Tree of Life
Completion & Re-dedication Planned

The beautiful mahogany and bronze 'Tree of Life' sculpture adorning the main entrance to the school is a tasteful tribute to the memory of many of our loved ones - family and friends - who either attended or enabled our attendance at Hudson Catholic.
 
The Tree was made possible in 1998 by the generosity of Hudson Catholic’s Mothers’ Guild and Men’s Club. 
 
We installed and dedicated this Tree with the unveiling of 210 inscribed leaves and stones that provide visual and permanent recognition of the great sacrifices of parents, grandparents and other important people in our lives. The Tree tells part of Hudson Catholic’s history through the people and families that came through our community.
 
Our Tree presently contains 130 leaves that remain available for inscription.
 
We invite you and your family to consider reserving a leaf on the tree that will be inscribed as you wish and 'unveiled' as part of a public re-dedication in November for all donors to see up close. 
 
The Tree of Life is a sincere way to honor the legacy of a family name in the annals of school history, or to memorialize a sacrificing parent, cherished teacher, or beloved alumnus who have gone to their eternal reward -- people who are all remembered at our Annual Mass of Remembrance in November.
 
To review materials and reserve a leaf or stone on the Hudson Catholic Tree of Life, for all time, while space remains available, go to hudsoncatholic.org/tree.
Hawk Pride on Display
at 1970 & 1971 Reunion Weekend
100+ graduates of the Classes of 1970 and 1971, and their guests, reunited at the Galloping Hill Golf Club on June 27th to celebrate their time as classmates 50 years ago. They were joined by some of their most popular mentors: Brother Patrick King, Jake O’Halloran, Jim Gannon, Jack Campion, Frank Becht, and former Brother Bernard (now Sean) Gresh. Pictured from '71: Dennis Danilewicz, Art Londrigan, Art Miceli, Dennis Gaynor, and John Colaneri seated.
 
While Class Gifts are still being compiled, one highlight of the event was Bill Murtha ’71 accepting his classmate Fred Miller’s challenge and matching Fred’s gift of $7,100. Proceeds of all matches from ’71 will go to the Bob Cole ’71Memorial Fund of the Alumni Leadership Program, to be turned into ALP Awards for deserving students in need of financial assistance.

Profile of a Loyal Supporter
Dr. Neil Russo ‘82

Dr. Neil Russo ’82 is an avid golfer. Never misses a chance to support Hudson Catholic by attending and bringing a foursome to the Alumni Golf Outing at Galloping Hill in June, and the Black & Gold Golf Classic at the Essex County Country Club in September.
 
At this year’s Alumni Golf Outing on June 28th, Neil was the lucky winner of the Cash 50/50 Raffle. His share was over $2,200. In true Hawk fashion, he donated the full amount back to the proceeds of the day’s event, which ultimately find their way back to the school in the form of tuition assistance or earmarked gifts.
 
Thank you, Neil! A great Hawk!
....and Speaking of the Alumni Golf Outing.....


The Bertolini Brothers were out in force!


That's Joe and John '74, Bob '79, and Tom '85. Looks like the twins shared clubs!
Under One Roof
The Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program

Through the generosity of our many alumni and friends, Hudson Catholic is able to honor academic performance and stand in for significant financial need, in bestowing a number of scholarship and financial aid awards to our students.
 
Some awards are named to honor or memorialize generous donors or those who lived the LaSallian values of service to others. These are defined and funded by specific donors or organizations.
 
Other awards are open to accumulating donations among multiple donors.
 
These many awards have been united under one program where they can be administered under a common set of principals and values defined by Hudson Catholic administration in partnership with their sponsoring donors and organizations.
 
The Hudson Catholic Scholarship Program presently comprises 22 awards valued at $55,000 for the benefit of 25 students.
 
These are, in some cases, very meaningful or very personal tributes, therefore carry powerful reminders among the Hudson Catholic community about the importance of recognition, rewards, and remembrance.
 
Please consider adding to the power and opportunity that these awards offer to today’s students.
 
In doing so, go to www.hudsoncatholic.org/HCSP to submit your intention, or contact the Chief Advancement Officer at gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org to discuss your options.
On the Occasion of
One Year as CAO
by Gary Ferrari

June 30th marked the completion of my first year as Chief Advancement Officer at Hudson Catholic, therefore serving as a reminder to pause (not long) and reflect on the year that was.
 
I can sum up the past year for me in two words: ‘Blessed’ and ‘Grateful’. Truly grateful to be asked to take on this role, a vital role in the life of Hudson Catholic, to be able to advance the mission of the school we all love, to be able to serve those who are the reason for our mission: our students, and to do so in partnership with our many and varied alumni who demonstrate their generosity every day in so many ways.
 
We are truly of LaSallian values in dedicating ourselves to the service of others.
 
I reflect on the engagement and generosity of alums and donors, the absolute talent and heroics of our Administrative Team and Faculty, and the resilience of that faculty and the students themselves in adapting to a hybrid instruction and learning model in our school's most challenging year since opening.
 
Most of all, we learned to trust in the Holy Spirit to lead us all through the most challenging times of our lives, and we have come out the other end, stronger and more resilient for it.
 
Years ago, I learned to trust the Holy Spirit and that Spirit guides me in my work as Chief Advancement Officer. I feel I was called to this role at a time when I could step away from my chosen profession when my school needed me. I always felt that any job I took deserved my effort to be the best I could be at what I chose to do. I feel that way still, striving to be the best CAO I can be for Hudson Catholic. And I regard the role I play as God’s vessel between our donors, and our kids and their futures.
 
In the past year, I have renewed relationships with many alumni who I have known through the years, met a number face to face for the first time after many years of working in a volunteer capacity, and met many alumni for the first time. So many have thanked me for choosing to do this work, but I tell them it is my sincere pleasure to be able to do it. I am merely a conduit for you to express your appreciation of what Hudson Catholic has given you.
 
This school, its Christian Brothers and lay faculty, and the relationships formed with members of the classes of 1970 through 1976 over my four years at Hudson Catholic truly made a difference in my life and put me on a path that I could never have dreamed when I was a teenager.
 
That is perhaps the most prevalent theme I hear from alumni, about their gratefulness for how Hudson Catholic made a difference in their lives, or changed their lives. Invariably, this notion of gratefulness is at the root of many, if not most, gifts that we receive from alumni. It is a simple gesture for expressing their gratitude for what was given to them all those years ago.

SAVE THE DATES!
Advancement Calendar
For 2021-2022 School year
August 7
September 16
October 2
November 7
November 19
April 1/2  
May 22 
Hawks at The Shore
Black & Gold Golf Classic
Uniformed Heroes Mass & 9/11 Observance
Tree of Life Re-Dedication & Mass of Remembrance
Wall of Honor Induction & Dinner
Reunion Weekend (for 5s & 10s)
A Taste of Hudson Catholic
Inquire at advancement@hudsoncatholic.org for details
Hawks at the Shore ‘All Alumni’ Social Event
August 7th in Belmar
Must Reserve & Pay at
hudsoncatholic.org/shore

Limited to First 100 to Reserve
No Payment at the Door
 
Special Guest all the way from Lincroft:
Brother Tim Ahern
 
Open to all alumni and guests
A mere $85 per person gets you buffet and open bar
We’ll publish the attendee list in late July.
Teaser Alert: might we see O'Halloran, Campion, Dandorph, or Becht?
Bring your wallets -- we’ll run the ubiquitous 50/50 raffle out of a pale!

Your Host: Bobby 'Rosco' Quirk '73
(First Hawk ever to land 1st Team All County Football honors)
Signed 8X10 glossies to the first 101 guests!

At the Friendly Sons of the Shilelagh Club / 16th Ave / 3-6pm
We’ll come to you!
Make time to meet with the CAO

A good part of the Chief Advancement Officer’s role is not just to stay in touch with alumni, but to meet them face to face. Those are great opportunities to hear about plans and happenings at the school, have your questions answered, and find out about your classmates or other alums.
 
If you are in the tri-state area and would like to meet Gary Ferrari over a cup of coffee, or plan a lunch, or a visit to your home of office, send along a note to Gary at gferrari@hudsoncatholic.org. He’ll manage to greet you with a Hawk memento of some sort.
 
If you are in other parts of the country and interested in a personal meet-up, please make that known, because we’ll be planning some regional trips for the President and Chief Advancement Officer in the coming year and we could be swayed by an invitation to host a reception for alumni in your area.
Correction Corner

This is a new feature that is apparently going to run regularly!
 
In the last issue of BTL, the article about the Hawks dominating the Prep in football designated Tolan Washington and Pat Delpiano as members of the Class of ’78, instead of ‘79’. We Catholics regret all of our errors, but the editor wishes to be transparent whenever he gets it wrong.
 
Keep up the great work, all you sticklers for factual accuracy. Much appreciated! In fact, we’ll be sure to plant some red herrings in future to see who is on their toes!
FYI
  • Past issues of Building The Legacy are available at hudsoncatholic.org/hawknews

  • Send change of address, phone or email to hudsoncatholic.org/stay connected, along with personal updates or notes about reconnecting with other alumni (photos to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org).

  • Plan a visit back to the Hawks' Nest. We'll roll out the red carpet for you and show you what we've done with the place since you were last here. Send a note to advancement@hudsoncatholic.org to arrange your visit.

  • Hudson Catholic is always seeking business partnerships to enhance opportunities for our students. If your business or company can offer job-shadowing, part-time jobs, internships, in-kind donations of technology or furniture, donations, grants, or tuition assistance/ scholarship awards, please contact advancement@hudsoncatholic.org.
The Office of Advancement ~ Gary, Jill & Jenine
201-332-5970 x118
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