Hudson Catholic Mourns beloved teacher
Debbie Lucas-McGady
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Beloved faculty, the teaching team of Frank and Debbie Lucas-McGady.
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On Sunday, October 10th, President-Principal Terry Matthews communicated the most difficult message of his first-year tenure, informing the Hudson Catholic community that “our dearest Debbie passed away this afternoon, in hospice care, surrounded by love.” We are selfish in the respect that we feel she belonged to us -- to her students and her colleagues - her Hudson Catholic family. And while that is true, Debbie also belonged to her husband, Frank McGady, himself a beloved and second longest tenured teacher at Hudson Catholic.
Terry said: “Hers was truly a life well-lived. If it is true that we are ultimately judged by the lives we touch, Debbie Lucas-McGady is nothing short of extraordinary. We have all been privileged to accompany her on this journey as she faced her battle against cancer with strength, and courage, and dignity, and an unwavering faith in God. The outpouring of love from students and colleagues, memorialized in pictures and updates from Frank, is a testament to the incredible woman she was and the impact she had on those with whom she came in contact. The videos sent by students, staff and alums all shared the same message thanking Debbie for the way she touched their lives and how each was better for having known her. Everyone wanted to celebrate her life. We should all be so lucky. Please know, Frank, that you are loved and supported by your Hudson Catholic family.”
Former President Richard Garibell said: “Debbie gave her all to her students and to the Lord. She touched so many lives in the last eight years at Hudson Catholic. Her legacy is one of great love and dedication to her students. May she rest in peace.“
The Debbie Lucas-McGady Faculty Scholarship was immediately formed in response to an outpouring of those who wish to honor and remember Debbie and her dedication to the students of Hudson Catholic. Simply stated, in eight short years, since becoming part of the second husband and wife team to teach at Hudson Catholic, Debbie etched quite a place in the hearts of her classes as an engaging Science teacher who came from a career in lab research in the pharma industry, to bring her knowledge and experience to life in the front of a classroom.
The scholarship in her name will be a way to honor Debbie at the school now and for years to come. Please contact Jill Cypher or Jenine D’Addetta in the Office of Advancement to participate in a scholarship honoring the memory of this outstanding person and teacher, and recognizing the work of all teachers.
In addition, on November 7th, a leaf on the Tree of Life will be added for Debbie, inscribed 'In Memory of a Great Teacher - Debbie Lucas-McGady'.
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Honor Roll of Highest Sacrifice unveiled at Uniformed Heroes and 9/11 Observance Event
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Hudson Catholic's finest:
Bill Keegan '73, LT., PAPD (ret.); Terry Matthews, President-Principal, HCHS; Nicholas Scerbo '89, Deputy Chief, JCPD.
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On Saturday evening, October 2nd, families of alumni lost in the line of duty, and of loved ones lost in the tragedy of 9/11, were in attendance at Mass celebrated by Father Rocci Danzi, S.J., at St. Aedan’s, the St. Peter’s University Church, for our heroes of law enforcement, firefighting, first response, and military, both alumni and of the broader community.
Following Mass, guests were welcomed to the Mercer Street entrance by a Port Authority Police bagpiper, and then witnessed a Jersey City Police Department Honor Guard march into the Rocky Pope Gym to commence our solemn ceremony of honor, dedication and remembrance.
Police brass included brothers Joseph Scerbo ’86, Deputy Chief for Bayonne, and Nicholas Scerbo ’89, Deputy Chief for Jersey City, who announced and unveiled Hudson Catholic’s Honor Roll of Highest Sacrifice, containing the names, class years, branch of service, and End of Watch dates of six alumni who gave their lives in their service to others. They are David Lemagne ’92, William Neil ’87, Marlon Jackson ’97, Marc DiNardo ’89, Robert Nguyen ’93, and Mark Lee ’77. The plaque will be installed in a suitable location in the school, on display for students and visitors alike to see, as a tribute for the ultimate act of service to others.
Retired Port Authority Police Department Lieutenant Bill Keegan ’73 delivered the keynote remarks for the evening, in tribute to all those who lost their lives on 9/11. Bill recounted how hope of rescue quickly evolved to despair and recovery efforts, and about the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of finding God and hope. He stressed how the responders quickly realized their mission was to bring every victim they could find home to their loved ones. And there was, indeed, connection on this night, among responders, our lost loved ones, and their families.
His Excellency Bishop Gregory Studerus, who is in residence at Hudson Catholic, completed the evening with a prayer for the departed and a blessing of the Honor Roll plaque. Social time followed, enabling attendees to share in the feeling of community established with our mass and ceremony.
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In a future issue, we will provide a link at which you may view
the 9/11 Observance Ceremony
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Members of the JCPD Honor Guard,
including Capt. Tom Engleke '80 and Detective Dan Sheridan '93
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Tree of Life Re-Dedication approaches; follows
Alumni Mass of Remembrance
Nov. 7th
There will be a short ceremony to re-dedicate the Tree of Life in the Lobby Entrance to the school on Sunday, November 7th, immediately following the invitation-only Alumni Mass of Remembrance, at which alumni, family, and members of the school community who passed away over the prior 12 months will be remembered, celebrated, and prayed for. Mass is at 10am, either in the De Lasalle Chapel or Rocky Pope Gym, depending upon the size of the gathering. Families of those who have secured leaves on the Tree of Life are also invited to attend the rededication. Breakfast refreshments will be served in the Cafeteria at the conclusion of the ceremony, courtesy of the Alumni Association.
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Slattery Steps Up with Scholarship
Joins Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program, issues Challenge to 1994 Classmates
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The Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program is proud to announce the establishment of 'The Class of 1994 Memorial Award', offered by Alumni Association President Brian Slattery, in memory of deceased classmates Paul Runge, Neal Napolitano, and William Murray-O’Grady.
Brian has pledged $1,994 payable over four years, and invites fellow members of the Class of 1994 to match his pledge, or to pledge amounts that invoke the 1994 theme, such as $199.40, or $94, with a four-year commitment.
The objective of this award is to amass and award $1,994 to one student annually.
Please go to hudsoncatholic.org/hcsp and select this award from the drop-down menu to make a pledge of one to four years. Or, contact Jenine at jdaddetta@hudsoncatholic.org.
The Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program presently comprises 23 awards at a value of $63,000. We are seeking additional donors to hit our targets of 50 awards and $100,000 by the end of the 2021-22 school year.
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Soft Launch Appeal to
Marist Alumni yields
first gifts for Marist Legacy Scholarship at Hudson Catholic
Hudson Catholic recently received several donations from Marist alumni that will form the foundation for the Marist Legacy Scholarship Fund at Hudson Catholic. We are in the planning and soft launch stages of appealing to alumni of closed area Catholic high schools (Marist, St.Joseph of the Palisades, St. Anthony, Queen of Peace), who may love and support Catholic education and wish to memorialize the name of their school. Marist is but the first appeal, involving a soft launch of a limited number of alumni contacts, to test the degree of appeal this notion may have.
As a result, we now have initial funding of the first fund in the Hudson Catholic Legacy Scholarship Program.
This is where Hawk Alumni come in. We all know alumni from these schools. Please spread the word and let them know about our Legacy Scholarship Program. Ask them to contact us or provide their email address directly to us and we'll make the appeal.
If you love Catholic education, Hudson Catholic, as the only co-ed Catholic high school remaining in Hudson County, is worth your support and that of your friends!
Contacts and information to Advancement@hudsoncatholic.org
Donations at hudsoncatholic.org/legacy or to jdaddetta@hudsoncatholic.org
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Rich History of Drama Club Continues
School of Rock set for May 6th - 8th
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As well as the school administrative team and students and families did to make the most of a difficult situation in the 'hybrid' pandemic year, our student body were denied many traditional experiences last year. One of those was the shut down of the Hawk Drama Society and the absence of live stage productions among a student company that typically numbered 75+ over the past ten years.
Well, we are back to school en masse, and happy to say we are back to a full slate of extracurricular activities, including our five-decades-beloved Drama Society for would-be thespians and stage production professionals.
Our faculty moderator is Assistant Principal Sarah Degnan-Barbi. The first meeting of the Drama Society is on October 26th when planning will commence for the Hudson Catholic production of School of Rock, having secured the rights for this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. In order to expand the reach of the Drama Society further into our community, several talented elementary school students will be invited to audition for some minor roles within the production. Save the date! May 6, 7, and 8 for School of Rock!
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(Held Over From Last Week)
Belmar Blowout to Fete Former Faculty Jim Gannon on Nov. 6th
Why? He's a great guy who has stayed in touch with many students from his days at Hudson Catholic as a pioneering lay teacher.
Where? Where else? The Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh Club on 16th St. in Belmar. You could hit Bar A with rock from there.
When? 6-9pm
How much? $65 ducats
For what? Hot buffet, open bar, and all the exaggerated tales and laughs you can handle.
How do I get in on it? Send a check to Sigmund Zachowski at 31 Kendall Blvd Oaklyn, NJ 07777. Note 'Gannon Toast' (or is that 'Roast'?) on bottom.
Inquiries to sfzachowski@verizon.net
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Congratulations on your Retirement,
but STAY CONNECTED
Many of our grads have furnished us with their business email addresses for preferred means of communication. Now that we have a number of classes in the retirement zone (you know who you are!), when that milestone day comes, please remember to provide a personal email to enable us to ‘stay connected’ with you. We’ve had to chase a good number of you down in the past year when our communications to your work email addresses bounced back. Congratulations to those who have reached this email bounce-back status!
Updates for your email, phone and mailing address can be shared with us at hudsoncatholic.org/stay connected.
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FYI
hudsoncatholic.org/hawknews to:
Find past issues of Building The Legacy
hudsoncatholic.org/stayconnected to:
Update email address, mobile phone number, or mailing address
Share employer name, job title, professional field
Personal updates: degrees, marriage, births, job change/promotion, awards
Advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to:
Provide prospect contacts & info for the HC Legacy Scholarship Program
Advertise your business card here for $25 per issue
Plan a visit back to the Hawks' Nest.
Obtain or donate a yearbook through The Yearbook Exchange
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Korrections Korner
Although Brian Altano ’74 is a brain, he is Brian, not ‘Brain’.
Ed Dibianco ’74 looks so young, he could have been a ’75 alum.
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“Remember when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given: A heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” -- Saint Francis of Assisi
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The Office of Advancement ~ Gary, Jill & Jenine
201-332-5970 x118
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Special thanks to our sponsors: |
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