Welcome to the Felician Sisters

October 11, 2009, the Felician Associates accepted three new members as active Associates. During the Evening Prayer - Commitment Ceremony, fourteen associates renewed their commitment as active associates while seven prayer associates recommitted their lives to God as prayer associates.

Felician Associates with Directors SM Auguste Biache (first row standing left),
SM Adele Bandurski (seated left),
and SM Aquinas Szott, Provincial Minister (first row standing on the right end)

Felician Associates are lay women and men who share in the spirit, prayer, mission, vision and charism of the Felician Sisters. They strive to "cooperate with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world" in their everyday life by spreading God's mercy and love in the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela.

Associate Members make a formal commitment to prayer and service that is renewed annually.

Prayer Associates are persons familiar with the spirit and mission of the Felician Sisters who feel called to be more closely united with the Felician Family. Because of distance, age or other factors they cannot take part in the meetings and activities of Associate Members. Rather, their bond with the community is one of prayer. Their commitment is also renewed annually.

Blessed Mary Angela desired to travel the world making God known, loved and glorified. Today, Felician Sisters, Felician Associates and Prayer Associates continue to fulfill her desire in their daily lives.

Left to right - Row 1: Mary E. Werner; SM Angelica Smialowicz, new director of Felician Associates;
Row 2 - Lori Palmeri and SM Adele, former director;
Melanie Suter, Beverly Brachocki and Marilyn Anthes;
Row 3 - New Associates Patricia and John Blevis; Margaret Flynn and Maryanne Huegel;
Row 4 - Sharon Breheny and New Associate Marie Dellaperuta;
Delia Chamorro with Maureen Morosco;

Saturday, September 19, 2009, was the date chosen to celebrate Immaculate Conception Province, founded in 1913 and now merging into Our Lady of Hope Province - Felician Sisters of North America.

The day was a day of great joy as we remembered and recalled with happy and peace-filled memories the many events which took place in our 96 year history that made us one community in mind, soul and body. This was a celebration of US!

Much prayer, thought and busy hands went into the preparation for the day. Each Sister was asked to write her most cherished memory of the Province on a heart which was then shared with the community and displayed in Providence Dining Hall.

The day began with prayer and breakfast with Sisters greeting one another as they came in from local homes. A Liturgy of Thanksgiving was celebrated at 11:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Convent Chapel followed by the blessing of a tree and memorial plaque on the grounds in the front of the chapel. Rev. Placid Stroik, OFM, chaplain, was the celebrant and homilist for this momentous occasion.

Clockwise - Left to right: SM Rosita Brennan reading the introduction; SM Noelle Narbut;
The entrance procession; Down the center aisle; SM Aquinas; the concelebrants in procession; Rev. Placid Stroik reading the Gospel; Sr. Lisa Marie reads the 1st Reading; Sisters in the congregation; Sr. Marie Victoria at the 2nd Reading; Sisters in the congregation; Felician Sisters Choir; Presentation of Gifts; another view of the Felician Sisters Choir.

Clockwise - Left to right:SM Lucia;Receiving Holy Communion; Sisters in Sisters' Choir;
Recessional; Sisters exiting chapel.

Following the Liturgy the Sisters all gathered in Providence Hall Dining Room for a very festive dinner where they shared much joy and camaradarie. At 2:30 pm the Sisters assembled on the front steps of Felician College Obal Hall for a Group Picture of the entire Province.

At 4:00 pm the Sisters gathered in the third floor solarium of Our Lady of Lourdes Hall where a Musicians

beautiful power point presentation was viewed with pictures of every Sister in the province from the beginning of the province until now. The Sisters then gathered in the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Hall for Evening Prayer where they included a Litany of Memories. Following Evening Prayer, all the Sisters joined together for a wonderful supper in the third floor solarium where they re-membered so many happy times past and began to make memories of future times to come.

For the gift of each sister and the treasures we have given to one another we remember and give thanks...for having been part of it ALL over the past 96 years, a divine kaleidoscope of sisters, places, ministries and events we remember and give thanks!

Felician Sisters Accept Professions, Invest Novices and Admit Postulants to the Congregation

On August 11, 2009, the feast of St. Clare, Heather Denee was accepted into the postulancy in Mother of Good Counsel Chapel in Chicago. Heather will reside at the Postulancy in Pittsburgh, PA under the direction of Sr. Paula Mary, Postulant Director.

In Livonia on August 14th during Friday Evening prayer Postulant, Antoinette Moncrieff, was invested with the Felician habit and received the name Sr. Fatima Marie .

On Saturday, August 15, 2009, feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chicago postulants Dong Hong Zhang and Kathleen Heying received their habits as novices and were given the religious names of Sr. Dong Hong Marie and Sister Marie Ann, while in Lodi Carla Del Prior received her habit and religious name of Sr. Grace Marie.

Also on Saturday during Morning Prayer in Livonia Sister Felicity Marie Madigan and Sister Rita Marie Vondra renewed their Temporary Profession of Public Vows.

At the 10:00 Liturgy Sister Mary Joan Woodall made her First Temporary Profession of Public Vows.

During the 1:00 Liturgy, Sister Clare Marie Klein and Sister Mary Veronica Golbinec made their Perpetual Profession of Public Vows.

Left to right: Top Row - Sr. Fatima Marie Monkrieff with SM Sharon Iacobucci, Novice Director;
Sr. Grace Marie Del Priore of Lodi;
Middle Row - SM Joan Woodall and Sr. Sharon at First Profession; Sr. Fatima Marie signs formal documents while SM Renetta Stumpf, Provincial Minister and
Sr. Cynthia Ann Marie Machlik, Provincial Secretary look on;
Bottom Row - SM Veronica Golbinec and Sr Clare Marie Klein profess Perpetual Vow;
Sisters Veronica and Clare with the Bishop

A Mass of Thanksgiving took place on Sunday August 16, 2009 in Mother of Good Counsel Chapel in Chicago, in Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel in Livonia and also in Immaculate Conception Chapel in Lodi for the newly invested novices.

Sr. Dong Hong Marie, Sr. Marie Ann, Sr. Fatima Marie and Sr. Grace Marie will join the novices at the Felician Novitiate in Enfield, CT under the direction of Sr. Mary Sharon Iacobucci, Novice Director.

Left to right: Row 1 - Postulant, Heather Denee; Novices Sr. Dong Hong Marie and Sr. Marie Ann;
Row 2 - Investiture Ceremony - Postulants Dong Hong Zhang, Kathleen Heying with Sr. Mary Andrea Chudzik, Provincial Minister;Sr. Marie Ann signs formal documents;
Row 3 - Heather Denee signs formal documents with Sr. Mary Andrea Chudzik, Provincial Minister and SM Inez Moch, Provincial Secretary looking on; Sr. Dong Hong Marie signs formal documents.

Let us continue to pray and support these sisters as they deepen their commitment to God and our Felician Congregation.

After several years of inquiry, discernment and preparation, Carla Del Priore, a postulant of the Felician Sisters, became a novice on Saturday, August 15, 2009. The private ceremony was held at 4:00 pm in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception Convent in Lodi, NJ with the community of Felician Sisters in attendance.

At left, Carla Del Priore asking for admission to the Novitiate. At right Sister Mary Aquinas Szott, provincial minister, listens to Carla's inquiry.

As Carla asked for admission to the novitiate, Sister Mary Aquinas Szott, provincial Minister, accepted Carla into the next phase of her initial formation as a Felician Sister. The brown Franciscan habit with white veil was given to Carla as a sign of her acceptance into the novitiate for further trial and discernment. Carla left the chapel to dress in the habit and returned to be given her new name in religion: Sister Grace Marie.

From Left to right: Row 1: Blessed habit and veil; Sr. Judith Marie at the First Reading;
Row 2: Sr. Joan Marie reading the Second Reading; SM Juanita, Postulant Director with Carla;
Row 3: Sr. Clare Marie assists Carla in dressing in the habit; Sisters Clare and Juanita with Carla;
Row 4: Carla hears her religious name-Sister Grace Marie; Sister Mary Aquinas Szott, Provincial Minister, Sister Mary Jean Ryder, Provincial Secretary watch as Carla signs formal documents at the altar.

After a festive dinner with the community of Sisters, a joyous gathering took place to celebrate Carla with little gifts and much camaradarie.

A Mass of Thanksgiving for the gift of vocation for Carla/Sister Grace Marie was held on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at 9:00 am in the Immaculate Conception Convent Chapel. Rev. Placid Stroik, ofm, convent chaplain, was the celebrant and homilist for the occasion. Members of Carla's family as well as several of her friends were present for this momentous celebration. Sr. Grace Marie will reside with the novices at the Felician Novitiate in Enfield, CT under the direction of Sr. Mary Sharon Iacobucci, Novice Director.

Left to right: Row 1- SM Aquinas pins corsage on Sr. Grace Marie before Mass;
SM Rosita, SM Antonelle and Sr. Grace Marie in the Offertory Procession;
Row 2- SM Lucia greeting Sr. Grace Marie after the ceremony;Sr. Grace Marie cutting the cake;
Row 3- Sr. Grace Marie's Grandmother and her sister Andrea; Sr. Grace Marie with her brothers Matthew and Michael; Row 4 - Sr. Grace Marie with her father and Cynthia; Sr. Grace Marie with her grandmother, SM Aquinas and her mother.

Sisters and invited guests then joined together in the Providence dining room to celebrate a festive brunch.

(Taken from THE LEADER in an article MOVERS & SHAKERS written by Susan C. Moeller)

The July 23, 2009 issue of THE LEADER, the community newspaper of Lyndhurst, recognized

Felician Associate Beverly Brachocki for her work with adults and children with disabilities who participate in the Adult Workshop and Special Olympics in the township surrounding Lyndhurst, NJ.

Beverly has been a part of the Adult Workshop since 1993 and stepped into the director's role when its founder, Jardine Rennie retired. Brachocki has been interested in working with and helping persons with disabilities since her youth at Lyndhurst High School. She has also started and now directs the Integrated Recreation program for children with disabilities.

Beverly Brachocki, center, has worked with the Adult Workshop for 10 years. Two of the participants, Jessica Susco (right) and Fran Rodriguez (left) are enjoying one of the recreational actiivities offered. (Photo by Susan C. Moeller)

From the perspective of township officials Beverly's work is exceptional. From Mayor Richard DiLascio we hear "Beverly Brachocki is an outstanding director. Beverly cares deeply for the program members...She is always respectful and absolutely sincere." Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Thomas DiMaggio says: " She's a great investment." The recognition given to Brachocki speaks volumes.

Beverly Brachocki, as a Felician Associate, witnesses by her life to the charism of Blessed Mary Angela in all that she does. She is also active in Justice and Peace issues which are an important aspect of Catholic Social Teaching.

On Sunday, July 5, 2009, Cardinal Justin Rigali made his Pastoral Visit to St. Ignatius Nursing Home in Philadelphia when he celebrated the Eucharist and then visited every single resident in their rooms to give his personal blessing. It was truly a gift to have his blessing which brought the healing power of Jesus to the residents and staff.

Left to right: Sr. Marilyn Marie Minter, SM Agatha Cebula, Justin Cardinal Rigali,
SM Francetta De Sant and SM Annelle Velivis

Cardinal Rigali accompanied by Sr. Marilyn Marie visits residents in their bedrooms
and in the patient lounge.

Sunday, May 17, 2009 Felician College held the 44th Annual Commencement Exercises in the John J. Breslin, Jr. Theatre in Albin Obal Hall on the main campus in Lodi, NJ. With a graduating class of 485 students, this was the largest class in the history of Felician College. Doctorates of Humane Sister Tarcilia

Letters were awarded to Carl W. Turnipseed and Felician Sister Mary Tarcilia Juchniewicz for lifetimes of achievement.

Sister Tarcilia, or Sister Tarcy as she is known to the students, Vice President for Student Affairs since 1984, is recognized for her commitment to "Students First"
and her gift of self to all with whom she comes into contact.

Sister Clare Marie Berryhill, a Felician Sister from Enfield, Connecticut, graduated cum laude and received the first Sister Theresa Mary Martin Spark of the Divine Nursing Award for her commitment in her religious vocation and in her life to be a spark of the divine to all whom she will serve.

To read more about the Felician College Graduation and Awards go to News at www.felician.edu

Congratulations To Sister Mary Tarcilia and Sister Clare Marie,
our own "Sparks of the Divine"!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2009, the Coronation of Mary as Our Queen and Our Mother, was held at the Immaculate Conception Convent Chapel following the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Walking to seats

Sister Mary Aquinas Szott, Provincial Minister, was the crowner and Sister Mary Bridget Becker was the crown-bearer.

The simple yet solemn ceremony was composed of hymns with the tradtional "Bring Flowers of the Fairest" as well as the Litany of Mary Mother of the Church. The closing hymn was the traditional Serdeczna Matko.

SM Aquinas and SM Bridget return to their seats after the Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Left to right: Row 1 - Main Altar; Shrine of Mary Immaculate;
Row 2 - SM Aquinas, crowner and SM Bridget, crownbearer in procession;
SM Aquinas crowns the Blessed Virgin;
Row 3 - After the crowning; Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth

"O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today. Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.."

Every year the Felician Sisters recognize and applaud their employees for all their hard work and efforts in maintaining the property of the Sisters. This year May 1, 2009 was the date chosen for this recognition of their contributions for us. Several employees were recognized for 15, 10 and 5 years of service.

This recognition was part of a Prayer Service dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker and took place in the Immaculate Conception Convent Chapel at 5:00 pm. Following the prayer service those recognized joined us for dinner in the Providence Dining Hall.

We are truly grateful for all the hard work and maintenance that takes place through their efforts here at Immaculate Conception Convent and in Our Lady of Lourdes Hall Infirmary.

Left to right: Top and Middle - Employees in chapel;
Bottom - SM Anastasia, Provincial Vicar does the reading;
SM Aquinas, Provincial Minister reads names of employees being recognized.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 was the 39th anniversary of Earth Day. The Justice and Peace Committee of the Felician Sisters celebrated with prayer and song at the Peace Site located on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Convent by inviting the many groups of people who make up our complex to join in the festivities.

The students of the Felician College Child Care Center under the direction of Sister Mary Joellen led off the celebration with some song which was followed by a scripture reading from the book of Genesis. Members representing each department in the complex, Felician College, Immaculate Conception High School, Felician School for Exceptional Children, the Felician Sisters of Immaculate Conception Convent, Our Lady of Lourdes Hall Infirmary and Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Convent participated in some way. The Felician College Choral Group under the direction of Barbara Gordon and the Choral Group from Immaculate Conception High School under the direction of Sister Marilyn Marie Minter entertained at different parts of the ceremony. Sister Mary Virginia Tomasiak welcomed all who participated and Rev. John O'Neill a professor at Felician College gave the blessing. Mr. Thomas Mann an instructor at Immaculate Conception Hight School read the excerpt from Genesis. Representatives of each group presented petitions during the Intercessory prayer.

Representing our state and borough governments were Marc N. Schrieks, Mayor of Lodi, Bob Gordon NJ State Senator District #38, Assemblywomen, Connie Wagner and Joan Voss. Each member gave some words of encouragement and pledged continued help to maintain a healthy and clean environment for our children's future.

Left to right: Row 1 - SM Virginia Tomasiak welcomes the gathering;
Mr. Thomas Mann reads the section from Genesis
Row 2 - Children from Felician College Day Care Center; Barbara Gordon and
Felician College Choral Group
Row 3 - Rev. John O'Neill with the Opening Prayer and blessing the participants and the Earth
Row 4 - Participants reading the Intercessory Prayers; NJ Assemblywoman Joan Voss
Row 5 - NJ Assemblywoman Connie Wagner;
ICHS Choral Group under the direction of Sr. Marilyn Marie
Row 6 - NJ State Representative Bob Gordon of District #38; Lodi Mayor Marc N. Schrieks
Row 7 - Participants - ICHS students and Felician Sisters

World-renowned scripture scholar and author, Lawrence Boadt, CSP, was the featured speaker at the 2009 Pope John Paul II annual lecture at Felician College on Thursday, April 16, 2009. The event was held at the John J. Breslin Theatre (Albin Obal Hall) at Felician College, 262 South Main Street, Lodi.

Sr. Theresa Mary Martin, Felician College President
with Scripture scholar Rev. Lawrence Boadt, CSP

Fr. Boadt is a Paulist priest and the president and publisher of the Paulist Press in Mahwah, NJ. Since 1997, he has been professor emeritus of Sacred Scripture at the Washington Theological Union, in Washington, DC. He has taught at Fordham University and St. John's University in New York and is the author of Reading the Old Testament: An Introduction.

Fr. Boadt's address: Unmasking the Face of God: Biblical Concepts of Social Justice examined the biblical roots of Catholic social teaching and its implications for today's world.

Left to right: College Faculty with Father Boadt; Father Boadt with members
of the Corporate Board of Felician Sisters

The week of April 5 through April 12, 2009 was the most sacred week in the Church calendar. Beginning on April 5 with Palm Sunday, including the Sacred Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) and ending on April 12, Easter Sunday, Christians the world over remembered the sufferings of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ culminating in His Resurrection on Easter.

On Holy Thursday, we shared an Agape Meal during which we commemorated the Seder of the Jewish Exodus in prayer and symbol. We also recalled the example of Jesus as Servant to His disciples when He washed their feet. During the Liturgy we remembered this example by a symbolic washing of hands by each member of the congregation. This symbolic gesture helped make the idea of peace and reconciliation more concrete as each person dried the hands of the person before them.

On Good Friday, we remembered the Passion of Jesus and His crucifixion and death as we celebrated and prayed the beautiful Liturgy of the Word, the Veneration of the Cross and reception of the Body of Jesus. That evening Spirit Dance portrayed a moving dramatic presentation "Women of Sorrow."

Holy Saturday Liturgy brought to mind the beautiful images of Christ as Light of the World with the lighting of the New Fire and the Paschal Candle. We also remembered the ancient tradition of Baptism on this feast as the water was blessed and we renewed our Baptismal Vows. With the singing of the Gloria, which had remained silent all of the Lenten season, we rang in the glorious and jubilant news of Christ's Resurrection! This most beautiful and ancient truth of Christianity gives credence to our belief in Christ's Divinity.

Following the Liturgy on Easter morning the Sisters had the Swieconka or Blessing of Foods traditionally eaten at this time of year and for this feast.

Left to right - Top: Main Altar on Palm Sunday; Main Altar on Holy Thursday;
Middle: Paschal Candle on Holy Saturday; Running water on Holy Saturday;
Bottom: Main Altar on Holy Saturday; Altar in Our Lady of Lourdes Hall
on Easter Sunday.

Left to right - Row 1: A place setting for the Agape Meal on Holy Thursday; Sisters enjoying
the meal and sharing with each other;
Row 2: Sisters Margaret Marie and Mary Angela prepare the decorations for Swieconka;
some dishes ready for the Swieconka;
Row 3: SM Timothy prepares flowers for the decorations; the lily on the Swieconka table;
Row 4: Dishes ready for the Swieconka; Row 5: Dishes for the Swieconka; Rev. Damian Collichio blesses the Swieconka Table with all its goodies.

Left to right - Row 1: Easter Morning Blessing of Food, Sr. Clare Marie with SMAngela and
SM Jean; Sr. Monica Mary with Sr. Margaret Marie;
Row 2: Sr. Maria Magdalena, SM Angela and Carla Del Priore decorating the ham;
Sr. Jean Marie admiring the Swieconka table;
Row 3: SM Elvine places colored eggs on a dish; Spirit Dancer presenting "Women of Sorrow";
Row 4: Spirit Dancers dramatizing "Women of Sorrow" on Good Friday evening.

This most beautiful and ancient truth of Christianity-- Christ's Resurrection --gives credence to our belief in Christ's Divinity.

St. Anthony High's Sister Mary Alan Barszczewski, 62, dies
by The Jersey Journal
Tuesday April 07, 2009, 3:20 PM

Sister Mary Alan Barszczewski, the longtime athletic director of St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, died today at age 62. Barszczewski is pictured here in August 2007 when she was battling back from cancer (Star-Ledger file photo).

Sister Mary Alan Barszczewski, CSSF, 62, who helped guide the St. Anthony High School boys basketball team from a Hudson County power to a national champion, died this morning.

Barszczewski, who was known simply as "Sister Alan," was the Jersey City school's athletic director throughout the 1980s and 1990s, when the Friars gained national acclaim as "the little school that could." Barszczewski was the acting president of the school when she died.

In 1989, St. Anthony, with an enrollment of fewer than 200 students and without a SM Alan SAHS

true gym to call its own, was named the No. 1 team in the nation by the USA Today after capturing the inaugural state Tournament of Champions.

Sister Alan is also credited with keeping the school afloat financially with her tireless work raising money for the school.

There will be a service for Sister Alan at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at the Felician Sisters of Lodi (260 South Main St.) on Monday, April 13 at 6 p.m. A viewing will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and the funeral Mass is Tuesday, April 14 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Sr. Mary Alan Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. Anthony High School.

For Christians one of the holiest seasons began on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. This day, Ash Wednesday, is the beginning of the Lenten season -- 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving to prepare for the Paschal feast of Easter or the Resurrection of Christ. Lent is not just a time to "give things up". It is a time to accept things, to learn new behaviors, new patterns of living. If you are impatient, it is a good time to practice patience and with six weeks of practice, something has to click!

Lent is a time for more prayer, maybe getting up early to attend Mass, reading the Bible, or setting time aside to participate in the Way of the Cross on Friday evenings. It is a time of greater charity, of doing some "spring cleaning", sifting out the wardrobe and giving to those less fortunate. It is a time to cultivate greater kindness, holding back sharp or curt words that hurt or wound others. It is a time to affirm others with kind words or a smile.

Lent is a time to give of ourselves to one another by giving of our time, talent and energy to help others. It is a time to tell God and others that you love them. What better way to become a better person than to look for the "best" in another?

Yes, Lent is a time to "repent and believe the Good News" and to make it a permanent part of your life.

"...Yes, Lent is a time to 'repent and believe the Good News' and to make it a permanent part of your life."

We prayerfully remember all the Felician Sisters who have died but especially those from the Immaculate Conception Province who have met the Father "face to face" from November, 2007 - November, 2008.

Left to right - Row 1- SM Antonea, SM Zephyrine, SM Joselma, SM Malvine;
Row 2- SM Bonaventure, SM Sperantia, SM Viterbia, SM Dolores;
Row 3- SM Dulcis, SM Jolanta,SM Claire, SM Harriet;
Row 4 - SM Lois;SM Alan;SM Isabelle;SM Monica;SM Francis de Sales; Not pictured - SM Rosaire

St. Francis of Assisi proclaimed: "Welcome, my sister death."
(Celano, Second Life)

"Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

RU star has family behind him
Last updated: Sunday March 1, 2009, 3:05 PM
BY ADITI KINKHABWALA NorthJersey.com STAFF WRITER

The exact details evaporated forever ago. What no one forgets is Mike Rosario was being a punk.

It was something selfish, it was something stupid, it was something that got Rosario tossed off the basketball court. He stomped, he jawed and then George Fontan was in the pubescent prima donna’s face. Fontan remembers letting him “have it like he was my own son.” Fontan remembers thinking Rosario might roll his eyes. Or tell him to go to hell.

“That’s when I knew I was really part of a family,” Rosario said quietly, five years and thousands of baskets later.

Mike Rosario first sat on a St. Anthony bleacher when he was 10, a hyperactive skinny-legged fidgeter who desperately needed focus. Bob Hurley watched him run for the ball rack every time his legendary high school team took a break and he watched him do it still years later, when Rosario was part of that team. His one-time charge is now a freshman headliner at Rutgers, and when Hurley hears Rosario’s name, he says, “You know that saying: It takes a village to raise a child? That’s Mike’s story.”

To read more about Mike Rosario go to northjersey.com.

Rutgers' Mike Rosario with his mother Joanne Rosario, niece Ashiya Burt and sister Crystina Burt after Sunday's loss to West Virginia's in men's basketball at the RAC. WVU won the game 74-56.

"when Hurley hears Rosario’s name, he says, 'You know that saying: It takes a village to raise a child? That’s Mike’s story.'"

Immaculate Conception High School experienced tragedy on December 4, 2008 when Coach Ray Long collapsed during practice at the ICHS gym. After weeks of struggle he lost his battle on December 21, 2008. This did not daunt the girls of the Blue Wolves basketball team but only made them try harder in his memory. The story of their grief and how they dealt with it was written up by sports columnist Art Stapleton in The Bergen Record on February 5, 2009. To learn more about the Blue Wolves and to read Art's aricle go to northjersey.com.

The students at Immaculate Conception High School, Lodi, NJ along wtih Sr. Marilyn Marie Minter, campus minister, other faculty members and chaperones, braved the elements as they traveled to Washington, DC to join with millions of other student groups, church groups and interested people to March For Life on January 22, 2009.

Leaving New Jersey at 6:00 a.m. they journeyed by bus amid excitement and prayer and gained an awareness that seldom comes from books. They came upon thousands of other marchers, teens like themselves who traveled from many different states, not just for the Inauguration, but solely for LIFE. These young adults participated in an experience that will last for quite a long time and came face to face with the reality of the value and treasure which Life is in all its forms.

They returned about 10:00 p.m. tired and worn yet immensely enriched by all they had seen and heard. The education which they received on this day was worth more than they could ever have imagined.

The education which they received on this day was worth more than they could ever have imagined.