August 22, 2026

Catholic school principals gather for a retreat before classes begin

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

Bishop William D. Byrne gathered with Catholic school principals for their summer retreat at the Holy Family Passionist Center in West Hartford, Tuesday, Aug. 18.

WEST HARTFORD – Catholic school principals of the Diocese of Springfield gathered at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West Hartford, Aug. 17-18, to spend time in prayer before the new school year begins. Bishop William D. Byrne celebrated a closing Mass for the group and met them for lunch on Aug. 18.

“When we talk about the education of a child, we don’t just educate the mind, we develop the soul also,” the bishop said in his homily, referring to how educators share their faith in the classroom.

“The seeds that you plant in this child’s life, are the seeds that will sprout. You must be willing to be witnesses of what it means to be Catholic,” he said.

He also encouraged principals to take time to pray each day in the parish connected to the school to “nurture” their own relationship with Christ.

“Each day, stop in and make a visit, make an appointment with the Lord that will feed you for the day,” he said.

There are 11 elementary schools, two high schools, and three parish-based pre-schools in the Diocese of Springfield.

St. Mary Academy in Longmeadow’s enrollment numbers edged up for the 2026-2027 school year and there is a new principal.

“It’s a new challenge. I am excited. It is good to be able to take a minute, center yourself and say what challenges that the day will bring, having Jesus in your heart keeps in centered,” said Catherine Landry, who began at the school 20 years ago. Landry previously taught grade one.

“We’re not just educating reading, writing and arithmetic, we are also teaching being kind to others, and spiritually mind, body and heart, that bring a new perspective to the whole child,” Landry said.

The principals gathered for two Masses during their time together and had discussions on Jesus as a teacher.

Maria Wagner, the superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Springfield, said the retreat is a great way to prepare for the school year.

“We hold the retreat to reconnect the principals after the summer break and have them remember what their mission is and have a good start to the school year,” Wagner said.

“Every two years we have a special retreat which just focuses on their Catholic identity what they are leading about, which is to teach about Jesus,” she said.

The academic year in the diocese begins Monday, Aug. 24, which is the first day of school for Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield. Other schools have staggered starts that week, and some begin Monday, Aug. 31.

For more information about Catholic schools, visit diospringfield.org