The Continuing Story of

the Added Value of a Catholic Education

(And why you should want to send your child to Hudson Catholic, and donate to support it)

“In both math and reading, Catholic schools stayed the same or improved in areas where public schools dramatically declined during the pandemic.” So says Tommy Schultz, CEO of the American Federation for Children in a November 15th article in The New York Post titled ‘Why Catholic schools didn’t fail at all while public ones did during COVID pandemic’.

The National Center for Education Statistics recently reported catastrophic learning loss, the largest declines ever recorded, and decades of progress wiped out for fourth and eighth graders across the nation. In public schools.

In Catholic schools, an entirely different story -- no such declines were noted. In just one example, 8^th grade Catholic students’ reading scores increased one point, while public school 8th graders’ scores dropped three points. 

As to “whether it was the inevitable result of trying not to spread the virus”……..the public school establishment received billions in funding during the pandemic and then decided not to spend it on their students. Conversely, most Catholic schools remained open and, working at much lower resource levels than public schools, delivered their product in a more cost-effective manner, “By a long shot.”

The decision to remain open during the pandemic represents one of Hudson Catholic’s finest hours. Hall of Fame Principal-President Richard Garibell, his successor Terence Matthews, and their talented and dedicated administrative teams and faculty deserve the laurels for bold leadership and decision-making, manifested in dedication to the educational health and welfare of the young people entrusted to our care on a daily basis. For such leadership, Hudson Catholic avoided “the massive learning loss that plagues public schools today.”

So many of our families are challenged to meet their tuition obligations, but they may take heart in knowing they made the exact right decision to send their children to Hudson Catholic, for an education that is indeed worth the struggle. This is borne out in the steady climb of enrollment that has brought equilibrium across our grade levels and the formation of a true ‘standby list’ for admission for the first time in recent memory.

Donors like to know that their charity and philanthropy meets with successful effect, which, in our case, is providing transformative educations to our qualified students. Such successful outcomes and our Lasallian mission deliver a powerful message to parents, and make for a powerful deliverable with which to entice donors, many of whom either do not have a child in attendance or have never even sent a child to Hudson Catholic.

Our donors have come to know that they help make a difference in the lives of our students every time they make a gift to Hudson Catholic. It is equally important for our students, our faculty, and our staff to know that the efforts they make -- applying our limited resources smartly and efficiently -- ensure that we can ‘Continue the Greatness’ in advancing the near-60-year history and mission of the Home of the Hawks!

Message From the President

Right before Christmas Break, we gathered together as a family in the gym to celebrate our Christmas Prayer Service. Once again, our students put together an amazing service complete with a choir performance and readings from the Gospels, along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa prayers to celebrate our belief that one God is here for us all. My Christmas message was a KINDNESS challenge asking our students, faculty and staff to 1) Be kind to their families 2) Be kind to their friends 3) Be kind to strangers and 4) Be kind to themselves. I extended the same challenge to our families and friends. By doing so, we will both give and receive the greatest gifts of all.

As 2022 comes to a close, I need to thank all of our alumni, friends and families for your repeated kindness towards Hudson Catholic and our students. Your gifts and support continue to provide access to a values-based Catholic education and the opportunities that come with it. One of our focal points within our Guidance Department this year was to expand the geographic footprint of the college choices for our students. Early college acceptances have already seen our students accepted to University of Alabama, Clemson University, Fordham University, Fresno State University, University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, to name a few. Hawks can fly high and far! 

2023 promises to bring more great news for Hudson Catholic. Your continued support will provide opportunities for the students we have and those to come. We already have over 300 applications for next year's freshman class and are on track for yet another full class and accompanying Waiting List. Our rapid growth and success brings new challenges, but together we will meet those challenges and ensure that Hudson Catholic is able to thrive now and in the future. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Hawks' Nest. -- Terence Mathews

Tuition Fruition

When alumni from the early years of the school, mainly the 60s and 70s, make a gift to the school, say of $300, or $600, or $1,000, we frequently hear things like “that was the amount of my annual tuition when I was in school!”

And they know that their parents worked just as hard, or even struggled, to pay that tuition back in the day, just as every Hawk family works to meet that challenge today, when tuition stands at $12,100 annually! Do you suppose that today’s students, all those years from now, will recall, somewhat wistfully, today’s tuition amount? Not likely.

Wouldn’t it be great, however, if they might recall the day that their alumni angels and brethren stepped up in their time of need and helped their family meet their tuition obligation?

So as you plan your gifts to Hudson Catholic throughout the year, please give some nostalgic thought to your tuition as a student and whether, today, you might be able to gift one year’s tuition to the annual fund. No, not $12,100! YOUR tuition!

If you need help remembering what that was, let’s ask those of you who do know their numbers to tell us what they were by writing to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org, and we’ll publish those responses in a, sort of, history of Hudson Catholic Tuition.

Rest in Peace

Brother Edward Sheehy, FSC

Served Hudson as Assistant Principal '77-'83

In a posting to social media by the La Salle University Men’s Basketball Team, we received word on December 22^nd that Brother Ed Sheehy, their Team Chaplain, and our former Assistant Principal, has passed away at age 76 in Lincroft at De La Salle Hall on the campus of Christian Brothers Academy. Brother Ed served as their Team Chaplain for nearly three decades. At this writing, arrangements had not been received.

Brother Ed spent the majority of his teaching career at LaSalle University, teaching history, and serving in athletic, administrative and academic roles. He first arrived at La Salle in 1963, when he entered the novitiate. He majored in history and education, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1968. He received a master of liberal arts degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1973 and went on to complete his master of philosophy and Ph.D. studies in history at the George Washington University in 1983. 

Lynne Texter, Ph.D., associate provost at La Salle University, perhaps summed up Brother Ed as an educator the best: “Quite simply, Brother Ed exemplified what it means to be a Lasallian educator – he had a deep and enduring commitment to our students and an unbridled passion for teaching.” 

Our own Mike Pietronico ’86: “Great man, great role model. God bless.” Dan Fabrizio '79 added "People come into our lives for a reason and Brother Ed was one of many. We are truly blessed to have crossed paths with Brother Ed and the influence he had on our lives at such a young age."

Brother Joe Grabenstein, FSC recollected from the La Salle campus that Brother Ed Sheehy "loved your school and the faculty and the kids there."

Brother Gerry Molyneaux, FSC rounded things out with “Ed taught the rest of us (Brothers) to refer to students as ‘young adults,’ another sign of his love and respect for them.”

In 2009, Brother Ed was recognized in an Explorers’ game day promotion by becoming the first (and only) Christian Brother to be immortalized as a bobble head!

Softball is out of season,

Service to Others is in

This is the Hawk Softball Team, who went singing and serving dessert at the Hoboken Elks Club's Christmas Party for Special Needs Children, carrying on a tradition of team players and coaches who have been doing this for years, according to John Cunning '79.

Save the Dates!

Hudson Catholic Gala &

Hall of Fame Inductions

Thursday, March 30, 2023 6pm

at The Liberty House, Jersey City

The Jack Campion Stage Naming & Dinner Theatre Tribute

Sunday afternoon, May 21, 2023

in the 'Rocky' Pope Gymnasium

Got Photos?

Among the members of the Class of '72 who attended your 50th year reunion in November at Edward's, please share any group photos at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org.

Kathryn Budinich Scholarhips

(and a little golf was played, too)

At the annual Budinich family golf outing at Jersey City's Skyway Golf Course in October, Richard Budinich and son Marc, hosted a great event that raised funds for three great causes: scholarship at Hudson Catholic and St. Dominic Academy, and Cure AHC (Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood), a disease that took the life of the family matriarch, Kathryn Budinich, who presided for years over the family's restaurant at 15 Fox Place and in whose memory this event is conducted each year. In appreciation of their support, guests are treated to the more than fabulous cooking of Marc Budinich '88. Photo: Two St. Dom's scholarship recipients (unidentified) and Hawk scholarship recipient Tyler Barrett, flanking Richard Budinich. A huge THANK YOU to the Budinich Family!

Hudson Happenings

Are these great kids, or what? The Student Council surprised the Faculty with a Christmas Breakfast on the day everyone went off to holiday break.

Congratulations are in order to six Hawk student-athletes who have parlayed their prowess on the gridiron and Hudson Catholic education into NCAA Division I athletic scholarships on National Signing Day, December 20th! With promises of more to come as the year progresses. Once again proving the added value of a Hudson Catholic education!

Mitchell Gerrity, 1957 - 2022

The Higgins Family means so much to Hudson Catholic. The late John P. Higgins '77, of course, earned the moniker of 'Mr. Hudson Catholic' for his school spirit, both during and after his school days, and for his ongoing service to the school and its students in the form of energetic attendance and rooting on Hudson's sports teams, game announcing, and quietly helping families meet their tuition bills. John's sister Eileen Higgins-Gerrity served on our Board of Consultors for a number of years. And John's mother, Maureen Denzler, and Eileen created a lasting tribute to John many years ago, with the establishment of the John P. Higgins Scholarship Fund. They are a family that lives in service to others.

Thus, we grieve along with Eileen, her daughters, Bernadette and Jenna, and Maureen upon the loss of Eileen's dear husband, Mitchell Gerrity on December 22nd. Mitch was a Blue Jay, a 1975 graduate of St. Joseph's of West New York, and served Union City for 29 years as a member of the North Hudson Regional Fire Department. Mitch will be waked today, Tuesday the 27th at Leber Funeral Home, 2000 Kennedy Blvd in Union City, and will be buried following an 11am Funeral Mass on the 28th at Sts. Joseph and Michael Church in Union City.

Eternal rest grant to him, o Lord

And may perpetual light shine on Mitch Gerrity

Alumni Spotlight

Big City Hawk, Reggie Cameron '13, former Hawk basketball great, is an Assistant Video Coordinator with the New York Knicks of the NBA, having joined the organization in September, following a stint as Video Coordinator at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, where he was also a Graduate Assistant for the Men's Basketball Team. Reggie, a member of the Hawk Basketball Thousand Point Club, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Georgetown University where he played Division I collegiate basketball on scholarship following his success on the Nick Marineillo Court. He went on to obtain a Master of Science degree from St. Jospeh's in Organizational Development & Leadership. Reggie played basketball professionally in both Portugal and Germany.

Net Get. Madeline Lopez '18 has been appointed Head Coach at the Central Jersey Volleyball Academy.



Taken For Granted. Dan McKevitt '87 is a non-profit administrator, having served for 12 years as Executive Director of the Brick Township Police Athletic League. He has 26 years of management, grant writing, and grant management experience. Hey, Dan, have we got a deal for you!

King of the Court, Louis King '18. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarski today reported that the Philadelphia 76ers are signing Louis to a two-way contract. Louis is presently playing in the G League for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. Luis will be the 2nd Hawk to play for the 76ers, the first being Jim Spanarkel '75 who made his NBA debut there in 1979. Good luck, Louis!

BTLv74 Focus on '74

Memories

Freshman Football 1970: the first Undefeated Athletic Team in school history, led by Billy Osmun, Frankie Ford, Bruce Bevacqua, and Frank Aurelio, among others.

The Senior Lounge, ironically placed in the Basement.

Remembering the late Mr. Frank Acito: playing ping pong on stage with students before they began basketball practice; half the school in the Caf waiting for class to start, Mr. Acito enters to greetings by the student body, chanting “A-C-TOE, A-C-TOE!”

Brian Altano, Student Council President, on stage with Mrs Nadia Makar who received a silver plate, awarded as the Best Science Teacher in North America from the Outstanding Secondary Educators of America in November, 1973. Nominated by Principal Brother Timothy Dean, Mrs. Makar was one of five winners nationally among 3 million nominations. Brian’s date (who shall remain nameless) then making a classic faux pas, not recognizing the award as it was passed around, gently placing her empty glass on Mrs Makar’s ‘serving tray’.

All County Basketball Team was the late, great Jackie Gilloon of Memorial, Daryl Charles of St. Anthony’s, Sam Roberson and Glen Corbin of Lincoln, and our own Jim Spanarkel ’75.

The can on the front counter of the Bookstore, labeled 'BAASH' -- for donations to Brother Al’s Summer Happy Hours’!

Rookie teacher: Mr. Phil Gazzale

Hawks Helping Hawks. A member of the Class of '79 is in need of help. Vincent Angrosina recently lost his right leg below the knee and is in danger of losing his left leg. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Vin to help with his medical and living costs. Donations and prayers are very much welcome.

For donations: hpps.//gofundme./3841e851 

For prayers: direct to the Big Guy.

The Changing Neighborhood

Not many of us can remember a Journal Square without the PATH Transportation Center (seen during construction from this Bergen Avenue view to the Square), but there was a time -- from 1972 to 1975 -- that those of us commuting to and from school through Journal Square watched it rise -- starting around 50 years ago,

Nice Shirt!

Blast From The Past

What a year to be an All-American!! In what could be a Dream Team for the ages, one national magazine's 1978-79 Pre-Season College All American Basketball Team contained some all-time greats of the game, including two of Hudson Catholic's own.

Top Row: Ron Perry, Holy Cross / James Bailey, Rutgers / Larry Bird, Indiana St. / Bill Foster, Duke - Coach of the Year / Bill Cartwright, University of San Francisco / David Greenwood, UCLA; Bottom Row: Mike O'Koren UNC / Darell Griffith, Lousiville / Sidney Moncrief, Arkansas / Jim Spanarkel, Duke / Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Michigan St.

"I hope that the students continue to be concerned with the less fortunate. We have done wonderful things in that area of charity and volunteer work. I hope we continue to expand in that area."

-- Brother Charles Barbush, FSC, former Principal, upon leaving Hudson Catholic in 1999. He added:

"Always be open to the spirit of adventure we all have in our lives. Make sure it is firmly-rooted in a God-centered existence."

Requiescant in Pace

Vita Mutatur Non Tollitur

(Life is changed, not ended)



Margaret Long, mother of John '77

Brother Edward Sheehy, FSC

Mitchell Gerrity, husband of Eileen Higgins-Gerrity, former BOC

Michael Skea '74

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