SFIC Rings in Holiday Season with Festive Student Performances at Annual Christmas Breakfast

The event brought together Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, alongside SFIC donors, staff, and students for a joyful celebration to ring in the holiday season.

All enjoyed a buffet of breakfast favorites, including sausages, eggs, and pastries, in the festively decorated school gym. Following the meal, Cardinal Tobin engaged with the students by answering their questions about his vocation and what inspired him to become a priest.

Nearly 100 students also showcased their talents, singing and dancing to holiday classics like “A Holly Jolly Christmas.” One especially creative skit featured a group of students traveling to the stage in a handcrafted model of the Polar Express.

“SFIC hosts a number of events throughout the year, but the Christmas Breakfast holds a special place in our hearts,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, SFIC’s chief executive officer, who also thanked archdiocesan Superintendent of Schools Barbara Dolan and St. Michael School Principal Marilyn Gomez for their support in organizing the event. “It’s a unique opportunity for our donors to interact directly with the scholarship recipients, seeing firsthand how much attending an archdiocesan school means to them. It gives them a chance to witness the powerful impact of their contributions — providing children with an excellent education and Catholic values that will guide them throughout their lives.”

Beyond commemorating the holiday season, the Christmas Breakfast highlighted the success of SFIC’s efforts in 2024. This year, the nonprofit organization and longtime partner of the Archdiocese of Newark raised $3 million and distributed tuition assistance to over 1,000 students attending archdiocesan Catholic schools. Additionally, SFIC’s annual golf outing raised a record-breaking $250,000 in July, while its gala surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $100,000, collecting $470,000 to further support its mission.

SFIC’s next event is its annual High School Hoopfest, which has already raised approximately $100,000 in early donations. To learn more about SFIC or to contribute to its mission, visit www.sficnj.org.

About the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children

Founded in 1983 as the Fund for Educational Advancement, the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) is a non-profit organization that provides children in need with the opportunity for a quality, values-based education in a safe environment. It offers partial-tuition assistance for students from economically disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds attending private and parochial schools within Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties. Scholarships are based on need without regard to religion, gender, race, or ethnic background. To date, SFIC has provided $53.5 million in partial-tuition assistance. Applicant families must be ready to provide proof of income and intend to attend one of the schools within the four counties it serves. For more information, visit www.sficnj.org. 

About the Archdiocese of Newark 

The Archdiocese of Newark serves 1.3 million Catholics across northern New Jersey’s Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. Led by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, the Archdiocese includes 211 parishes, 67 Catholic schools, and numerous missions and ministries committed to faith, education, and social service. For more information, visit www.rcan.org.