Day: January 29, 2026

Diocesan high schoolers learn to apply faith to life #Catholic –

On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles.

For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly.

“I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for the Spartans. “By getting involved in service, we are doing what our faith asks of us in a real-world setting.”

Often, Catholic high school students connect with their faith through Christian service. This is especially true in the Campus Ministry programs at the three Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese of New Jersey, where service helps students deepen their love for Christ and share the Gospel. The schools are DePaul, Morris Catholic in Denville, N.J., and Pope John XXIII Regional in Sparta, N.J.

Campus Ministries guides students through this exciting and challenging life stage, helping them listen for God’s vocational call. As these programs report increased student involvement in spiritual and service activities and a growing zeal for being Catholic, which mirrors a national trend. BeaconNJ.org is highlighting several students inspired by their school’s Campus Ministries in its coverage of Catholic Schools Week, being celebrated this week.

DePaul’s Campus Ministry deepens the spirituality of its roughly 475 students through daily practices such as Mass, Adoration, and praying the rosary together. Students also attend retreats, read Scripture, receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and participate in monthly schoolwide Masses. DePaul welcomes many non-Catholic students who also participate in its spiritual and service activities.

“Faith cannot involve only classroom subjects. We see the fruit of our approach evidenced by our growing daily Mass attendance,” said Father Frank Lennie, the school’s chaplain and a Class of 2010 alum.

Father Lennie and Jean Caughey, a theology teacher, work together with the other members of the Theology Department in DePaul’s campus ministry.

“This time in high school is so uncertain for our students. Jesus and faith are constant. We need to show them and lead them in how they can disconnect with the world, ground themselves in prayer, and then reconnect through evangelization and service, which help them live out their discipleship,” Caughey said.

Pope John: ‘Students are bold in their faith’

At dinner two years ago, Hayden Marshall, 16, now a sophomore at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, N.J., asked his family a question they hadn’t yet contemplated: “Why aren’t we baptized?” He then asked, “May I get baptized?”

At that point, the Marshall family wasn’t religious. But they were inspired to join Hayden for Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA) classes at Our Lady of the Lake (OLL), also in Sparta, the parent parish of Pope John High School. During last year’s Easter Vigil Mass at OLL, Hayden, his mother, Amy, his father, Steven, and his sister, Hannah, 13, received their sacraments and were fully initiated into the Church.

Hayden, first a student at Pope John Middle School —part of the Catholic Academy of Sussex County— found motivation in the theology classes and spiritual experiences at Pope John.

“I was inspired by stories of Jesus’ miracles and the fact that teachers teach about Jesus straight out of the bible. My faith came to life. I’m now closer to Jesus,” said Hayden. He said about being welcomed into the Church with his family, “It was a special day for all of us.”

Also, Amy Marshall joined the middle school as a sixth- and seventh-grade science teacher this current academic year.

Campus Ministry serves 600 students at Pope John High School. The outreach offers retreats, Masses, and service opportunities. High schoolers pair up with younger students to serve as mentors and prayer buddies. Campus Ministry recently formed a leadership board of 27 upperclassmen, said Shannon Jones, Pope John High School campus minister and eighth-grade theology teacher.

“The students are bold in sharing their faith,” said Jones, adding that students devise their own activities, such as Bible readings recited over the intercom at the start of the school week.

Father John Calabro, a Pope John chaplain and teacher, said, “Our Catholic schools are important for evangelization. With our students, we can explore the deep questions, such as ‘Why are we here?’ which is so needed today.”

Pope John High School is unique among the three diocesan high schools because it has two other schools at the Academy, the middle school and Rev. Brown Memorial School, that, over time, prepare many students for high school — academically, socially, and spiritually.

Father Richard Carton, OLL’s pastor and the Academy’s vice president, taught OCIA to the Marshall family and welcomed them into the Church during last year’s Easter Vigil Mass.

“The Academy exposes students like Hayden to the Gospel’s truth and Christ’s offerings — often for the first time. Many respond enthusiastically,” Father Carton said.

Morris Catholic: Priests model Jesus’ love and joy’

Alian Peralta, 17, a senior at Morris Catholic High School in Denville, N.J., felt “nervous but also calm” before a recent interview with a college seminary — the first step in pursuing his goal of becoming a priest.

Providing Peralta with some calm — and confidence in his priestly discernment — were the wise words of two priests serving Morris Catholic: Father Peter Clarke, president, and Father Carmen Buono, part-time chaplain. Peralta also finds solace while listening to God during the school’s Campus Ministry activities, including monthly Eucharistic adoration.

“Through Father Peter and Father Carmen, I see what serving as a priest means — approaching people with love and joy, as Jesus did,” said Peralta. “Adoration helps me ask Jesus, ‘What do you want me to do with my life?’ and discern my calling.”

At Morris Catholic, there has been an increase in spiritual enthusiasm among its less-than 400-student population. Attendance for the 9:30 a.m. Mass has jumped from 5 to 50 people. During the Easter Vigil Mass last year, Father Buono received Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney’s permission to confirm a several students, welcoming them into full communion with the Church.

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Campus Ministry also offers retreats, school-wide Masses, bible study, and Divine Mercy rosary. The school also encourages students to use faith-based phone apps such as Hallow and Dynamic Catholic.

Father Buono, who also has a counseling background, said, “The value of Morris Catholic priests is that we are present to students not only to talk about their challenges with faith, but also with school or their families. We are also present to them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.”

Morris Catholic students expand their faith through service by helping Celebrate the Child in Denville, running proms and Valentine dances for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The schools has a Respect Life group and God’s Children Club, started by a former student, which makes care packages for homeless shelters.

“Students take what they learn in theology class and apply it to their lives. Service gives them a strong connection to the faith,” said Susan Drew, Morris Catholic’s campus minister.

– On a recent Midnight Run excursion in New York City, Derelle Berryman — a junior at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J.—distributed clothing, coffee, and toiletries to people who are homeless, all while thinking of his uncle’s real-life struggles. For Berryman, the experience was personal: his uncle had suffered homelessness briefly. “I put myself in my uncle’s shoes and other people who experience homelessness. He told me he was cold and scared. I figured if I can do something, I will. ” I don’t want other people to be in that situation,” said Berryman, who plays varsity football for