On May 18, 2023, during a special Upper School Mass celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, members of the Class of 2024 were commissioned to serve members of the Oak Knoll community in a special way during their senior year. The program for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is an opportunity for members of the class to serve Communion during school liturgies celebrating the Eucharist. Toward the end of their junior year, candidates participated in a preparation program that included the history of the ministry, the theology of Eucharist and the practical dimensions of this ministry.

Monsignor John J. Carroll, a long-time friend of Oak Knoll, Trustee Emeritus for the school, and a retired pastor of Our Lady of the Magnificat in Kinnelon, NJ, presided over the celebration. 

“I want to congratulate those who are becoming Eucharistic Ministers,” Carroll said. “It is a wonderful privilege, and it is one that I hope you will never forget.”

The following members of the Class of 2024 were commissioned as Eucharistic Ministers: Stephanie Aguinaldo of Union, Sienna Capuano of Westfield, Giorgia Carroll of Warren, Danielle Delano of Summit, Carson Didden of Morristown, Lucy Duttenhofer of Summit, Katherine Failla of Chatham, Maren Hux of Madison, Catherine Jordan of Chatham, Claire Lezynski of Westfield, Jocelyn Monti of Basking Ridge, Christina Nestor of Chatham, Erin Pospeck of Summit, Danielle Rubino of Summit, and Elise Wojie of Basking Ridge.

“It was a blessing and inspiration to train these exceptional young people in this ministry,” said Brian Topping, Theology Teacher and Campus Ministry Team Member. 

Our thanks to the Theology Department for shepherding our new Ministers of the Holy Communion through the preparation program and commissioning. Congratulations to these extraordinary rising seniors who will serve the community in faith and communion next year.