Last week, I was notified by the Archdiocese thatFr. Mike Scherschel will become our new Pastor as of July 1, 2017. I hope that you are familiar with Fr. Mike since he helps us with Sunday Masses. His name came up at the meeting back in November with Bishop Rassas and the Placement Board representatives. This, combined with Fr. Mike’s willingness to become our Pastor, convinced the Cardinal to make the appointment.
Since this will be Fr. Mike’s first pastorate, we have agreed that I will stay a few months as the Pastor Emeritus mentor. Hopefully, this will help in a smooth transition for him and the parish. As the day gets closer, we will know more about what all this means. In the meantime, I am very happy for him and the parish, and I believe that he will make a fine Pastor. Congratulations, Fr. Mike Scherschel.
We have formed a search committee for a new principal. As I mentioned in a previous letter, Mr. Vito DeFrisco will become the new Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Rockford Diocese beginning July 1, 2017. I have appointed the following to a committee to search for a new principal.
Jessica Banakis School Advisory Board
Karen Altman School Advisory Board
Deborah Bernau Faculty
Stephanie Wizniak Faculty
Karen Niemerg Faculty
Teresa McCutchan Business Manager
Mike Keenan Director of Religious Education
Roger Malinski Parish Pastoral Council
The faculty and members of the School Advisory Board have already given some input on what they would like to see in a new principal. We are setting up a Google Account for all parishioners and school parents to weigh in and offer their ideas. More will be said about this next week.
The Archdiocese gives us guidelines on how to proceed with a search. Minimally, the principal must be a practicing Catholic, compliant with safe environments requirements, and possess a Master’s degree and a State certification in teaching and administration. The School Office from the Archdiocese “vets” the candidates, and we interview them, simply to find out which candidate would work best at St. Hubert.
We are hoping to move our school to the next level, being reminded that we are primarily about providing a sound curriculum and developing a Catholic Faith community.
Transitions can be exciting if we see them as God’s way of moving us forward. It’s not change for the sake of change, but growing and developing as a parish. People come and go, but God will be with us forever. Do not be afraid.