Fifteen new staff members joined the St. Church, St. Joseph’s Grade School and Donovan Catholic communities on September 4, 2018. Fr. Scott Shaffer celebrated a liturgy in which the new members were blessed and commissioned to serve. Principals Madeline Kinloch and Dr. Edward Gere welcomed the new staff by giving them a Holy Spirit pin. Fr. Scott echoed the words of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta when he blessed them praying, “You are the people who have to lead our young people. Be light to them. Be the light that will lead them to God.”

A Student Leadership Dinner and Commissioning was held on Tuesday evening, September 4, 2018. One hundred and seven students involved in Student Council, Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society and Campus Ministry shared a meal together followed by a presentation on Catholic leadership given by Dr. Gere and Mr. Ball. Fr Scott led a prayer service and shared some thoughts on student leadership and then blessed the students. Dr. Gere handed each student a leadership pin which says, “Serve with a Heart like Jesus.” Students were encouraged to wear their pins and to be a witness to the Catholic faith in their leadership positions.

Representatives from Donovan’s Student Council, Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society and Campus Ministry welcomed the class of 2022 on Wednesday, September 5th for Freshman Community Building Day. The upperclassmen served as Big Buddies for the freshmen, giving them tours, helping them with lockers, and eating lunch with them. During the afternoon, the Class of 2022 participated in three separate workshops based on the three parts of our mission statement: live our faith, respect and serve others and academic excellence. The students learned what it meant to be a Griffin and left the day with new friends. The New Student/Parent Convocation for freshmen, transfer and international students and their parents took place in St. Joseph’s Church on Monday, September 10th. The evening began with a prayer Service led by Fr. Scott Shaffer. Music was provided by Mr. Harold Frazee and Ms. Cindy Wald and the choir. Fr. Scott welcomed all the families into our Donovan community. Dr. Gere led the new students in the Donovan Catholic Honor Pledge and then invited all to a reception and meet and greet in the cafeteria. There the new families met members of the administration, the directors of athletics, Christian service coordinators and teachers.

The Donovan Opening School Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. Guld on Monday, September 17, 2018. This celebration invited the Donovan community to remember that all we do is rooted in the teaching of Jesus. Fr. Jerome installed nine seniors as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. These student ministers were trained by Mrs. Caren Stichter. The new ministers are: Angelos, Valentina Balsamo, Kristen Eckert, Christopher Plate, Erica Scales, Gina Stavalo, Adrianna Scianna, Anna Staiger, and Katherine Uffer. These students will help with the distribution of communion at school wide liturgies and retreats.

The Class of 2020 participated in their first class retreat on Friday, September 21st. The theme “The Body of Christ Prays, Serves and Celebrates” was echoed throughout the day. Campus Ministers Doreen Ferraro and

Kait Ryan, along with Christian Service Coordinator Dina Fischetti and teacher Carly Scallon led the students in workshops throughout the morning. The students made chaplets and were taught to pray them. They were introduced to service opportunities and they engaged in community building activities. The afternoon began with guest speaker Colleen Kelly-Rayner who gave a personal witness focusing on adoration. The entire class walked to St. Joseph’s Church where Fr. Jerome led the students in adoration. For many students, this was their first experience of adoration, and many noted that it was the best part of the day.

One third of the faculty and staff at Donovan participated in a morning retreat at Maris Stella Retreat House in Harvey Cedars, NJ. Msgr. Rich LaVerghetta led the retreat on “Faith as Relationship.” With humor and humility Msgr. Rich shared stories and scriptures and challenged the adults present to reflect on their relationship with Jesus. There was free time to sit on the dock of the bay and reflect on guided questions in groups or in solitude. The morning ended with Msgr. Rich celebrating liturgy in the beautiful chapel that overlooks the bay. He reminded faculty and staff that every morning God sends us to share his light and everywhere we go. Teachers and staff left the retreat inspired to share their faith with the Donovan community. The other two thirds of the faculty and staff will participate in the same retreat in October and February.