By Jessica Easthope
It’s a day designed to welcome principals back, but Brooklyn’s Bishop Robert Brennan knows many never left.
“They started the school year on June 30. But once we’re into September, I’m all in and there’s this newness and an excitement that we all feel,” he said.
Bishop Brennan celebrated Mass for more than 60 principals of Catholic academies and schools across Brooklyn and Queens, Tuesday at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. Their work, he says, is invaluable in the lives of the children they educate.
“Our elementary schools, our academies, they lay basic foundations. It’s true in the educational world but it’s also very true in the spiritual world,” Bishop Brennan said.
Faith-based education allows students to grow in a community, it also allows their educators to do the same. Debbie Hanna, principal of St. Andrew Avellino Catholic Academy in Flushing, Queens says this day is a much needed reset.
“Today is probably one of my favorite days. I have a lot of good things going on in my school, and then I have a lot of challenges so to sit there and know that I’m not alone, I’m not alone makes it a great day,” Hanna said.
With the closure of Salve Regina Catholic Academy at the end of last school year, Andy Estevez, principal of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Academy in Cypress Hills, Queens has 90 new students.
“We’re here in this particular time, in this particular place called by God to minister to his people, which are our children and our families, and to ourselves, to and our communities,” Estevez said.
As one school looks to accommodate an influx, another is praying for one.
“I want my seats to be filled. I want people to know what great things are done in Catholic schools, it’s not free, but it’s worth the buck,” said Hanna.
Superintendent of Diocese of Brooklyn schools, Deacon Kevin McCormack says his principals are focused on providing the best education but also on what matters most.
“The most important thing that we do is celebrate the gospel and bring it to our kids. But we have to nourish ourselves,” Deacon McCormack said. “Our principles did not rest, they’re there, they’re hustling, but now it’s a good time.”
School starts on Wednesday, September 4.