Every year, we celebrate Catholic Schools Week to acknowledge the significance of Catholic education and service within our community. This year CSW took place from January 29 to February 4. The celebration aims to recognize the important role Catholic schools play in our society and how they build a strong and healthy, faith-based community. The week includes a variety of events such as assemblies, Mass, sports, and more! Catholic Schools Week is very important for students to strengthen our sense of brotherhood, as well as our respect and friendship with one another.
The festivities and celebrations began on Tuesday with Mass, a time for students to pray and reflect on God’s message. The Mass concluded, as usual, with words from our Principal, Mr. Bruno. Dante Mangarelli ‘26 said, “Attending Mass as a student body really makes me feel at home and it puts me in a comfortable environment. The chorus does a great job singing and I feel that they help everyone focus and worship together in peace.”
Wednesday and Thursday featured a sophomore retreat, as well as the SJR annual handball and volleyball games. The retreat was held in the Inserra Theater and other parts of school grounds. The reason for the retreat was to bring students closer to each other and closer to God.
Ryan Myles ‘25 said, “It really just puts me in a different place mentally. Mr. Becker told us a story about a friend of his who commited suicide and it really just opened my eyes to the opportunity that God has given me, coming to SJR, and having great role models.”
Starting on Tuesday, the sports and activities part of our Catholic Schools Week began with handball. Each student entered the gym at 1:00. With excitement high, the freshman and juniors played first. It was a tough match, but the juniors came out on top. Roman Rodriguez ‘26 expressed the thrill of participating on the handball team, noting that “It was so much fun going out there with everyone watching. Every kid in the gym cheered for their grade, while we all became closer and more comfortable with one another. I wish we could have done better, but we are coming back stronger and better than ever next year!”
The next game pitted the seniors against the sophomores. The senior class cruised to a victory and then, after a hard fought battle with many ups and downs, took the championship game as well.
Right after this incredible win, seniors Connor McAllen (Princeton), Luke Tucci (Lehigh), Luke Henrich (Lehigh), Tommy Zitollo (Penn State Brandywine), Takai Chisolm (University of Maine), John Foley (Wesleyan University), Stephen Laguerre (Saint Anselm University), Donovan McKoy (Yale), and Jimmy Mullen (Virginia Tech) signed letters of intent, committing to their respective colleges.
Then came volleyball! The seniors came out hot, defeating the freshmen in a dominating fashion. In the second game,. Jimmy Montesano ‘24 and the juniors managed a great win!
“Just coming out with my best friends and winning feels amazing,” Montesano said. “ Just know we will be back!” The juniors played the seniors in the final, and after a very close battle, won that game as well.
The final day of spirit week concluded with each Theology class entering the Inserra Theater for prayer and the Saint Blaise blessing from Deacon Joe. As John Lanari ‘26 left the assembly, he noted that, “It feels amazing to have the opportunity to get a blessing from God in the middle of the day. This is why I love SJR so much!” With a great week to reflect on, Saint Joe’s students will continue to learn, work hard, and forge relationships that will last a lifetime.