From the desk of our President Sister Mary Hanah Doak, RSM

Dear Bishop Kelley Community,

In reflecting on the 2022-2023 school year as it comes to a close, I am reminded of God’s mercies and prayerfully reminiscing as members of our BK Community are leaving for their next chapters and we are welcoming new members to campus for the upcoming school year. I remain grateful to God for bringing our sisters to Bishop Kelley to partner with the school’s long-term mission of carrying on the teaching ministry of Jesus Christ in a way that prepares our students for a truly purposeful life. My gratitude continues to grow as I come to know students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and others who form our vibrant BK Community.

At the beginning of 2023, as the school was returning from Christmas Break, we were saddened to lose a long-time member of our Community, Dan Schmitz. Although we miss him tremendously, I have witnessed our community rally together. I believe Dan’s legacy will have a lasting impact on Bishop Kelley for generations to come.

The “We Are BK, Honoring our Legacy, Building our Future” Capital Campaign debuted publicly with the publishing of the Fall/Winter 2022 Ambassador Magazine and we have been greatly blessed with the opening of our new Dining Hall in March. Bishop Konderla and the many donors who made this state-of-the-art facility possible were able to join our student body, faculty and staff for a Blessing and Ribbon Cutting. It has been beautiful to see our students enjoying the community that the new space facilitates as well as the tasty and nutritious food we are able to provide as we nourish students body, mind and soul. We are working diligently to raise the remaining $5 Million toward the $25 Million total goal! My sincere gratitude to the many generous benefactors who have already partnered with the school in this endeavor!

An especially poignant time during this school year came on April 4th when our Chaplain and Campus Minister held a Day of Mercy: Reconciliation & Eucharistic Adoration. It was a moving service and one that many students took part in.

As temperatures warmed up, I was fortunate to be able to visit our student athletes during their spring sports practices and you, as a Community, came together surrounding some OSSAA and Legislative updates. Our voices were heard and as of this printing, public and private schools will enjoy equitable competitive experiences at the playoff level. We remain vigilant in monitoring this ever-changing situation.

Finally, the time has come to say farewell to “Our Priest” Father Duy Nguyen who has faithfully served as Bishop Kelley’s Chaplain for the last six years. While we will miss his daily relational ministry on campus, we are excited to see what the Lord has planned for him in his new role as Vocations Director for the Diocese. Our sadness is also matched by great joy in welcoming Father Jon Fincher ’11 as he returns to BKHS in his new role as full-time Priest Chaplain! Father Fincher brings with him a love for teaching and is excited to open a new chapter for our students by teaching theology classes at BK as part of his ministry.

As we close out the 2022-2023 school year, my hope is that we continue striving to make Catholic education accessible for all those who desire it, helping our students grow in faith and are ever-faithful to the work entrusted to us by the Lord.

Yours in Christ,