The Dialog

By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

CLAYMONT — After a five-set nail-biter at Padua last Thursday, the top-seeded St. Mark’s volleyball team found itself on the road again Tuesday night, this time at No. 3 Archmere. The Auks put up a good fight but could not solve the Spartans, falling, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-16. It was Archmere’s first loss of the season, while St. Mark’s remained unbeaten.

Down two sets to none, Archmere (10-1) trailed the Spartans , 17-12, on one of many kills by St. Mark’s senior hitter Lauren Talley, before rallying to score the next four points, cutting the deficit to one. That would be the last point the Auks would earn on the evening, however, as St. Mark’s closed out the set and the match with an eight-point streak.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

WILMINGTON — Chinese students studying at five Catholic high schools — St. Mark’s, St. Elizabeth, Padua, Ursuline and St. Thomas More — gathered in Wilmington on Monday for lunch with Bishop Malooly.

Most of the 33 international students in the diocese were in attendance at the diocesan office building on North Union Street to enjoy pizza and talk about their experiences in Delaware.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

WILMINGTON — After spending much of her adult life working in Catholic education, including nearly six years as the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Wilmington, Catherine Weaver admits to feeling “a little bit restless, wondering if God was calling me in a different direction.”

She answered that call with what she calls “a leap of faith” and will become the vice president of mission and ministry at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. In that position, she will be responsible for overseeing pastoral care, communications, volunteer services and administrative support to the charity care programs, a hospital spokeswoman said.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

Catechetical Sunday is an opportunity for parishes to recognize those who help teach the faith. For some of those teachers in the diocese, being involved in religious education is a way for them to live their faith more deeply and to help shape the future of the church.

For Diana Staley, becoming a catechist was a crucial step in returning to her Catholic faith. She has taught religious education at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Salisbury, Md., for 14 years.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

When most people think of foreign-exchange or international students coming to the United States, they picture teenagers from western European countries — Spain, France, Austria or Germany, for example. This year, however, three Catholic high schools in the diocese have turned their sights to the east.

St. Elizabeth High School, Padua Academy and St. Thomas More Academy all have welcomed students from China to their ranks this year. All three are working through the Cambridge Institute of International Education, based in Burlington, Mass.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

WILMINGTON — In the ever-changing world of technology, it’s difficult for any school to keep up, but one local Catholic high school is trying to stay one step ahead.

St. Elizabeth High School has ramped up its technological offerings, and at this time next year that will include Apple iPads for every student.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

 WILMINGTON – Apparently, Judy Jakotowicz White discovered during her childhood that she had a pretty good thing going at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington. So good, in fact, that she has never left.

She attended the parish school and has worked there as a counselor and assistant principal, and now is the new principal. The school and parish are part of her, as she received all her sacraments at St. Anthony’s Church. She graduated from Padua Academy. Even her first job, at age 13, was working for the parish.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

WILMINGTON — For many parents, affording a Catholic school tuition requires sacrifice. They work the cost into their budget, only to suffer a moderate concussion when they see the book bill. The Wall Street Journal reported last January that high school textbooks cost an average of $105, and students are likely to need at least four or five of them. One proposed avenue of relief is electronic textbooks, but, according to the newspaper, e-books account for just 2.8 percent of the $8 billion annual textbook market.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

Sacred Heart Oratory in Wilmington will be getting a new look this fall as workers replace its damaged steeple. The steeple, which was rusted and perhaps damaged by lightning in the early 1970s, was removed this week.

A storm last fall caused problems with some of the flashing around the steeple, and there was the possibility of loose bricks at the top of the tower, Brother Ronald Giannone told The Dialog recently. Brother Ronald, a Capuchin Franciscan priest, is the executive director of the Ministry of Caring, which operates the oratory and whose offices are located next door in the former rectory of Sacred Heart Parish.

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By Mike Lang

Staff reporter

WILMINGTON – Despite the impending appearance from a special guest, the 15 pre-kindergarten children at the Guardian Angels Child Care Center did not seem too impressed. As the staff awaited the arrival of Jill Biden on Friday morning, most of the kids were working on jigsaw puzzles or relaxing on the floor.

Guardian Angel is part of the Ministry of Caring, Inc., where Capuchin Franciscan Brother Ronald Giannone, a priest, is the executive director.

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