August 6 | 2023 VOL 31 NO 12
IN THIS ISSUE REACHING THE B1 CLASSICAL A10 FAITH-SEEKERS EDUCATION RCIA Summer Conference helps
Chesterton Academy opens for students
DOWLING'S B1 FATHER FEAT LEADS TO FETE
Signal Mountain priest marks 40th anniversary
Catholic commentary ....................... A3 Parish news ....................................... B4 Diocesan calendar ............................ B5 Columns ..........................................B6-7 Catholic schools ..........................B9-10 La Cosecha ............................Section C
Back to School A lot in store for 2023-24 academic year and diocese's 10 campuses New superintendent eager to start the academic year By Jim Wogan
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BILL BREWER
ary Ann Deschaine, a veteran educator with nearly three decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, was announced as the new superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Knoxville on May 31. She served as superintendent of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Saginaw, Mich., from 2011-18, and held the same position in the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W. Va., from 2018 until her appointment in Knoxville. Mrs. Deschaine is married and has five grown children. She and her husband, Mark, a university-level associate professor of education, have now made Knoxville their home. Just two days after her first day on the job, Mrs. Deschaine appeared on the “Inside the Diocese of Knoxville” podcast with host Jim Wogan to discuss her transition to East Tennessee and her very early assessment of Catholic schools here. The following interview has been edited for clarity and length. JW: Welcome to… the diocese. MD: Thank you very much. I am very excited to be here… such a beautiful diocese. JW: I was walking through the parking lot, and I saw, I think they were teachers getting ready for the school year. You can Getting to know you New Diocese of Knoxville schools superintensee the excitement. I can imagine, even dent Mary Ann Deschaine meets new school employees at an orientaSuperintendent continued on page A13 tion session on July 26 at the Chancery.
Former diocesan superintendent looks forward to a school-setting return at KCHS By Bill Brewer
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t’s back to where it all began for Dr. Sedonna Prater. And that is an answered prayer. As the 2023-24 academic year starts, Dr. Prater transitions from superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Knoxville to vice president of academics at Knoxville Catholic High School. And while honored at serving the diocese’s 10 schools for a decade, returning to high school is an opportunity to connect with students and parents “where they are” for the longtime teacher, principal, and diocesan administrator. Dr. Prater concluded her work as superintendent in July. Earlier this year she announced she was stepping down to return to an inSchools continued on page A9
Improving the body, mind, and soul
Notre Dame High School places priority on student success, facilities upgrades
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he body. The mind. The soul. They are the three elements of success at Notre Dame High School. In addition to its primary ministry of bringing students to Jesus Christ through learning and faith formation, Notre Dame sees its mission as fivefold––academics, athletics, arts, finance, and enrollment––as it works to strengthen its body, mind, and soul. And Deacon Hicks Armor, who is entering his second year as head of school at Notre Dame, knows there is an appropriate balance that helps the entire school accomplish that mission. “You have to develop the mind, the body, and the soul. The mind is the classroom. The body is the athletic fields, the gym, the tennis court, the basketball court, the football field, and the lacrosse field. The soul is the Catholicism, the Christian lifestyle that we promote,” Deacon Armor said in giving an update on progress Notre Dame is making in better accomplishing its mission. Deacon Armor shared a state of
COURTESY OF NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL/STEPHANIE RICHER
By Bill Brewer
Enjoying high school life Notre Dame High School students share a lighthearted moment while going to class at the Chattanooga school. Notre Dame High School report as the Diocese of Knoxville’s 10 schools begin the 2023-24 academic year.
On a mission
Notre Dame also is on a mission to better tell its story in the community, which Deacon Armor believes is critical to the Chatta-
nooga school achieving goals to increase enrollment and development and upgrade facilities. There is an updated campus strategic plan with a dozen initiatives being readied as the new school year begins. Among the 12 items in the strategic plan are teacher pay, expand some academic and athletic programs, and
a new facilities master plan. Deacon Armor reports that Notre Dame’s leadership has been working to improve the school’s finances––with success. After recording deficits in recent years, the high school recorded a surplus in the 2022-23 school year. And after enrollment had been declining in recent years, he said 396 students are enrolled for the 2023-24 academic year, with an additional 10 students expected to be in class as the school year gets underway. In the class of 2023, there were 99 graduates who walked across the stage in May. They are attending 40 different colleges in 14 states, with 90 percent of them receiving merit scholarships valued at $2.3 million, and 86 percent of the class is eligible for the Hope Scholarship. Deacon Armor is intent on maintaining that upward trajectory through initiatives aimed at attracting new students, communicating the school’s message, focusing on major gifts and planned giving, administration building upgrades, campus enhancements, Notre Dame continued on page A8