HSA Board Members

This is my fifth year as an HSA Board member and my second as President. I was the Publicity Chairperson for three years which proved to be a great opportunity. I was able to get to know many of our students and families while taking pictures at school and parish events. As President, I feel it is my responsibility to represent all of you and to be the ear you can speak to about any and all school related topics. My email is always open and I am happy to hear your comments, opinions, ideas and suggestions for improving our school and student life.

My Husband, Charlie and I have been parishoners of St Matthews for 18 years. Charlie is the webmaster of the school website. We have two boys, John in the fifth grade and Robert in the fourth. Before I joined the Board I was a class representative. That is how I first became involved in school activities. I also taught 8th grade Religious Formation classes for three years. Listening and learning from our youth, I felt a special connection to them and to my faith. I really loved sharing my experiences and values with them.

I am employed as an instructional aide for the Middlesex Regional Educational Services Commission. I work with children in the classroom and provide guidance, support and assistance with their core subjects. It’s very rewarding helping students do their best and reach their goals. In the past, I was lucky enough to work in St Matthews. It gave me an "insiders" look at what goes on daily in our school. For the last two years, I have worked in Our Lady of Fatima in Piscataway. That too has given me valuable perspective, seeing how things are done in another school.

My favorite things to do when I’m not working are spending time outdoors, especially at the beach and gardening.

This is my fourth year as an HSA Board member and my second as Vice President. Previously, I co-chaired the Fundraising Committee. My husband and I have been parishioners of St. Matthew’s for 15 years and school parents for 8 years. I have 3 children currently attending St. Matt’s, Samantha 8th Grade, Stephanie 6th Grade and Megan 2nd Grade. I have been a class mom for 7 years. It has been a pleasure getting to know all the children and parents at St. Matthew’s. For us, it has become an extended family.

When I am not actually at St. Matthews for various HSA activities and basketball games, I am a work‐at‐home mom. I have been working for Johnson & Johnson for 10 years. The last 6 years I have been working at home part‐time maintaining my departments website and creating presentations. When I am not running around at school or at basketball and soccer games and practices, I enjoy reading and spending time with my friends.

This is my fifth year as a member of the HSA board, my second year as corresponding secretary. I served as the Treasurer for three years which gave me the opportunity to see the importance of our school fundraising activities. Without the hard work and dedication of numerous school families, the HSA could not afford to provide many wonderful experiences for our children.

My husband and I have been parishioners of St Matthew’s for seven years and school parents for eight. We have two children, Sarah, a freshman at Bishop Ahr, and Matthew in kindergarten. In addition to my board responsibilities, I have been a class representative for either my son or daughter’s class for the last seven years. Currently, I am one of the kindergarten class reps.  I led my daughter’s Girl Scout Troop for 3 years and I was the Market Day Chairperson for four years. Chairing Market Day allowed me to meet many parishioners who support our school’s fundraising efforts. Being involved in the school helps me to know my children’s teachers, friends and their families. From my first visit to St. Matthew’s, almost eight years ago, I knew it was a special place – a family.  Knowing my children are in a safe and nurturing environment is just as important to me as the great education they are receiving.

I am currently self-employed with a home organization and house cleaning business. I spend most of my time with my husband and children. My favorite place to be is outdoors, preferably the beach.  Any beach will do! I enjoy reading, exercising and spending time with my extended family and friends.

My husband and I have been parishioners of St. Matthew the Apostle for twelve years.  My son, Richie, is a 7th grader at St. Matthew School. My daughter, Rose, graduated in 2007 and currently volunteers as the assistant cheerleading coach. To my family, St Matthew’s is a very special place. It has become an important part of our lives. The people I interact with here are wonderful, the staff very talented, and the children, each and everyone, special in their own way.

This is my second year on the HSA board as the legislative chirperson and back up Parish Pastoral Council representative. Over the years, I have held numerous positions in both the school and parish.  This year, in addition to the HSA board, I serve as the Vice President of St. Matthew’s School Advisory Council and lead the Council’s Advancement Committee.  In addition, I am a member of the Parish Finance Committee and a 7th grade class representative. In the past, I have been a member of the Athletic Committee, assisted the cheerleading squad, and volunteered in the school library.   My volunteer duties outside of St. Matthew’s include Technology Committee Leader at the New Jersey Pharmacy Association and membership on the advisory board of my daughter’s high school, Union Catholic.

I am a pharmacist by trade and have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 20 years. When not working or volunteering, I enjoy cooking, reading, working out, traveling, and anything to do with the shore/beach.

This is my second year as a St Matthew’s HSA board member.  I serve on the Fundraising committee with Rosa Gentner and Deirdre Scott.  My son, Matthew, began his academic career in St. Matthew’s Pre-K in 2007.  He is now in second grade.  My daughter Amanda is 4.

Over the past 4 years, I have volunteered my time on various HSA projects including Tricky Tray and Book Fair.  I enjoy my position on the HSA board because I’m more involved with school functions and I get to meet so many parents and their children.  I have been a stay-at-home Mom since my son was born.  My husband of 12 years is a 3rd grade Bilingual Teacher. 

We are very fortunate to have such a strong school community and HSA board, both of which I am proud to be a part of.

My husband and I have been parishioners of St Matthew the Apostle since we moved to New Jersey eleven years ago. We have two children.  Our son, Ciaran, is in the second grade and our daughter, Aoife, attends PreK4. Currently, I am a stay at home mom. When school is over in June, my children and I head to Ireland where we spend the summer with my family.

This is my second year on the HSA board as part of the fundraising team. I am inspired by the dedication of so many of our school parents.  Being on the HSA board helps me to understand all of the hard work the HSA does to provide needed funds for our school. In the past I have been a class representative. My involvement has given me the opportunity to get to know many of the teachers and staff at St. Matthew’s. Every day I realize how lucky we are to have such a wonderful, special school. 

Hi, my name is Chris Baglivo but the school children know me as Mrs. Dell Beni, mother to Jessica in the 6th grade and Nicholas in the 4rd.  This is my third year on the HSA board.  Previously I held the position of Rising Star coordinator and this year I share the Publicity responsibilities with Rachel Rivera.  I write the weekly school news published in the church bulletin and send school news items to local newspapers.  In addition to my HSA involvement, I am the scrip coordinator, a position I have held since its inception 4 years ago.

As I mentioned earlier, I am blessed to be the mother of 2 wonderful children who make me proud every day, and 2 cats named Angel and Little Nickey.  On a personal note, I am a nurse and have a full time job as Nurse Care Manager for a rehab facility.  I travel to the local hospitals and evaluate patients for admission to the facility.

In my free time, I enjoy being with my family, watching my daughter play soccer, going to the movies and spending time outdoors walking or going to the beach.  I am happy to have the opportunity to share my time with the St. Matthew’s family.

This is my second year on the HSA Board.  I assist the publicity committee taking pictures at school events, posting them on the bulletin board and updating the school photo album.  I volunteer as a class representative for my eldest daughter’s 4rd grade class.

My husband and I have been St. Matthew parishioners for 11 years.  We have 2 children, Sophia in the 5th grade and Sylvia in PreK4.  Both of them are having a great time in St. Matthew School.  I worked in the investment banking industry in the Philippines prior to migrating to the US.  Since then, I have been a stay-at-home mom.  Recently, my husband and I started a franchise, TSS Photography, serving the Northeast region of Middlesex County.  We specialize in youth sport and school photography.

When not attending to the hectic demands of my children, I enjoy cooking, baking, and scrapbooking.   My other interests include attending Broadway shows, Yankee games, the US Open and spending time with friends.  When the opportunity allows, I like to travel and discover new places.

This is my third year on the HSA board as the Social Concerns Chairperson. The Social Concerns Committee identifies areas in which we can lead the effort to provide assistance to those in need within the school, parish and local community.  We have led food and coat drives, organized walks for various charities and provided meals to residents at the Ozanam Shelter in Edison.

  I have been married to my husband Mark for 16 years, and our daughter Amanda is in the 3rd grade. Amanda was born in Overland Park, Kansas and we adopted her when she was just 2 days old .  We feel truly blessed to have such a bright, energetic child  who  makes our family complete. We have been members of St. Matthew’s Parish for 12 years. My husband owns his own business and I have been working at the same payroll company for over 25 years.

In my spare time I love spending time with my family, baking, and of course shopping !!. I am also a huge NY Giants and Yankees fan.

This is my second year as a member of the HSA board. I am on the Fundraising committee with Dani Mendez and Deidre Scott. I have been a St. Matthew parishioner since 1993 and was part of the St. Matthew School family from 1999 to 2005 when my two sons attended. They are now students at Cardinal McCarrick/St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy. James Michael is 18 and Eric is 16. I have been married to my husband, James, for 20 years. Like most parents in St. Matthew’s, I have volunteered for many activities and fundraisers, but never held a board position. I have been a class rep, helped out with the carnival, field day, and Tricky Tray among others. I also volunteer for the Cub Scout/Boy Scouts and have been doing so since 2000 when my oldest son started in Pack 12 at St. Matthews. He became an Eagle Scout December of 2009.

My daughter Jennifer is in 3rd grade and runs Track for the school. She came to our home in January 2002 as a foster child and we became her adoptive parents in June 2005. She is enjoying her time at St. Matthew’s very much. She also participates in the Girl Scouts. We belong to Troop 42 in South Plainfield at Sacred Heart Church.

  I work part time from home for Hazmat Software, LLC, a Florida based company that writes and sells hazardous material shipping programs. I came from Puerto Rico and do not have any family in New Jersey.  Joining St. Matthew’s school, parish, and Cub Scouts has given me the opportunity to be part of a wonderful community where I have made many friends for life.

My husband and I have been members of St. Matthew the Apostle Church for the past 23 years.

Our daughter Theeba is in 8th grade.  Jake Jacob, my husband is a Senior Research Scientist in Church & Dwight Co., Inc., and I currently work as a Pre-K3 Teachers’ Aide at St. Matthew School.

This is my second year on the HSA Board as the Spirituality Chairperson. My responsibilities include researching, suggesting and coordinating spiritual activities for our school children and families.

In addition to my HSA responsibilities, I participate as a volunteer in a variety of ways.  I joined the St. Matthew Adult Choir in 1997 and I am actively involved in the parish Music Ministry.  I have assisted with the SMS Vacation Bible School Program for the last 10 years.  Outside of St. Matthew’s, I have been a Coordinator of Music Ministry for the Tamil Catholic Association of the USA, a   Non-Profit Organization in NJ.  In addition, I have been a guest singer in the Music Ministry of various Indian Christian Churches in the Tri-State area.

As a family we enjoy music, reading and a fun drive on a nice day.

Nini Mendosa – Hospitality (smpaa@optonline.net)

My family and I have been parishioners of St. Matthew the Apostle Church for 20 years. My husband and I have 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Our youngest daughter, Janessa, is in 5th grade at St. Matthew School. This parish and school are both very close to our hearts. This is where we meet friends and extended families who share the same passion.

This is my second year on the HSA board working with the Hospitality Committee. However, I have been a class representative for 4 years. In addition to my responsibilities at St. Matthew School, I serve as President of our parish organization, the St. Matthew Philippine American Association.

As a Chemical Engineer, I worked as a Project Manager for many years. I also taught Chemistry and Mathematics.

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends engaging in a variety of activities including reading, cooking, walking, partying, and traveling.

My name is Peggy Oliveira and I am the HSA Treasurer.  As treasurer, I volunteer to keep track of all the money raised and spent by the HSA.  I manage the bank account and checkbook, pay the bills, and publish monthly/yearly reports.  The best part of the job is that I get to work with many SMS volunteers to help them run events and service projects.

I love SMS and try to volunteer to help out whenever I can.  This is my 4rd year working on the HSA board.  Before being treasurer, I was the Spirituality chairperson.  Before that, I volunteered as a class rep.  For the last several years, with my friend Lisa Motisi, I have been running the SMS Constructor’s Club.  I work on the Carnival Steering Committee and am a leader in Cub Scout Pack 12.

My husband and I have four sons, all attending SMS – Joseph in 8th, John in 6th, James in 3nd and Joshua in Kindergarten.  It promises to be a special year.

I encourage all SMS parents to try to volunteer at school.  The students really appreciate it and you get a rare glimpse into your son’s/daughter’s life at school.  You will inevitably meet other parents and staff members and may even establish life-long friendships.  These are precious moments in the lives of our children and they go by quickly.  And … we need you! 

Bridget Quinn - PPC Liason & Rising Star Coordinator

                           (brevede@aol.com)

I have been a parishioner of St Matthew’s since 1992.  My husband John has been a parishioner all his life.  This is my fourth year on the HSA Board, 2 years as Vice President and currently PPC liaison and Rising Star Coordinator. My responsibilities include attending the PPC (Parish Pastoral Council) meetings and keeping in touch with parish families who have baptized their children at St. Matthew’s.  I have been a class representative for the last 10 years. 

 I have two boys Timothy, a freshman in high school , and Mark in 6th grade at St Matthew. Our family is very active in the parish.  My husband and I have been part of the PreCana team for approximately 17 years.  My husband and my boys take great joy in the snow removal and grass cutting they do on our parish grounds.

 In addition to the work I do at this parish, I work full time for the New York City Housing Authority.  I work in the South Beach Houses in Staten Island as a Housing Assistant where I am responsible for the first line management in the Development.  I have worked for the Housing Authority for 23 years.