Regional Bishop Inspires Students During First Visit to Saint Dominic Academy

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Saint Dominic Academy recently welcomed Bishop Michael Saporito Chau, Regional Bishop for Hudson County, for his first visit to the school, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with a Church leader whose life story embodies faith, perseverance, and service.

The invitation to the Academy was extended at an event attended by members of Saint Dominic Academy and the Bishop. He was intrigued to learn that the middle school students had been studying coats of arms and the Sacrament of Holy Orders—including his own episcopal coat of arms. Upon learning that St. Aedan's Church is within walking distance of Saint Dominic Academy, he graciously agreed to visit the school for lunch and a Q&A session.

SDA Ministry Chair Chiara Secades ’27, along with Ava Scarsi ’27 and Camila Rosario ’27, welcomed Bishop Chau to campus and led him on a tour before joining him for an open conversation over lunch.

Students had prepared thoughtful questions in advance, asking about everything from his daily responsibilities as a bishop to his immigration journey and his fluency in American Sign Language “(ASL)”. Bishop Chau spoke candidly about arriving in the United States as an undocumented teenager seeking asylum, discovering his vocation, and dedicating his ministry to serving immigrant and deaf communities. For a time, he was the only priest in the Archdiocese of Newark fluent in ASL, and during the visit, he even taught students a few signs.

His message centered on dignity, resilience, and the importance of remaining open to God's call.

Marina Samweil ’28 shared that she was inspired by Bishop Chau's story and hopes he will return to celebrate Mass at Saint Dominic Academy. Middle school student Brielle remarked on his humility, noting that despite his position, he felt approachable and relatable.

"Meeting the Bishop was a really great experience, and listening to his testimony offered a valuable perspective on immigration and visibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community," said Chiara Secades ’27. "It was such a blessing to meet Bishop Chau and hear how his life and mission were shaped by the experiences he had throughout his teen years."

Stephanie Herrera ’10, OPA, Religion Teacher, added, "Bishop Chau's visit was a living lesson in what the Sacrament of Holy Orders looks like in action—not just in a textbook, but in person, over lunch, and in our hallways. His willingness to share his story so openly gave our students a powerful witness to God's call working through real human experience."

The first Nicaraguan-born bishop in the United States, Bishop Chau is a graduate of Seton Hall University who came to the United States as an undocumented teenager and later became Regional Bishop of Hudson County. Fluent in American Sign Language, he has been a leading voice in young adult ministry throughout the Archdiocese of Newark and continues to advocate for immigrant and deaf communities throughout the region.

For Saint Dominic Academy students, the visit was more than a lesson in Church leadership—it was a powerful reminder that faith can transform challenges into opportunities for service, compassion, and purpose.

About Saint Dominic Academy

Founded in 1878, Saint Dominic Academy (SDA) is a Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for young women located in Jersey City, New Jersey. Rooted in the Dominican tradition, SDA is committed to academic excellence, leadership, service, and faith. The Academy empowers young women to become compassionate leaders who make a positive impact in their communities and the world. For more information, visit www.stdominicacad.com.

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Mejia, Senior Marketing and Communications Associate

Saint Dominic Academy

Email: communications@stdominicacad.com

Phone: (201) 434-5938 x 509