Dear St. James School Community,

I hope this message finds you well. Although I am currently eighteen time zones ahead of you on vacation in New Zealand, I want to share some exciting news with you.

Christine Kelly has accepted my offer to serve as Principal of St. James School for the 2026-27 school year. Her appointment will officially begin on July 1, 2026. Christine graduated from Xavier University with a degree in early childhood education and a minor in Spanish. She earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College and is currently working toward her Doctorate in K-12 Education Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University, with expected completion in May 2026.

Since 2021, Christine has served as Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Specialist in the Archdiocese of Louisville Office of Catholic Schools. Through this role, she has worked closely with many of our schools, including spending considerable time at St. James, especially over the past year. Her experience supporting principals, teachers, and school communities across the archdiocese will be a great gift to our parish and school.

Prior to joining the Office of Catholic Schools, Christine taught first grade in an urban elementary school in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Christine will be supported in her transition through mentorship from an experienced archdiocesan principal and continued collaboration with our current interim leadership, whose care and dedication have guided the school during this time of transition.

I am confident that Christine’s strengths in curriculum and instruction will help St. James continue to strengthen academic excellence while nurturing students in a faith-filled and supportive Catholic community. Her experience working alongside school leaders and faculties will serve our teachers and students well.

There will be several opportunities for you to meet or hear from Christine before she officially begins her role as principal, including a video introduction at the Blue Jay Bash in March, our major annual fundraiser for the school. I am excited for our Legacy donors to meet and get to know her.

I always like to remind everyone that our school is a parish ministry. The children who come to our school are our responsibility and our honor, as we help them become good citizens and disciples. God calls each of us to help future generations build on the work we have done for the kingdom of God.

I am happy and honored to welcome Christine Kelly to our parish, our staff, and our school.

Father Gary Padgett