Music teachers volunteer at Auxilium School

NEWTON — Music is in the air at The Auxilium School. Robert and Hortense Civiletti, retired music teachers from St. Michael’s in Netcong, are now volunteering to teach music class to the students at The Auxilium School.
Robert and Hortense both attended Catholic school when they were children. Hortense graduated from Bayley-Ellard Catholic High School in Madison. Robert grew up in New York City and attended Mary Help of Christians School where Sister Dominica Di Peri was his 1st grade teacher. He still clearly remembers being corrected by Sister Dominica as she played the piano during class one day. She used to keep a bicycle mirror on top of the piano so she could keep an eye on her class. However, the students did not seem to realize she could see them. When Robert asked how Sister Dominica knew that he was misbehaving, she simply told him “God told me.”
Robert and Hortense were brought together through music 50 years ago and, though they entered into the business world, they continued to feed their love of music throughout their lives. Upon retiring from business, they decided they wanted to give back to the community and took positions teaching music at St. Michael’s. In their second year of teaching at St. Michael’s they proudly received the Vivere Christus Award from the Diocese of Paterson. The Civilettis were saddened when St. Michael’s school closed.
Now the couple is happily using their talents again at The Auxilium school. They are excited to be sharing their love of music with the students and it is clear that the students of The Auxilium School are equally thrilled to have such great music teachers.
The Auxilium School fosters the growth of the whole child — physical, social, emotional, and spiritual — according to the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Salesian spirit of St.John Bosco. From September through June, Camp Auxilium operates as both a learning center and day care facility for children ages 3 to Kindergarten. During the summer months, it's turned into an equal opportunity day camp for children in grades 1-8. Camp Auxilium is run by the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco.