View as Webpage

JANUARY 30, 2026

A FAMILY CELEBRATES FAITH & SERVICE

School Board Member and Parish Business Manager Jack Kurkemelis was honored as the 2026 Honorary Catholic Schools Week Chairperson. Join me in congratulating Jack for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to Catholic education. Jack is pictured with the ones who matter most...family!

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Saint Mary School Families,

The recent snow event on Sunday sadly whittled a few days off of Catholic Schools Week. Naturally, we reorganized the schedule of events so we could still do everything we had originally planned - just on different dates. But this gave me pause to wonder what the purpose of Catholic Schools Week is in the first place. According to the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), it's a week for Catholic schools to demonstrate and showcase their unique approach to forming students. The unique cornerstone of every Catholic school is our faith, which is woven through every subject and the standard for every decision we make. 

This week is a focused opportunity for us to contemplate why we've chosen to be in a Catholic school, either as a parent sending their child(ren) or as an educator forming the hearts and minds of their students. I'd like to offer one perspective. Because the finish line we're running toward isn't just the next step in education - the next school, the next degree, the next career, etc.. For sure, those are all high priority checkpoints along the way and we wouldn't be doing our job if students didn't cross those points fully prepared. Our ultimate goal, our most important finish line, is to provide our students with an authentic faith that will grow and mature as they do, that can withstand the pressures and stresses of life and lead to fulfillment in this world and the next. 

A strong and steadfast faith is the constant we all need to be a bedrock during any transition in life - whether it's to another school, to a new career, or through illness and loss. And that's why Catholic schools are unique!

Jeff Johnson, Th.M, Ed.S

Head of School

St. Mary School

732-671-0129

JANUARY

Jan., 26–30 Catholic Schools Week


Wed., Jan 28 12:05 pm Dismissal, Staff Professional Learning 


Fri., Jan 30 STAR Window #2 Closes

FEBRUARY

Feb. 12 & 13 No School

Sun., Feb. 15 Polar Plunge


Mon., Feb. 16 No School

Wed., Feb 18 Ash Wednesday


Mon., Feb. 23 Cup Cake Wars

Wed., Feb 25. 12:05 pm Dismissal, Staff Professional Learning

Fri., Feb. 27 Trimester #2 Ends

Head of School Open Discussion

An open invitation to all parents to attend any or all of the dates below, in the Cafeteria.

2/11/26, 8:30AM – 9:30AM

3/11/26, 6:00PM – 7:00PM

4/15/26, 8:30AM – 9:30AM

5/13/26, 6:00PM – 7:00PM

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PASTOR

Dear Parents of Saint Mary School,

Saint Pope John Paul II wisely reminded the Church and the world, “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” These words are especially close to my heart as your pastor. Last Saturday, just before the snowstorm, I had the great joy of gathering with several of our young families many with babies for a simple evening of dinner and fellowship. Watching young moms and dads share their lives, laugh together, and build friendships was a beautiful reminder that the family is truly the heart of both the Church and society.

As pastor, I desire to support and accompany young families as they strive to raise holy families. I am very aware that this season of life can often feel isolating, especially for young parents caring for their children day in and day out. In order to care well for our young families, it truly takes a community. Our parish family is here to walk with you, support you, and assist in any way possible. To help strengthen this ministry, I have asked Carlos and Mariam Solorzano, parents of a child in our Tiny Tots program, to assist me in coordinating outreach and fellowship for our young families.

The evening together was a great joy for all, and I am especially grateful to Madeline McCoy and several Saint Mary School students who lovingly cared for the older children during the dinner. Madeline is a tremendous blessing to Saint Mary’s, and her generosity of heart reflects the spirit of service we hope to foster in all our students. If you are parents with a young baby and would like to participate in our next young family dinner, please feel free to email me at frjeffkegley@aol.com or text me at 609-954-3356. Until then, please be assured of my daily prayers for the entire Saint Mary School community.

God Bless,

Father Jeff Kegley

Pastor

BOARD CORNER

Robert Horwath

Board Member

With over 25 years of engineering and management experience, Robert Horwath has demonstrated expertise in technology and budget management. His vast professional experience includes overseeing the US Submarine Cable Engineering and Operations Division for Vodafone, a European-based corporation. Mr. Horwath has coached soccer at Matawan High School and at Saint Mary School, where he served as boys varsity soccer coach. He and his wife, Ellen, are parishioners at Saint Mary, Mother of God Parish and became fully invested in Catholic education after transferring their oldest son from public school to Catholic school and seeing an instant transformation in him. Today, all four of their sons are enrolled in Catholic school, a financial sacrifice the Horwath's consider well worth the benefits.

CLASSICAL MUSINGS

One of the many rewarding aspects of being part of a community of Catholic classical liberal arts schools is the opportunity to visit sister schools. One can attend conferences, read books, view webinars, and so on but nothing teaches like seeing teachers in action. And in the same concept, just seeing a school in action speaks clearly in so many ways. Recently, Mr. Johnson and I had the pleasure of spending the day at Regina Angelorum Academy in suburban Philadelphia. Regina Angelorum is one of four “Regina” schools in suburban Philadelphia founded nearly twenty years ago to bring the beauty, truth, and goodness, of Catholic classical education to that area.

It was an amazing and reaffirming experience. Faith was infused into every aspect of the day.  Religion is not just a subject; it is a way of life. By the time students reach the middle grades, discussion and research are the main tools of learning, all done in an organized, systematic manner.   The small things mattered. Classical in fact means "the best "and that is what we saw. But what we had validated with our chat with their principal and president, was that we at Saint Mary School are not that much different from them. This was very reaffirming.       Praise God.



Pat Mullen

Vice Principal

NEW OPEN HOUSE DATE

POLAR PLUNGE

It’s not too late to dive into the excitement and make a splash for the saints at Saint Mary School! We are thrilled to announce that, in light of recent snow conditions, our much-anticipated event has been rescheduled to February 15, 2026. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, celebrate, and embrace the vibrant community spirit that defines our school. We warmly invite you to join us for an afternoon filled with fun, fellowship, and the joy of being part of the Saint Mary family. Let’s make unforgettable memories together and strengthen the bonds that unite us in faith and friendship!

PTA CORNER

We are ready for a bake-off with our Annual Cup Cake Wars. This year we included a special contest for Tiny Tots through Kindergarten.

FOR GRADES 1 – 5

FOR TINY TOTS – KINDERGARTEN

• Wed. February 25 • Wed., March 25 • Wed., April 22 • Wed., May 27

SPIRIT WEAR IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Show off your school pride with our latest Spirit Wear collection! Hoodies, crewnecks, and accessories are now on sale. Don’t miss your chance to gear up and represent SMS in style.

Order yours today! Use the link below.

This Valentine's Day, we invite you to create a delightful surprise for your child that embodies the love and joy we cherish at Saint Mary Catholic School. This thoughtful gesture not only brightens their day but also reinforces the values of kindness and generosity that we strive to nurture within our vibrant community. Let this Valentine's Day be a moment of joy that resonates within your family and the entire Saint Mary School community!

LUNCH MENU

PARENT RESOURCE CORNER

SAINT MARY, MOTHER OF GOD CHURCH

Become a Member of Saint Mary Parish!

We warmly invite you to register as a member of Saint Mary, Mother of God Church. There are so many blessings and benefits to becoming an official part of our church community, including:

• A deeper sense of belonging and spiritual support
• Access to parish events, ministries and sacraments
• Opportunities to serve and grow in faith
• Staying informed through parish communications
  

Join us as we grow together in faith, fellowship, and service. We look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions please call 732-671-0071