A NEW FACE IN CATHOLIC IDENTITY Archdiocese of Cincinnati Hires Joshua Agnew as Deputy Superintendent of Catholic Identity BY JESSICA RINAUDO
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I think it’s extremely important to get to know the people that we’re really – and I use this word intentionally – in ministry with.
Recognizing the importance of a strong faith presence within our Catholic schools, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr approved a new position: Deputy Superintendent of Catholic Identity. The search for the right candidate went far and wide until recently, when Joshua Agnew was hired to take on this crucial role. As a former Catholic school teacher, administrator and even employee in the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts’ Catholic Schools Office, Agnew has experience at all levels. “I did teach in public school. I’ve taught in Catholic school. I have been an administrator in Catholic school, in the middle and high school levels for all kinds of things. I’ve been a choir director… I’ve done all of that in the public, in the private and even the homeschool spheres,” Agnew said. Throughout his career, Agnew has drawn on his own classroom experience to better understand teachers and administrators’ needs. 2 2 | THE CATHOLIC TE LEGRAPH
“There’s so many things that go into being an arts teacher… doing those types of duties for almost a decade, it really prepared me as somebody who can be an administrator and not forget what it’s like to be in that classroom,” he said. Agnew continued, “There’s a lot that goes on in a Catholic school. It’s not just, ‘Here, it’s something we’d like you to implement. Go do it.’ No, it doesn’t work that way because it’s a very different culture, especially than a public system. And so, understanding what goes into being a Catholic school principal and Catholic school teacher and how different it is, I think is something that I’m strong in.” Promoting Catholic identity in schools is a big job with a lot of potential. When asked about his vision for Catholic identity, Agnew looks straight to the heart of our faith. “Salvation,” said Agnew. “For mankind that is the goal and the purpose of the Church and keeping that at the forefront. … And then as an extension of that, we have
