Message from the President
Dear Friends of Assumption College for Sisters,
As I write this message, it is hard to believe that one year has passed since I arrived at ACS in July 2023! And what a year it has been! I began as Interim President, and quickly rekindled my love for the mission of ACS: Teach a Sister…Touch the World, so that, on November 18, I was installed as its 7th president. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees, Administration and Staff, Faculty, the many friends of ACS, and especially the International Sisters, the Salesian of St. John Bosco novices (FMA) and the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth (FSSE) for welcoming me with open hands and hearts! I am blessed and grateful for all!
Thanks to the generosity of friends and benefactors, we began the school year with 18 resident international students and 21 commuters. In January, another international Sister came to live at the college bringing the numbers of resident students to 19. On October 1, ACS opened its 70th Anniversary with a special Mass and reception and ended on May 11, 2024, with Commencement. We are grateful to Fr. Martin Glynn, pastor of St. Mary’s, Denville, for “gifting” ACS with both receptions.
“Giving Tuesday” raised over $9,000, affording us the opportunity to buy new desks and chairs for each of the Sisters’ bedrooms. A grant allowed us to install doors for the dining room and two classrooms. We are awaiting information on a grant from the Diocese of Paterson for security purposes. The 23rd Annual Caring Basket Gala was again the best ever!
Groups of international Sister students participated in various events/activities throughout the year. These can be viewed in the Institutional Goals section of this report.
The Sisters are parishioners of St. Mary’s Church, Denville, however, some also visited many of the area parishes in preparation for selling Gala raffle tickets and to experience the various liturgies of the Diocese of Paterson and Metuchen: St. Cecilia’s and Sacred Heart, Rockaway, St. Joseph’s, Mendham, St. James’, Basking Ridge, the Vietnamese communities of St. Cecilia’s and Our Lady of Czestochowa, South Plainfield. I was delighted to speak about ACS at the weekend Masses of some of these parishes. I am open to speaking at any churches or organizations about our unique and fruitful mission. Please spread the word!
ACS continues to prepare for our re-accreditation with the Middle State Commission on Higher Education. We recently heard that our on-site evaluation team visit will take place on February 23-26, 2025, with a preliminary visit with the Team Chair on November 7, 2024. Please keep this intention in your prayers. We are counting on them!
What a blessed year it has been! I can only exclaim in the words of Blessed Pauline, “Here all is in safest hands!” You are in our prayers.
Gratefully,
Sister Marie Pauline Demek, SCC
ACS President