A STRONG FOUNDATION

Pope Francis Preparatory School is a Catholic co-educational, college-preparatory school which instills Gospel values and fosters academic excellence in a diverse community of learners. Our mission is to challenge students to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically to become critical thinkers and faith-based leaders who embody justice, peace, service, and mercy in the global community.

TODAY, IT IS EASY TO WALK THE HALLS of Pope Francis Prep and see our mission alive and executed in daily activities and celebrated in the successes of the entire school community. The vision for what Pope Francis Prep would one day become was not always easy. It began with careful, strategic planning well before stepping foot on Wendover Road.

It is incredible to reflect back on the emergence of Pope Francis Prep in 2016.

The process for the development of a regional Catholic high school was put into action by then Bishop, Mitchell T. Rozanski. Bishop Rozanski recruited a dedicated group of parents, alumni, and friends to form a founding board of directors.

The board of directors is the governing body of the school and provides general oversight of business and financial matters. The board also appoints and supports the Head of School who, in return, leads and manages the school’s strategic plans and daily operations. In consultation with the Head, the board provides vital policy leadership and oversight in critical areas like academics, student life, parental involvement, faith life, budgeting, finance, operations and advancement, achievement of mission, achievement of strategic plan, and Board effectiveness.

FOUNDING BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Michael J. Ashe ’57

Mrs. Michele D’Amour ’69

Mr. Patrick J. Garrity ’81

Mr. David W. Griffin ’69

Rev. Mr. Joseph L. Peters ’68

Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski

CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Christopher F. Bertrand ’03

Mr. Thomas Butler

Bishop William D. Byrne

Rev. John Connors

Atty. Thomas E. Day ’89

Dr. Harry Dumay, Ph.D.

Mrs. Agnes Gonet

Mr. David W. Griffin ’69

Atty. Anthony D. Gulluni ’98

Atty. Lawrence R. Kulig ’77

Dr. Peter K. LeMaire

Atty. Patrick J. Markey ’82

Atty. Elizabeth Mulcahy

Mr. Kevin F. O’Connor ’72

Mrs. Laura Watroba

PAST BOARD MEMBERS

Rev. David Aufiero

Rev. Joseph Benicewicz OFM CONV

Atty. Mary Anne Butler ’78

Mrs. Azell Cavaan ’88

Sr. Patricia A. Hottin SSJ ’67

Mr. Daniel Rodriguez

Board members are long-term planners from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and offer their knowledge and experience as well as financial support to help ensure the success of the school and its mission.

Since its formation, Pope Francis Prep has been fortunate to have an exceptionally gifted and dedicated group of present and past board members. Leading the PFPS board for its first seven years was board chair Michele D’Amour. Mrs. D’Amour is an alumnus of Cathedral High School and a longtime supporter of Catholic education in Springfield. Further, Michele and her husband, Donald, are arguably one of the most philanthropic couples from Western Mass, supporting the arts, health care, education, and several nonprofit organizations near and far.

Reflecting on her time as founding board chair, Michele shared, “frankly, I was hesitant to take on the role as chair. I felt passionate about the importance of someone being placed in the role who, not only could give 150% to the job, but also was armed with a variety of work experiences and skill sets that would be needed in navigating the diverse issues that we would have to deal with establishing a “quality product”; a product that was a strong, faith-filled school where parents would want to send their children. I was not at all sure I was the right person for the job as I felt that I lacked some of the expertise needed, especially in those early days. Bishop Mitch was persistent in his determination that I was the person for the job. So, I kept praying for a clear answer as to whether or not I should take the job. I am not sure I really got a “clear” answer but eventually, I agreed to serve and told the Bishop that I hoped he wouldn’t be sorry! Once I made the commitment, I didn’t know how we would succeed but I was determined that failure was not an option.”

Mrs. D’Amour’s persistence was a key ingredient to take on the challenges of creating a new school. Michele shared that there were two important pieces critical to the school’s success. First, she believed it was imperative for the five founding board members to develop a strong board dedicated to the mission of a Catholic high school, and that they fully understand the responsibility of the new governance structure. Second, Mrs. D’Amour spoke about the importance of identifying the right person to serve as the first head of school. Mrs. D’Amour shared that, “once we overcame these two hurdles, we were then able to address other varied and complex issues to get up and running, be it board best practices, finances, mission, staffing, curriculum, enrollment, marketing, etc.”

Upon completing her tenure on the board, Mrs. D’Amour reflected on some of her favorite memories as chair. Her list includes a few major milestone moments, including the ribbon cutting ceremony in 2018 and the first commencement ceremony on the Alumni Plaza. Michele also reflected on the smaller, yet valuable moments and challenges that have advanced Pope to the present, sharing, “for me, I have taken with me many quieter memories that have enriched my life, like a bishop who saw the need and worked doggedly to see this school happen and was a constant cheerleader and advisor throughout those first few years. I was blessed with a dedicated board who worked hard as a cohesive team. We were blessed to have an energetic and dedicated head of school who, with the commitment of his team, has brought us where we are today. We were blessed with students, who, in their resilience and kindness, shone bright through the bumpy roads of the creation of a new school and through a pandemic. Those are the memories that will stay with me forever.”

True examples of walking the walk, Michele and Donald have shared their time, talents, and treasure to the benefit of the entire Pope Francis Prep community. Finally, reflecting on where Catholic secondary education stood in Western Massachusetts a dozen years ago, to the past seven years as board chair, to the future of the school, Mrs. D’Amour says, “We exceeded our own expectations in the few years Pope Francis has been open. We are filled to the brim with young women and men who recognize the quality, faithbased education they are receiving at PFPS. It is my hope that young people and their families continue to see this high-quality education as a significant advantage and life changing. I wish for Pope Francis Prep to always be filled with dedicated and talented people on the board, in the administration and in the classrooms. It is our responsibility to fulfill the mission of the school and continue to educate the minds and souls of those who enter our doors.”

Congratulations to Eli Hanechak ’25 for being awarded the GRAND PRIZE AT THE REGION IV MASSACHUSETTS

SCIENCE FAIR! Eli will also be representing Western Massachusetts at the Massachusetts High School Science & Engineering Fair at MIT on May 5! She experimented with modifying an enzyme found in fungi that dissolves plastic in water. One step closer to saving the oceans!