New Catholic school principals reflect on the purpose of Catholic education and their role in it

Pray every day, as often as you can. Never forget to pray before big decisions or even small choices.”

Jeremy Horvath, principal, St. Joseph School, Westphalia

This is the first part of a two-part report:

As the Church gears up for the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope, seven Catholic schools in the Jefferson City diocese are welcoming new principals this year.

They include: Dr. Katie Helfer at Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School in Columbia; Mary Ann Hudson at St. Mary School in Glasgow; James Hendler at Mary Immaculate School in Kirksville; Courtney Pleus at Immaculate Conception School in Loose Creek; Theresa Farnell at St. Brendan School in Mexico; Linda Henderson at St. Clement School in St. Clement; and Jeremy Horvath at St. Joseph School in Westphalia.

Here is some information about five of them:

“Do what’s best”

Jeremiah 29:11 adorns a wall in the office of Katie Ann Helfer, Ed.D:

“For I know the plans I have in mind for you … plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”

“It helps me to know in trying times that God has a plan for me to help navigate the valley and mountaintop experiences in life,” said Dr. Helfer, the new principal at Our Lady of Lourdes Interparish School (OLLIS) in Columbia.

This is her 23rd year in Catholic education in the Jefferson City diocese.

She started by teaching at St. Martin School in St. Martins before joining the OLLIS faculty in 2011.

She served for the past nine years as the school’s assistant principal.

“Simply stated, I am here to support the teachers, staff, families and students as we help to form the saints of tomorrow,” she said.

Dr. Helfer recently completed a doctorate in Catholic Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University in St. Louis.

She said the purpose of a Catholic school is to evangelize while providing a well-rounded, Christ-centered education.

“Studies show that Catholics are falling away at earlier ages,” she noted. “Catholic education helps students understand and appreciate their faith, and cultivates a desire to remain faithful as they grow and mature.”

Dr. Helfer was raised in a different faith tradition and became Catholic in 2012.

She described a graduate of a successful Catholic school as “workforce- or college-ready, having a strong prayer life, attending Mass regularly, and trying to do the right thing always, even when it isn’t popular.”

Elaine Hassemer, recently retired OLLIS principal, served as her mentor for the past nine years.

“She taught me to always do what is best for the majority of the students, that family and faith come first, and that you have to take time to care for yourself so you can continue to care for others,” said Dr. Helfer.

She’s convinced that OLLIS is “in a really good place overall.”

“During the coming year, we want to work with families to help them increase their weekly Mass attendance, and study the viability of expending our learning specialist program,” she said.

In her spare time, Dr. Helfer enjoys traveling, baking and playing board games.

Pursuing a doctorate precluded most of her reading for enjoyment, but since finishing the degree earlier this year, she has spent most of her reading time enjoying the new releases from her favorite authors.

Two of her “go-to” saints for intercessory prayer are St. Padre Pio and St. Joan of Arc.

“Prayers are always appreciated!” she stated. “I ask others to pray that we have a safe, healthy and productive school year.”

To help God answer those prayers, she recommended: “Be active in the church/school community and share your time and talents.”

“Guide as you collaborate”

Linda M. Henderson’s roots run to bedrock at St. Clement School (SCS) in St. Clement.

“St. Clement has my heart!” she said. “My father graduated from SCS, I graduated from SCS, my sons both graduated from SCS and now my grandchildren are attending SCS!”

This will be Mrs. Henderson’s 30th year in education.

She was a stay-at-home mom for seven years before beginning her career.

She started out as a substitute teacher, working as a paraprofessional in Bowling Green Alternative High School at its inception, and then starting the Bowling Green Alternative Middle School.

She then taught middle-school history before serving for six years as a principal.

She retired in 2019 and began working part-time at St. Clement.

“As an administrator, I have always felt like a team leader or a lead teacher of a team,” she said. “I love working collaboratively with my teachers, and I hope to do so at SCS.”

Mrs. Henderson finds it humbling to serve as principal of a school that she loves so much.

“I realize that I have large shoes to fill and will do my best to serve God, my parish and my school!” she said.

She believes the purpose of a Catholic school is to teach and lead young children to be disciples of Christ.

“Catholic education is vital in reaching today’s youth,” she stated. “They need guidance and example so that they have that anchor to their faith, so they will come to rely upon it as they grow and mature.

“In order for the Church to grow, we must teach young children,” she said. “The Catholic religion must be taught throughout all subjects of education.”

She’s convinced that if a Catholic school is doing its job well, its graduates will be “confident, well-adjusted students who have morals and values that adhere to their faith.

“They will be Christ-centered students who will rely on their faith as they grow and mature,” she said.

One challenge she knows she’ll have to address this year is a change in Title 1 federal funding to help students from families with low incomes.

Some of the best advice she’s received from a colleague is: “Rely on your resources, delegate when you can, and guide as you collaborate with your team of teachers.”

In her spare time, Mrs. Henderson enjoys reading, playing with her grandchildren, gardening and traveling.

She’s been reading and listening to the “Bible in a Year” podcast for the past three years and the “Catechism in a Year” podcast for two.

“Every day that I read and listen to these, whatever the story or lesson, it pertains to me in some way,” she stated. “It gives me insight to any problems or issues that I have, and I feel closer to Christ.”

Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”

Her favorite hymn is “Amazing Grace,” and her favorite prayer is the Night Prayer, which includes:

“Jesus Christ, my God ... I place myself and all my loved ones, wherever they may be, in Your sacred side and under the mantle of Our Blessed Mother.”

When in need of saintly intercession, Mrs. Henderson turns to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as St. Anthony of Padua.

She requests prayers for strength, courage and wisdom to do God’s will, so that she can be of service to the students, faculty and staff.

“Keep moving forward”

Characteristically resolute, Jeremy William Horvath faces challenges head-on as he encounters them.

“I look forward to this new challenge,” said Mr. Horvath, the new principal of St. Joseph School in Westphalia. “I trust God has put me on the right path, and I will always strive to improve in the goals set before me.”

Mr. Horvath grew up in Osage County, graduating from St. George School in Linn and Linn High School.

He holds a Master’s in Education degree from Truman State University in Kirksville.

He’s answered to “Mr. H” since he started teaching.

He believes his main task as principal is to be “a role model following the example of Christ.”

“It’s my job to ensure that the school is guiding young minds in their faith all along their academic journey to success,” he said.

Mr. Horvath believes the purpose of a Catholic school is to bring young minds to Christ and help them gain the tools to be successful in any path they plan to take in their lives. 

He’s convinced that Catholic education is critically important, especially with the current state of the world.

“Students have many influencers trying to get their attention,” he said. “They must be reminded of the peace that Christ brings, and learn to wade through all of the noise of the internet.”

Mr. Horvath believes a successful Catholic school prepares students for any obstacles that may come into their path.

“Relying on the faith they’ve gained and the skills they mastered, they will be able to navigate any of life’s challenges,” he said.

Mr. Horvath enjoys reading and gardening in his spare time.

“My wife and I also enjoy taking my daughter to the park and teaching her to play catch as often as I can,” he said.

He’s currently working on a specialist degree, which keeps him knee-deep in research papers about education.

“I am a lifelong learner, so it is something I find enjoyable,” he said.

Some of the best advice he’s received as an educator is “Keep moving forward,” and “Trust in God to see you through.”

Lately, his favorite Scripture verse has been Romans 15:13 — “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

His school’s patron saint, St. Joseph, has been on his mind a lot lately.

“As a father myself, I often turn my prayers to him, seeking advice and guidance as I work through challenges,” he said.

Mr. Horvath asks for prayers for safety for the students and for the peace that only God can provide.

“Pray every day, as often as you can,” he requested. “Never forget to pray before big decisions or even small choices.”

God in mind

Colleagues have shared many thoughtful bits of advice with Mary Ann Hudson through the years.

“Always keep the needs of the students in mind” now resonates with her as she takes up the role of principal of St. Mary School in Glasgow.

Herself a graduate of St. Mary School, she also began her teaching career there.

She has taught at the elementary level and mostly at the junior high and high school levels.

She believes a Catholic school’s purpose is to provide students with an education while focusing on the Catholic faith.

“Having students grow in their faith in all aspects of their education is important,” she said. “Students are exposed to Catholicism and through their education, grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith.”

If the school does its job well, she stated, its students will carry their Catholic beliefs throughout their life and will continue wanting to learn more and strive to follow Catholic beliefs.

Mrs. Hudson is convinced that her role as a Catholic school administrator is to create an educational environment where students can grow in their Catholic faith while pursuing their education.

She looks forward to reacclimating herself with the culture of St. Mary School and helping to maintain its great learning environment.

She holds an elementary education degree and a master’s degree in English and Curriculum and Instruction from Central Methodist University in Fayette. She’s currently working on a degree in administration.

She and her husband live in Fayette and have four sons.

In her spare time, she likes to read, garden, hike and watch sporting events.

She often turns to St. Dymphna for saintly intercession.

Mrs. Hudson’s favorite inspirational poem is “Footprints in the Sand,” in which Jesus reveals his constant presence and help to people throughout their lives.

She recently read a book titled Help for Billy by Heather Forbes, which gives a different perspective toward understanding students with behavioral concerns. She finds that perspective helpful.

She asks for prayers to keep God in mind in making all decisions.

Path to success

Courtney Pleus, the new principal of Immaculate Conception School in Loose Creek, has been teaching in the classroom for the past 20 years

She’s now looking forward to taking the step into administration.

“My role as a Catholic school administrator is to provide support to all faculty, staff, students and families on our mission to lead children to serve Christ and others,” she said.

Mrs. Pleus believes the purpose of a Catholic school is to foster Christ-like individuals who have a strong sense of Catholic identity.

“A Catholic school also provides skills and tools to set children on a path to life-long success,” she said.

This is important because it puts Christ in the forefront of all academic pursuits and also fosters all students in their spiritual and social wellbeing.

In her spare time, Mrs. Pleus enjoys traveling with her family and reading.

Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

She asks for prayers for her teachers and staff as they begin a new school year with the goal of leading all of their students to heaven.