Happenings

The Daughters of Divine Charity and the community of St. Joseph Hill Academy mourn the passing of Robert Charles Golden, friend, neighbor, generous benefactor and father of alumni Katherine (Katie) Elizabeth Golden and Robert Charles Golden, Jr.  Mr. Golden is survived by his wife Maureen and their two children, Katherine (ES ‘02, HS ’06) and Robert (ES ’05).

Mr. Golden was an ardent supporter of the Catholic Church and in particular, Catholic Education.  Mr. Golden and his wife Maureen Moore, were particularly generous benefactors to St. Joseph Hill Academy and the Daughters of Divine Charity. Best known to the Hill community for their gift to Hill’s 1999-2001 building campaign, the Goldens’ generous gift provided the funding for the critically needed security school entrance doors, well-known to all as “The Golden Doors.”   During our Centennial Year (2019-2020), the Goldens were among our philanthropic leaders as Scholarship/Event Sponsors.

The recipient of an excellent Catholic education himself, Mr. Golden graduated from Xaverian High School and he earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration Degrees from Fordham University.  He was an avid volunteer for Catholic causes. He served as first vice chair and director of HeartShare Human Services of New York, a nonprofit organization for children in need and was also on the Board of Governors and past-president of the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn. Mr. Golden was a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a Knight, Grand Cross of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also past-president of the Bayfort Benevolent Associates.

In 2000. Mr. Golden received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and in 2001 he was named Man of the Year by Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and by the New York Aquarium. Mr. Golden was named Man of the Year by Catholic Big Brothers in 2002, and in 2006 was named a Distinguished Irish-American by New York City Comptroller, William Thompson. Mr. Golden was also named Humanitarian of the Year by the Catholic Guardian Society, Educator of the Year by the Association of Teachers of New York, Chief Brehon of the Great Irish Fair of Brooklyn, and Man of the Year by the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn.  Mr. Golden was also the recipient of the Bishop’s Humanitarian Award from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Brooklyn, the Spirit of Xaverian Award, and the Excellence in Volunteerism Award from HeartShare Human Services.

A third-generation Irish American with roots in County Mayo, Mr. Golden was a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the St. Patrick Society of Brooklyn, the Emerald Association of Long Island, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  In 2000, he was named one of the Wall Street 50 by Irish America Magazine

In an expression of sympathy, Principal Molluzzo states, “A true neighbor and friend of St. Joseph Hill Academy, Mr. Golden will always be remembered for his generosity and support of Catholic education. Having been blessed to have educated both of his children, Katie (a graduate of our elementary ’02 and high school ’06) and Robert Jr., (an elementary school graduate ’05), Bob Golden will forever be a part of St. Joseph Hill Academy each time we look at or walk through “The Golden Doors”. May he rest in peace.”

We are grateful for Mr. Golden’s unwavering support of St. Joseph Hill Academy and his kindness and generosity to the Daughters of Divine Charity and other organizations dear to his heart.   We extend our prayers and sincere condolences to the Golden family.

Dear Family, Friends, and colleagues,

Franciscan Brother Richard Hendricks’s poem “LOCKDOWN” offers us a powerful metaphor of the Easter Mystery. His poem creatively fleshes out the details of one of my favorite St. Ignatius of Loyola’s quotes.

“Consider this. – God constantly labors in all of creation.”

It is difficult to embrace his quote when the cloud of this present pandemic looms over us. We find it challenging when life is chaotic, messy, and life draining.

Yet, NONE of these conditions are caused by God. God’s energy, God’s work is to create order in the chaos, beauty from the mess. He brings fullness of life, and restores joy to those who are drained by adverse situations. God works tirelessly in the hearts of those who choose to move forward on the path of growth, goodness, and love.

May this Easter Season transport us to the very dawn of creation. May we be graced with the ability to see the delight on God’s face as He blesses all He has created.

May we join our Creator and find that everything He makes is good! Everything He does is good! Everything he wants for us is good! Indeed Very Good!

May this Easter Season Bless all of us with renewed faith, constant hope, and life giving love ! !

Peace,

Sr. Gerrie Contento

Lockdown

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

~Brother Richard Hendrick, O.F.M. Cap.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Our Lenten Journey of 2020 is coming to a close with the celebration of the sacred days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the Triduum, in anticipation of the glorious Alleluia of Easter Sunday.  What began on Ash Wednesday as a time for reflection and a deepening of our relationship with the Lord has indeed been shattered by the events of the last few months that has changed our lives and the lives of everyone around the globe.

The coronavirus has penetrated our everyday lives and has prompted many to  think about family, friends and others more often.  We have witnessed the courage and dedication of the medical professionals, first responders, scientists, clergy, educators and countless others working with government officials encouraging us to be safe, stay home and use social distancing.  We have also witnessed the many acts of kindness, generosity and selfless outpouring of love and compassion.

On behalf of the Daughters of Divine Charity I would like to take this opportunity for you and your extended families to know that you are not alone.  You are in our daily prayers entrusting all to our Blessed Mother who experienced the suffering of her Son for LOVE of us.  During these challenging days may we look to Jesus for strength and consolation.  May all those who have died rest in eternal peace.  May the blessings of the Lord guide, protect and be with you on Easter and always.

Happy Easter to all!    “For the Lord is truly Risen as he has said.”

Love and Prayers,
Sister Mary Coffelt, F.D.C.
and the
Daughters of Divine Charity

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”