Salesian Leadership

Sep 21

Fr. Mike Murray, OSFS, placing the Salesian Medal of Honor over Kevin's head.

In my role as Provincial, this time of year is always an opportunity for me to visit our Oblate-affiliated schools and participate in the opening Liturgy (usually called the Mass of the Holy Spirit). This year, I have also been blessed to witness and participate in the installation of a number of new school leaders.

Last week I was at Salesianum School in Wilmington for the installation of Mr. Kevin Burke, the new school principal. Earlier this week, I participated in the installation of the first president of Padua Academy, Dr. Patricia Scott. Later this week, I will be at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia for the opening Mass and installation of the new school president, Mr. James Meredith. In between, I also celebrated the investiture of a friend, Mrs. Robin Nolan, as Head of School for Sacred Heart Academy in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Fr. Kolodziej, OSFS, blesses Robin M. Nolan during the Installation Mass at Sacred Heart Academy as she begins her new role as Head of School.

All of these events have given me time to reflect on the ministry of Catholic school education and leadership. Leadership in a Catholic and Salesian school is more than administration. It is a ministry of communion, a ministry of hope, a ministry of the heart.

St. Francis de Sales believed students should be focused on the head and the heart. He wrote to his diocesan priests that he wanted “youth to be educated equally in piety and morals, as in letters and sciences.” This was reflected in his approach to young people and the way he preached and taught. Two centuries later, Bl. Louis Brisson, OSFS, expanded on the vision of Francis de Sales and promoted a spirituality and a pedagogy focused on the whole person – mind, spirit, and heart.

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales with Dr. Patricia Scott at her installation as the first president of Padua Academy.

Thus, leadership in our Salesian schools is a sacred responsibility. St. Francis even compared knowledge to an eighth sacrament of the Church. It is a place where God comes among us and walks with us: a place where the love of Christ is made visible in daily life.

Together with faculty, staff, trustees, families, and alumni, our school leaders are called to foster a community that seeks truth, promotes justice, and prepares young people for a life of mission and service.

James D. Meredith will be inducted as president of Father Judge High School on Friday, September 25.

In our Salesian schools, may our leadership be faithful to the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, rooted in the vision of Blessed Louis Brisson, and directed toward forming gentle men and women in union with the love of Christ.