Celebrating the Opening of Schools Mass Aug. 26, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory prayed the Holy Spirit would bless educators in schools across The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, and he urged teachers to use their unique talents in educating young people.
“You bring all your gifts together in service to our schools, and most importantly, to our students,” Cardinal Gregory told the teachers who gathered for the annual Mass.
Cardinal Gregory was the principal celebrant of the Mass that was offered at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Nearly 20 priests from throughout the archdiocese concelebrated.
“You possess the spirit of truth of which Jesus spoke, especially when in service to our students,” the cardinal told educators.
About 1,500 people attended the Mass, including Catholic school teachers, principals, administrators, support staff, members of the archdiocesan Board of Education, officials from the Catholic Schools Office and others. It is offered each year for educators just before students return to their classrooms.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington has more than 26,000 students enrolled in 90 Catholic schools – ranging from preschool through high school – located in the District of Columbia and the five surrounding Maryland counties: Montgomery, Prince George’s, Charles, Calvert and Saint Mary’s.
A choir comprised of students from Catholic schools throughout Southern Maryland led the singing at the Mass.
Praising the educators for representing a diversity of races, cultures, ethnicities and nationalities, Cardinal Gregory told them that such diversity provides them with “individual talents ... (and) a wide variety of gifts” they must bring to their academic communities.
“You model a sense of unity and purpose,” he said. “I am certain you have the potential to achieve great things this year.”
He added that “parents sacrifice greatly” to send their children to Catholic schools because “they place great faith in our teachers and administrators and school staff personnel.”
Recalling that this past summer saw the every-four-years Summer Olympic Games, Cardinal Gregory said that while the term “Dream Team” has been applied to the United States’ men’s basketball team, it is also an appropriate moniker for educators in archdiocesan Catholic schools.
“The Dream Team combined their individual talents into one playing unit,” the cardinal said. “As our teachers gather once again, they are worthy of that title, ‘Dream Team.’ Our students and their parents think highly of you. Teachers and staff are our Dream Team.”
“Thank you for all you do and all that you will do to be the Dream Team that will bring home the prize,” the cardinal said.
Cardinal Gregory also reminded the educators that they must “strive to be examples of Christian faith” and urged them to be “ever cognizant of your role in shaping our youth.”
During the Mass, Cardinal Gregory commissioned the educators to “commit to serve and continue to grow as missionary disciples of the Lord” and encouraged each to recognize their “important role participating in the ministry and mission” of the Church.
Also during the Mass, prayers were offered for students “to learn to know and love the Lord” and for teachers “to have the courage and strength to joyfully evangelize their students.”
Speaking on behalf of her fellow educators, Kelly Branaman – the Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington – told Cardinal Gregory that “each one of us is privileged and blessed” to participate in the Church’s mission to educate the faithful.
She said Catholic schools in this archdiocese have “an exceptional group of educators and staff who model love, faith and perseverance in living out their faith.”
She noted that at last year’s Opening of Schools Mass as Cardinal Gregory marked the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination, Catholic school teachers, students and parents promised to perform acts of charity during that upcoming school year in honor of the cardinal’s milestone. At this year’s Mass, Branaman presented the cardinal with a scrapbook highlighting and documenting the completed works of service.
At the end of the Mass, seven schools and 46 educators celebrating significant anniversaries this academic year were honored. Branaman congratulated the honorees for their “remarkable history of dedication and servant leadership.”
Educators honored for 25 years of service in Catholic education were:
Christina Bedard at Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Kensington, Maryland
Wenzel Burton at Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C.
Robert Carlsen at Saint Peter’s School, Olney, Maryland
Cindy Cobleigh at St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Patrick Courtemanche at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland
Helene Cropper at St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.
Nancy DeWitt at Mary of Nazareth School, Darnestown, Maryland
Diana Durkin at St. Peter School, Waldorf, Maryland
Margaret “Peggy” Hamilton at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Carol Hampe at St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland
Quillian “Que” Haralson at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Elvia Hernandez at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Gretchen Hochhausler at Our Lady of Victory School, Washington, D.C.
Niko Iampieri at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland
Mary Kellermann at The Academy of St. Matthias, Lanham, Maryland
Holly Magidson at Mary of Nazareth School, Darnestown, Maryland
Laura Minakowski at St. Mary of the Assumption School, Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Thomas Owens at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland
Mark Pennybacker at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Georgeann Reedy at The Academy of St. Matthias, Lanham, Maryland
Jeremy Rheam at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland
Ronald Riley at St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.
Lisa Singleton at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Kimberly Weber at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic School, Solomons, Maryland
Elizabeth “Biz” Wittschen at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Cynthia Zagone at St. Bernadette Catholic School, Silver Spring, Maryland
Educators honored for 30 years of service in Catholic education were:
Felix Abril at St. Elizabeth Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland
Kathleen Downey at St. Anthony Catholic School, Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Eller at Holy Redeemer School, College Park, Maryland
Michael Friel at Mary of Nazareth School, Darnestown, Maryland
Kevin Giblin at St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda, Maryland
Yvonne Irving at Holy Trinity School, Washington, D.C.
Timothy Moran at St. Andrew School, Silver Spring
Ann O’Hare at The Academy of St. Matthias, Lanham, Maryland
Valerie Rosen at Holy Redeemer School, College Park, Maryland
Claire Rudinski at St. Vincent Pallotti High School, Laurel, Maryland
Olga Williams at St. Augustine Catholic School, Washington, D.C.
Sabrina Worrell at Saint Peter’s School, Olney, Maryland
Educators honored for 35 years of service in Catholic education were:
Sue Foreman at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Minie James at the Academy of the Holy Cross, Kensington, Maryland
Elesa Miller at St. Andrew School, Silver Spring, Maryland
Periasami “Sami” Raju at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
Patricia Schratz at The Academy of St. Matthias, Lanham, Maryland
Educators honored for 40 years of service in Catholic education were:
Patricia Petruzzelli at the Academy of the Holy Cross, Kensington, Maryland
Anne Vucci at Saint Peter’s School, Olney, Maryland
Honored for 55 years of service in Catholic education was:
Sister Doreen Willis, IHM., at St. John the Evangelist School, Silver Spring
The schools that were honored for significant anniversaries were:
Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland marking its 60th anniversary.
Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland marking its 65th anniversary.
Annunciation Catholic School in Washington, D.C. marking its 70th anniversary.
Father Andrew White, S. J. School in Leonardtown, Maryland marking its 70th anniversary.
St. Mary Catholic School in Landover Hills, Maryland marking its 70th anniversary.
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C. marking its 225th anniversary.
Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland marking its 235th anniversary.
