Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program

For Stephanie Becker, no step on her journey as a Catholic educator has been alone. As she has worked to become the Academic Dean for Mt. Carmel-Holy Rosary School, a Catholic school that is a part of the Partnership Schools Network in New York City, she has found that each stop on her way has been supported by those who inspired Steph to a fuller and more joyful participation in the mission of Catholic education.

Since its founding, ACE has graduated nearly 2,000 teachers and leaders. These teachers and leaders have continued to support and transform Catholic education, both directly and indirectly, by living out a commitment to community, spirituality, and professionalism. In an era obsessed with measurement, it is both tempting and worthwhile to quantify the successes and contributions of our graduates. This post, one in a series of stories from our graduates, is an attempt to capture that which numbers sometimes fail to tell: the nuances and nitty gritty details of moments—sometimes small, sometimes large—through which the mission of ACE continues in the everyday lives of its graduates.

Matt DeBoer, RLP 12, was the fifth principal St. Teresa Catholic School had seen in six years. Teachers, parents, and students alike were tired of “all the chaos,” DeBoer said. One day at the beginning of the school year, DeBoer commenced a staff meeting with a prayer of examen. Even though he had no experience as a principal, he felt the trust of his colleagues as he led them in prayer.

When it comes to Catholic education, Susan Hendricks values history.

She values her own winding path to Catholic schools. One of seven children, she was raised in the Catholic faith. Her parents' modeling, she says, "influences me daily with my devotion to the Church and Catholic education." Because her father's Army career required multiple moves, however, only two of the eight schools she attended were Catholic. Later the young activist became a teacher and worked for several years in San Francisco's Mission District. Then she re-located to Maui and, she says, "Divine intervention guided me to a hidden jewel—Sacred Hearts School of Lahaina—where I am honored to be principal."

The 150-yr-old school she now serves was founded by the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts and later run by the Sisters of St. Francis. And here Susan's appreciation for history truly shines: "Standing on the shoulders of these consecrated giants and all of the everyday heroes that have gone before us is a gift of grace. We accept the mantel of duty to continue the legacy of preparing ourselves and our school community for salvation."

Susan is devoted, "heart and mind to Catholic education." In her studies with the program, she has learned about the Church's strong foundation of support for Catholic schools. And, she says, "I am driven to share this history with my school community.""I have learned that we do nothing alone, and that the relationships built in community of like-minded souls is a conspiracy of love, truth and action. The academic rigor and spiritual support in the ACE program has lifted my vision of Catholic education to a higher level of personal gratitude and political/social acumen. I am proud to be an agent of change in the movement of improving Catholic education today."

Hendricks is in her 11th year as principal at the Sacred Hearts School. This story was first posted on June 19, 2012, during her participation in the Remick Leadership Program.

FOR RELEASE AT 3:00 p.m. on Thursday May 23,2014                                                May 21, 2014

Contact: Mr. Carl Loesch (574) 259-5257

Mr. Mark Kirzeder appointed principal of Marian High School

MISHAWAKA — Mr. Mark Kirzeder has been appointed by Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades as the principal of Marian High School effective July 1. Kirzeder has been the assistant principal for academics of Marian High School since 2012 and a science and mathematics teacher at the Mishawaka high school since 2005. Kirzeder’s appointment will be announced at a school assembly on May 22^nd at 2:30 p.m.

“It is a great honor to be asked by Bishop Rhoades to be the next principal at Marian High School,” Kirzeder said. “I am incredibly thankful to the members of the Marian community for their prayers during this time of transition for our school. I am also greatly honored to be able to follow in the footsteps of the great leaders before me, especially my predecessor, Mr. Carl Loesch.”

Bishop Rhoades announced in February that Carl Loesch, the current Marian High School principal, was appointed the Secretary of Catholic Education at the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend effective July 1. Loesch will oversee the Catholic Schools Office and the Office of Catechesis. In February, a search committee was formed to find a new principal for Marian High School.

Kirzeder has a Bachelor of Science degree in science and math education from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Education degree through the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) at the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership through the University of Notre Dame.

Msgr. Michael Heintz, rector of St. Matthew Cathedral and director of the Master of Divinity Program at the University of Notre Dame, remarked, “I was privileged to serve as the chair of a search committee, appointed by Bishop Rhoades, which was comprised of a number of very gifted and talented individuals.”

“We were most impressed by Mark's deep commitment to Catholic education, his commitment to the students and his devotion to Marian,” said Msgr. Heintz, who is also a Marian High School graduate.