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catholicnewsherald.com | March 12, 2021 CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD
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Sisters of St. Joseph retiring from 2 Triad schools PATRICIA L. GUILFOYLE EDITOR
In Brief Teacher retirements announced CHARLOTTE — The principals of St. Ann and Our Lady of the Assumption schools recently announced their upcoming retirements. Kathy McKinney from St. Ann and Allana-Rae Ramkissoon from OLA will both retire at the end of this school year. McKinney has served in the Diocese of Charlotte since 1997, first working as a kindergarten teacher at St. Patrick School in Charlotte. Ramkissoon has worked for the diocese since 2005 and has served as OLA’s principal since 2008. The search for a second assistant superintendent also continues, to succeed Debbie Mixer, who retired at the end of 2020. School leaders hope to have the positions filled by the end of this school year. — Catholic News Herald
ACS scientists earn honors ASHEVILLE — Several Asheville Catholic School students recently placed at the Western Regional Science Fair and are moving on to state competition: n Sam Lordi: first place, Grades 3-5 Physics and Math n Avery Mueller and Charles Palmeri: second place, Grades 3-5 Chemistry n Owen Beardsley: first place, Grades 6-8 Biological Sciences n Dylan Vigue: first place, Grades 6-8 Technology n Frank Palmeri: second place, Grades 6-8 Technology The following students were also recognized: n Jayden Nguyen and Ethan Bermudez: third place, Grades 3-5 Chemistry n Grier Case: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Engineering/Technology n Sara Jimenez: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Biological Sciences n Ava Westmoreland: honorable mention, Grades 3-5 Physics/Math n Olivia Westmoreland and Sophia Olinger: Honorable mention, Grades 6-8 Biological Science n Anna Ruth Brookshire: Third Place, Grades 6-8 Chemistry n Nina Jung: Third Place, Grades 6-8 Earth and Environmental Science
Gober and Principal Gary Callus. “Their charism as Sisters of St. Joseph has been more than teaching – they have imbued our schools with love for God and others. Throughout their years of service, the sisters have become members of our families, taught thousands of students,
WINSTON-SALEM — After a combined 80 years of service, three Sisters of St. Joseph will retire from St. Leo School and Bishop McGuinness High School at the end of June. Sister Anne Thomas Taylor, Sister John Christopher “JC” Tate and Sister Emma Yondura have been called to return to the Sisters of St. Joseph’s motherhouse in Chestnut Hill, Pa., near Philadelphia, the religious order’s leader announced “with both sadness and gratitude” in a recent letter to Bishop Peter Jugis. Noting their years of service – and Taylor Tate Yondura the Sisters of St. Joseph’s central role in founding both schools – Congregational President Sister Maureen Erdlen, SSJ, told the bishop it was with mentored fellow teachers, and exemplified “both sadness and gratitude” that she Christian discipleship.” shared this decision. “It seems that once Sister Yondura has taught in the Diocese they arrive in North Carolina, our sisters of Charlotte for four decades, first at St. never want to leave – a sentiment I know Ann School in Charlotte from 1973 to you can well appreciate.” 1978. She then taught at St. Leo School Sister Erdlen said the retirement is from 1981 to 1987, and returned in 1992. necessary so the religious community can First-graders have been her love since she attend to the sisters’ long-term care needs. began teaching, and multiple generations “We are grateful for the kindness and of students have passed through her care these sisters, and their predecessors, classroom. In 2015, she retired from have provided for generations of students,” teaching first grade and since then has run parish and school leaders said in a joint the afterschool program. announcement March 5. “Since their “It is with tears in my eyes that I prepare arrival to the diocese in 1943, the Sisters to leave,” Sister Yondura told the Catholic of St. Joseph have been integral to the News Herald. She said she would keep founding and flourishing of our schools: praying for students, and hopes for their Villa Maria Anna Academy in 1949, St. Leo prayers in return. “I want them to do the School in 1953 and Bishop McGuinness best that they can do, as God is calling High School in 1959.” them to do,” she said. “The sisters have been role models for Sister Taylor came to Bishop what it means to give oneself to others McGuinness in 1996, serving first as a through a vocation to religious life,” said music teacher, then for 20 years as dean the joint announcement, signed by Bishop of students. She also helped build up the McGuinness’ chaplain Father Noah Carter school’s theater arts offerings from an and Interim Principal George Boschini, extracurricular program into its own and St. Leo’s pastor Father Christopher department.
The high school “is a wonderful, wonderful place,” Sister Taylor said. “It’s sad that our presence will not be there physically, but the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph will always be there. Our charism, the hospitality and the warmth will always be there.” Sister Tate came to Bishop McGuinness in 2001. She taught chemistry full-time for many years, then served as a substitute teacher in the science department and as attendance coordinator. “I’ve really enjoyed teaching, and I love Bishop,” she said, but after 57 years in education, she added wryly, “I figured it was time to hang up my school shoes and go on to something different.” In the announcement from the Sisters of St. Joseph, Sister Erdlen said the order does not have anyone available to replace the three sisters. School leaders said they “are exploring ways to continue our relationship through periodic visits and special projects.” Other Sisters of St. Joseph continue to serve in the diocese: Sister Joan William Pearson, a former student of both St. Leo and Bishop McGuinness who has served the Hispanic community in North Carolina since 1996; Sister Janis McQuade, pastoral associate at St. Stephen Church in Elkin since 2006; and Sister Geri Rogers, who taught at Our Lady of Mercy School in Winston-Salem for 17 years before becoming the principal in 2007.
Endowment being established Bishop McGuinness High School is establishing a “Sisters of St. Joseph Endowment.” If you are interested in contributing to this fund in honor of the Sisters of St. Joseph, please contact Katie Williams, the school’s director of advancement, at 336-564-1009 or kwilliams@bmhs.us for more information.
‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ ASHEVILLE — Students at Asheville Catholic School celebrated Dr. Seuss during National Read Across America Day March 2. Dr. Seuss, whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born on March 2, 1904, and in 1998 the National Education Association designated every March 2 as “Read Across America Day” to encourage children to read. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
