St. Joseph Hill Academy Chapel Nears Completion

“Building Something Beautiful for God”

As the St. Joseph Hill Academy school chapel nears completion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors who supported this project. Since announcing the renovation, we have received an outpouring of generosity from our Hill family.  In addition to the beautiful stained glass windows, donated by Richard Nolan and Carol Nolan Petronella in Memory of their mother Mary Bruno Nolan, we also received a very generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Peter Montanti for the purchase of the Sanctuary Lamp, altar cloths, and cruet. Donations to dedicate 12 Chapel Chairs were also provided by our Alumni, family and friends. (Please see the enclosed list of all the donors who supported this renovation project also included below).

The focal point of the Chapel is the new tabernacle.  Imported from Italy, the tabernacle, donated by Mr. Peter Shudtz, ‘62ES, serves as the sacred home of the Eucharist providing a space for the Eucharist to be housed when not at Mass.   In consultation with Sr. M. William McGovern, the decision was made to dedicate the tabernacle in memory of Sr. Philomena Terelmes, FDC.  According to Sr. William, “In 1938, Sr. Philomena was named the Principal of both St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary and High Schools, a position she held for 21 years.  During that time she also taught Latin and religion at the high school. Her foresight led her, in the early 1950's to plan and oversee the construction of a new elementary school building to accommodate the ever-growing student population.  This inevitably led to the necessity for a new high school building, for which she also was responsible.

Sr.  Philomena was born in New Brunswick, NJ.  Her parents died when she was quite young, so she was raised by a family friend, who happened to work in the  parish rectory.  She attended the local Catholic school, St. Ladislaus, which was staffed by the Daughters of Divine Charity.  During her elementary school years, she grew very fond of the Sisters, so when  she completed her  studies she felt that God was calling her to serve Him as a Daughter of Divine Charity. Her natural brilliance and perceptive qualities served her well as she received her Bachelor of Arts  from Notre Dame University, Indiana and her Master's Degree in Education from Fordham University. 

When she completed her service at SJHA, she continued teaching at schools conducted by the Sisters in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition to her teaching, she also served as the Superior of several of the religious communities led by the Daughters of Divine Charity, as well as a Counselor to the Provincial Superior of St. Joseph Province of the Daughters of Divine Charity.  Sister Philomena retired in 1974 and enjoyed watching baseball games until God called her home in 1980.  A little known fact:  During the World Series, Sister Philomena would have the radio on in her school office!”

Plans are being made for a Chapel Dedication in the Fall.   The Catholic Identity Committee is already planning activities that will integrate the Chapel into the Religion curriculum in the High School and the spiritual life of all the Hill students, faculty and staff. 

 

DONORS TO THE ST. JOSEPH HILL ACADEMY CHAPEL RENOVATION

 

STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

Ms. Carol Nolan Petronella

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Nolan

Memorial Gifts for Mrs. Mary Nolan*

Mr. Joseph Boccassini

Ms. Phyllis and Mr. Gerard Brew

Ms. Cecelia Nora Brunner

Ms. Barbara Buckley

Ms. Mary T. Carabba

Mr.  Joseph S. Conti

Mr. Thomas DeJulio

Ms. Natalie J. Gibbons

Ms. Elizabeth R. Helm

Ms. Marianne Mezzacappa

Ms. Carol Mussi

Ms. Frances M. Plankey

Mr. Kevin Tubbs

Ms. Christie Waters

 

TABERNACLE

Mr. Peter Shudtz

 

SANCTUARY LAMP/ALTAR CLOTHS/ CRUET

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Montanti

 

RISEN CHRIST CROSS

Mr. Michael Coppotelli and Family

 

CHAPEL CHAIRS

Ms. Anna Abriga

Ms. Maura Bonnarens

Ms. Benedetta Casamento

Ms. Grace Conte

Ms. Carole Edwards

Ms. Vanessa Holton

Col. Harris Tate Lawrence and Dr.  Marguerite Lawrence

Dr. Donna Seminara and Dr. John Maese

Mr. and Mrs. Craig Sheikowitz

The Class of 1992

 

CHAPEL FUND

Mr. and Mrs. J. Abi Khattar

Ms. Andrea Addeo

Mr. John Liodakis and Dr. Calogera Perrone-Liodakis

Ms. Catherine Vecchiarelli McDonald

Ms. Victoria Piccone

Mr. Rocco Rezza

Dr. Donna Seminara and Dr. John Maese

Ms. Allison Hoovert Smith