Prepared to Serve: Mr. William J. Lippe P’25 Principal

Prepared to Serve

Delone Catholic High School is a place of vocation, a place of ministry, and a place of employment.

For Mr. William Lippe, newly chosen to lead the Squires, it is all three. In his 20s, Mr. Lippe spent time discerning the priesthood. He took what he thought was a temporary leave from his pursuit of formal religious life, only to meet his now-wife Valerie. They are the proud parents of Cecilia ’25, and Christopher and Catherine, who are in the sixth- and fifth- grade, respectively.

His deep devotion to the Catholic faith is evident in everything he does at Delone Catholic. In early August, he brought priests and deacons from all the local partner and supporting parishes into the school for lunch and fellowship.

Over a catered luncheon, he welcomed the men to Delone Catholic – or welcomed them back, as several of them are alumni of the school – and invited them to come to the school as often as their schedules permit.

“We will be importunate in asking for your time and gifts in our school and to our young people,” he warned them.

“The importance of their witness cannot be understated,” he said. “Our young men need to see godly men and envision themselves in that role. Our young ladies, too, need to have these godly men as examples as they potentially discern religious life.“Being in a Catholic educational setting means raising our young people up within the rich teachings and traditions of the Roman Catholic faith, inviting and encouraging their unique abilities. We are all given talents by God that we are called to use for the greater good of the Holy Church, but not all of our talents are the same, and we should honor that,” he said.

He wasted no time in fulfilling that promise. On Tuesday, Aug. 24 – the Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle – Delone Catholic High School opened its school year, seeking the Lord’s blessing, with a school-wide Mass celebrated not only by our own Chaplain, Fr. Samuel Miller, but with Fr. Richard Lyons and Fr. Aaron Lynch as well. Deacon Tom Aumen ’71, P’00, P’02, P’09 and Deacon Chris Livelsberger ’83 assisted at this concelebrated liturgy, while Mr. Brendan McCall P’25, a member of our religious studies faculty, served as acolyte and a faculty choir led everyone in song.

One of Mr. Lippe’s goals is to foster a culture that promotes student success while honoring their different abilities and talents.

“Being in a Catholic educational setting means raising our young people up within the rich teachings and traditions of the Catholic Faith, inviting and encouraging their unique abilities. We are all given talents by God that we are called to use in building up the kingdom, but not all of our talents are the same, and we should honor that,” he said.

Mr. William Lippe, P‘25 Principal

From left, Mr. Brendan McCall P’25, a member of our religious studies faculty; Deacon Tom Aumen ’71, P’00, P’02, P’09; Fr. Richard Lyons; Fr. Samuel Miller, Delone Catholic High School Chaplain; Fr. Aaron Lynch; and Deacon Chris Livelsberger ’83

“That said, we are entering an age of the laity, and responsibility falls to us. We need to build up a Catholic culture,” he added.