More than two dozen juniors were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion during a Mass in the Mother Mary Campion Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, May 5, 2026, marking their commitment to serving the liturgical life of Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child.

In his homily, Mass celebrant Father Anthony Randazzo reflected on the responsibility assumed by the students, who represent nearly 40 percent of the Class of 2027.

“You celebrate Eucharist, you feed the hungry. You feed the hungry, you celebrate the Eucharist,” said Father Randazzo, pastor of the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River. “And now today, as those who are called among us to distribute the Eucharist and the cup to the community, once again, it is the empowerment that we don’t just go about our lives and go in and out of the church on a Sunday or a Saturday evening, receive Eucharist, and run.

“That’s only the beginning of the action,” he added. “We do the action together so that the action can take place at tables throughout. José Andrés said it best, ‘If I ever had a dream, I’d love to have one big pot that could feed the world.’”

This year’s newly commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion include Gabrielle Aguinaldo ’27, Jayde Amico ’27, Catherine Castronovo ’27, Marley Cioce ’27, Bridget Coyle ’27, Caroline Criqui ’27, Margaret Curtis ’27, Siena DePasquale ’27, Sandrine Jiang ’27, Deirdre Keenan ’27, Phoebe LaFerriere ’27, Emma Clare Mazzei ’27, Gianna Mazzoni ’27, Paige McQueen ’27, Margaret Moran ’27, Madelyn Mulvaney ’27, Reese Nelson ’27, Tessa Olivieri ’27, Ava Paguirigan ’27, Bevin Perdue ’27, Juliette Polking ’27, Clare Ratliff ’27, Valentina Reale ’27, Schuyler Roelke ’27, Meredith Sepe ’27,  and DolceAnna Stropoli ’27.  

Initiated at Oak Knoll in 1989, the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion program invites students to participate in an intensive process during the spring. Applicants are required to submit thoughtful essays on the significance of the Sacrament of Eucharist and the Ministry of Communion, participate in interviews, and complete specialized training before being commissioned.

The program reflects Oak Knoll’s commitment to integrating Catholic faith, learning, and service in the daily life of our school community.

Congratulations to the Class of 2027 on this meaningful milestone.