News

On a recent afternoon, the eighth grade class waited patiently for Father Ivan to arrive at their classroom.  He was coming to discuss their progress in their religion lessons. They were ready, yet a little nervous. Once Father Ivan asked the first question, everyone relaxed and the class showed Father how well they knew their faith lessons.

Upon finishing their religion discussion, Father Ivan announced that he was going to give the class a test. This time it was about social studies. The class then took a sample test as if they were going to become a citizen of the United States. Then Father Ivan shared his personal journey to become a United States citizen. The class was surprised on how much you need to know and how long the journey takes. At the end of the day, the Class of 2013 went home with the memory of a great afternoon spent with our pastor, Father Ivan.

On Good Friday, the Church strives to express her mourning over the passion and death of Jesus in every possible way. Special events are held throughout the day as a way for the faithful to revisit the events of that day. This year, the parishioners of the Assumption Catholic Church in Perth Amboy, NJ  with many students of the Parish School, participated at  the moving service called  solemn Vespers with the burial procession bearing the Holy Shroud or Plashchanitsa. The “plashchanitsa” is a winding sheet with the picture of Christ’s body lying dead in the tomb. After the procession made three times inside the Church, the shroud was laid out for veneration on a replica of the sepulcher. You can view more pictures at the parish site www.assumptioncatholicchurch.net

This Holy Week the fourth grade made eggs in every form.  They dyed eggs with their Pre-k buddies.  Mrs. Di Gangi came in and guided them in making cookie eggs.  Mrs. Pogoda demonstrated how to make pysanka, Ukrainian eggs .  The class had a coloring contest and had to color a paper pysanka .  And to top it off they make paper mache eggs using napkins and plastic eggs.

Of course, all these Easter eggs represent the Risen Christ. The symbolism of rebirth is carried through in the egg.   As the chick broke through its shell to be born, so Our Lord comes forth, from the tomb, bringing new life to us.   We remember this in every egg we designed.

Christ is risen. Indeed He is risen!

Your Holiness Pope Francis!

On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of Assumption Catholic School and the parishioners of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, we ask God for His Blessings as you begin shepherding the faithful of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Our diverse enrollment was very excited to hear of the choice of a Latin American bishop to ascend to Peter’s throne.  Many of our students are of Hispanic descent. As a parish and school that practices our faith in the Eastern rites and traditions, we are blessed in having a truly diverse population.  This has enabled us all to better understand the universality of the Church.
Your Holiness, we beseech you to continue to pray for the well-being of the Catholic schools in the United States so that we may continue to educate our youth in our Catholic values.

May the Good Lord Bless You!

The Faithful of the Assumption Catholic School Community

There was green everywhere through out the halls of ACS.  The fourth grade class was setting up their leprechaun traps to catch the culprit that left green shamrocks and footprints all over their desks.  The students had been learning about simple machines and what better way to remember then to practice what you have read.  So, inclined planes and screws, pulleys and levers were used in an attempt to catch the Irish imp.  They didn’t catch the leprechaun but they did all catch a leprechaun ducky.  Oh well, better luck next St. Patrick’s day.  I think Miss Fiore found his hat and I am sure he will want it back. 

This year our parish will offer a spiritually enriching experience during Lent called the Parish Lenten Mission. A Parish Lenten Mission might be described as "a retreat that comes to you." To make a retreat, one must leave home and daily routine in order to give some days to silence, prayer and reflection in order to experience a renewal and growth in faith. Most people are not able to that very easily. A Lenten Mission is an opportunity for renewal and growth in our faith that is available at the local parish and can be fit into the demands of daily life. Part of the attraction of a Lenten Mission is that it is preached by someone coming into the parish for that purpose. Not only is the preacher a "new voice," but it is someone who has a particularly deep knowledge and experience of the spiritual life. Our Lenten Mission is scheduled for March 15, 16 and 17, 2013 and will feature Fr. John Zeyack a former pastor of St. Thomas Church, Rahway, NJ. The Lenten Mission will take place over the course of three days and is a spiritual growth event you will not want to miss.
During three days, Fr. John will talk to the parish on following topics:
1. In English, Friday, March 15 after 6:30 pm. Presenctified Liturgy
Topic: Who is the living and true God whom we gather to worship?
2. In English and Ukrainian on Saturday, March 16 at 9:00 a.m. Sorokousty Liturgy and in English at 5:00 p.m. Liturgy
Topic: The parish – a place to encounter the living Christ!
3. In Ukrainian, Sunday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. Liturgy and in English at 11:30 a.m. Liturgy
Topic: How do we respond to the call to holiness by living out our faith?
Confessions will be heard before a during services. Families are encouraged to come together. If you can make all three days, great! If not, come when you can for this time of felowship and renewal during Lent!

Did you know that students in grades six through eight study Spanish as part of their curriculum?  Mrs. Magyar Torres is in her second year of teaching Spanish once a week to the students. As part of learning the language, they also learn about the cultures. Students learn about the different Spanish countries, their people, and their foods. As part of the recent Mardi Gras celebration in the middle school, students brought a Spanish dish to share for lunch. In addition, Mrs. Magyar made a beautiful cake for all of the students to enjoy. So, students were able to get a taste of foods that were familiar to them or they tried something new. Thanks to all of the parents/guardians that helped to make this a wonderful experience for the middle school Spanish classes!

One recent morning the eighth grade received a surprised visit from their next door neighbors, Miss Fiore and the Pre K class. The younger children came in to thank the older children for all of the help they have given to them through the year. They asked eighth grader, Ziara if she would help them by reading their card that they had made to her class. The message was simple, they could knot get along without their help. In addition, eighth graders enjoyed a pretzel knot provided by the Pre.

Catholic Schools Week is always a week of classroom fun and school – related activities. This year as with years in the past, ACS ended the week with a roar. Classes lined up to enter the auditorium and waited patiently for their turn to enter. As each class was called, Student Council and the Class of 2013 led everyone in cheers. This got everyone in a Bulldog spirit.

Clubs are an important part of the ACS fabric. There is always something for everyone’s interest. Earlier in the day members of each club signed a banner that had been made by eighth graders. Each club was then called forward and members introduced themselves. As introductions were finished, the whole school cheered for that club.

The afternoon continued with game of volleyball between the Class of 2013 and the faculty. It was an exciting match with both sides playing great. Once again the faculty edged out the eighth grade by two points. At the end Father Ivan commended the students for a great week. Students dismissed for the weekend with memories of a great reason to be in ACS and thoughts of what next year’s Catholic Schools Week might bring.