Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes, NJ

Krispy Kreme Donuts Sale to support AMBS!!! End January 15th!

Happy New Year from all of us at AMBS!
We can’t wait to see everyone back on Tuesday!

BUILDING A CHURCH, CONTINUING THE MISSION

On December 12, parishioner Steven Klenk took this wonderful aerial shot of Most Blessed Sacrament that shows off both the beauty of God's creation and the promise of our new church.

As Father John proclaimed in his homily on December 11, 2022, exactly three years after the fire, when he pulled into the parking lot that Sunday, he felt "a profound sense of serenity and gratitude for so much and so many people."

He recalled that, in the aftermath of the fire in 2019, he encouraged the parish "to take comfort in knowing that the people who make up our MBS family will be together, as always, to celebrate the birth of our Savior in the company of friends, neighbors and families. Together, we are MBS Strong."

Three years later, he reminds us, "Our spirits rejoice in Jesus, who alone brings joy to the world. And for us, he has."

Our countdown is OVER! Break is here and what better way to begin than with Pajama & Movie Day at AMBS!🎄🎅🏼 We hope everyone has a safe, restful, and happy Christmas break! We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year!✨
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And here we are with Day 4 of Countdown to Christmas Break with Candy Cane Day! Tomorrow concludes our countdown with Pajama Day AND a half day movie day. 🎄🎅🏼🤶🏼

Day 3 of Countdown to Christmas Break continues as we were rockin’ our festive holiday headpieces and socks today! Tomorrow is Candy Cane Day- dress in red and white like a candy cane!
Only one and a half days until a well deserved break for all - see you tomorrow!

Our 8th graders performing in our afternoon and evening Christmas Concert with the story of the Nativity, leading up to a school wide performance of Joy to the World. AMAZING job by all students today! 👏🏻Thank you to our music teacher Mr. Stocker for preparing the students and to all of the faculty in their assistance to make these performances go as great as they did. We are truly feeling the spirit of Christmas here at AMBS. See you all tomorrow as our Countdown to Christmas Break continues- Tuesday 12/20 is Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!🎄Santa hats/Christmas headpieces and Christmas socks🎅🏼You may wear your gym uniforms with this!
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Yesterday was the kick off to Student Council’s Countdown to Christmas with Ugly Sweater Day! Students and staff filled the halls and classrooms with their holiday sweaters. Our student winners are pictured here with staff winner Mr. Felipe!👏🏻Remember, Monday is Sunday/Christmas Best for our Christmas Concerts!
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During Trimester 1 our Pre-K 2, 3, 4, Kindergarten and 1st Grade classes organized their service project to help those in need at Mercy House, a social agency sponsored by the Archdiocese of Newark. Throughout these past months, families from AMBS and our parish donated toiletries, non-perishable food items, clothing, cleaning products, and toys. Last week, Ms. G, Mr. Felipe, Mrs. Benneh, and our students, Sean and Jarred delivered all items to Mercy House. The kindness and generosity of all who contributed will help many. “Serve whole heartedly, as if serving the Lord, not people” Ephesians 6:7

Photos from Most Blessed Sacrament Church's post

AMBS TREE LIGHTING

Students and their families of our parish's Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament attended the annual blessing of the Christmas trees and the tree lighting.

Pictured are the members of AMBS choir who led us in a medley of Advent and Christmas songs, including "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel", "Away in a Manger", and "Soon and Very Soon". Father John led us in prayer and blessed the trees.

We express our gratitude to Ms. Lisa Grabowski, kindergarten teacher, and Mr. Daniel Stocker, Music Director, for coordinating the event.

For information about admissions to our Academy, please contact Mrs. Alycia Manzo, Principal, at 201-891-4250. Come and see the value of a Catholic education in Franklin Lakes!

Photos from Most Blessed Sacrament Church's post

Today AMBS came together as a school to pray the rosary!

BUILDING A CHURCH......SELECTING THE PEWS

One of the areas for consideration when building a new church is the selection of pews. Areas that have to be considered include: the species of the wood, the grain of the wood, whether or not the pews should have cushions, and should the new pews have hymnal racks and end-pieces

Participating in an interview with one pew manufacturing company included the input of several parishioners: Frank Bivona, Karyn Mucks, Dr. Lauren Longo, Mary Anne Clark, and Father John Job, Pastor of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Included in the conversation were the President and Vice President of the Student Council at our Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Lorenzo Guarino and Devyn Nielsen.

Guarino states: "I felt very included during the meeting and talking with the pew-making company was great. The pews we saw were beautiful, and the examples they showed were amazing. I was very happy to be a part of the meeting, and I can't wait to see those pews in our new church."

Nielsen echoes Guarino's thoughts: "There is so much excitement and innovation that contribute to such an important structure. I got to see one of the most traditional components that makes a church. It was really interesting to learn about the different pews and how they are made. These are all considerations in interior design that have to be contemplated when designing such an inspiring structure. Truly, there are a lot of people who are working together to make this happen."

The students at our Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament are getting a "bird's eye" when it comes to building a new church, and we are grateful for their insights.

Photos from Most Blessed Sacrament Church's post

Kick off the Christmas season with Breakfast with Santa! 🎅🏼 🤶🏼 🎄 ⛄️

When- December 3, 2022
Where- Macauso’s Events and Banquets Hawthorn NJ

Adult- $60
Child- $40
2 and under- FREE

Don’t miss the holiday sale! 20% off site wide and free shipping for orders $75 or more!!

ALL SOULS MASS AT MBS

All Souls Day was celebrated with a solemn evening Mass. Parishioners were once again invited to bring framed photos of their deceased loved ones which were on display below the altar. The Paschal Candle and the Book of Remembrance were prominently placed at the center of the gym. Students from our Academy gave up their time to serve as ushers, greeters, lector and cross bearer. The liturgy concluded with a video remembrance of those the parish lost since All Souls Day of last year. Those in attendance were invited to take a chocolate cross as a "sweet memory" of their beloved. May all of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Photos from Most Blessed Sacrament Church's post

AMBS OPEN HOUSE

Experience a day in the life of a preschooler at the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, November 16 from 11:00-12:00 pm.

Grades 2nd through 5th went on a Field Trip to the Meadowlands Environmental Center. Students learned all about the marshland right here in NJ! They were able to do a mini lesson inside the Center, and then go out net fishing looking for various organisms in the water. After some interesting finds, the center’s guides brought the organisms inside and students were able to look at them closely under microscopes and magnifiers. They were true explorers and weren’t afraid to get in the mud- such a great trip and we were blessed with great weather!

Photos from Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark's post

Young Catholics celebrate their favorite saints on All Saints Day

AMBS students were featured on Jersey Catholic for our All Saints' Day Celebrations, check out the link! We are so proud of our Spartans!

Young Catholics celebrate their favorite saints on All Saints Day Schools and faith formation groups celebrated All Saints Day with Masses, fairs, and costume parties.

✝️ All Saints’ Day ✝️

Today we celebrated All Saints Day with our school and parishioners. Students in grades 4-8 chose a saint and researched all about them during their tech classes. In honor of their saint, each student dressed up as them and truly did a wonderful job! They then presented to parishioners, fellow students, and staff at AMBS. Wonderful job students, we are extra blessed today!

Happy Halloween! Yesterday was a fun filled day here at AMBS. As you know, our church is being built so our faculty thought why not join them as construction workers, as we too, continue to build! Everyday, our staff builds up our community of faith while helping each student reach their fullest potential. Be on the lookout for our post coming soon to see all our students’ fabulous costumes!

Yesterday our Pre-K 4 class carved a jack-o-lantern! The students were able to see the insides of a pumpkin! Pre-K 4’s thoughts on the inside of the pumpkin- “EWWW”

We are so grateful for Ms. Wetzel's dedication to our AMBS community. She has inspired many students in their educational careers and she is continuing that mission everyday here at school! We are so blessed and have missed you- welcome back!

AMBS WELCOMES BACK MS. WETZEL

Ms. Denise Wetzel has returned to the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament after two years away because of the pandemic. She had spent the previous 19 years teaching at the Academy.

“I have been part of the teaching community at AMBS for many years, and its feels as if I returned home after a brief time away,” she said. “AMBS is a strong faith community based on Gospel values and service, all of which are important aspects of my life.”

During her years at AMBS, Ms. Wetzel has taught students in grades 6, 7, & 8, as well as science and religion to Seton House, a mixture of middle school students. She returns to those classes this year, and will be working with teachers in the lower grades on science labs for their students.

“During the onset of the pandemic, educators, including myself, had to create an innovative way of reaching students through remote learning,” she noted. “It was difficult for students who need the social interaction with their teachers and peers. It was essential for me to return to teaching that is personalized and student-centered.”

She notes that a few remnants of pandemic safety protocols remain, but that day to day instruction has returned to a hands-on approach to teaching.

“One of the things that I most looked forward to in coming back to AMBS is the fact that our faculty, staff, and families are a close-knit Christian community, and are very supportive of one another,” she said. “I am looking forward to continuing my mission of creating and nurturing a lifelong love of knowledge in the students I teach. It is important to me to share my passions while inspiring students to find their theirs.”

Mrs. Alycia Manzo, the Principal of AMBS, said, "When the faculty, staff and students found out that Ms. Wetzel was going to return to AMBS, everyone was so excited! Students knew they were in for fun and interactive labs, and staff knew that we were returning a team player to our staff, someone who would do anything to help us succeed."

"Over the twenty years that she has been at AMBS, Ms. Wetzel has dedicated herself to making sure that all of her students received the very best education,” she continued. “She has served as Seton House Moderator, conducted Middle School Science Fairs, and has been the 8th grade advisor. Her faith has helped to make our Aquinas Middle School strong by providing the Middle School with many opportunities for service and leadership. We are thrilled to have her back with us."

Photos from Most Blessed Sacrament Church's post

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in Fair Lawn will be donating 20% of all orders back to our school when you mention AMBS. More information about the event is in the link below! Thanks for supporting our school!

https://www.groupraise.com/events/233132-academy-of-the-most-blessed-sacrament-at-anthony-s-coal-fired-pizza

Are you ready AMBS for our 2nd annual Walk-a-Thon? This amazing event is sponsored by HAP and Miss Dragonetti’s 4th grade class! Don’t forget to see in those pledge forms! See you all Wednesday 10/19/22

Day off for students but our teachers are here! This morning, our faculty started their retreat with an opening mass in the chapel.

We are kicking off Halloween Week on Sunday October 30th with our annual Trunk-OR-Treat. Enjoy an afternoon of ghoulish fun with family, friends, teachers and staff! Trunk-OR-Treat is a completely nut free event for AMBS families only! The sign up link went out last week from our principal! Hope to see you all there!!

Get ready for our 2nd annual Walk-A-Thon sponsored by HAP and 4th Grade! Pledges are now being accepted. Please be sure to hand in pledges to the main office or Ms. Dragonetti!-“
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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION BEGINS AT AMBS

Students and faculty will experience Eucharistic Adoration on the First Friday of each month. Pictured here is Father John explaining to some students the meaning of Eucharistic Adoration as a powerful prayer of faith. May the graces received in Adoration help our youngest parishioners always remain close to the Lord!
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OCTOBER - THE MONTH OF THE HOLY ROSARY AT AMBS

On Tuesday, October 4th, the students and teachers of the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament gathered in the gymnasium for a special prayer service to celebrate October as the month of the Holy Rosary. Father John blessed and distributed Rosaries to all as the school will gather on the first Thursday of each month to pray the Rosary as a school community. Pictured here are Father John Job, Pastor, and Mrs. Alycia Manzo, Principal, along with some students in front of the newly acquired statue of "Mary at Prayer." Mary, our Good Mother, pray for us!

October is the Month of the Holy Rosary

The students at the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament are reviewing how to pray the Rosary. On the First Thursday of every month beginning in October, students will gather as a school community to pray the Rosary. Pictured here are the members of the Fifth Grade class along with their teacher, Mrs. Dawn Brizzolara, working on a Rosary project. The Fifth Graders (along with their First Grade prayer partners) will lead the the entire school in the communal recitation of the Rosary on Thursday, October 6th. May our Lady of the Rosary bless our young people and their families!

Big thanks to HAP for the ice cream truck today!