a new oar shed for the crew team.
What Did The Falcons Do Last Summer?
JasonMagistre‘24
JasonMagistre‘24wasthefirstSaintJoe’sstudent toparticipateintheNJScholarsProgramsince2016. ofAccordingtoJason,theNJScholarsProgramwasone learningthebestmonthsofhislife,asitcreatedahigh-level environmentandpreparedhimforlifeincollege.
William Kwiatkowski ‘24
WillKwiatkowski‘24participatedinaoneweek, intensiveonlineUniversityofPennsylvania MoneyballAcademyrunthroughWhartonGlobal YouthProgram. Eachday,hehadtheopportunity tolistentolecturesfromindustryexpertsfrom variousprofessionalsportsorganizationssuchas the PGA, NFL, WNBA, NBA, and MLS.
Ta-Ji Umukoro ‘25
Ta-JiUmukoro‘25participatedintheAmerican Association of Teacher of German’s immersion triptoGermany.Ta-Jiqualifiedforthetrip because of his score on the National German Examlastschoolyear.ThomasOgrodnik‘24also participatedintheprogram.
Kyle Giuliano
‘24
heKyleGiuliano‘24hasknownsinceayoungagethat Kylewantedtobecomeapriest.Thispastsummer, retreat.attendedtheDioceseofMetuchen’sQuoValdis RunbyVocationsDirectorFr.ThomasLanza, totheretreatisanopportunityforhighschoolstudents wherehavefun,growintheirfaith,andthink/prayabout Godmaybecallingtheminlife.
Spartacus Castellanos ‘26
Spartacus Castellanos ‘26 took part in a Costa Rica immersion program called, “The Road Less Traveled.” During the program, Spartacus and other teenagers from across the country helped build an entire home, dig wells and prepare food for local children.
Kaiden Thomas ‘24
Kaiden Thomas ‘24 continued the trend of Saint Joe’s students earning their Eagle Scout award. In late August, Kaiden and a group of Falcons repainted the traffic lines in the Saint Joe’s parking lot as his Eagle Scout service project.
Thomas Ogrodnik ‘24
wentAnaspiringclassicpianist,ThomasOrgrodnik‘24 onthetourofalifetime,visitingSweden,EstoniaandFinlandthispastsummer.WhileinFinland, inThomasplayedseveralmasterclassperformances world.frontofaccomplishedmusiciansfromaroundthe universityThomashopestostudymusicataEuropean nextfall.
Adam Boucher ‘19
Adam Boucher ‘19 became the latest Saint Joseph Falcon to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team. Picked in the 10th round by the Tampa Bay Rays, Boucher spent the last three seasons as a relief pitcher for Duke University.
Scott Schmitt ‘23
AftergraduatinginMay,ScottSchmitt‘23spentthe summeronthenationalvolleyballcircuitwithhisAAU team,SixPack.Thesquadcompetedagainstteams fromaroundthecountry,withScottdominatingthe netallsummer.ScottcurrentlyattendsIMGAcademy with a focus on basketball.
Christian Concepcion ‘24
ChristianConcepcion‘24spentaweekinJuneat AmericanLegionJerseyBoysState,agovernment-inactionprogramdesignedtoteachrisingseniorsabout theimportanceofgovernment,civicresponsibility andleadership.
Adam Herban ‘21
During a summer vacation to England and France, Adam Herban ‘21 visited Utah Red Beach in Normandy, France, the same beach his great grandfather William J. Berke landed on D-Day, June 4, 1944. During the visit, the Herban family toured the Caen Memorial Museum and the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. Adam attends the University of Maryland.
Dunlow, West Virginia
Service Trips
It wouldn’t be summer without a Saint Joe’s trip to Dunlow, West Virginia. Joined by Mount Saint Mary’s Academy, the Falcons combated poverty and hunger with various service projects, including a large scale food drive.
Nashua, New Hampshire
JulianArango‘26,BrianBurke‘26,andAlexander McFall‘25 participatedintheannualBrothersofthe SacredHeartservicetrip.HostedbyBishopGuertin HighSchoolinNewHampshire,theboysspentthe weekgivingbacktothelocalcommunityandbonding withotherBOSHstudentsfromaroundthecountry.
Klagetoh, Arizona
Easily one of the best service experiences available, the annual trip to Klagetoh, Arizona and the Navajo Nation provided the Falcons with an opportunity to learn more about the culture and extend aid to a community in need.
Every summer, our Falcons take part in a wide range of service trips that are located all around the country. These trips are an excellent opportunity for students and Partners in Mission to discover the value and joy in giving back. We look forward to many more years of summer service!
Photo by: Ned Rossi ‘24
Remembering Brother Robert Ziobro, S.C.
Saint Joseph High School and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart lost a cornerstone figure over the summer, Brother Robert Ziobro, S.C.
Br. Robert served as a Brother of the Sacred Heart for over 60 years. He joined the order in Metuchen as a juniorate in September 1959 and advanced to a novice after graduating high school in August 1963. He professed his final vows at the Brothers Chapel in Belvidere, N.J. in August 1964.
A lifelong learner, Ziobro earned three college degrees, including a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and French, with a minor in English from Spring Hill College in 1967, a Master’s Degree in French from the University of Notre Dame in 1973, and a second Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Fordham University in 1987.
At Saint Joe’s, Br. Robert spent many years teaching French, English, religion, psychology and sociology. He also served as retreat director, guidance counselor, freshman dean, department chair, campus minister, coach, and club moderator.
“A teacher of great influence and a man of great faith,” Robert Johnson ‘83 said as a tribute on the Saint Joe’s Facebook page. “He lives on in the lives of countless students he encountered and taught at Saint Joe’s.”
Education at multiple parishes, including St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen and St. Augustine of Canterbury School in Kendall Park.
Br. Robert also served as the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Vocations Director for many years. During that time he recruited several Saint Joe’s graduates to the brotherhood, including current BOSH Vocations Director, Br. Michael Migacz ‘83 and Br. Kevin Finnegan ‘74. He also recruited current Saint Joe’s Theology teacher, Br. Gary Humes, S.C.
According to Br. Richard Leven, S.C., the best trait of Br. Robert was how compassionate he was, both inside and outside the community.
Off campus, Br. Robert provided great religious influence to countless others when he served as Director of Religious
“He was a very outgoing guy, really outgoing,” Br. Rich said. “He was wonderful with the kids and with the entire community. Even as he got older and his health was declining, he would drive members of the community to doctor’s appointments. He was very compassionate with the sick knowing that he was was also very sick. He didn’t complain.”
The Origin of Tradition
On September 30, 1821, ten men made their vows in the Chapel at Our Lady of Fourvière in Lyon, France. This solemn but momentous ceremony marked the beginning of a journey spanning over 200 years and stretching across nearly every continent in the world. It was then that the charism of Fr. André Coindre was made manifest through the institution of the Brothers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, now known as the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. Through his fiery zeal, an ardent compassion for youth on the margins, and a clever sense of business and fundraising, Fr. Coindre established a pedagogy for the formation and education of young people. The ideas and philosophies born from his first institution at the Pieux-Secours serve as the foundation of all Brothers of the Sacred Heart schools today.
Every two years, the story and journey of the Brothers are told and relived through PLACE – “Pilgrimage Lyon: an André Coindre Experience.” Each of the 10 schools in the United States Province send a few of their faculty and staff members to this 17-day program in Lyon. This past summer, Saint Joe’s President John Nolan P’09 and Science Department Chair Roel Mercado ’07 participated in the experience as part of the Coindre Leadership Program (CLP).
The participants learned about the historical events that set the stage for Fr. Coindre to discover his ministry.
By: Roel Mercado ‘07
From the first martyrs of Lyon to the upheavals of the French Revolution, PLACE members learned about and visited the sites most significant to the history of the Brothers. Their sessions were led by Br. Ivy LeBlanc, S.C. and John Devlin, Director of Schools. Many meetings were conducted at Maison Coindre in Les Chartreux – the house where Fr. Coindre grew up and studied. Their pilgrimage brought them to remote towns in the French Alps, medieval villages, and even an excursion to Geneva, Switzerland.
More importantly, the participants this summer learned about each other and the different strengths and challenges they have at their respective schools. The aim was to build a closer relationship amongst the schools in the Institute; so that together they can continue the work first started by Fr. Coindre. Teachers and administrators
from Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, and across the Atlantic Ocean in England took away important lessons from their meetings with the French Brothers. At the culmination of their pilgrimage, the participants celebrated Mass in the same chapel at Fourvière and made a promise to keep Fr. Coindre’s charism alive in today’s world.
What sets a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school apart from all others is the community that is built through sharing, solidarity, and trust. The most important lesson to take away from the PLACE experience is that the mission of the Brothers now belongs to everyone in the Institute. With “courage and trust,” all Partners must work together to build a sanctuary for the youth and a better world for future generations to come.
Saint Joe’s president John G. Nolan, Jr. P’09 and science department chair Roel Mercado ‘07 were able to experience the trip of a lifetime to explore our roots as a Brothers of the Sacred Heart school.
Forming Men of Honor
By: Tim LeCras
“Ametur Cor Jesu! Ametur Cor Mariae!” A simple and concise phrase used to pay homage to the foundation of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, serves as the first bonding experience for the Saint Joseph High School student body. The start of a brotherhood that lasts forever.
Ethan Anthony ‘18, Christian Consales ‘18, Michael D’Esposito ‘18 and Anthony LeSaux ‘18 spent four years reciting the phrase each morning, creating lasting memories with their Saint Joe’s brothers that defined who they would become.
More than five years later, the daily thoughts are no longer “Ametur Cor Jesu! Ametur Cor Mariea,” but something equally as meaningful. For Anthony and Consales, the phrase has turned to “Be all you can be,” the current slogan of the United States Army. For LeSaux, the Marine Corps’ impactful “Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful),” rings in his mind, while D’Esposito has become fond of the Navy’s “Non sibi sed patriae (Not self, but country.)”
The four graduates of the Class of 2018 forged a new bond of brotherhood as officers in the United States military.
“Many individuals are driven towards a greater good, a larger calling,” Consales, an Indiana University graduate, said.
“Military service is a calling itself. Because of the type of individuals that Saint Joe’s has in each class, many individuals enjoy serving. As a result, careers in the military and government service are very attractive and alluring for students in this school.”
LeSaux, who attended Rutgers University after graduating from Saint Joe’s, believes learning the importance of community and brotherhood prepared him the most for his career as a Student Naval Aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“I think the number one thing Saint Joe’s did to help me out with the Marine Corps is to always be one of the boys,” he said, “Looking out for everyone and having to care for the brotherhood.”
A Virginia Tech graduate, Anthony knew for a long time that he wanted to serve. What he didn’t realize was that military service was more than “being a leader and pushing your limits to defend the nation.” You need spiritual, mental and physical toughness to be successful, all qualities he learned at Saint Joe’s.
“Saint Joe’s prepared me mostly by helping me grow in my relationship with God, which I would need as the years progressed,” he said. “The academic workload and extracurriculars
challenged me, but exposed me to having many duties and responsibilities. Being a member of the Cross Country and Crew team, helped me to strengthen my physical fitness and mental toughness. Lastly, would be the brotherhood. Going to school with those men over four years taught me the basic principles of being a good person, and working with one another.”
According to D’Esposito, Saint Joe’s has “a history of excellence” that prepared him for life in the military. From the strict uniform guidelines and strong academics, to capturing the 40th consecutive Greater Middlesex Conference swimming championship with his brother Dominick ‘18, D’Esposito learned more about life than he could have ever imagined.
“Throughout my four short years at Saint Joseph High School I was transformed from a young boy into a disciplined and mature young man,” D’Esposito, a Fordham University graduate, said. “The discipline, determination, and excellence demanded from the faculty and staff at Saint Joe’s is the reason I have been able to succeed in the demanding, yet rewarding United States Navy. Not only is Saint Joe’s a college preparatory school, it is a life preparatory school.”
“Many individuals are driven towards a greater good, a larger calling.” -Christian Consales ‘18
Michael D’Esposito ‘18, a member of the United States Navy, thanks Saint Joe’s “history of excellence” for preparing him for a life of service.
Introducing the 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees
By: Greg Tufaro ‘85
A nationally ranked basketball team that claimed a Tournament of Champions title headlines the Saint Joseph High School Athletics Hall of Fame’s newest induction class.
The Class of 2023, which also includes eight individuals, will be honored during a ceremony and dinner at the Metuchen Country Club on Saturday June 8, 2024.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors of Saint Joseph High School and the Falcon family, it is my honor to congratulate our newest members on being selected for the Saint Joseph Athletics Hall of Fame,” Saint Joseph President John G. Nolan, Jr. said.
The Athletics Hall of Fame, which returned in 2019 following a 17year hiatus, affords Saint Joseph an opportunity to recognize deserving individuals who have made a profound impact on the high school’s storied sports programs.
A total of 27 individuals were inducted into the Saint Joseph Athletics Hall of Fame during a four-year period from 1999 through 2002. Twentythree individuals and two teams were inducted since the Hall of Fame was resurrected four years ago.
“This year’s class features outstanding representatives from a variety of sports,” Nolan said. “The Saint Joe’s Athletics Hall of Fame is a special place and serves as a source of pride for the entire Falcon family. The Hall of Fame is a celebration of our commitment to excellence in all endeavors, including academics, athletics, and sportsmanship.”
Inductees bring recognition, acclaim, and pride to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and to Saint Joseph High School. Their record of sportsmanship and lifestyle of integrity and probity makes them role models for current and future Saint Joseph student-athletes.
“I look forward to welcoming our Class of 2023 back to Saint Joe’s and inducting them into the Hall of Fame and thanking them for the contributions they made
during their time at Saint Joe’s,” Nolan said. “They are all most deserving of this recognition. They are Saint Joe’s men.” Saint Joseph has accumulated more than 165 county or conference team championships and nearly 50 state team titles in 16 varsity sports.
In addition, Saint Joseph has produced hundreds of All-American, All-State, All-County, and All-Conference players, as well as countless college scholarship student-athletes.
A seven-member Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee, chaired by alumnus Ryan Carter ‘91, presented nominees for Class of 2023 induction.
The Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee identified, reviewed, and verified the achievements of all qualified nominees before making a final recommendation of inductees to Saint Joe’s leadership and Board of Directors, both of which approved the Class of 2023 for induction.
The Thursday Night Men’s Club
By: Tim LeCras
It started with a phone call more than 25 years after graduation. Bobby Duncan ‘65 had returned to New Jersey to care for his parents and called a few classmates to have dinner.
Several small group dinners catapulted into a weekly reunion of the class of 1965, the Thursday Night Men’s Club - a true example of the power of the Saint Joseph Brotherhood.
“Bobby speed dialed people who he hadn’t seen in 25 years and all of a sudden we had gotten together,” John P. Shibles ‘65 said in August 2022. “Our families had grown. Our careers had grown. We spent time every Thursday night for a couple of hours discussing the world’s events and the old times at Saint Joe’s.”
There is a sense of pride from the school’s first graduating class that reverberates through every member. It’s been 62 years since the group first stepped foot on campus, but no one saw, until now, the significance of being the first group of students to trust the Brothers of the Sacred Heart with their futures.
“We joked about surviving the tough academics and how the Brothers really wanted to make a name for this school,” Msgr. Charles Cicerale ‘65 said. “They wanted all of us to get into three or more colleges of our choice. They challenged us, and at the same time they affirmed us.”
Over 60 years later, the recollection of their time at Saint Joe’s returns frequently at weekly reunions that last deep into the night, trips abroad and annual visits back to campus that rejuvenate old memories and create new ones. Class Chair Ronald Sheldon said the “Thursday Night Men’s Club” dinners became the glue that brought them all together.
“As I was getting ready to go to high school, my mom told me, ‘When you go to high school, you’re going to make friends that you’ll have for the rest of your life,’” Sheldon said. “It didn’t register at the time, but it’s so true. We didn’t see each other for many years, but slowly we all came back together.”
There’s an old Mark Twain quote that says, “You may meet people who forget you and forget people whom you meet. But those whom you meet and can’t forget are your true friends.” The Class of 1965 are more than true friends. After 60 years of friendship, they truly are brothers.
John P. Shibles and the Founding Class of 1965 will be honored at the Fourth Annual Green Tie Gala on Saturday, November 11.
The Thursday Night Men’s Club convened in Boynton Beach, Florida for Saint Patrick’s Day festivities hosted by Al and Eileen Prendergast.
Thursday nights are a time-honored tradition for the Class of 1965, who, even after 60 years, remain a very tight-knit and close band of Falcon brothers.
A little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.
Your Will: An Expression of Your Values
Consider the longview when supporting the future of Saint Joseph High School and continuing the academic and life formation of our students.
Most people think a will is about things we have and where we want them to go. Those who have a plan will tell you it was less about what they owned and more about what impact they wanted to have on others’ lives.
Your will is the tangible part of your legacy in the world. That is why, no matter your age or wealth, it is important to consider this now. Just a couple reasons...
It can lend perspective. Taking stock of what is important can help you prioritize your goals and be more aware of how you want to impact the world.
It is versatile. Through your will you can give a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate. You can balance your generosity to Saint Joseph High School with an assurance that loved ones are taken care of first.
Whether you choose to make an immediate impact with a gift today or choose to make a difference by planning a gift through your estate, your support helps advance knowledge that will shape our future.
Find language that will help you plan and FAQ’s to start your process on our website.
Nancy Alfano Director of Advancement
Share Your News
Postgraduation Education
After a 45 year career in chiropractic neurology, and as a professor, after retiring, John Paul Schaeffer ‘70 completed his postgraduate Higher Education Teaching degree from Harvard University.
Married in the Fall
Henry Marcinkiewicz ‘71 married Susan Staley on October 27, 2022.
Exhibiting the Arts
Alonzo Adams ‘79 has an art exhibition being displayed at Rutgers University called “A Griot’s Vision.” It will be running from September 2023February 2024.
In God We Trust and Ride
Bill Wetzel ‘71 & Ron Sheldon ’65 ride motorcycles with Knights on Bikes Diocese of Palm Beach, Florida, and discovered they share the good fortune of having been taught by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in Metuchen NJ.
A Falcon at Sea
Rear Adm. George Wikoff ‘86 relieved Vice Adm. Kenneth Whitesell as the commander of Navy aviation. His nomination to be the next commander of U.S. 5th Fleet is pending U.S. Senate confirmation.
The Final Level
Ryan Crowley-Hughes’ ‘02 film company Green Tater Productions has finished work on its first feature film, The Final Level, which is slated for a release in 2024.
New to the Nest
Mark Rodgers ‘03 and his wife, Whitney, are excited to celebrate the birth of their son, Ahmad Freeman Rodgers. He was born on August 7, 2023 weighing in at 6 lbs 15 oz.
Welcome to the World
Ryan Iannuzzo ‘09 and his wife, Samantha, are thrilled to announce the birth of their second child, Lily, on August 9, 2023. She joins her older sister, Grace (2), as the newest member of the Iannuzzo family.
A New Partner
Arjun Kapoor ‘11 recently became a partner at United Wealth Group, a financial advisory and investment management firm located in Princeton, New Jersey.
A Falcon Wedding
Jason Hutnick ‘16 married his wife, Becky Welch, on a beautiful September day this year. His brother Matthew is a 2014 graduate and his mother Mary is a Partner in Mission.
Upcoming Events
Do YOU have news?
Did you land your dream job? 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!
Giving Tuesday November 28, 2023
This year, our Giving Tuesday proceeds will go towards the creation of “The Barn,” a new weightroom that will be constructed on our beautiful 70 acre property for all students to utilize.
Falcon Golf Classic
May 13, 2024
Join us on the course at Forsgate Country Club for an incredible day of golf and Falcon spirit, all in support of the Saint Joseph Annual Fund. Mark your calendars and get your foursome ready to play!
Thanksgiving Social November 21, 2023
Join us for the annual Saint Joe’s Alumni Thanksgiving social on November 21 at the Parlor at Hailey’s, where Falcons spanning across six generations will celebrate the Brotherhood and our Saint Joe’s pride.
Giving Day March 19, 2024
Celebrate the Feast of Saint Joseph with our annual Saint Joseph Giving Day. On this day, we ask all alumni, parents, and friends to show their support for the Saint Joe’s cause that is nearest and dearest to them.
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A Life of Service
Four Members of the Class of 2018 have answered the call to serve in the United States armed forces.
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