Irish American breakfast raises over $150K for SFIC scholarships
The Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children (SFIC), a nonprofit partner of the Archdiocese of Newark, raised over $150,000 to support partial tuition assistance scholarships for underprivileged students attending archdiocesan Catholic schools during the organization’s fourth annual Irish American Leadership Breakfast on March 12. This year’s event surpassed 2025’s total by more than $20,000.
Guests filled the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center’s auditorium in Newark for the pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which featured a buffet of traditional Irish delicacies, live music, and a spectacular step dancing performance courtesy of the Emerald Isle Academy of Dance.
The breakfast culminated in the recognition of two distinguished Irish Americans for their commitment to Catholic education: Bishop Gregory J. Studerus, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Newark; and SFIC Emeritus Trustee John C. Walton, who serves as chairman of DVUV, LLC.
Language, learning, and leadership
The honorees both pointed out how important language and learning have been to Irish culture, which has produced authors like James Joyce and Jonathan Swift. They also said they are proud to support an organization like SFIC, which similarly values education as crucial to a child’s future.
“SFIC was proud to honor Bishop Studerus and Jack Walton, who truly embody the legacy of our founder, Archbishop Peter Gerety, and the many Irish American board members we’ve had through the years,” said Dr. Michelle L. Hartman, SFIC’s chief executive officer. “They value Catholic education just as much as they love their Irish heritage. And because of their leadership and generosity, they’ve helped us send countless children to the archdiocese’s exemplary schools.”
As the event drew to a close, Hartman presented a surprise award to Kevin Comp, longtime director of facility operations/security for the archdiocese, in recognition of his 47 years of service. She also expressed gratitude to all who attended the Irish American Leadership Breakfast, the latest in a series of events planned for 2026.
Learn more about the fund’s initiatives and scholarships at the SFIC website.
To view more images of the 2026 SFIC Irish American Leadership Breakfast, click HERE.
Featured image: Dancers from the Emerald Isle Academy of Dance perform at the SFIC Irish American Leadership Breakfast, held on March 12 at the Archdiocese of Newark’s Pastoral Center in Newark, NJ. (Photos by the Scholarship Fund for Inner-City Children/Neil van Niekerk)
