New Rochelle High School of Religion, or more popularly referred to as “Relig,” is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year. “Relig, Where People are Special,” has primarily reached out to the Catholic teens of New Rochelle, but welcomed teens of all religious, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds for the past five decades. Since its inception, Relig has flourished and evolved into much more than a typical CCD program. This innovative program, founded and created by Michael A. Tedesco, continues to uphold its original Christian message of faith, love and service in a multifaceted organization that includes religious instruction at Catholic parishes of New Rochelle in the classroom and beyond. He built the program around the concept of the Church as a community. It encompassed religious instruction, Christian action, social justice, spiritual growth, athletics, and social development through so many activities including, classes offered three times a week for students and a summer program for staff, retreats, skate-a-thons, Christmas gift collection for needy children in NYC, sports teams and tournaments, trips to Broadway, apple picking and the most popular ice skating and playing pinball games at Cooks just to name a few. Each year would culminate with a graduation Communion Mass and supper with a director’s report in the form of an elaborate three projector slide show. Tedesco, a pioneer in youth ministry, initiated this program because he was advocating for teenagers. He believed that teens possessed value and relevance in the Church and the community, but there were very little opportunities for Christian growth offered to them, so he put his vision to work.
In its heyday, Relig enrolled more than 800 students and more than 100 volunteers. The Relig Office was started in the basement of Tedesco’s Mayflower Avenue. home and then moved to two different offices on North Ave. It is presently located at 112 Division St. It remains the hub of the program. Students and faculty still flock to the office to discuss life, religion, politics, and friendship. More importantly, it is a safe haven where everyone is always welcome and accepted. Tedesco retired in 1990 after twenty five years, but his service to the youth of New Rochelle and Westchester did not end. He pursued yet another vocation of service as a now retired guidance counselor at New Rochelle High School and current Director of Guidance at Westchester Hebrew High School. He is still invested in the program and remains on the board of directors and is the treasurer. Keeping the program alive throughout the years has been a joyful and rewarding labor of love. Relig remains steadfast in its commitment and service to the youth of New Rochelle. Tony Bellizzi, the current director, continues to add new dimension, dedication, and creativity to the program’s Christian message and rich legacy, through confirmation, classes, service trips to Peru and random acts of kindness
More than 3,000 people past and present have been so positively impacted by this program that a committee has been formed to celebrate 50 years of the program. Over the past few months, more than 100 people gathered at McKiernan’s, and other local restaurants in New Rochelle. In keeping with the spirit of the program, canned goods were collected for the local food pantry. A host of other upcoming events and activities include, a car wash in June at the Relig House, a trip to see Godspell at the Westchester Dinner Theatre on July 10th, an August Open House at the Relig House, a September retreat, and finally a 50th Anniversary Mass and Dinner on October 3rd. A Facebook page has been set up to connect with the Relig Community.
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Relig’s powerful message of Faith and action resides in each and every member who attended the program. With continued enthusiasm and loyalty, Relig’s message will be passed on for another 50 years and beyond.
For more information or to participate in the upcoming events, please see our Facebook page Relig 50th anniversary or email us at Relig50th@gmail.com.
