TIMONIUM – Dressed in matching school T-shirts, custom spiritwear, and colorful merchandise, a mosaic of educators, faculty and administrators attended the 2026 Catholic School Convocation at the Church of Nativity in Timonium.
Nearly 1,400 attendees travelled to the event from across Maryland, many exchanging embraces, reuniting with old and new colleagues, and gearing up for the upcoming school year.
“As we approach the upcoming year, let us always remember that we, as Catholic school educators, make a significant impact on every student – intellectually, morally and spiritually,” said Greg Farno, chancellor of education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore in his opening remarks. “We are the people who prepare students for the ever-changing world, which they will live, work and serve.”
He thanked the crowd for their hard work and dedication, then introduced School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, superintendent of Archdiocese of Baltimore schools, who was met with roaring applause as she took the podium.
“I will never forget Convocation Day 2025, as it was my first day as superintendent of Catholic schools and Archdiocese of Baltimore. I remember being flooded with emotions when I approached the microphone,” Sister Patricia said. “The moment I looked out at all of you, those feelings shifted from nervousness to excitement. It was clear to me that the spirit of the living God was within and among us. I am so grateful to have that same feeling at this very moment.”
Before leaving the podium, Sister Patricia invited the crowd to join her in singing, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” by Diana Ross. Moments later, audience members were on their feet, waving their hands in the air and swaying to the chorus.
This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Jerry J. Joyce, president of Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, who discussed the importance of a Catholic school education. He and his wife, Erin Joyce, agreed that enrolling in Catholic education was a no-brainer for their children.
“My wife, Erin, and I are blessed with five children. Throughout my career and Catholic education, Erin and I never questioned whether our five children would receive a Catholic education,” Joyce said. “Why? Because we believe there was something taking place in those classrooms that could not be found anywhere else.”
Joyce asked the audience to reflect with him about the four pillars of Catholic education: trust, hope, transformation and witness. These, he explained, are the “heart of Catholic education.”
Following Joyce’s speech was the honoring of awardees: Juliana D’Alessandro, archdiocesan elementary teacher of the year; Jennifer Robertson, archdiocesan high school teacher of the year; and Catherine Kaufmann, independent Catholic high school teacher of the year.
The Doris Musil Award went to Conventual Franciscan Father Donald Grzymski, a longtime educator who has worn many hats – teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and president of Archbishop Curley High School.
“We all strive to have a Christ-centered education. We want to educate the whole person, which means not only the intellectual part of things, but we want them to be spiritually growing, emotionally growing,” Father Grzymski said. “That’s been the goal of Catholic schools – not only just passing on the faith, but also helping people to be that fullness of a person that God is calling them to be, calling all of us to be.”
This year, the Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Schools Partnership Award went to G.B. Charities, a nonprofit that has raised more than $5 million and has funded scholarships for 1,300 students in the Baltimore area.
Educator Casie Wolf, a kindergarten teacher at St. Ursula School in Parkville was excited to kick off the school year. She and her colleagues sported custom T-shirts that read “Jesus Loves You” in blue letters across the back.
“Our school motto is ‘Jesus Loves You.’ We started it last year. So every time you see somebody in the hallway, instead of saying hi, we can say ‘Jesus Loves You.’ That was the inspiration for the shirt,” Wolf said.
She described Catholic education as “family-based” and “faith-based,” emphasizing how one-of-a-kind the education is. “You don’t get that anywhere else,” Wolf said.
For Nicole Campbell, a fifth grade teacher at St. Stephen School in Kingsville, attending the convocation is always a pleasure. A longtime parishioner and former student of St. Stephen’s herself, Campbell said her school feels like an extension of her home.
“I always had a love for Catholic education. This just feels like a part of me,” she said. “The bond that I have at my school is just special. I feel very connected to St. Stephen’s School.”
Dawn Hebding, a kindergarten teacher at St. Joan of Arc School in Aberdeen, is ready for school to be in session, describing the best part of her job as “seeing them (students) grow leaps and bounds and having their excitement in everything that they do.”
“It’s fun to see the light bulbs go off and all the love for the Lord that they grow,” she said.
The convocation ended with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori. In his homily, he reminded the audience that the first day of school begins on the Feast of St. Monica, which is not a mere accident. He reminded the educators that St. Monica valued education greatly.
“Never a day should go by without our praying that they would believe in the Lord with all their heart and soul,” the archbishop said. “Never a day should go by without our praying that they too would one day be so filled with hope as to employ their hands, their head, and their heart in conveying the faith to those who one day will follow after them. St. Monica, Mother of St. Augustine, pray for us!”
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