The St. Joseph Red & White Celebration drew more than 200 people to the Westin Hotel in Mount Laurel on May 15. The Gazette’s Joseph F. Berenato was at the event, and his article and pictures show the success and fun of the evening in our special supplement on page 29.
It was a night filled with honors for people associated with St. Joseph Academy as well as the former St. Joseph High School, which was closed by the Diocese of Camden in 2020 along with St. Joseph Regional Elementary School. St. Joseph Academy was founded by local and area supporters who wanted to continue educating grades nine through 12 locally.
In their first year, they have revitalized the school campus, both physically and inside the classrooms. They are seeking students who want to join their freshman class. If the support shown at the Red & White Celebration is any indication, the new school will continue to attract parents and students in the coming months and years.
Along with the other institutions The Gazette covers each week, we are always proud to cover those with the name “St. Joseph”: St. Joseph Church of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish, St. Joseph Little Cubs Pre-K at the former St. Joseph Regional Elementary School and St. Joseph Academy, educating grades nine through 12.
According to the Vatican News from December 2020, “With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (‘With a Father’s Heart’), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from today, 8 December 2020, to 8 December 2021.”
We will celebrate all the local institutions bearing the name “St. Joseph” in this “Year of St. Joseph” and every year, and we thank everyone involved with each of them for their continuing positive contributions to the community of Hammonton, and all the communities served by them.