News

In recognition of Catholic Schools Week, our parishioners joined our school children and parents to celebrate the 11:30 p.m. Liturgy last Sunday. At the end of the Liturgy, to her big surprise, Fr. Ivan presented Sr. Yosaphata with Papal Blessing for her 50th Anniversary of Religious Profession and Service to Catholic Education. The Papal Blessing of Pope Benedict XVI was sent to our parish from the Vatican.

Mrs. Lawrence’s fifth grade started CSW with a project called Building a Strong Foundation.  Students, working in groups of three or four, had to make geometric solid shapes out of paper, design a two-foot tall tower that would withstand land and air movement, and then use the shapes to build the tower.  Students quickly learned that the structures needed to have a strong foundation.  Those that did, did not tumble under the challenge of the teacher created earthquake and windstorm elements.  It was a great start to a week that would include academic themed days such as You Are What You Eat, a Day at the Races, and An Afternoon With the Arts.

Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy will host Open Houses on Sunday, January 27 and Sunday, February 3, from noon to 3:30 pm as part of its Catholic Schools Week celebrations.  The school, located on 380 Meredith St and  serves students ranging from PreK (4 year old) and Kindergarten to the eighth grade.  Light refreshments and school tours will be available for prospective parents and students during the Open Houses.

Middle States Association accredited since 1996, and now AdvancEd accredited, Assumption Catholic provides a small school atmosphere with big school goals.  Students are afforded a progressive academic program enriched by a wide array of technology and many extra-curricular activities. Before Care and After Care are available.

School-wide activities planned for Catholic Schools Week include Liturgy on Sunday, a crazy hat competition on Monday, lunch and “make your own sundae” on Wednesday (provided by the Family/School Assn), and a Pep rally on Friday including the big game – Faculty vs. Eighth grade Volleyball.  Grades 6, 7, and 8 activities will include Breakfasts for Champions, Jeopardy, and Bingo.  Grades 4 and 5 will be engaged in a Multiplication Bingo, bridge building and baking fleur-de-lis  cookies.  The lower grades will enjoy Saint Fun Facts, Saint Shield creation, “M & M” graphing, Major Outdoor Math Skills, and Pajama/Movie Day.  They will also be treated to guest story readers. All grades will be taught lessons by eighth grade “future teachers.”

Call 732 826-8721 or email acsschooloffice@gmail.com for more information about the school, registration, or any of the events.

Memorial Bricks are being sold to raise funds for the Assumption Catholic School 50th  Anniversary next year.  Each brick can be personalized as a memorial for a family or loved one.  The cost is $50.00 per brick.   For information call the rectory at 732-826-0767, or chairman Rozalia Czaban, 973-763-4273.PLEASE SEND COMPLETED FORM AND CHECK payable to Assumption Catholic School to Assumption Rectory at 684 Alta Vista Pl, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861.

THE FORM CAN BE FOUND ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE www.assumptioncatholicschool.net. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity for your family to become a PERMANENT part of the new building project. We are waiting for YOU.

The following is a list of people/students who already purchased a brick.

Bruce & Jeanne Terefenko,
 IN MEMORY OF JOHN TEREFENKO
 LOVE, BRUCE & JEAN
Ernest Moryan,
 ANNA MORYAN
Ernest Moryan,
 GEORGE LADAY JR.
Oksana & Bohdan Kuzyszyn,
 IN MEMORY OF OLEKSA KUZYSZYN,
 STEFANIA AND MYKOLA NAHIRNI
Maria and Myron Rajsz,
 RAJSZ FAMILY
Donna Pankulics,
 IN MEMORY OF JOHN AND KATHERINE MELNYK
Donna Pankulics,
 DONNA PANKULICS, CLASS OF 1973
Helen Pikus,
 IN LOVING MEMORY OF CHARLES PIKUS
 LOVING WIFE HELEN
Cindy Redus-Tarchis,
 IN MEMORY OF MARION EVA PATSKANICK
Natasha James-Waldon,
 CONGRATS ON 50YRS YAHNIE
CLASS OF ’16, THE WALDONS
Bernadette Zavorsky,
 IN MEMORY OF
MICHAEL AND MARY ZAVORSKY
Theresa Stek,
 IN MEMORY OF CHARLES A. STEK
 LOVE TERRY
Ann Marie Stek,
 IN MEMORY OF ANNA AND DMYTRO PIKUS
Ann Marie Stek,
 IN MEMORY OF MARY AND JOHN STEK
Ann Marie Stek,
 IN MEMORY OF CHARLES STEK, LOVE ANN
Ann Marie Stek,
 IN MEMORY OF ANNA STEK, LOVE ANN
Ann Marie Stek,
 ANN MARIE STEK, LOVING DAUGHTER
Roberta Ruiz Chrzan,
 ROBERTA RUIZ AND JOHN CHRZAN
Arlene Chismar,
 IN MEMORY OF KATHRYN ELTCHENKO
Arlene Chismar,
 IN MEMORY OF ANN AND JOHN KISLAN
Joe Britton,
 IN LOVING MEMORY, LOIS AARON AND
 LORRAINE JOKUBCZAK
Joe Britton,
 IN LOVING MEMORY, JOSEPHINE & JAMES
 BRITTON
Rozalia Czaban,
 IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOSEPH & ROZALIA
 ANDRUSEZKO
Rozalia Czaban,
 IN MEMORY OF AUNT MARY UNCLES
BENNY JOHN ZAN JOE LAGEY
Rozalia Czaban,
 IN LOVING MEMORY, WASYL & HELEN CZABAN
Rozalia Czaban & Joseph Britton,
 CONGRATS ON 50 YRS, ROZALIA CZABAN
 JOSEPH BRITTON

Superstorm Sandy was truly an event that was both eye-opening and humbling.  The loss of life and destruction of property was without precedent. The situation right here in our hometown of Perth Amboy was dire, but thankfully our school and parish suffered relatively minor damage compared to some of our neighbors.  In the spirit of sharing, the Assumption Catholic School in Perth Amboy, NJ  and our School Association (FSA) decided we needed to do something to assist local families in need.  It was decided to send a portion of our Christmas Bazaar receipts to a charitable organization.  At the same time, our pastor, Father Ivan Turyk was also looking for a way to help our neighbors in need.  Together, the parish and school sent a check in the amount $1,200 to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Metuchen to be used as they saw fit to help those who suffered most because of the storm.

Later in 1963 she was assigned with Sister Josepha, M.S.M.G. to open Ukrainian Assumption Catholic School within the Ukrainian Assumption Church parish. In the 50 years since then, she has served only at this parish and has performed multiple roles at the parish school, all the while overseeing the religious instruction of several generations of the school’s graduates.

Known affectionately to many of her students as “Little Sister”, Sr. Yosaphata’s achievements have included being a grade teacher, teaching Ukrainian and religion at all grade levels, preparing children for Holy Communion, moderating the Junior Sodality, and training altar boys. She currently serves as the Vice Principal and Financial Administrator of Assumption Catholic School.

Highlights from Sr. Yosaphata’s lifetime of dedication to her Order, the Ukrainian Assumption Church parish and the parish school were warmly remembered by speakers throughout the event.

The day’s celebration began with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropolitan Soroka and co-celebrated by Archbishop-Metropolitan Emeritus Sulyk, Fr. Dubitsky, current parish pastor Fr. Ivan Turyk, Fr. Silvio Litvenczuk, Deacon Michael Waak, Deacon Paul Maker, and other clergy.

 During his homily, Metropolitan Soroka noted that Sr. Yosaphata has been blessed with gifts of “charisma” and the ability to influence children in a very personal manner, and that hundreds of  graduates from  the parish school have benefitted from her guidance. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Sr. Yosaphata renewed her spiritual vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience before Metropolitan Soroka. 

Following the Liturgy the parish community filled to capacity the auditorium of Assumption Catholic School, to further celebrate and recognize Sr. Yosaphata’s milestone achievements. The banquet was opened  by a prayer from Archbishop-Metropolitan Emeritus Sulyk, and was emceed by Mr. Andrij Wowk (UAS’80).  
Guests were entertained by current The Glee Club, Junior Drama Club, and Chimmetteers of Assumption Catholic School, who performed five musical numbers under the direction of Mrs. Melanie Lawrence. Also appearing was the parish Choir “Boyan” under the direction of Mra. Alla Korotsil, which performed the works “Molit’sia liudy” (Pray, of People), “C’aryc’e nebesna” (Heavenly Mother), and “V nas vira jedyna” (We Have One Faith). 

In her remarks on behalf of the choir, Mrs. Collette Baginsky (UAS ’75) noted that Sr. Yosaphata’s deep love for music as a teacher led many graduates of the parish school to later join “Boyan”, as well as to continue to be involved in Ukrainian cultural activities as adults. 

Other speakers during the banquet included Sr. Evhenia Prusnay, the Mother Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the Mother of God, who shared childhood memories of Sr. Yosephata while they were both growing up in Brazil, and Mr. Michael Szpyhilsky, the current Principal of Assumption Catholic School, who expressed his admiration and gratitude to Sr. Yosaphata for her history and continued work as an educator within the school.

They were followed by the event’s keynote speaker, former pastor Fr. Roma Dubitsky , who served as the parish pastor for 30 of Sr. Yosaphata’s  50 years of service. Fr. Dubitsky recounted St. Yosephata’s numerous contributions to the school and parish community but also her many talents, which include cooking, baking altar breads, sewing Ukrainian embroidery and making pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) and Ukrainian ceramics. Fr. Dubitsky also noted Sr. Yosaphata’s help with various tasks that were required during the founding of the church’s “sister parish”, St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Toms River, NJ.
Greetings and blessings to Sr. Yospahata were also read from Bishop Paul Patrick Chomnycky, O.S.B.M.. of the Stamford, CT diocese.

Following the presentation of gifts to Sr. Yosaphata by representatives of the parish organizations, Sr. Yosaphata herself addressed the assembled guests. She thanked them for their generosity and for recognizing this milestone in her spiritual career, and noted that she considered her years of service to the Church not so much her own personal achievement, but rather God’s achievement in calling her to a spiritual vocation and in supporting her throughout it.  

Fr. Ivan Turyk closed the day’s festivities with a solemn benediction, in which he prayed that Sr. Yosphata “have the joy and satisfaction here on Earth that her example, her sacrifice, her work over the course of 50 years inspired others to “reach for the unreachable stars” and become “all things to all people” just as she did. On this day of jubilee, we lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving that God grant Sr. Yosaphata many more years of good health and vitality…”

Each year on December 6 ACS receives a very special visitor. Saint Nicholas comes to spend a little time with the students, bringing a gift for each one. FSA also gives the children a chocolate lollipop and candy cane.To start the afternoon, Senior Drama presented a short play that helped the audience learn a little bit about the life of Saint Nicholas and how he became known as the patron saint of children and sailors. We were entertained by enthusiastic Drama Club members as they showed how, especially here at ACS, the devils are always fighting a losing battle.  By the end of the presentation everyone was ready for Saint Nicholas. Each grade had time with him. Saint Nicholas could be heard asking the children about their behavior during the previous year. Some students made pictures for him. Saint Nicholas shared that he still has pictures that the seventh grade class had made for him when they were in second grade. He loves coming to ACS because the children are so enthusiastic.  By the end of the afternoon all of the students were ready to go home to share their experiences with their parents.

On Friday, November 30, 2012 the Class of 2013 made their way to Divine Liturgy as they had done every Friday for as long as they could remember. This week it was a little different. The class looked like they were walking on air! This was going to be a special day for them.

After Liturgy was finished, Father Ivan blessed the rings that would soon be given to the class. Following the blessing Mr. S. called each student by name to come to Father Ivan to receive their ring. They were then officially The Class of 2013. Following the ceremony, the Class of 2013 posed for pictures, and went to the Church basement for a chance to celebrate the occasion with their families. This was a day that will not be forgotten by the Class of 2013.