Johnathan Jaheim Henderson, 22, of Lancaster, South Carolina, was arrested by Kannapolis Police March 20. He was arraigned and released March 23 from the Cabarrus County Jail on a $30,000 bond, and his next court date is April 8, court records show.

Henderson joined Christ the King in March 2025 as a part-time assistant football coach after passing a mandatory background screening. School administrators said he was terminated in June 2025 after they learned he had been conducting unsanctioned football training sessions with players off campus and outside normal school operations, and using unauthorized communication channels to arrange the sessions.

In September, administrators received new information from students indicating that some of Henderson’s communications may have included inappropriate and sexually explicit phone and electronic messages with two 16-year-old students.

School officials shared the information with football team parents and the Kannapolis Police Department, which launched an investigation that led to Henderson’s arrest.

— Catholic News Herald

Students honored their heritage by wearing traditional attire at Mass Thursday, showing the richness of a community united in faith. The celebration continued with a food tasting featuring flavors from around the world.

The week was a joyful reminder that while we come from many places, we are one in Christ.

— Troy C. Hull

Eaton brings nearly three decades of experience in Catholic education, serving as a teacher, principal and diocesan leader. She holds a master’s degree in School Leadership from St. Louis University and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

“I am excited and blessed to serve as the next principal of St. Matthew Catholic School,” Eaton said. “Throughout my years in Catholic education, I have been grateful for the opportunity to help students grow academically and in their faith. I look forward to partnering with the faculty, staff and families of St. Matthew as we continue the tradition of educating saints and scholars.”

Eaton previously served as Director of Educational Services for the Diocese of Des Moines, supporting schools in curriculum development, professional learning and student services.

From 2011-2014, she was principal of St. Patrick Catholic School in Perry, Iowa. She led the led the school as it grew from 85 to 125 students, strengthened academic programs and built community partnerships. In 2014, she served as the first principal of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School in Ankeny, Iowa, guiding the school through its early development and growth until 2019.

She then returned to her roots, working with students scoring below grade-level in math and reading and the teachers who support them as an interventionist/student support teacher at St. Anthony Catholic School in Des Moines. There, she was also a member of the St. Anthony Leadership Team.

“It was clear from our first conversations that Mrs. Eaton has a real love for her faith and a genuine joy in working with children,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocesan superintendent of schools, “and she will be a great fit for our school system with her past experiences and skillset.”

The search for a new principal at St. Matthew began Jan. 1, when Kevin O’Herron, who served as principal for 27 years of the school’s 33-year history became assistant superintendent of schools for the diocese. Suzanne Beasley, who stepped in as interim principal, will continue her leadership as assistant principal.

“I am grateful to Mrs. Beasley for her steady leadership as interim principal over these many months, and to the search committee for the time, prayer, and discernment they gave to helping us land the next principal of St. Matthew,” Monroe said. “I look forward to working closely with Mrs. Eaton as we build on the great legacy and traditions of St. Matthew and keep pursuing excellence as we look to the future.”

— Trish Stukbauer 

Miller, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, took home his first title as conference champ at the Big South Indoor Track and Field Championship in Mill Spring while maintaining his evangelistic, God-warrior attitude, wherever his sneakers carry him.

“He is one of my very active Catholic students at High Point,” Father Harrison said. “AJ’s faith while also being a D1 athlete and conference champ is an inspiration to so many.”

The track champion, who is known for praying before runs, not removing his crucifix for races, and making the sign of the cross at meets is gaining attention for his speed and perseverance.

“I just try to keep God at the focus, remember why I am doing it, and hope that I can glorify Him,” Miller said. “I want to reach out to people and inspire them to do the same.”

Miller didn’t come to High Point University for its Division I track team.

“The weather is what brought me South,” Miller laughed. “I wanted a lot less of the winter than I usually would have back in Pittsburgh.”

As a freshman, he tried out for track not expecting much, even though he has run since he was in seventh grade and at Montour High School in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, where he won the Track and Field Most Valuable Player award in 2024.

“Throughout high school I was not bad at track, but not great. During senior year I was able to really focus and get better. I was able to barely make the team here,” Miller said. “Then last year, the standard got really strict, and I had to devote a lot of time to even stay on the team. Now, this year, I’ve kept that momentum, and I’ve come to be like our top runner for the 800.”

Though his success came as a welcome surprise, his competitive attitude and dedication were always a part of him.

“I started running as a dare from a friend. To prepare for soccer, my friend went out for cross-country, and he said I should, too,” Miller said. “I didn’t want to, and he said I was scared. So, I joined.”

Miller admits to initially hating running, taking years to like it even after he joined cross country.

“Once you get to a certain point, it becomes enjoyable. It is almost like a release, kind of therapeutic,” Miller said.

The college experience has brought him closer to the finish line faster and to God, who he credits with his successes.

“Throughout most of my life I didn’t really practice my faith much. I always believed, but I wasn’t big on doing stuff with it” said Miller, who was raised Catholic. “ But, then, when I got to college,

I decided to step it up. I actually started knowing why I believe what I believe.”

Miller’s dedication to both God and track is hardcore. He lifts weights and runs eight to 15 miles every day except Sunday, which he reserves for Mass and prayer.

While he runs, he often contemplates God.

“On runs, if I am on my own, I have some philosophical thoughts to keep me busy. But on race days, the night before I always pray, an hour before I’ll pray, too, and even at the start line I’ll make the sign of the cross – it focuses me on God instead of the pain I am about to go through,” Miller said.

Sometimes he is accompanied by his running buddy, Father Harrison, and in between breaths, they talk about faith.

“Father Harrison is so relatable, and he is a runner, too. He is training for Iron Man right now, and when I go on runs with him, he is fun to talk with,” Miller said.

Miller’s coach, Mike Esposito, who has coached for more than 20 years, is as impressed with Miller’s physical progress as Father Harrison is with his spiritual journey.

Miller’s personal-best time of 1:50.6 minutes 800-meter, puts him on track to be one of the elite collegiate contenders who may qualify as one of the top 48th on the East Coast, allowing him to later compete in the NCAA East Preliminaries on a national level.

Miller’s parents often come down to the Carolinas, not wanting to miss a beat of their son’s newfound stamina and faith. Miller credits God for his ability and with each step, runs closer and closer to Him.

“I’m all about pushing my limit and finding a new one, so I’m seeing how far I can take this,” Miller said. “Whatever the plan God has, I’ll trust that.”

— Lisa M. Geraci

The project will include new bleachers, restrooms, and an emergency access road, creating a safe and welcoming environment for students, families and visiting teams.

The joyful celebration, which included music, snacks and pizza, coincided with Senior Night for the women’s soccer team, making it a special time to honor student-athletes and celebrate their contributions.

—  Photos provided by Nicole Seeling

The Sophia Institute for Teachers was founded in 2013 to renew and rebuild Catholic culture through service to Catholic education.

The Institute’s Master Teacher Council recognizes teachers and administrators nationwide who demonstrate exceptional instructional expertise, strong student outcomes and a proven ability to mentor and support fellow educators.

Members serve as instructional leaders, content experts and partners to teachers seeking to grow in pedagogical skill.

Charlie McKinney, president of the Sophia Institute, explained, “Selection to the Sophia Master Teacher Council reflects both professional excellence and a deep commitment to strengthening Catholic education through mentorship, collaboration and faithful witness.”

At a time when Catholic educators face increasing academic expectations, cultural pressures and the responsibility of forming students in faith and reason, the Sophia Master Teacher Council provides concrete, classroom-tested support by offering mentorship, practical resources and real-time guidance that strengthens and develops teachers and the students they serve.
— Catholic News Herald

The performance had the crowd on its feet, guiding students through moments in history with powerful musical testimony. The choir’s energy and spirit resonated throughout the gym.

The annual visit is a favorite event, and one student said he will miss it when he graduates. He encouraged his fellow students to embrace the moment.

Through songs and heartfelt witness, the choir reminded students that faith can be expressed in many ways.

As one classmate shared with peers, while the style of celebration may differ, the spiritual benefits remain the same.

— Photos by Troy C. Hull. Video by Ameila Kudela.

CHARLOTTE — The Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools Honors Band took to the stage Feb. 28 for its inaugural concert at the Fine Arts Center at Charlotte Catholic High School.

The arena hummed with the sounds of well-greased trumpets, flutes, trombones and clarinets and thumped with the rhythmic beats of the drums and xylophones. The beautiful results made it almost inconceivable to believe that just 24 hours prior, the band members had never played together.

The weekend ended with the concert as a grand finale, but the first-ever Honors Band had to work hard to get there. 

“I’d like to think of it as a 24-hour marathon of putting all this music together,” said Ben Ranzinger, MACS instrumental music director and the architect behind the program. He collaborated with Jacob Bohan, band director of Charlotte Catholic, this academic year to launch the program.

“We have a lot of different schools that have really strong band programs, but we wanted the opportunity to be able to come together each year to perform,” said Ranzinger.  

The Honors Band pulls from the finest instrumental talent in three Mecklenburg County middle schools and two high schools. All 75 musicians were nominated by their band directors due to their skill and dedication.

As St. Mark Band Director Christopher D'Allura explained, “with cramming challenging music into just two days' time, you have to just nominate your players who can handle the rigor.” 

The 35 middle-school members were chosen from Our Lady of Assumption and Holy Trinity in Charlotte and St. Mark in Huntersville, while the 41 high-school members were from Charlotte Catholic and Christ the King in Huntersville. They performed pieces including “Barbarossa” by William Himes, “Barnburner” by Michael Story, and “Rocketship” by Kevin Day as if they had rehearsed together the songs all year long.

The grueling weekend of clinics, started after a half-day of school on Friday until 8:00 p.m., and continued from Saturday morning until the concert at 2:30 p.m. 

Two clinicians stepped in for the challenge. Bohan taught the middle schoolers. 

“We hope they come back on Monday totally different,” Bohan said. “Everything they did in the last two days is what we try to spend all quarter teaching them. I think they absolutely nailed it, and now the bar is set.”

At the high school level, Cougars and Crusaders spent their days sitting side by side, learning their new repertoires from Winthrop professor, Instructor of Music and Assistant Band Director, Dr. Kirstin Jeri.

“I am always looking to get out and work with students, whether at the middle school or at the high school level,” Jeri said. “We want to be able to support and get involved.”

Band directors from all five schools cheered on their students. 

“This is a great opportunity for our kids that need a little bit more of a challenge,” said Tracy Shoff, band director of Holy Trinity. 

Shoff taught many of the Charlotte Catholic band students at Holy Trinity and appreciates their progress. 

“It is so nice to see them continue to love what they do, because you have to find your passion,” Shoff said. “That is the whole key in life.”

Charlotte Catholic student Wolfgang Burger, whom Shoff taught percussion, reflected, “I feel so blessed to do this. I have been playing percussion since 4th grade, and it has become such an important part of my life, and I love it.”

Now, Shoff teaches his brother, Otto, who is auditioning to be a tuba player in the North Carolina All-State Band next week and is also part of the Honors Band. 

“They can make such great music because they have this innate ability, and when they all come together, it is just a magical thing. It is beautiful,” Shoff said.

Parents, like Kortney Ficke, could not be happier. Ficke thought the concert showcased her child’s potential, which he worked so hard to discover. Marshall Ficke, a sophomore at Charlotte Catholic, has played the drums and bass guitar since third grade, starting with School of Rock lessons and then progressing to the band at Holy Trinity. He is now part of the Honors Band, the jazz band and the pit orchestra. 

“It is hard to put in words what this community has meant to Marshall, and the music, and the outlet it gives him at home. He is upstairs practicing all the time,” said Ficke. “He talks about doing this through college, and just to see he found his passion. It means a lot."

The Honors Band concept is more than a one-hit wonder in Ranzinger’s eyes.

“Having an event like this as a recurring tradition will give something for our older band members to look forward to each and every year,” Ranzinger said. 

Bohan agrees, “This is not only a wonderful life skill, but it is also team building. It is all these incredible things that make each one of us who we are.”

— Lisa M. Geraci. Photos by Troy C. Hull

When the school was initially built in 2009, a dedicated art room was not included. The space that is currently being used for weekly art classes also hosts music and small group instruction.

To convert the space to a fully functional art room, a wall that was opened to an adjacent classroom will be sealed and soundproofed. Additional storage designed for art supplies and a sink will be incorporated, as well as upgrades to interior finishes to create an environment that promotes creativity. Existing furniture will be replaced with flexible seating that can accommodate students of varying ages.

“Providing a space that dignifies the artistic process sends a clear message to students that their creativity is valued and worth investing in,” Principal Erin Brinkley said.

Thanks to the grant, renovations are planned to take place this summer to be ready for the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic school year.

“This grant is an investment in children, in creativity, and in the mission of Catholic education,” Brinkley said. “On behalf of the students, families, faculty and parish community, heartfelt thanks are extended to the Sheas for making this dream a reality.”

Shea Family Charities is one of the most significant philanthropic supporters of Catholic education across the country, assisting more than 400 Catholic schools with grants providing for renovations, new construction and needed expansion projects.

Over the past 30 years, the charity has granted an estimated $11 million toward school projects in the diocese, assisting St. Ann, Holy Trinity Middle School and Our Lady of the Assumption in

Charlotte, Immaculata in Hendersonville, St. Michael in Gastonia, Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro, Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem, and now the art room at Sacred Heart. From the mountains to the Piedmont to the Triad, the organization has helped Catholic education thrive.

“To witness a family choose to invest so intentionally in a school that holds such significance for so many is both humbling and inspiring,” said Brinkley, who attended Sacred Heart as a child.

“Sacred Heart has been special to me for a long time, and for someone else to invest in the place that I love dearly is hard to put into words,” she said.

The art room was the first item on a list of the growing school’s proposed plans that include a preschool expansion as well as dedicated spaces for music, special education and therapy.

“This renovation was prioritized because the arts form the whole child. Academic excellence and creative expression go hand in hand,” Brinkley said.

The new layout and flexible furniture will allow students to work on projects in creative collaborative workstations. An expansion into an adjacent outdoor space will include a cement patio, outdoor furniture and shaded areas, allowing students to have easy access to be inspired by the beauty of nature.

“This will allow for simultaneous indoor and outdoor instruction, giving students opportunities to sketch from nature and experience art in a dynamic setting,” Brinkley said. “They can learn that beauty matters. Creativity is a gift from God, and they are called to use that gift well.”

— Lisa M. Geraci

Shaileen Riginos

Riginos comes to the diocese with two decades of Catholic education experience. Most recently, she served as associate superintendent for the Diocese of Charleston, where she provided strategic leadership across 32 Catholic schools, supporting pastors, diocesan leaders and school administrators. She previously spent 10 years as principal at St. Anne Catholic School in Rock Hill. 

“Christ the King has long been a model of what a thriving Catholic high school can be,” Riginos said. “While leading the expansion of St. Anne Catholic School into the first PK-3 through 12 school in the Diocese of Charleston, I often looked to CTK as an example of strong Catholic identity and student formation. To now have the privilege of serving as its president feels like it is coming full circle.”

Current CTK President Dr. Carl Semmler, who served as principal for six years and as president for the past three, will transition into a newly created position as Executive Director of Catholic Identity, Operations and Capital Improvements for the Catholic Schools office.

 In that role, Semmler will partner with stakeholders to foster a strong Catholic identity within the 20 Diocese of Charlotte schools, assisting with the execution of capital improvements and collaborating to ensure the schools have an operating budget that supports the vision of both local school and diocesan leaders.

 “The nine years that I will have spent at CTK have been an absolute blessing,” Semmler said.

 “The students, parents, faculty, staff and fellow administrators have been an inspiration to me and a strength to my faith.  As a community, we have grown in every possible way.”

 CTK was founded in 2011 with 28 students. During his tenure as its first president, a role he assumed in 2023, Semmler grew the school from 260 students to 435 this academic year. 

 At a time when the campus is undergoing a $12 million expansion project, increasing its footprint to handle enrollment that is expected to eventually reach 600 students, Riginos will collaborate with the leadership team, including Principal Mark Tolcher, to ensure a seamless transition.

 The high school leadership model that the diocese uses allows high school principals to handle academic oversight and daily operations, while presidents focus on shaping the mission and vision of the school, community relationships, financial management and fundraising.

Riginos, who will be the first female high school president in the diocese, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Her appointment comes after a national search. 

 “Mrs. Riginos brings broad experience at both the diocesan and school levels, along with strong expertise in strategic planning and relationship building, which will serve the Christ the King community well as the school continues to grow,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocesan superintendent of schools. “I look forward to seeing what she and Mr. Tolcher will accomplish together as the leadership team of Christ the King.” 

 While Semmler will be fully immersed in his new responsibilities, Semmler told the Catholic News Herald he wants Riginos to know he is just a phone call away. 

“I am here for you,” Semmeler said he would tell her. “I want to help you and the school be successful.” 

Although Riginos worked for the Diocese of Charleston, she, along with her husband and three children, already call the Greater Charlotte area home. 

Riginos said she is looking forward “to working alongside students, teachers, staff, and families as we continue the mission of forming young men and women in faith, academic excellence and service.” 

— Lisa M. Geraci

Students lined the halls as Bagpiper Brendan Anderson, a junior at Charlotte Catholic High School, played the bagpipes while St. Patrick walked through the school spreading St. Patrick's Day spirit. Students were also treated to an amazing Irish Step Dance performance featuring many of their classmates.  

On Saturday, a sea of green lined Tryon Street for Charlotte’s 2026 St. Patrick Day Parade.

More than 1,000 marchers, including students, teachers and parents from some of the Diocese of Charlotte's Catholic schools – St. Ann, Our Lady of the Assumption, St. Patrick and Charlotte Catholic High School – marched in the parade through uptown Charlotte. Other schools and parishes planned to continue festivities through the week.

—  Photos by Troy C. Hull and provided

The musical is the school adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway hit “Hadestown,” written by the same playwright, Anaïs Mitchell.

“We chose this show because the themes resonate with young people and the music is amazing,” said Sarah Varricchio, theater director.
The two-act show with its New Orleans jazz vibe, mature themes of love vs. fate, and playlist of 35 songs left the crowd at the edge of their seats.

For the first time, a school production featured the new 12-foot-by-30-foot video wall as the stage backdrop. The tech-savvy set led guests through a portal of seamless scene changes from the bustling streets of New Orleans to the grueling underworld of Hades. Characters dressed as Greek gods danced and sang through a moving set of flowers, rain, jazz clubs and underground coal, while audience members witnessed the love story of Orpheus (Liam McSorley) and Eurydice (Ingrid Siega). Narrator Hermes (Lucia Varricchio) navigated the audience through the couple’s perilous journey through Hades, run by Hades, the god of the underworld (Hudson Hughes), and his wife, Persephone (Camille Lemke).

The cast, plus a set crew of six and five pit orchestra members, practiced the musical since October under the stage direction of Varricchio, the vocal coaching of Randy Price and the choreography of Rachel Patterson.

— Lisa M. Geraci | Catholic News Herald

Students from Charlotte Catholic and Bishop McGuinness high schools took a field trip to local movie theaters to learn more about the legacy of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. The movie gave students the opportunity to reflect on the political polarization of our time and how to bring people together.

Buses from Charlotte Catholic and Bishop McGuinness high schools drove through the morning dew for a special screening of “Cabrini,” an Angel Studios production, at Regal Theaters at

Piper Glen in Charlotte and AMC in High Point. Christ the King High School will view the movie in their gymnasium at a later date.

“A couple of years ago, when it first came out, some of the parishes did a screening, and that was my introduction,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocesan superintendent of schools. “I was blown away by the way it showed the human element for this saint who did so much for migrants and was such a witness to the corporal works of mercy, showing us how we are supposed to work for all people.”

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini’s actions resonated with Monroe, and when folks in the Catholic Diocese of Dallas introduced him to the film’s directors with the goal of bringing the saint’s message to local students and educators, he was all in.

“They mentioned how some dioceses were taking the messages found in Mother Cabrini’s life and using them as part of their lesson plans,” Monroe said. “In schools we come from all walks of life, and we have teachers from different backgrounds. … It is a nice bridge to see what Mother Cabrini was trying to do and what we are trying to do with our students. It was so beautiful how Mother Cabrini saw the inherent dignity of every single person, no matter who they were or where they were from – she considered them a beloved child of God.”

From 1889 to 1910, more than two million Italian immigrants came to New York City in pursuit of the American dream. Instead, they found a nightmare, with many denied access to healthcare, education and housing. Racial slurs followed migrants through the city while they worked and lived in slums infested with rats.

In the Five Points area of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where most immigrants settled, thousands of abandoned children slept under steam grates and existed in the dark cement tunnels of the city’s sewage system.

In the midst of that chaos, one nun, Frances Xavier Cabrini, overcame gender persecution and ethnic discrimination to create an orphanage and hospital for the neglected Italian immigrants.

The movie “Cabrini,” based on her life story and released in 2024, showcased her journey of resilience and persistence. During her 67 years, she established 67 hospitals and orphanages across the globe and became the first U.S. citizen to be canonized.

Though her work was largely focused on Italian immigrants in New York City, her message of human dignity remains relevant today, when migrants are still persecuted, called names and treated as second class.

The movie is trending in Catholic schools across the nation, which are incorporating its message in their curriculum to help students understand the Catholic view on human dignity associated with current events such as modern-day immigration.

Most Charlotte Catholic students said they better appreciated the works of the saint and the rawness of discrimination through the film.

“We learned a little about it in history class, but not like that graphic,” said student Brynley Wilde. “I loved the movie so much. I like how she had women power. She was very inspiring. And she took control of the men who were trying to stop her. She just kept going, even in the face of danger.”

Monroe said the movie was important on both a theological and an educational level.

“In a world that is so polarizing and fractured, where you have so much adversity, this can be a real opportunity to reflect,” Monroe said. “How can we learn from the challenges that Mother Cabrini experienced to strengthen and enhance what we are trying to do in our diocese? Especially in a diocese with so many different demographics, how can we support them and bring them together, all through the lens of our faith?”

— Lisa M. Geraci 

Who was Mother Cabrini?

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be a canonized, is known as the patron saint of immigrants.

Refused admission to the religious order which had educated her to be a teacher, she began charitable work at the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadogno, Italy. In September 1877, she made her vows there. When the bishop closed the orphanage in 1880, he named Frances prioress of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. Seven young women from the orphanage joined her.

Since her childhood in Italy, she had wanted to be a missionary in China but, at the urging of Pope Leo XIII, Frances went west instead of east. She traveled with six sisters to New York City in 1889 to work with the thousands of Italian immigrants living there.

She provided the poorest of the poor Italian immigrants of New York with food, shelter, education and health services. By the 1890s, she established services in Chicago, also erecting several hospitals. She expanded those services to all immigrants across the country and around the world.

By the time of her death in 1917, at age 67, the naturalized American citizen had established 67 education, health and social service institutions throughout the world.
The route of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage – which will come through the Diocese of Charlotte – is named after the saint.

— OSV News and Catholic News Herald

— Photo provided by St. Gabriel School

The support was made possible through the charitable legacy of Vic Nussbaum Jr., a former Greensboro mayor and long-time member of St. Pius X Parish.

“At Our Lady of Grace, this endowment is more than financial assistance; it is tangible support of our belief that every child deserves to be formed in truth, beauty and goodness,” said Principal Catherine Rusch. “It allows families to say yes to Catholic education and strengthens our mission to shape virtuous leaders and faithful disciples within our Panther family.”

The late Nussbaum – a self-proclaimed “Catholic Yankee in Dixie” who became one of Greensboro’s biggest boosters and its mayor for three terms, from 1987 to 1993 – was focused on expanding libraries, providing low-income housing and improving the quality of public education.

He was a devout Catholic, attending Mass every day at 6 a.m., and was a friend to the downtrodden, said Jim Melvin, who was mayor when Nussbaum was first elected to the Greensboro City Council in 1973.
Nussbaum attended Our Lady of Grace Church and sent his children to Our Lady of Grace School, and after a cross-town move later was active at St. Pius X Church. He believed Catholic schools not only provide a great education but are crucial to carrying on the faith.

Across the diocese, donors like Nussbaum have given one-time gifts of cash or stock, pledged to capital campaigns or projects, or left gifts in their estate plans. Such gifts have benefited parishes, Catholic schools, the diocese, the diocese’s foundation and St. Joseph College Seminary.

“We receive gifts of every amount, and all of them make a difference,” said Jim Kelley, diocesan development director. “There have been some individuals with significant resources who have had so much confidence in the Church’s leadership and commitment to their faith that they have given $1 million or more. I invite others to be part of our mission in this kind of significant way to help build up the Church across western North Carolina. Gifts given to establish endowments in particular help change people’s lives because they keep on growing and providing returns year after year.”

As Rusch noted, “In my eighth year as principal, I can see that the beauty of an endowment is its lasting impact. A single investment continues to bear fruit year after year, ensuring that students are able to receive an authentic Catholic education at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School.”

— Courtney McLaughlin

Fund an endowment

Interested in setting up – or adding to – an endowment to benefit your parish or Catholic school? You can establish an endowment in the Diocese of Charlotte Foundation by leaving a bequest in a will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a trust or annuity, or a gift of real estate, life insurance, cash or securities.

For details, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.

Holy Trinity Middle School football player Carter Russell scored a touchdown during the team’s game against Weddington Middle. Coaches, teammates and referees worked together to make the player’s dream come true. (Photos submitted)CHARLOTTE — The Bulldogs from Holy Trinity Middle School were playing football against the Weddington Middle Wildcats Sept. 27, and things weren’t going well for the Bulldogs. As halftime approached, they hadn’t scored.

But moments before the whistle blew, the team ran one more play. The quarterback handed Carter Russell, number 58, the ball and he ran it five yards into the end zone. His team cheered, chanted his name and lifted him on their shoulders.

That wasn’t an ordinary touchdown. It was a dream come true for the Holy Trinity sixth-grader – made possible by his coaches and fellow players.

Carter, 11, is a student in Holy Trinity’s Options Program for children with special needs. He was born with a rare medical condition that impacts nearly every part of his body and causes continual health issues. He also is physically smaller than most of his peers.

Carter is also a huge football fan. He cheers for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Cincinnati Bengals.

But Carter wanted to do more than just watch football. He wanted to play.

Both his parents and doctors were hesitant. But Carter persisted.

“We spent months trying to convince him not to join the team, talked through all the dangers and risks, but he had his own opinion,” says his mother, Michelle Russell. “When he found that anybody who wanted to be on the sixth-grade team could be on it, he assumed that meant him.”

Despite his challenges, Holy Trinity’s coaches said they wanted him on the team. Carter’s fellow players supported him from the moment he put on a uniform and stepped on the practice field.

“Carter makes you realize the true meaning of why you’re out there to coach,” says Ed Doughty, Holy Trinity’s head football coach. “In his case, with the magnitude of the medical battles he faces on a regular basis, it’s just so inspiring to see his level of dedication to the sport of football. He lifts up the entire team.”

One of Carter’s biggest supporters is Assistant Coach Ryan Arends, who appreciates his determination to play.

“We do our best in practice to make sure we give him a real experience, but we also make sure other kids don’t hit him at full speed,” Arends says. “It’s incredible to see the support the other players give him. He’s got 55 brothers that protect him like you would not believe. He’s just an incredible spirit. He always listens and has a smile on his face. God was showing off when He made Carter.”

It was Arends who came up with the idea to give Carter a touchdown opportunity.

When the coaches arrived at the Weddington game, Arends told Doughty and then coordinated with the Weddington team’s coaches and referees. Carter’s teammates and the Weddington players were excited. Everyone was on board.

Right before halftime, the referees threw a flag and said there would be one more play. The teams lined up, and Carter was handed the ball. He cradled the ball to his chest like a pro, ran it into the end zone and did a quick victory dance. The players chanted his name and lifted him on their shoulders. Weddington ultimately won the game, 32-0, since Carter’s touchdown wasn’t scored, but the final result didn’t matter. It was Carter’s play that everyone remembers.

“It was perfect the way it unfolded,” Arends says.

Michelle Russell happened to be the only person from her family in the stands because her husband, Michael, was with the couple’s two daughters, who also had games that day. She was overwhelmed by the reaction.

“Other parents who have known Carter since he was little were cheering for him,” she says. “One of the moms was sprinting down the field to get pictures and videos, sprinting full force to not miss the moment. I called my husband, and he was in tears when he heard what happened.”

She can’t thank the Holy Trinity coaches enough for what they’ve given her son.

“This whole season they’ve gone above and beyond to make the team such a supportive, inclusive environment, and then they go out of their way to coordinate a moment like the touchdown,” she says. “It’s so special that they gave him an experience like that. A lot of people don’t realize how much that lifts someone up, to give them a memory like that.”

After the hugs and the cheers, Carter described the experience with simply, “It was all I ever wanted.”

— Christina Lee Knauss

Talley, who promised students “a holistic education strong both in academics and in building faith and morals,” was formally inaugurated during a Vespers of the Holy Spirit service in the Basilica of Mary, Help of Christians. The service was celebrated by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of the college. Earlier in the day, Talley met with faculty and staff at a special luncheon.

Many of the pews at the basilica were filled with faculty members dressed in their academic robes. Some seminarians studying at the college while in formation for priesthood in the Diocese of Charlotte also attended, along with many others from around the diocese.

Talley offered a Profession of Faith and took an Oath of Fidelity during the service, a gesture that tied together his role as leader of a college known for combining academics with a commitment to strong Catholic faith and values.

“I’m just very grateful to be here, working with all of the people here, and so happy to be part of this wonderful community,” Talley said during a reception held afterward in The Haid theater building. “This is a great school with a great mission.”

Talley was selected after a seven-month search that started when Dr. Bill Thierfelder announced his retirement in early 2025 after 20 years as president. Under Thierfelder’s leadership, the college more than tripled undergraduate enrollment, expanded academic programs, opened five new residence halls, enhanced campus facilities, launched and carried out an unprecedented $150 million capital campaign, reinvigorated the college’s Catholic identity, and strengthened community partnerships. 

Talley’s background combines experience in the academic and business worlds with a decorated 34-year active and reserve military career, culminating in his appointment as the 32nd Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command. He has received three Bronze Stars, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, and the Gold de Fleury Medal, which is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ highest individual honor. Talley has also been a Benedictine oblate for nearly 40 years.

He has taught, conducted research, and offered academic leadership at the University of Notre Dame, Southern Methodist University, Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University and the University of Southern California.

Abbot Placid said he looks forward to seeing how Talley guides the college into the future.

“Dr. Talley brings to us the right combination of skills we need to build on the legacy left by Dr. Thierfelder,” he said. “He’s very solid in his faith and as a retired general he’s well versed in leadership. He has the training to take on a mission and make it effective. As a Benedictine oblate, he also has a real love for the mission of the college.”
Talley formally stepped into his new role on Jan. 2 and immediately focused on one of his priorities – hearing from the college community. He’s been involved in more than 20 listening sessions with Belmont Abbey College students, discovering what they like about their college experience and taking suggestions on things to be changed or added.

“I’m very much in a listening mode,” Talley said. “I want to find out what we can do to help students continue to have a great experience here and also ways we can make the campus more fun. I want this to be a college where students receive a holistic education strong both in academics and in building faith and morals, where we also teach students not what to think but how to think, so they will be prepared to become leaders.”

Talley is planning a statewide and national tour to connect with alumni, donors and community partners.

— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull

Related: Belmont Abbey College names retired general and Oblate as new president

Families with students enrolled or wanting to enroll in any of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 20 Catholic schools qualify regardless of income and are strongly encouraged to apply.

“It has definitely provided more opportunity across our diocese for a lot of our parents who have wanted to have the ability to come to our schools,” Superintendent Dr. Greg Monroe said. “It has also allowed a lot of our families to put money they used to have to go towards tuition to other essentials. So, it is improving the quality of life by freeing up $2,000, $3,000 or $6,000.”

The priority deadline for new applications is Monday, March 2. Renewal applications for students previously funded under the school voucher program are being updated in the North Carolina Education Assistance Authority’s (NCSEAA) “MyPortal” at the end of January. Parents have until Thursday, April 16, to renew their existing vouchers.

During the 2025-2026 year, Opportunity Scholarships provided a total of $14,896,201 in funding thus far for Diocese of Charlotte Schools, helping families at all income levels with significant financial assistance toward school tuition and fees for grades K-12. Statewide so far, 104,599 reported private school students throughout the state received a total of $291.8 million.

“Still, there are families out there that don’t know that this is an option,” Monroe said. “New families have probably heard about it, but there are some families already in the system who have yet to apply.”

New application awards are on a first-come, first-served basis, with special priority for those on the lowest income bracket (Tier 1). Then they trickle down to Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4 until all funds are eventually exhausted. Officials emphasize the earlier the application is received, the more likely it is to be funded.

Awards range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000, with income thresholds on each of the four tiers differing depending upon family size. They are expected to stay on par with the 2025-2026 amounts. Monroe noted the tiered system fosters diversity.

“The tiered system makes sure that that money goes to the people that need it the most,” Monroe said. “And the byproduct is, folks are coming in from a socioeconomic place where they have not been able to attend our schools in the past. It just further leads to the idea of Catholic schools being universally open to all kids.”

While enrollment numbers remained stable across the diocese, Monroe wants to make sure all families are able to benefit through the program.
Some obstacles, contributing to lack of funding are parents unaware they qualify for the program, difficulty with the NCSEAA portal, and missing the March deadline, Monroe said
Monroe attributes the decline to parents unaware they qualify for the program, difficulty with the NCSEAA portal, and missing the March deadline.
If parents need language assistance with the portal, the schools and Catholic Schools Office are committed to helping.
“For some of our non-English speaking families, we sit down with them and help them fill out the application on the portal because it is somewhat challenging,” Monroe said. “I suggest they work with us directly through the school, the billing office, or the Catholic Schools office.
Monroe reported that all families needing further assistance were fully funded using Catholic Diocese aid.
“Before Opportunity Scholarship, we were not able to meet the full amount of aid that was required by our families that wanted to come to our schools,” Monroe said. “Now we are able to meet 100% of aid because of the Opportunity Scholarship.”
However, to receive further tuition assistance through the diocese, it is essential to apply for opportunity scholarships first.

— Lisa M. Geraci

More online

At www.k12.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship/how-to-apply: Learn more and apply online. A companion program, the Education Student Account Scholarship (ESA+), has the same application window and provides financial assistance for private school and homeschool tuition for students with special needs.

Enrollment open for 2026-2027 school year

CHARLOTTE — With most of the Diocese of Charlotte’s 20 schools at or near capacity, now is the time to apply for the 2026-2027 school year.

The deadline for new families to apply for Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools grades 1-12 is Feb. 28, but students should apply by Feb. 6 for ABC test scores to be returned by the deadline. Priority admission in pre-kindergarten, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten is set for Jan. 31.

Once the priority admission round ends, applications will be considered on a rolling, space-available basis – with priority given to siblings of current and former students, children of alumni and employees, and registered parishioners. Some classes fill up quickly, so new families are encouraged to register early and get on a waiting list if their preferred school’s classes are full.

Deadlines for schools outside the Charlotte area vary but are also approaching; check your desired school’s website for specific deadlines.

• At www.discovermacs.org/admissions/apply-now: Learn more about enrolling in MACS schools.
• At www.charlottediocese.org/schools: Learn more about the Diocese of Charlotte’s 20 Catholic schools, their mission and their leadership.

Those were just a few of the words that challenged 12 students from across the Diocese of Charlotte who took to the stage for more than 20 rounds at the annual Diocesan Spelling Bee on Jan. 22.

The event is open to fourth- through eighth-graders who win first at the school level, and it serves as the unofficial kickoff to Catholic Schools Week, which begins Jan. 25.

Students study words from a specific list in preparation for the bee and are eliminated from competition once they misspell one. During the competition, they have the option of asking the moderators for the definition and origin of the words they are given.

Competitors faced a wide variety of words, ranging from “squabble,” “deployment” and “isolation” to “bodega,” “leviathan” and “minestra” (a kind of Italian soup).

Two seventh-graders, Gus Blankenbaker from St. Mark School in Huntersville and Peyton Hill from St. Pius X School in Greensboro, battled 15 rounds to see who would come out on top.

Hill ended up winning the day by spelling “dissolution” correctly.

Her victory came after a little over two weeks of studying the list of words she received after winning her school’s bee on Jan. 8.

“I’d work on it in my free time,” she said. “It was challenging because I also had Irish dance, horseback riding and basketball, but I practiced whenever I had the time.”

Along with all those other activities, Peyton also said she is a voracious reader.

Even after all the preparation she did, she was still happy and surprised at her victory.

“It feels very awesome to win this,” she said. “It’s exhilarating because I thought I would go out in the first round.”

Her parents Morgan and Sandy Hill of Greensboro were beaming at the end of the bee. Mr. Hill said his daughter had been working toward this victory for several years after first competing in spelling competitions when she was in the fifth grade.

“It’s just a proud moment to see her win,” he said.

Peyton will stay in the spelling spotlight for a while longer. With her win, she earned the chance to participate in an upcoming spelling bee sponsored by the Carolina Panthers. Two online competitions will be held – one in North Carolina, the other in South Carolina – and the victors of each will meet in a head-to-head championship in Charlotte. The winner of that bee will earn a trip to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., in May.

Other participants in the bee were:

• Bella Coleman from Sacred Heart School in Salisbury
• Frank Gareis from St. Michael School in Gastonia
• J.P. Hammond of Our Lady of Grace School in Greensboro
• Annabelle Hillard from Holy Trinity Middle School in Charlotte
• Emmie Huntley of St. Gabriel School in Charlotte
• Eliana Lieberman of St. Matthew School in Charlotte
• Layla Murrell of Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem
• Anthony Owens from St. Ann School in Charlotte
• Pete Stewart of St. Patrick School in Charlotte
• Valentina Zamora from St. Leo School in Winston-Salem

At the end of the bee, the diocese’s superintendent of schools, Dr. Greg Monroe, thanked the parents for helping their students reach the spelling bee.

“We couldn’t do what we do in and out of the classroom without your support,” he said.

— Story and photos by Christina Lee Knauss

This year’s Catholic Schools Week theme is “United in Faith and Community,” and it runs from Sunday, Jan. 25, to Saturday, Jan. 31. With 8,288 students enrolled in 20 schools spanning the diocese from the mountains to the Piedmont, there will be lots of cherished moments where faith, fun and education converge.

Catholic schools across the nation have participated in this week-long celebration since 1974, joining together as one united Catholic school community to spread a message of unity and hope.

“Catholic Schools Week celebrates the gift of a Catholic education and the people who make it possible. It gives us a chance to thank our students, families, faculty and clergy for the mission we share,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, the diocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools.

Here are some highlights of the week: 

Mass at St. Mark School

After several days of weather-related closings, Catholic Schools Week got off to a celebratory start across the diocese. In Huntersville, Monsignor Patrick Winslow celebrated Mass with the St. Mark school community. A parent reception in the Kerin Center followed. (Photos by Amy Milano) 

Sandwich making at St. Patrick School 

Laughter and enthusiastic shouts of “bread, bread, bread!” filled the cafeteria as second- and fourth-grade students at St. Patrick School in Charlotte made lunches for Operation Sandwich in support of Roof Above. After two days of weather-related closings, the students gathered to complete their Catholic Schools Week project. When the last sandwich was made, students, staff and volunteers paused to offer a blessing for all the meals prepared and for those who will receive them. (Photos by Troy C. Hull) 

 

 

Guest DJ at Holy Trinity 

Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic schools, got the Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School talent show off to a rocking start as guest DJ. (Photos by Troy C. Hull) 

 

Special visitors at St. Matthew School

Students at St. Matthew got a special visitor in carpool line Friday morning – Chubby the mascot from the Charlotte Checkers AHL hockey team was there with wintry greetings.

Later that day, the St. Matthew community got another surprise visitor as former Principal Kevin O’Herron came back to play in the staff vs. students volleyball match.

 

Students, staff compete at Charlotte Catholic High School

Students and staff clashed on the basketball court to end Catholic Schools Week at Charlotte Catholic High School. 

Christ the King High School’s wrestling team went from one parent’s dream two years ago to a program that is thriving thanks to parent volunteers and the dedication of student athletes. (Nicole Seeling)

During this winter 2025-2026 season, the team had a lot of firsts. They hosted their first home match, wrestled on their first competitive mat, and will battle it out for the first time in the 2A division state duals on Feb. 4 at Avery County High School.

“Right now, it is all about the little goals, like not getting pinned in a match or making it through the first period,” head coach Joseph Aiello said. “Stepping out on a mat one-on-one against another young man is a hard thing to do, and it takes a lot of courage.”

Aiello is proud of how the young team doesn’t shy away from a challenge, even when the odds are not in their favor.

“A lot of kids go through life never putting themselves in a position to really get beat. Most wrestlers lose, so it is a sport that’s very humbling,” Aiello said. “It is for the tenacious. For those who can persevere, it is less about being an athlete and more about putting in the effort.”

Team members have been pulling their weight, training, lifting, and practicing technique for two hours a day, five to six days a week. During the off-season, they trained and attended camp at Appalachian State University in Boone.

“It is a sport that is largely about experience and mat time, so we are doing our best trying to catch up, because these kids at CTK are all basically brand new and competing against some kids that maybe have been wrestling since the first grade,” Aiello said.

For Aiello, witnessing the growth of his players is inspiring, particularly since he didn’t set out to be a coach.

When touring CTK as a possible place to send his son, Hank, the school hit all the marks. A Catholic education with spiritual direction and academic excellence was everything he and his wife wanted – well, almost everything.

“The only problem with CTK was there was no wrestling team, and I just knew it was such a great sport for Hank,” Aiello recalled.

Aiello approached Assistant Principal Dr. Brian Keenan and asked if they ever considered adding a wrestling team.

The administrative team had been discussing the possibility but had no mat, no supplies, no money, and no coach.

“I just thought I could help maybe raise some money for the mats once it was started, but time kept getting closer and closer to school starting, and by freshman orientation, we still didn’t know if there was even going to be a team,” said Aiello.

His wife asked the critical question at orientation, “Are we going to have a wrestling team?”

“That’s when I kind of became head coach out of default,” Aiello said. “I have never coached before, but I was motivated to do it, not just for my own son but for all these boys.”

He gathered a collection of fathers to help, including Justin Ewing, Robert Yates, Pete Tomos and team manager Amor Comatcho. He then recruited his old wrestling buddies, Rusty Lee and Zack Nellas.

“Every one of us has benefitted from the sport of wrestling, and I think that’s why we are all doing it. It is a way of giving back,” Aiello said. “They brought a whole breadth of technical experience and knowledge.”

Last season, the new team received a $1,900 donation to purchase some very used practice mats, but the coaches knew a competition mat, which cost about $10,000, was the goal.

“Eventually, we had one donor who donated $5,000. As a group, we raised another $5000 for the mat. Part of that was from some of the guys giving back their stipend,” Aiello said. “We just had our first-ever home competition this season, and that never would have happened without our own mat.”

They won both home matches and with a 10 -18 record thus far, the young team keeps fighting.

As Aiello explained, “Dan Gable, pro wrestler, said, ‘Once you wrestle, everything else in life is easy.’ In my life personally, there was no more difficult day than I had on the wrestling mat.

Practices can be hard. Mentally, it can all be tough. In the end, it is just you out there. But…you truly get what you put in.”

— Lisa M. Geraci

The campaign, called “Grounded in Tradition, Focused on the Future” seeks to raise $8.5 million for several large projects to enhance student life at the school, including upgrading the existing athletic field and sideline from grass to a premium artificial turf, renovating the media center into a multi-faceted student life center, creating the “CTE Innovation Center” with space for engineering and technology classes, and building a multi-functional fieldhouse.

The total cost for the entire project is expected to reach $10.5 million, including a $2 million contribution from the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools (MACS) Capital Fee.
Phase one of the project, which includes the new artificial turf, media center renovations and renovating the CTE building, is expected to cost $6.8 million. Phase two, construction of the field house, is estimated at $3.7 million.

The campaign was slated to formally launch Feb. 6 with a pep rally at the school.

The campaign will run through June 30, but work will begin on putting artificial turf on the school’s existing athletic field as soon as the school year ends in late May. The turf will expand daily access to the field by the school’s teams, as well as the marching band and cheerleading and dance squads. It will also improve safety by providing consistent footing and better shock absorption.

The new field will also reduce the need for Charlotte Catholic teams to travel off campus for practice, a move that would save money on rental fees.

“Having an artificial turf field will allow more teams to stay on campus both to practice and play games,” said Kurt Telford, head of school at CCHS. “With the grass field we currently have, we can’t practice there because it would cause too much wear and tear. The turf field won’t completely solve the issue of having to leave campus, but it will put a dent in the number of students who have to travel.”

In the next phase of renovations, the existing library will be transformed into a contemporary student life center featuring advanced technology, modern moveable furniture, new flooring, lighting and ceilings, a modernized computer lab, flexible meeting rooms and other spaces that can be used for a wide variety of activities.

“We want to transform the library into space that’s more up-to-date and in tune with the 21st century,” Telford said.

The next phase of the campaign will transform a small office building adjacent to the campus recently purchased by MACS into the CTE Innovation Center, which will support classes in engineering, robotics and other technologies. The building will include specialized learning labs, classrooms and makerspaces, outdoor project and work areas and flexible gathering spaces.

“The future is really the use of technology, and this building will enable our students to expand their experiences in technology and also enhance collaboration between students,” Telford said.

Finally, the new field house and flexible space complex will be designed to offer a multi-purpose hub that will include areas for sports performance, recovery and athletic training, dedicated spaces for health and wellness education and team meetings, and a flexible space with movable walls that can easily be transformed from classrooms during the day to larger spaces for after-school activities. The space will also include an integrated concession stand and space for stadium operations facilities.

“This will be a space that won’t be just limited to use by student athletes, but create more flexible space on campus that can be used in a variety of ways by all students,” Telford said.
Mercy Sister Paulette Williams, who served as principal at the school from 1980 to 2000, serves as the honorary chairperson for the campaign committee and said she was excited to be involved because of her ongoing love of the school.

“I’ve been involved in other ministries in the past 25 years, but my heart belongs to Charlotte Catholic,” she said. “This campaign will allow the school to keep up with the needs and desires of the students and will enhance their lives. It’s important to take this next big step to help the students there live out their dreams. These are all necessary improvements, and I think it’s important that we continue to progress so we can provide the best for the students.”

— Christina Lee Knauss

This was the first time in Athletic Director and girls’ basketball coach Kristin Shelton’s 26-year tenure that all four teams captured conference titles.

Principal Antonette Aguilera and Father Christian Cook celebrated the wins with a winter parade.

Cheerleaders, mascots and, of course, the teams did a cold but proud victory lap around Dejoy Circle.

Afterward, students enjoyed some refreshments in the gym and basked in the sweet warmth of a quadruple victory.

— Photos by MaryAnn Luedtke

After delays caused by winter storms, the Immaculata Catholic School community came together to walk through its history in a presentation put together by students. (Provided and Troy C. Hull | Catholic News Herald)

“A Walk Through Time” offered visitors a chance to walk from classroom to classroom, where students talked about the most significant events that happened during the decade assigned to their grade. Other students explained the significance of special school artifacts.

“It was a pretty amazing event and a once in a lifetime event to celebrate our 100th anniversary,” said Principal Margaret Beale. “We’ve been working on this for close to a year, and a lot of people dedicated a lot of their time to this. It’s an honor to be able to share the story of Immaculata and to be part of that story.”

The experience meant a lot to student participants like eighth-grader Natalia Corona Montiel.

“What I love most about Immaculata are my teachers and my classmates,” she said, underscoring how much she will miss the tight-knit faith community when she begins high school in the fall.

After being rescheduled by back-to-back ice and snow storms at the end of January, two walks took place on Feb. 12, with about 50 people attending the daytime event and more than 100 turning out for the evening walk. Dr. Greg Monroe, diocesan superintendent of schools, was on hand. The trek took about 45 minutes to complete.

As visitor Joanne Savage said, “The tour was wonderful. My husband and I have been supporters of the school for years and years.”

Beale said a large team of volunteers worked behind the scenes to put the event together, including one person who spent six months going through the school’s archives and separating material by decade.

Another “Walk Through Time” will be held at 1 p.m. May 8. The school will continue to commemorate its centennial throughout this year, including a special celebration for alumni at Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Immaculata School was launched in 1926 by Father James Manley, who was pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish at the time. He received permission from Bishop William Hafey of Raleigh to turn the existing rectory into a school. With the help of a parishioner, he made arrangements for three sisters whose motherhouse was in France to come to Hendersonville and begin the school. By 1927, there were 16 students. Father Paul Termer, pastor at Immaculate Conception in 1927, saw the need for a larger school and arranged for the purchase of a large brick home known as the Keith Estate on Oakland Street to house the new school. Additional land was purchased in the early 1960s behind what was known as Allworden Estate and plans for a new school were launched. The school moved to its current location in 1961.

A series of renovations and expansions have taken place over the years. In 2024, the school served as a crucial supply hub for survivors of Tropical Storm Helene. The school has an enrollment of 174 students in pre-kindergarten through the eighth grade.

 — Christina Lee Knauss

On Feb. 25, Bishop McGuinness High School hosted 170 students from its five feeder schools, St. Leo the Great and Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem, Immaculate Heart of Mary in High Point, and Our Lady of Grace and St. Pius X in Greensboro, for a MUN Conference centered around making the Milan Olympics more environmentally friendly.

MUN is a simulation in which students role-play as diplomats from different countries to solve global issues through research, debate and building consensus to pass resolutions.

From carpools to recyclable cups to solar panels, delegates representing countries from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Colombia argued their stance on how to transform the Olympic venue into a cleaner, greener and more environmentally sustainable arena – and then were thrown for a loop.

“An hour in, my guys developed a crisis – all the snow melted. They were now using artificial snow. That snow created an environmental hazard. What should be done?” said history chair and MUN facilitator David Seidel. “This is all to see how fast they are able to react with problem solving.”

The crisis introduction is a critical moment when delegates must pivot and use their research for on-the-spot strategy planning. 

While the delegates hashed out whether to ship in ice from abroad or move to an indoor venue, a panel of three student leaders, called the “Dais”, mediated the organized chaos.

As senior Adam O’Connell said, “I love this because I love public speaking, monologuing and saying things dramatically. This is my last Model UN, and I’m super proud of these middle school students. This is one of the most engaging rooms I have ever seen.” 

Principal Claire Willis was impressed that her students adapted so effectively.

“We should do this more often. They are really doing such a good job with it,” Willis smiled. “Maybe let them have a little more control every once in a while and see where they take it.” 

By the end of the day, Milan remained unchanged, but the teachers, administration and graduating seniors left reassured that, thanks to their Catholic education, the future looks pretty bright and green in the next generation's hands. 

—  Lisa M. Geraci, photos by Julia Fergus and Crystal Glover

The annual event brings together officials to share experiences and talk through challenges. Among the topics they discussed at the Diocesan Pastoral Center and St. Patrick Family Life Center (where they were greeted by students) were principal support and development, tuition and scholarships, teacher evaluations and social media. 

The group made time for fun as well, visiting iconic Queen City locations like Charlotte Motor Speedway, Amelie’s, the Billy Graham Library and the Sullenberger Aviation Museum.

— Photos by Siobhan Whipp

Monroe, who also serves as an advisor to the president of the National Catholic Educational Association, described the experience as humbling and inspiring.

“It was an honor to represent American Catholic education as part of the U.S. delegation to the Jubilee of the World of Education in Rome,” he shared. “We were also fortunate to share with Vatican leadership the issues affecting Catholic education in the United States, as well as offer advice on global topics shaping the future of our schools. These included the role of AI and technology in the classroom, the safeguarding of Catholic identity, the impact of immigration, and demographic trends affecting enrollment and access.”

The U.S. delegates met with Vatican leaders from the Pontifical Association, Scholas Occurrentes, and the Dicastery for Culture and Education to discuss challenges and opportunities facing Catholic schools across the globe. They visited institutions such as the Teutonico College and the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum), and spent time at the Pontifical Gregorian University examining foundational texts of Catholic education.

One of the most significant moments of the pilgrimage was attending the papal Mass on the Solemnity of All Saints, where the Holy Father declared St. John Henry Newman the 38th Doctor of the Church and named him a co-patron of Catholic education.

Monroe said the pilgrimage was a deep affirmation of the Church’s enduring investment in Catholic education and a powerful reminder of the global mission shared by educators. “To pray at the tomb of St. Peter, walk through the Holy Doors, and stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow educators from around the world was a true gift, and a commissioning. Our ministry is essential to the future of the Church,” he said.

— Diocese of Charlotte Catholic Schools

Bishop Michael Martin signs one of his Christmas cards, featuring artwork designed by contest winner Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity Catholic School. Artwork from Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader from Holy Trinity, graces the Catholic Schools Office Christmas card. The winners are being surprised with the news this week. (Photos provided and by Brian M. Segovia | Catholic News Herald)

The bishop’s traditional annual competition resumed this year after a five-year hiatus. Beginning in October and going through Nov. 4, the diocese received about 200 entries.

Judging the contest for the very first time, Bishop Martin had a tough time choosing a winner.

Ultimately, he decided on the abstract watercolor painted by Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity School, because “it was a depiction of both the Nativity and the Cross.”

Dawson will receive a certificate and $50 VISA gift card. The Christmas cards will be sent to more than 500 of the bishop’s family, friends and colleagues. The inside message is, “May you see the joy of Jesus in your family and His hopeful promise in whatever cross you may bear.”

Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools, handpicked the second-place winner, Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader also from Holy Trinity School, who will receive a $25 VISA gift card.

Her colored pencil drawing reads “Merry Christmas,” with two angels holding a banner above the Nativity, proclaiming, “Glory to the newborn King.” The Catholic Schools Office (CSO) will send her card to parishes, school departments, community partners and principals across the diocese.

Elizabeth Sie, an eighth grader also from Holy Trinity School, recieved recognition for her card design.

“With so many extremely talented student artists across our 20 schools, it was very difficult to choose a single winner,” Monroe said.

“In the end, the way the beautiful imagery, thoughtful use of negative space and bright yet reverent color palette in this card came together in a unique way to draw our eyes to the birth of the Christ child,” he said.

The inside of the CSO Christmas card will also feature small images of the honorable mentions: Immaculate Heart of Mary seventh grader An Le’s painting of a stained-glass window with the

Nativity scene and Angel Gabriel in the background, and the crayon portrayal of the Nativity designed by fifth-grader Caroline Henrich from St. Gabriel.

The inside message reads, “Believe in the Miracle of Christmas,” with a verse from Luke’s Gospel, “The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.’”

— Lisa M. Geraci

Isabella Dawson, a seventh grader from Holy Trinity School, recieved recognition for her winning card design.

CHARLOTTE — To strengthen school safety, Catholic Schools across the Diocese of Charlotte are adopting a uniform approach to security, including the presence of officers, beginning in January.

The diocese will expand staff training, safety protocols, and the use of armed security officers to all diocesan and parochial schools “to provide a consistent and professional security presence of experienced officers who are trained in de-escalation, emergency response and student protection,” Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., said in a Dec. 19 letter to parish and school officials.

“We’re always trying to raise the standards and be a leader when it comes to protecting the children in our schools,” said Dr. Greg Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools.

The new measures build upon safety measures the Catholic Schools Office put in place following a comprehensive security assessment of all schools in 2018 that involved parents, principals and security experts. That assessment led to a variety of security enhancements, including a partnership in 2022 with Praelio LLC, a Virginia-based security and risk management firm, to place armed security officers at the nine Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools.

The latest effort expands Praelio’s services to the 10 parish-based schools outside the MACS system.

Supported by an array of security measures – including cameras and other technology – security officers will provide a consistent presence throughout school buildings and grounds, during the school day as well as before and after hours. Officers are trained to collaborate with school officials, de-escalate situations, and act decisively to keep kids safe.

“We’ve had a great relationship with Praelio and we look forward to our continued partnership with them,” said Dan Ward, the diocese’s properties and risk management director. “Their officers bring a high level of professionalism to their work.”

Praelio’s officers are veteran security personnel, and many have backgrounds in the military and law enforcement.

They receive specialized preparation for school environments, and each officer is trained in school-based threat assessment, adolescent behavior, trauma response and effective communication, Ward said.

Praelio also provides training to school staff in emergency preparedness, first aid and crisis response, and it will perform security evaluations of all school campuses.

Monroe said the expanded security measures come in response to requests from parents, principals and faculty ­– particularly in the wake of a deadly shooting at a Catholic school Mass in Minneapolis last August.

To fund the new security measures, school officials expect to charge an annual security fee of $260 per student starting in 2026.

“In order to make this a reality, we’re asking for an investment from all of our parents across the entire diocese,” Monroe said.

The diocese will work closely with schools to help them implement the new security program, including transitioning out of any existing security agreements they might have.

“The mission of Catholic education depends upon safe and secure learning environments where faith, academics and formation can flourish,” Bishop Martin wrote in his Dec. 19 letter to principals. “This unified initiative reflects our shared responsibility to safeguard our students, support our staff and strengthen trust with our families.”

— Christina Lee Knauss