| February 2010 Support St. Peter's Sports The St. Peter's Sports Association is kicking off a fundraiser in support of its 3rd annual St. Peter's Pirates Treasure Hoops to be held From February 11th thru Febrauary 23rd. Follow the links below for more information: Sports Pledge Letter (pdf) Sports Pledge Form (pdf) |
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| Saint Peter School 152 William Street Belleville, New Jersey 07109 Phone 973-759-3143 Fax 973-759-4160 E-Mail |
| We are the Children of God, We Hold the Future in Our Hands... |
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Catholic Schools Week
January 31, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, which will run till
Saturday February 6th. It is a week in which we reflect on the positive
influences of Catholic education on the life of our parish and our families.
Here at St. Peter’s, it is also a time for parents of elementary school
students to consider the option of sending their children to our parochial
school.
St. Peter’s School has been around since 1867, and has educated and
formed generations of parishioners and residents of Belleville. I am
always touched when speaking to alumni of the school, especially those
who have since moved away from Belleville, upon hearing of the love they
still carry in their hearts for St. Peter’s School. Many speak with an
enormous nostalgia of the happy years they spent here.
Today sociologists speak of the “Social Capital” that students acquire by
attending Catholic Schools. It goes beyond the academic knowledge that
is imparted by any kind of school. The Catholic school easily becomes a
community, or a “home away from home” not only for the students, but
also for the parents. This is greatly enhanced by the fact that parents who
choose a Catholic school for their children are not only seeking a quality
education, but also one in which the truths and values that they
consider important, are transmitted. They have a common objective.
The nurturing environment of a Catholic School helps students be more
concerned about the needs of others, and also greatly helps them
become leaders in society. This sense of community is evident not
only during school hours, but also in extra-curricular activities, such as
sporting events and the Home School Association. In the individualist
society we live in, this sense of community - and ownership - is
badly needed, both by the students and by their parents.
In these hard economic times, public schooling becomes the most enticing
option for the parents, and I can definitely understand. Yet Catholic
Schools have a very important role to play in the life of a
particular town. Imagine the burden on the people of Belleville if all
students were to suddenly all attend public schools. With public education
being much more costly than, say, Catholic education,
property taxes would sky-rocket for all home-owners. And the motivation
for public schools to succeed would continue to dwindle.
It is therefore heartening to see that in Trenton and elsewhere, policy-
makers are closely monitoring the situation. Our new governor is seeking
to get others to understand how important it is that nonpublic
schools remain a viable option for parents. School vouchers have again
been mentioned as a matter of justice.
During this Catholic Schools Week, I heartily invite parents,grandparents
and supporters to visit St.Peter’s School, either after the Sunday Masses,
or during the School Week. Our principal, Mrs.Castellano, the teachers
and the “student-ambassadors” will be very happy to give you a tour of
the school. Parents of prospective students are even invited to “sit
through” a class that is appropriate to the grade their children will be
attending in the coming school year. Others can visit and just reminisce
about the “good old days” as they view the pictures from the past hanging
on the corridor walls!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Ivan Sciberras
frivan@maltanet.net
January 31, 2010
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week, which will run till
Saturday February 6th. It is a week in which we reflect on the positive
influences of Catholic education on the life of our parish and our families.
Here at St. Peter’s, it is also a time for parents of elementary school
students to consider the option of sending their children to our parochial
school.
St. Peter’s School has been around since 1867, and has educated and
formed generations of parishioners and residents of Belleville. I am
always touched when speaking to alumni of the school, especially those
who have since moved away from Belleville, upon hearing of the love they
still carry in their hearts for St. Peter’s School. Many speak with an
enormous nostalgia of the happy years they spent here.
Today sociologists speak of the “Social Capital” that students acquire by
attending Catholic Schools. It goes beyond the academic knowledge that
is imparted by any kind of school. The Catholic school easily becomes a
community, or a “home away from home” not only for the students, but
also for the parents. This is greatly enhanced by the fact that parents who
choose a Catholic school for their children are not only seeking a quality
education, but also one in which the truths and values that they
consider important, are transmitted. They have a common objective.
The nurturing environment of a Catholic School helps students be more
concerned about the needs of others, and also greatly helps them
become leaders in society. This sense of community is evident not
only during school hours, but also in extra-curricular activities, such as
sporting events and the Home School Association. In the individualist
society we live in, this sense of community - and ownership - is
badly needed, both by the students and by their parents.
In these hard economic times, public schooling becomes the most enticing
option for the parents, and I can definitely understand. Yet Catholic
Schools have a very important role to play in the life of a
particular town. Imagine the burden on the people of Belleville if all
students were to suddenly all attend public schools. With public education
being much more costly than, say, Catholic education,
property taxes would sky-rocket for all home-owners. And the motivation
for public schools to succeed would continue to dwindle.
It is therefore heartening to see that in Trenton and elsewhere, policy-
makers are closely monitoring the situation. Our new governor is seeking
to get others to understand how important it is that nonpublic
schools remain a viable option for parents. School vouchers have again
been mentioned as a matter of justice.
During this Catholic Schools Week, I heartily invite parents,grandparents
and supporters to visit St.Peter’s School, either after the Sunday Masses,
or during the School Week. Our principal, Mrs.Castellano, the teachers
and the “student-ambassadors” will be very happy to give you a tour of
the school. Parents of prospective students are even invited to “sit
through” a class that is appropriate to the grade their children will be
attending in the coming school year. Others can visit and just reminisce
about the “good old days” as they view the pictures from the past hanging
on the corridor walls!
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Ivan Sciberras
frivan@maltanet.net
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| ADOPT-A-STUDENT Support the Scholarship Fund For Inner-City Children's Adopt A Student Program. This program provides partial scholarships to hundreds of needy children who attend Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Newark. Catholic schools are this country's most effective and cost-efficient anti-poverty program. The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children works to make quality education in a safe environment available to those children who need it most. Find out more at: www.rcan.org/icsf |