JACKSON – St. Aloysius Church and School located in Jackson Township recently announced its plans to combine efforts with St. Veronica School in Howell Township, forming the one large catholic academy.
The announcement was made on January 7. The school posted an announcement to both its website and Facebook pages, stating: “Two strong and successful Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Trenton – situated just over three miles apart – will pool their resources and efforts to become a newly-established Catholic Academy that will open its doors in September, 2019.”
According to St. Aloysius and St. Veronica officials, the two schools will merge once the current school year is complete to become the Mother Seton Academy.
Father John Bambrick, pastor of St. Aloysius Parish, and Father Vincent Euk, pastor of St. Veronica Parish, agreed that the merger would strengthen the Catholic education in the local community, noting that both schools already have a “solid foundation” on which to build.
Plans for the merger and the new name were approved in December by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., in mid-December.
The namesake of the future “Mother Seton Academy” is Mother Seton, or St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, “the first native born citizen to be canonized and the founder of the first American religious community, the Sisters of Charity,” according to the school’s announcement.
Mother Seton Academy will not only have a new name, but also a new administration, teaching staff and mission. The new teaching staff will be comprised of current teachers from both schools.
The school will move into what is now the St. Veronica School, as it is slightly larger, has an athletic field, and is easily accessible from major roads like Route 195 and Route 9, according to school officials.
JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of schools, conveyed words of encouragement from Bishop O’Connell on the launch of the new Academy: “It is both commendable and inspiring that these two parishes are going to work together to ensure the continued health of Catholic education for the children in their communities and those throughout the area.”
