Sacred Heart Academy, Notre Dame-West Haven to Host Thanksgiving Mass

From Notre Dame West Haven:

Two area Catholic high schools, who have long been affiliated with each other, Notre Dame West Haven and Sacred Heart Academy, will initiate a year of 70th anniversary activities with a mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. EST at St. Rita Church in Hamden.

Current students and parents, current and former faculty and staff, alumni and friends of both schools have been invited to attend this special 70th anniversary mass. A reception will follow in the Donnelly Parish Center. The Mass will also be streamed live starting just before 2 p.m. EST.

Both Sacred Heart Academy and Notre Dame West Haven first opened their doors in September of 1946; the Academy on Greene St. in the Wooster Square area of New Haven and now located in Hamden and Notre Dame in its current location in West Haven. Having shared a rich history, the two schools have other planned events to celebrate together in addition to individual events.

Sacred Heart Academy President Sr. Sheila O’Neill, ASCJ, Ph.D., ‘71, offered, “I think it is wonderful and most appropriate to celebrate this joint liturgy with Notre Dame of West Haven as we both begin the celebration of our 70th anniversary. We have a longstanding relationship and affiliation as we have shared many liturgies, concerts and plays and service projects and both schools are committed to single-sex education in the Catholic tradition.”

“I look forward to sharing an afternoon of thanksgiving, prayer and reflection celebrating 70 years of academic excellence, friendships and success between the two schools,” said Notre Dame President Robert F. Curis. “Together, we strive to transform lives and it just made sense to celebrate a Mass with our dear friends at Sacred Heart Academy for our first 70th anniversary event.”

Because the two schools have shared in many liturgies, concerts, plays and events over the years and many wonderful lifelong friendships were formed and continue today, it was fitting to begin the celebratory year with a joint liturgy. Today, students continue to act and sing together and also regularly engage in meaningful campus ministry and community service activities.

Additional joint events planned for the 2016-17 70th Anniversary year include a Student Council-sponsored, 1950s-style sock hop dance (which will include a service component); a fine arts evening showcasing the talent in both schools and 70 Days of Caring between the two schools.

Founded by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sacred Heart successfully prepares young women in grades 9–12 for learning, service and achievement in a global society. Sacred Heart Academy welcomes 500 students from more than 80 schools and 60 towns in Connecticut and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

Notre Dame High School, an independent Catholic college preparatory school in the Holy Cross tradition, educates the minds and hearts of young men who are diverse in talent, backgrounds and beliefs. We inspire academic excellence and nurture personal growth through the intellectual, creative, social, spiritual and physical development of each student. Our students demonstrate integrity and compassion for all people as they become responsible citizens of our global community. With 600 students and accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, you can learn more about Notre Dame through the school's website.

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