About
Principal's Welcome
Dear CCHS Community,
Twenty-two years ago, I walked through the hallways of Central Catholic as a student for the first time. I saw reassuring smiles from Mr. Pecchenino giving the school welcome, Mrs. Paris leading her ASB officers, Mr. Diep talking about college, and Mrs. Dillon imploring us to read and write our hearts out. Central Catholic has changed since my freshman year including staff, curriculum, buildings and facilities, but the spirit of making us all feel welcomed and loved is as strong as ever.
We’ve begun to focus on the National Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools. This framework of Mission and Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, Operation Vitality, and Governance and Leadership is not static, but instead meant to be dynamic in response to the changing needs and circumstances of our Catholic community. We look to deliberately reform structures across all levels by purposefully integrating Catholic social teaching, which is directed to all people of good will.
At Central Catholic, at the heart of everything we do is the spirit of “WE”. This principle emphasizes Catholic social teaching which asserts building loving relationships and authentically connecting with each other. It’s important to remember that with each class, lunch period, sport’s event, rally, dance, or Mass we have the ability to welcome others and positively develop our own potential as well as the people around us. We live in communion and therefore must understand that we are called to treat one another as family as our relationships in our school and world are interrelated.
The “WE” spirit of family is one of welcome and sacrifice that extends well beyond the everyday actions of school, and into how we systemize and build a culture of communion. When looking at our school's mission of “building an educational community that inspires”, we are committing ourselves to a pastoral cycle of identification, analysis, reflection, and structuring that truly is unending. Central Catholic was championed from the start by the Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and since then, they have passed on this invaluable mission. Our founders are characterized as having a true spirit of sacrifice. I can think of no better way to honor their memory than to strive unceasingly towards a deeper understanding and commitment to each other.
Twenty-two years later, I have the privilege once again to walk the hallways of Central Catholic and reflect on a song that simplifies yet comprehensively encapsulates our home:
We’ve begun to focus on the National Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools. This framework of Mission and Catholic Identity, Academic Excellence, Operation Vitality, and Governance and Leadership is not static, but instead meant to be dynamic in response to the changing needs and circumstances of our Catholic community. We look to deliberately reform structures across all levels by purposefully integrating Catholic social teaching, which is directed to all people of good will.
At Central Catholic, at the heart of everything we do is the spirit of “WE”. This principle emphasizes Catholic social teaching which asserts building loving relationships and authentically connecting with each other. It’s important to remember that with each class, lunch period, sport’s event, rally, dance, or Mass we have the ability to welcome others and positively develop our own potential as well as the people around us. We live in communion and therefore must understand that we are called to treat one another as family as our relationships in our school and world are interrelated.
The “WE” spirit of family is one of welcome and sacrifice that extends well beyond the everyday actions of school, and into how we systemize and build a culture of communion. When looking at our school's mission of “building an educational community that inspires”, we are committing ourselves to a pastoral cycle of identification, analysis, reflection, and structuring that truly is unending. Central Catholic was championed from the start by the Sisters of the Cross of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and since then, they have passed on this invaluable mission. Our founders are characterized as having a true spirit of sacrifice. I can think of no better way to honor their memory than to strive unceasingly towards a deeper understanding and commitment to each other.
Twenty-two years later, I have the privilege once again to walk the hallways of Central Catholic and reflect on a song that simplifies yet comprehensively encapsulates our home:
Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place. (Haugen 1994).
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place. (Haugen 1994).
Nathaniel Juarez ‘06
Principal, Central Catholic High School
Principal, Central Catholic High School
About Central Catholic
Faithful to our Catholic Tradition, our mission is to witness to the Gospel while building an educational community that inspires the spiritual, academic and social development of young adults.
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
Central Catholic Students Are:
Academically-Prepared
Spiritually-Developed
Socially-Responsible
Globally-Conscious
