On the feast day of our patron saint, Vincent de Paul, Sr. Dianne, a Sister of Charity, addressed our community about the conditions under which some Haitians live. She told stories of hope and need. Spirit Alive HAITI began a school seven years ago for 12 children whose parents could not afford the uniforms, shoes, and transportation to send them to public school. Today, they have 250 children. In 2019, Food for the Poor replaced our school, constructed of scrap pieces of wood and tin, with a beautiful new building. But, their generosity did not include money to operate the school and educate the children. The Circle of Friends campaign was initiated to raise those needed funds. Sr. Dianne's words touched many of us.

This week, Sr. Dianne provided an update. The conditions in Haiti have been challenging over the last year. They deteriorated to the point that Sr. Dianne was unable to return as scheduled in October. Strikes and demonstrations were occurring on a daily basis making it unsafe.

Through the generosity of donors, they were able to give the teachers their full pay. They also had the schools’ cooks prepare lunch every day as if there was full enrollment so they could give any left-over beans and rice to the families living in the surrounding area who had little or no food.

Sister closed her note as so... We have no idea what will happen in Haiti in 2020. The issues that underpin the current problems still remain unresolved. But this we know. Our school will continue!

Share her stories of hope in Haiti, and, if you can, help a child attend school. $100 = year!

The Girls Basketball team defeated Columbia High School, 37-34, in the finals of the 2019 Blue and Gold Holiday Tournament in Pequannock. The team had previously defeated the host team, 50-44, in the opening round. Senior Riley Sikorski led the Spartans with 16 points. Fellow senior Olivia Peiser contributed seven.

The Spartans jumped out to a commanding 27-15 lead at the half. A feisty Columbia team outscored the Spartans, 13-3 in the fourth quarter, but it just wasn't enough as the Spartans hung on for the 3-point victory. The Spartans are off to a blazingly hot 4-0 start to the 2019-2020 season.

Freshmen Boys Win their Holiday Tournament

The Freshman Boys Basketball Team won the North Jersey Holiday Hoop Fest in Teaneck during Christmas Break.

The March for Life promotes the beauty and dignity of every human life by working to end abortion—uniting, educating, and mobilizing pro-life people in the public square. We march because we envision a future world where the beauty and dignity of every human life are valued and protected. Hundreds of thousands have been joining the mission of the March since its inception.

DePaul Catholic's Catholic Schools Week kicks off with a school-wide liturgy on Monday, January 27. As the week progresses, there will be days to celebrate Community, Students, our Nation, Vocations, and our Faculty and Staff. Among the activities are classroom activities on leaders who graduated from Catholic schools, guest speakers on vocations, and, of course, the liturgy.