Mrs. Anne-Marie Calderone, Religious Education

Although I have lived in New Jersey for the past 23 years, I am a native New Yorker.  I was born in the Bronx where I was the oldest of five children. My mom was my first “catechist” in the Catholic faith and as a child; I often went to daily Mass with her.  We were educated at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School in Mt. Vernon until 1973, when we moved to England due to my father’s job.  Both my parents were from England originally.  Although my dad was not Catholic, he always supported my mom in bringing us up in the Catholic faith and again in England, we all attended Catholic school.  I attended Holt Hill Convent High School, where I became very active in the Youth Group and High School retreats.  I received my degree in Hotel Management at Colquitt College, Liverpool.

We returned to the US in 1980, and in 1982 I taught Religious Education, (or CCD as it was called back then!) at Corpus Christi Parish, South River.  I met my husband Joseph while working in New York with his mom, and we were married at Corpus Christi in 1987. Today, we live in South Brunswick, NJ with our six children ranging in age from 12 to 23!

I have worked as a Director of Religious Education over 12 years: 2 years at St. Cecilia’s in Monmouth Junction and 10 years at St. Paul’s in Princeton, where we are parishioners.  I have been a member of the New Brunswick Secular Oratory for 10 years.  I am certified in both the Dioceses of Metuchen and Trenton as a Certified Catechist and Program Administrator for both Religious Education and Special Education.  I am also a Virtus Facilitator in both dioceses for the Office of Child and Youth Protection.

I am very excited to work with the children and families of St. Peter’s and ask for your prayers and patience as I learn the ways of the parish! I have been truly blessed with the kindness and generosity I have received from so many of you that I have met since I arrived in August, 2011, especially the catechists, and I look forward to joyfully serving the parish community.