From the Pastor’s Desk:

This year National Catholic Schools Week begins this weekend and will continue through February 6th. The week is a multipurpose week. It is designated to help schools connect with prospective families, donors, educators, and other community organizations. Catholic schools across the United States, as well as here in Springfield will focus on the value that Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to the church, communities and nation. From the 1st day of school to graduation, our Catholic Schools are committed to the celebration of faith, safety, academic excellence, student success, and empowering our students to actualize their potential. The physical and spiritual health and wellness of our students and school personnel remain our priority, our Catholic school principals and school board have developed plans to best serve our students academically, support their emotional and social well-being, and help halt the spread of COVID-19. To this end we have been able to have in person learning throughout the school year along with our daily mass schedule. The educational landscape may have changed, but the mission of our Catholic Schools to prepare our students to transform the world remains unchanged. Our students’ academic journey should be a meaningful experience that promotes the continuity of learning. I know that families are going through a lot during this time and I want you to know that you are not alone and that our staff at the St. Agnes School and here at the Cathedral Parish is here to help as best we can during the pandemic. I value our student body as well as our faculty, staff and parents here at St. Agnes Cathedral School as well as at Springfield Catholic High School. Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate them, as well as the importance of Catholic education. Our Catholic Schools of St. Agnes, Immaculate Conception, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Springfield Catholic High School are all a part of the Catholic School System. The schools value the parishioners and local community, and appreciate all that they do for them. Catholic Schools provide a faith-based education to help support the values within our Catholic families, as well as strong academics to prepare the students for their future. Catholic Schools are a part of the community and family that shares support for one another with a focus on our young people. This week Sr. Cecilia Ann announced the new principal for St. Agnes Elementary school, Paige Duda. She succeeds our current principal, Mrs Lindsay Paulsell-Maricle who is relocating to Tulsa with her family.