Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

More than 1,200 educators from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando gathered on August 6 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe to mark the beginning of the school year with a Mass and prayers.

Superintendent Erika Wikstrom addressed those present, expressing gratitude for their commitment. She described their work as a “sacred mission of Catholic education, not just as a job, but as a vocation.”

Wikstrom outlined five pillars intended to support staff and students: wisdom through informed decision-making; leadership by investing in growing leaders; accountability focused on holiness and excellence; service by accompanying school communities; and unity through collaboration across regions.

“We are rooted in the reality that we are forming children for both Harvard and heaven,” Wikstrom said.

During this Jubilee Year of Hope, educators shared how they plan to communicate hope within their schools. Anthony Gutierrez, principal at Holy Redeemer School in Kissimmee, said he is “coming at it from a servant’s heart.” He added, “We see in Mark 10, the Lord served, and He did that first before He served himself. At our school, we want to make sure that we’re bringing the light of Christ to our students and putting our families and their students first.”

Jeanne Morgan, who has taught for more than four decades and has been at Holy Redeemer for over ten years, spoke about her outlook: “hope and joy knowing that Jesus is our Lord, knowing that the Holy Family is with us, and that the Holy Trinity and the faith are going to be so important in their lives.” She noted her second-grade students will receive Sacraments this year. For her, preparing them “into every single part of the day” is central to what distinguishes Catholic education.

Kaitlyn Loso from St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Winter Park emphasized hope during challenging times. “Just reminding them that even if the world may feel like it’s full of chaos or even maybe little scary at times, we can always count on our Catholic faith to be reminded of the beautiful virtues God has given us,” she said. “We are journeying through this life together as a community, with our heavenly friends, our saints who are going to guide us to hopefully reach heaven and become saints ourselves.”

Meaghan VandenBosch, principal at St. Joseph School in Palm Bay stated: “it’s more than just your mind and your body. It’s also about your soul.” She added: “We are forming disciples, and it is more than just educating. We get to instill Catholic education into everything that we do.”

Michelle Watkins from Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach reflected on her role: “We are reminded that we are on a journey with our students and we are walking that journey with them towards faith and hope and heaven.”

Nick Pavgouzas, principal at Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando highlighted high school as an influential period for spiritual development: “They’re really learning how to be independent in their spiritual life, so it’s up to us to show them that their spiritual walk is something of hope that they can carry throughout their lives, not something that’s burdensome or intimidating,” he said. “This relationship they’re building with Christ is something that is hope. It’s love. It’s joy.”

Teacher-of-the-year awards were presented during Mass for each grade level along with recognition for service projects completed by Blessed Trinity Catholic School (Ocala) and Father Lopez Catholic High School (Daytona Beach).

Alicia Abbey was honored with the Jenni Heneghan Catholic School Leadership Award for her leadership at Morning Star Catholic School.

Wikstrom assured staff members: “As your superintendent I am not here to add to your workload. I am here to walk with you, support you, and build with you a system worthy of the beautiful mission we share.”

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968. The diocese includes Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter,and Volusia counties across Central Florida; its jurisdiction encompasses 79 parishes along with two basilicas—one being where this event took place—and oversees 43 schools under Bishop James Noonan's leadership.