CAROLE CARONNA ELLIOT ’71

After a 41-year career in Catholic education as a teacher, principal, and the past 17 years as Associate Superintendent for the New Orleans Archdiocese, Carole Caronna Elliot retired on January 1st. In her announcement to friends and colleagues, she shared with them “the gift of Catholic education will always have a place in my heart and I will bring many cherished memories with me.”

For Carole, she felt her calling to be a teacher as a young child in elementary school, “with deep admiration for the Marianites of the Holy Cross who guided the way at Incarnate Word in the Carrollton neighborhood. The lessons instilled in me through Catholic school there, and later at Dominican High School, were applied daily and lovingly as a teacher, and later, as principal at Ascension of Our Lord School in LaPlace.”

Carole called her greatest joy, “connecting with others and fostering relationships throughout my career. Over the years, I’ve been blessed to be a servant leader and to work harmoniously alongside hundreds of dedicated pastors and principals who possess the talent, vision, and passion to educate and nurture the young church. Watching the growth of our principals, from the hiring process to becoming seasoned leaders of their communities, has always left me beaming with pride. Serving as a child advocate, troubleshooting for our students and with their families, has truly been a divine calling. From observing our warm and innovative early childhood programs to witnessing the amazing student accomplishments and talents through the Student of the Year program, I’m left with such confidence in our future leaders who will be ambassadors for Christ and Beacons of Hope.”

“My prayer for all of you as I bring this chapter to a close is that you will continue your ministry with JOY in your hearts. Mother Teresa once said, ‘Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which we can catch souls.’ I hope your nets are bursting at the seams.”