Saints John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School in South Philadelphia is set to inaugurate its new John M. Connolly Center for Business and Entrepreneurship with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The center, named after John Connolly, a 1970 alumnus of Bishop Neumann Catholic High School, aims to provide students with practical tools, an entrepreneurial mindset, and leadership opportunities. It will also host community seminars and events.

The ceremony will include school leaders, representatives from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education, board members, students, and staff. Mr. Connolly will give remarks at the event, while Reverend Richard J. Antonucci, O. Praem, will offer a blessing before the ribbon cutting.

The dedication is scheduled for Wednesday, June 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the high school located at 1736 South 10th Street in Philadelphia. Entertainment will feature performances by the student band and cheerleading team as well as a Mummer’s Brigade.

In July 2024, the school received an initial gift of $350,000 from John M. Connolly and his wife Kathy Robinson Connolly—$300,000 was allocated for creating the center while $50,000 funded a scholarship honoring his sister Sara Connolly Canuso and brother-in-law Vito. The couple later contributed an additional $150,000 for scholarships and other uses totaling their donation to $500,000—the largest in the school's history.

John Connolly is the Founder and Managing Director of Eaglehead Capital based in Boston and serves as Lead Senior Advisor to Goldman Sachs Growth Group.

Saints Neumann Goretti Catholic High School was established in 2004 through merging predecessor schools including Saint Maria Goretti for Girls and Southeast Catholic among others. It maintains a tradition of over 90 years of Catholic education in South Philadelphia serving a diverse student body grounded in core values of compassion, courage, and commitment.

For more information on Saints Neumann and Goretti High School visit neumanngorettihs.org/.