Monroe to succeed interim superintendent Mixer
CHARLOTTE — Dr. Gregory Monroe, who comes from the Archdiocese of Omaha, Neb., has been named superintendent of the Diocese of Charlotte Schools.
He will begin his new role June 1, succeeding Debbie Mixer, who is currently serving as the interim superintendent. Mixer will continue serving as the assistant superintendent beginning June 1.
Mixer took over as interim superintendent in June 2019, succeeding Dr. Janice Ritter.
A 12-person search committee of clergy and laity from across the diocese with connections to diocesan schools – parochial, regional and Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools – selected Monroe after a national search process.
Father John Putnam, who led the committee, said in an email, “I believe our Catholic schools can be one of our best tools for evangelization.”
Monroe was selected from a field of almost 30 applications, Father Putnam said. That was narrowed to 12 candidates for review, which was then cut to four, who were then interviewed.
“Through that process and follow-up, Dr. Greg Monroe became our top choice for the position,” Putnam said.
“When the committee began its work, it was clear that the person we were seeking needed to be someone with vision who could formulate a plan to take our Catholic schools to the next level,” he said.
The committee was concerned that Catholic school enrollment has declined even as the Catholic population in the diocese continues to grow, he said.
“Dr. Monroe impressed us all with his enthusiasm and commitment to Catholic education,” Father Putnam said. “He has been involved with turning struggling schools around, working with various non-traditional models of Catholic education, and working to develop a true team approach.”
Monroe’s experience includes serving as principal of a Catholic high school in Florida, director of career development at Christendom College, multiple years of classroom teaching at the elementary and secondary levels, and serving as a parish youth minister.
Most recently, he served in a senior leadership position in the Catholic Schools Office of the Archdiocese of Omaha, where he grew a blended learning initiative from five to 27 schools; represented Catholic education for the state by serving on the Cognia (formerly AdvancED) schools accreditation board; served on the boards of the three archdiocesan high schools and served as principal on record for three elementary schools. He was also a coach on the archdiocese’s consultant team that supported pastors throughout the archdiocese.
Monroe said he was drawn to the character and culture of the Charlotte diocese.
The diocese has a unique combination of parochial, regional and centralized schools, Father Putnam said, with nine schools in the Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools system, a regional high school, and nine parish-based schools. “This can create both challenges and opportunities.”
The committee believes Monroe can bring these separate elements together “to collaborate and move forward in ways that will assist us in continuing the good work that has been accomplished up to this point as well as place us in a position to grow and flourish in the future,” he said.
“It is evident that there is a strong tradition of excellence in our Catholic schools,” Monroe said, “and that there are great parents, teachers, staff, school leaders and alumni who are committed to helping our students become missionary disciples who will change the world for the better.”
Monroe is an Ohio native with a degree in political science and economics from Christendom College, a master’s degree in education from Marymount University, and a Ph.D. in Catholic school leadership and policy from Catholic University.
He said he plans to begin his tenure by focusing on data-driven strategic planning so that the schools and their related parishes and faith communities can flourish.
He said he, his wife Eily, and son Cyrus look forward to joining the welcoming community of the diocese.
“I am honored to have been chosen to serve the diocesan school community in this role and will build upon the good work of the leaders before me,” he said.
“Moving forward, we have a great story to tell, and we must seize opportunities across the diocese to share who we are: Authentic Catholic schools striving for excellence and quality in all that we do.
“The unfortunate effects of the coronavirus have been widespread, and there are serious challenges as a result of this pandemic. However, we have also seen a great coming together of our school and parish communities through online resources and creative communication, and it has been a grace to fully realize the solidarity we share as a part of the universal Catholic Church.
This unity and message of One Church reaffirms our commitment to ensuring that all students and families who seek a Catholic education have a place in our schools.”
The diocese’s Vicar of Education, Father Roger Arnsparger, said, “During the past year, the diocese, the Catholic Schools Office, the Catholic schools’ pastors, principals and staffs have been very well served by Mrs. Mixer and her team. We are grateful to her for her dedicated, professional and creative efforts in serving as the interim superintendent. I am grateful to the fine work of the search committee and I look forward to welcoming Dr. Monroe as the new superintendent. His experience, credentials, past service in Catholic schools, and enthusiasm for the important mission of Catholic schools will serve the diocese well. The ministry of Catholic schools in the evangelization mission of the Catholic Church is an extraordinary gift from past and present
Catholics. Catholic schools are a profound and effective ministry for forming missionary disciples of our Lord. We welcome Dr. Monroe in our continued labors in the privilege of offering quality and effective Catholic schools in our diocese.”
— Catholic News Herald
Baccalaureate Mass livestreamed for 3 graduating senior classes
CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis encouraged the Class of 2020 to let the Holy Spirit be visibly active in their lives, in a message he delivered during a special baccalaureate Mass streamed live May 28 from St. Patrick Cathedral.
The private Mass was offered for the graduating seniors of the Diocese of Charlotte’s three Catholic high schools, since the usual baccalaureate Masses for graduates could not be held due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.
“Let the fruits of the Holy Spirit be noticed by everyone you meet,” Bishop Jugis told graduates in his homily. “Let them be active in your lives.”
Bishop Jugis urged them and all who were watching the online Mass to listen to what the Lord is asking of them through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance, gentleness, faith, modesty, self-control and chastity.
“What a powerful witness of Christ you will be with these fruits of the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Jugis said. “Let the goodness of Christ shine out from your lives by living these fruits of the Spirit, which is living within you.”
He prayed that the Holy Spirit would “accompany you now as you move forward.”
Principal Kurt Telford from Charlotte Catholic High School; Dr. Carl Semmler, principal of Christ the King High School; and Debbie Mixer, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools, attended the baccalaureate Mass.
Father John Putnam, chaplain of Christ the King High School; Father Noah Carter, chaplain for Bishop McGuinness High School; and Father Joseph Matlak, chaplain of Charlotte Catholic High School, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Jugis.
Members of the Class of 2020, faculty and staff of the three high schools accessed the livestream to participate virtually in the baccalaureate Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Jugis told the graduates watching at home online that he had been looking forward to being with them for this baccalaureate Mass.
“I’m proud of you, graduating seniors of the Class of 2020 for our three Catholic high schools,” he said.
“This Mass is a Mass of the Holy Spirit, and you see the red vestments we are wearing which reminds us of the fire of the Holy Spirit, those tongues or flames of fire that came to rest on each of the Apostles and the Blessed Mother at Pentecost,” he told them. The fire of the Holy Spirit also reminds us “of God’s love that burns in our lives.”
“From the day of our baptism onward, that Holy Spirit is guiding us and driving us forward in our lives of faith and service to Christ,” he said.
Bishop Jugis said he commended the principals, school chaplains, teachers, staff, students and school families for making the adjustments necessary to continue learning at home so these students could graduate – despite all schools being closed to in-person classes during the pandemic.
“In this Mass, we are asking God’s blessing upon each one of you and your families. Please be assured that I continue to pray for you,” he said.
The Class of 2020 is comprised of 456 graduates: Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville has 82 graduates; Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte has 309 graduates; and Christ the King High School in Huntersville has 65 graduates.
— SueAnn Howell and Kimberly Bender, Catholic News Herald