Father Albert Anuszewski, a priest of the Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives (Trinitarians) for more than 30 years, has been named the new president of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland.
“I take on this responsibility with enthusiasm, excitement, humility and gratitude,” Father Anuszewski said. “The work we do here is not for our glory, but for God’s.”
Although he assumed his post Jan. 1, 2025, he was officially installed during a Jan. 28 Mass celebrated at the school.
Father Anuszewski succeeds Trinitarian Father James Day, who served at the school for 28 years in a variety of roles, including counselor, director of counseling, faculty member, moderator, rector and since 2016 as the first president there. Father Day was recently inducted into the DeMatha Hall of Fame.
“We are standing on holy ground, on a foundation laid by those who came before us,” Father Anuszewski said at his installation Mass.
Since January 2022, Father Anuszewski has served as DeMatha’s director of Trinitarian Mission and as a member of the Theology Department, teaching freshman and sophomore theology. He also has served as moderator for the varsity soccer team and moderator of the DeMatha Parent Organization.
Noting that DeMatha Catholic High School will mark its 80th anniversary in 2026, Father Anuszewski urged the students and staff “to recommit ourselves to the mission and vision of this school.” He said the school’s success over the past eight decades is a sign of “the power and grace of our God.”
Education, Father Anuszewski said, “is about freedom – freeing minds through truth, freeing hearts through love and freeing lives through service.”
“We are forming you to transform the world ... to set the world on fire,” Father Anuszewski told the students at the Mass, urging them to “build the kind of community that reflects God.”
He called on the school’s teachers to “form hearts and minds (of the students) for Christ,” and told the students to realize their teachers are helping them “live a life of excellence and of faith.”
Father Anuszewski is a native of Baltimore who entered the Trinitarians in 1981. He professed his solemn vows in 1988 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1991.
He earned bachelor of arts degrees in history and philosophy from Loyola University of Maryland and a master of divinity degree and master of arts degree in ecclesiastical history from the Washington Theological Union in Silver Spring, Maryland. Last May, he was awarded a master of education degree in educational leadership from Loyola University of Maryland.
In addition to his work as an educator, Father Anuszewski has served in parish ministry, as director of vocations, as a member of the Trinitarian Order's General Council and as general treasurer in Rome. He formerly served as the minister provincial of the American Province from 2018-2021.
Father William Sullivan, minister provincial of the Trinitarians, presided at the Jan. 28 installation Mass at DeMatha.
“With his dedication to education, pastoral care and the mission of the Trinitarians, he has been chosen to lead this institution into the next chapter,” Father Sullivan said of Father Anuszewski ’s appointment.
During the installation Mass, Father Sullivan prayed that Father Anuszewski would “always lead with integrity” and would “animate the uniquely Trinitarian mission of DeMatha by fostering faith, excellence and brotherhood.”
The Mass – which Father Anuszewski called “a moment of grace and a moment of gratitude” – was attended by students, school faculty and staff, alumni, and members of Father Anuszewski ’s family, including his mother.
At the Mass, the new school president was presented with a copy of the school’s mission statement so that it would “guide your decisions and inspire your leadership;” a school key as “a symbol of your stewardship over the DeMatha community entrusted to your care;” and a presidential medallion as a reminder of “the legacy of service you are called to uphold.”
In accepting his new role, Father Anuszewski promised “with the help of God” to lead the school “with integrity and humility, to uphold the values of the Gospel, and to inspire all members of this school to grow in faith, knowledge and love.” He also promised to “strengthen the bonds of brotherhood among students, faculty, staff, alumni and families, fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration.”
He praised the parents who send their sons to DeMatha and said they are part of “a shared effort rooted in faith and in love.”
Calling his appointment “a new chapter for DeMatha,” Father Anuszewski promised to “rely on His (God’s) grace to form young men who are patient and just and gentlemen and scholars.”
As he takes on the role of president of DeMatha, Father Anuszewski urged the students and staff “to look to the future with faith, with courage and with unity.” He said that together they would “build a community where Jesus is at the center of what we do and who we are.”
