Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children raises $91K at inaugural Irish-American Breakfast

The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC) raised $91,000 — which is $16,000 more than its target goal — to fund partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending Archdiocese of Newark Catholic schools during its first-ever Irish-American Leadership Breakfast on March 14 at the archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Newark.

Nearly 150 attendees dined on Irish bacon, soda bread, scones, and other cultural delicacies before enjoying performances from Irish musicians and step dancers. Afterward, SFIC honored two proud Irish Americans for their longtime commitment to education: James P. McTernan and Sister Patricia M. Wormann, O.P. McTernan, a retired managing director of Millennium Partners, LLC, is a trustee for both SFIC and Oratory Prep in Summit. Sister Wormann is currently the Archdiocese’s delegate for religious. She previously worked as a teacher, guidance counselor, and campus minister at schools and universities throughout the Northeast.

In addition to recognizing the two Irish-American leaders, the SFIC staff provided McTernan and Sister Wormann with special gifts paid for using the staff’s own personal finances. McTernan received Waterford crystal glasses, while Sister Wormann was surprised with a plane ticket to Ireland. Sister Wormann was particularly moved by the gift, telling SFIC that she has been dreaming of returning to Ireland for years.

Guests at the SFIC Irish-American Leadership Breakfast on MArch 14 enjoy a bagpipe performance.

“Many of our founders are Irish-American, and we are proud of our many Irish-American supporters” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, SFIC’s chief executive officer. “Since this is our 40^th anniversary year, we wanted to recognize them for their contributions to SFIC while commemorating St. Patrick’s Day. Jim McTernan and Sister Pat Wormann represent great examples of Irish-American leadership in our community, and we are proud to be represented by them this year.”

To make a donation or learn more about SFIC — which recently increased its scholarship amount from $1,200 to $1,500 — visit www.sficnj.org.

Photos courtesy of the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children