Four generations donate to Catholic education

When people strongly believe in something, they tell everyone about it and similar to the way the Twelve Apostles did in spreading the Gospel message, invite them to participate in that mission. 

This is particularly true with Catholic education, according to Christina O’Brien and her mother Maria “Re” DiVincenti, who are among four generations of their family to have supported Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Baton Rouge.

O’Brien and DiVincenti said their family was inspired to get involved at Sacred Heart by the Sisters of St. Joseph Medaille, who left a legacy in establishing and leading the school. 

DiVincenti grew up on Kleinert Street, across from the sisters’ convent, and watched the progress of St. Joseph’s Academy being built at its current location on Broussard Street. 

“The convent was our playground. We came and hung out there, and I was close to the sisters,” said DiVincenti. “They have always been my neighbors and we were taught to be kind and help our neighbors in all that they may need.”

Her grandfather, Eugene Bologna, who was an Italian immigrant, was the first family member to support the Sisters of St. Joseph. He gave many gifts, including several cars for the sisters to help with the children in the orphanage that the sisters ran in the late 1960s. 

Eugene and Maria “Cookie” Bologna were the lead donors for the Creating a Renaissance Campaign for Sacred Heart Church and then for the new parish hall.

DiVincenti’s father, Frank Bologna, followed in his father’s footsteps in supporting Catholic education.

About a year after Sacred Heart Church was established in 1928, Sacred Heart School was built. Sacred Heart’s first pastor Father Dominic Blasco asked the Sisters of St. Joseph to teach and operate the school. 

Frank Bologna coached the school’s football team for 13 years. On game days, each player was required to wear a sportscoat for the school Mass. 

“Some of the guys couldn’t afford the sportscoat, so (Dad) graciously went and bought sport coats and hung them in their locker. When they got there they were able to be dressed respectfully in church,” DiVincenti said. 

The Bolognas enrolled their children at Sacred Heart and were a part of the school’s fundraising efforts as well at providing several endowment awards at St. Joseph Academy and Catholic High School in Baton Rouge. 

After graduating from Sacred Heart, DiVincenti went on to SJA, where she was awarded the Outstanding Senior Award, presented to a senior for her hard work and reflecting the spirituality of their Catholic education.

After her children were born, DiVincenti enrolled them at Sacred Heart and became involved in fundraising.

O’Brien had a warm experience in her Catholic education as her mother did. After attending Sacred Heart she also attended SJA and received the SJA Medaille Classmate Award in her senior year. She followed in her mother’s footsteps in raising funds and now serves as advancement director. 

DiVincenti has supported her in these efforts, including the “Creating the Centennial Building” campaign. The original building was built in 1929 and expanded in 1950 to add additional classrooms. The school had not been updated during the years so “little miracles” are needed to accomplish that, they said.

O’Brien noted that when others say “you can’t,” by expressing your strong belief in Catholic education and stewardship and showing exactly what is needed, donors come forward.

Plus, when families come together in fundraising, relationships are forged and memories are made around the common element of a Catholic education and the Catholic faith.

O’Brien, who lives in the house her mother grew up on Kleinert Street, is connecting her children with the Catholic education experience. Her daughter, Mackenzie, 15, is a student at SJA and daughters Lucy, 13, is in the seventh grade and Ellie, 9, in the third grade at Sacred Heart. 

They too, are being influenced by imprint of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Catholic education.

“I was privileged to have Mackenzie O’Brien in my class when she was in second grade,” said Sister Julie Kraemer CSJ. “I was happy to see Cristina O’Brien as she volunteered at Sacred Heart regularly. She was part of multiple generations of family members at Sacred Heart as many others have been.”