Toms River Catholic Schools Hosting Open Houses Sunday

Among the schools recognizing Catholic Schools Week are two Toms River institutions, both of which will host open houses on Sunday, Jan. 27. 

St. Joseph's Grade School and Monsignor Donovan High School, both located at 711 Hooper Ave., will welcome prospective students and their families to learn about their programs. 

The elementary open house information session will begin at 1:30 p.m.; the high school session begins at 1 p.m.

The theme for this year is "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards," according to a press release from the Diocese of Trenton. The goal of Catholic Schools Week is to "promote the academic excellence and Catholic identity of Catholic schools in the US," the release states. 

George V. Corwell, the Director of the Office of Education for the New Jersey Catholic Conference said he was glad that a proclamation from Gov. Chris Christie recognized the importance of the week.

"The Catholic Schools of New Jersey represent an investment in New Jersey's future, and the sacrifices made by Catholic school parents save the state's overburdened public school system (and local tax payers) over $1.3 billion annually," he said. 

The annual event is sponsored by the National Catholic Education Association and is usually celebrated with masses, open houses and community events. More information can be found on the association's website. 

Events in Ocean and Monmouth Counties include:

OCEAN COUNTY

St. Dominic, Brick – Jan. 29 and 30, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m. and 1 – 2 p.m.  For information, call 732-840-1412.

St. Aloysius, Jackson – Jan. 27, Open House, 9 a.m. – noon; Feb. 1, Open House, 9:15 – 10:15 a.m., teachers, staff and students will be available for tours.  For information, call 732-370-1515, ext. 212 or visit www.staloysiusschool.com.

Holy Family, Lakewood – Jan. 29 & 31, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m.  For information, call 732-363-4771.

All Saints Regional Catholic, Manahawkin – Jan. 29, Open House, 9:30 – 11 a.m.; Jan. 29, Open House, 6:30 – 8 p.m.  For information, call 609-586-3800.

St. Peter, Point Pleasant Beach  – Jan. 27, Open House, 1 – 2 p.m.; Jan. 28, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m.  For information, call 732-892-1260.

 – Jan. 27, Open House, 1 – 3 p.m.  For information, call 732-349-2355.

 – Jan. 27, Mass celebrated with St. Joseph Elementary School, noon, followed by Open House, 1 – 3 p.m.  For information, call 732-349-8801.

MONMOUTH COUNTY

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Asbury Park – Jan. 30, Open House, 9:30 – 11 a.m.  For information, call 732-775-8989.

– Jan. 27, Open House, noon – 2 p.m.  For information, call 732-291-1050.

St. Rose, Belmar – Jan. 27, Open House, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.  For information, call 732-681-5555.

St. Rose of Lima, Freehold – Jan. 27, Open House, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  For information, call 732-462-2646.

St. Benedict, Holmdel – Jan. 30, Open House, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  For information, call 732-264-5578.

St. Veronica, Howell – Jan. 27, Mass, 10:30 a.m., church, Open House and registration, noon,  gym; Jan. 29, pep rally and volleyball game, 2 p.m., gym; Jan. 30, Thank you assembly for faculty, staff and volunteers, 2 p.m., gym; Jan. 31, vocation appreciation assembly, 10:05 a.m.,  gym; Feb. 1, Mass with veterans video, 9:30 a.m., church, coaches vs. team members basketball game, 5:30 p.m., gym; Feb. 2, Carnival, 6 p.m., gym.  For information, call 732-364-4130.

St. Leo the Great, Lincroft – Jan. 15, Open House, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.  For information, call 732-741-3133.

St. Denis, Manasquan – Jan. 27, Open House with registration for Pre-K through eighth grade, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Jan. 30, Open House with open classrooms, 9 – 11:30 a.m.  For information, call 732-223-4928.

St. Mary, Middletown – Jan. 27, Mass, noon; Open House, 1 p.m., Pre-K through eighth grade; Jan. 29, 60th Anniversary assembly, contact school for time; Feb. 1, new student registration, 9 a.m. – noon.  For information, call 732-671-0071.

Holy Innocents, Neptune – Jan. 27, Open House, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  For information, call 732-922-3141.

Mater Dei Prep, New Monmouth – Jan. 27, Mass, noon; informal sessions for families unable to attend Open Houses in Oct., 1 p.m., Strawberry Freckleface, The Musical, 3 p.m., Middletown Arts Center performed by Seraph Players of Mater Dei Prep.  For information, call 732-671-9100.

St. James, Red Bank – Jan. 29, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m.; Feb. 1, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m.  For information, call 732-741-3363.

Holy Cross, Rumson – Jan. 31, Open House, 9 – 10:30 a.m.; Feb. 2, Annual Benefit Gala, 7 p.m., Molly Pitcher, West Front Street, Tickets $150 per person.  Portion of proceeds to benefit school families affected by Hurricane Sandy.  For information, call 732-842-0348.

St. Catharine, Spring Lake – Jan. 30, Open House, 9 – 11 a.m. and 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.  For information, call 732-449-4424.

St. Jerome, West Long Branch – Jan. 27, Open House, 10 a.m. – noon.  For information, call 732-222-8686.