JOIN US IN SOLIDARITY

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION AND SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER.

http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-department-of-education-help-teach-kids-about-historical-and-modern-slavery

The NEW PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM is calling for education on the dangers of human trafficking and the inherent dignity of every human as part of the curriculum in public and private schools. Help us keep our children safe and abolish Modern Day Slavery. Together, we can and are making a difference! National Directory for Catechesis (USCCB, 2005), no. 43.c. "The Church's social teachings are not optional. The values of the teachings are based on the life of Christ: '...TO BRING GLAD TIDINGS TO THE POOR... LIBERTY TO CAPTIVES... RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND."(Lk 4:18-19) Catholic Social Teaching is a cornerstone of our Academic Curriculum and Spiritual Formation at Benedictine Academy. It is our privilege and responsibility to proclaim God's love in the world through acts of justice and mercy.

BCD's go to WASHINGTON DC

PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TO ADD EDUCATION ON THE DANGERS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INTO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS
http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-department-of-education-help-teach-kids-about-historical-and-modern-slavery

Benedictine's Cor Defenders, the Freedom Partners of the Frederick Douglass Family Foundation, stood proudly on the steps of the National Parks Historical Site, the Cedar Hills Home of Frederick Douglass, with Ken Morris,  the Great Great Great Grandson of Frederick Douglass to proclaim the NEW PROCLAMATION OF FREEDOM. 

It was only 150 years ago, that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that America must abolish slavery and emancipate every human being, regardless of race, creed or color. 

Today, Benedictine Academy Student Leaders and youth from several other schools proclaimed a New Proclamation of Freedom on behalf the victims of Modern Day Slavery, Human Trafficking.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, William Katz (Author), Samantha Vardaman (Shared Hoped Intl), and Laura, Trafficking Survivor reflected on the life and passion of Frederick Douglass, and shared their hopes and dreams for an end to Human Trafficking, Modern Day Slavery.  


They stressed the importance of education for empowering the youth of today to break the shackles of oppression, exploitation, and enslavement. 

Ewa Kowalczyk, A Junior Student at Benedictine Academy, was invited to speak as Julie Heinz, a representative from the U.S. Department of Education of Capitol Hill, and invited guests listened to the value of the Human Trafficking/Frederick Douglass Curriculum education that she received at Benedictine Academy .

Frederick Douglass once said,  "It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men (and women )."  100-Days-to-Freedom----Making-History-Today-.LINK

At Benedictine Academy, we believe we can learn from History, His Story. We teach our students the power of Advocacy and yes, even Agitation, through civic engagement and service leadership.  

Education empowers young people to avoid falling victim to human traffickers; it teaches them how to recognize the dangers of meeting traffickers on the internet or through others means; and it reminds them of every person deserves dignity and respect, the inherent right of all people.

BA testifies in Trenton against Human Trafficking

Benedictine's Cor Defenders, a Campus Ministry Student Leadership Team, were invited by Mr. Jacob Toporek, Executive Director of the NJ State Association of Jewish Federations, to testify at the introduction of the Human Trafficking Prevention, Treatment and Protection Bill (A 3352) by Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle to the House Committee in Trenton.

The News Room of the Record reports, "She (Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle) introduced a sweeping new Bill to crack down on Human Trafficking with Superbowl expected to increase problems. The Bergen lawmaker takes aim at exploitation building upon nearly a year's worth of research and consultations with experts and advocates."

Despite concerns voiced about some of the provisions of the bill, the Assembly Committee passed the Human Trafficking Bill.

 As Assemblywoman Huttle explains, "It is Modern Day Slavery. Slavery still exists in the United States, and here in New Jersey. Until recently, human trafficking has remained in the shadows of society. Victims, often children and vulnerable women, are too afraid and dependent on traffickers to break their silence and seek help. Exploited for years, they are coerced into prostitution, labor and drug activity. When they finally have a chance to regain their freedom, they are prosecuted for the crimes they were forced to commit while enslaved, while the real perpetrators remain untouched."

Vanessa and Karol, were joined by nine of their peers to represent the youth and speak out against Human Trafficking. They testified before the House Committee calling for the need of education in the public and private school sectors to warn young people about the dangers of this hideous crime.

Last January, the President of the United States issued a Proclamation stating that raising awareness through education is one of the most effective tools for protecting our young children at risk.

Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle said she would work proactively with her colleagues to amend the language to meet the concerns of all parties.

SIGN THE PETITION TO HAVE HUMAN TRAFFICKING EDUCATION AS PART OF OUR SCHOOL CURRICULUMS.
http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-department-of-education-help-teach-kids-about-historical-and-modern-slavery

Habitat for Humanity

The girls decked out in their pink hard hats were ready for a long day of hard work as they headed to Denville to help finish building a new home for a family in need.

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization, dedicated to making available affordable housing to help eliminate poverty housing.

	Interested in how your church can get involved with Habitat? Visit Church Relations
	A Bible is presented to new Habitat homeowners at their house dedications.

"We are driven by the desire to give tangible expression to the love of God through faith in action. Together, the donated labor of construction volunteers, the support of partner organizations and the homeowners' "sweat equity" make Habitat's house building possible for over 300,000 families a year worldwide."

Gabby shared, "It feels good to help someone and know at the end of the day you accomplished good".  

Delivering Happiness by helping others creates a boomerang effect and we receive happiness back a hundredfold!

Breast Cancer Walk

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness. Each day, the Admissions Director, Ms. Branco and students, have been sharing facts and warning signs during Homeroom Prayer to help raise awareness for early detection.

Today, Ms. Rodrigues and the Portuguese/Brazilian Club held a school-wide walk-a-thon to raise funds for cancer research. In spite of the tumultuous weather, everyone gathered together in solidarity to walk and make a pledge. We are a small school with a mighty passion to deliver happiness to others. Over $2,000 was raised to stop this disease that touches all of our families.

PAY IT FORWARD

"It started with a person named Trevor who didn't seem all that remarkable on the outside, but who could see past his teacher's face. It started with an assignment that the teacher had given out a hundred times before, with no startling results. But that assignment in the hands of that student caused a seed to be planted, and after that nothing in the world would ever be the same...  
... So, this much I understand well enough to relate: It started as an extra credit assignment for a class and turned into a world where no one goes hungry, no one is cold, no one is without a job or a ride or a loan."  

This is an excerpt from the famous book/movie entitled PAY IT FORWARD.  It is also the story of our students at Benedictine Academy.   Today, we were blessed to have Charley Johnson,  the President of the Pay It Forward Foundation, as our Convocation Speaker to the entire school community.  He shared his story on the road from material success and unhappiness to discovering the real meaning of happiness - doing acts of kindness for others.   
 

The Challenge put forth before our students was to join the movement to Pay It Forward...  delivering happiness one act of kindness at a time... and that is exactly what we do at Benedictine Academy.  

 

The inspiring convocation concluded with our Campus Ministers delivering a WOW experience to our guests!

New Jersey Governor's Conference

“The Power of Volunteering: Compassion in Action”

The New Jersey Governor's Conference on Volunteerism and Service was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick.  Hundreds of people attended from local corporations and nonprofit organizations exchanging ideas, passions, and information to make our world a better place.

It was inspiring to hear the wisdom stories of these 21st century heroes and to meet the lovely Ms. New Jersey.

Keynote Speaker

Alfred F. Kelly, Jr., President and CEO, 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Company “Super Bowl 2014: Building a Legacy of Volunteerism”

Luncheon Speaker

Lt. Colonel Jerome Hatfield New Jersey State Police

Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security

Workshops included: volunteer management, skills based volunteerism, fundraising, background checks/risk management, emergency response, youth/college service, working with veterans, large days of service, working with prisoner reentry, national service, social media, faith in action

SIA Leadership Team

This Tuesday, the SIA Leadership Team met with Ms. Karen Hatcher, the Jefferson Awards Regional Director.  It was an exciting time because Benedictine Academy was invited to participate on a new leadership level.

The rules are if a high school wins the Regional Jefferson Award for two years in a row, they are prevented from entering the competition for the third year.  The Good News is that Benedictine Academy, along with only five other schools in the entire nation, were invited to participate as a Jefferson Awards Ambassador Leadership School.  

The new responsibilities include mentoring other high schools in civic leadership.  This is an amazing honor that reflects our Benedictine Academy Mission to Listen, Learn, Love and Lead.

  The formula is simple:  Deliver Happiness by doing one act of kindness at a time.  

We thank God and all our benefactors who have supported and empowered us to transform our world into a better place.

Happy Guardian Angel Day

On this Feast of Guardian Angels, we celebrated students who have performed extraordinary acts of kindness.  During homeroom, as we gathered together as one sacred community, our Campus Ministry Student Leaders delivered happiness to our entire student body and staff with a special treat.

Angels are messengers of God. At Benedictine Academy, we have over 180 angels delivering happiness by helping those in need.  Service Leadership is our privilege, our honor, and our responsibility.