THE FUND FOR CENTRAL CATHOLIC
“Being an alum and faculty member here at Central, I have a unique opportunity to help cultivate the Marianist spirit in my classroom. In doing so, I can help my students become essential members of the community. For example, I try to encourage family spirit and camaraderie through competition and group activities. Outside of the classroom, being part of Central Catholic would include showing your students that you care about them by attending their events and activities.”
- Dr. Brandon Ballesteros ‘04 2023 Marianist Heritage Award Recipient
“I feel quite blessed to be a part of the Central Catholic community. After a 32 year career in public education, teaching at Central Catholic has offered me the opportunity to be a complete person and educator. The accessibility to a campus priest, the Brothers’ Chapel, the Mother Adele Chapel, and the Marianist charisms allows me to find solace and peace among others in reverential places. The ability to share my faith with my colleagues and, especially, with my students provides me with a plenary experience. My teaching is enhanced because I am able to make religious connections to literature that offer an added, relevant, and very important lens which impacts students’ thoughts and actions. Although one can say that this is true of any private school setting, the legacy, the mission, and the charisms of Central Catholic make it a truly unique and special place– one where a person can feel whole because their needs are met both personally and spiritually. As a graduate of St. Mary’s University where the foundation of my teaching career was formulated by brothers from the Society of Mary, it makes my heart happy knowing that I am ending my career in the same Marianist community that enriched my life many years ago.” - Mrs.
Velma Uriegas
“Our Central Catholic community was built upon the legacy of great Marianists such as Father Don Cowie, Brother Harry Cornell, Brother Richard Martens and Brother Jim Burkholder. Even though the Marianist presence has diminished over the years, the mission and community, our Marianist community, is thriving and strong. I am blessed to be a part of the mission. I love working with my students to help them achieve their potential. I love the Catholic, Marianist environment which allows me to share my faith putting everything I have and everything I am into my teaching. I can see that the Marianist mission is alive and well when I marvel at our graduates, what they have accomplished and the kind of person that they have become. I can truly see the Marianist influence in them. What a blessing it is to be part of this community! ” -
Mrs. Tammy Shrader