Superintendent's Welcome

Fr. John Belmonte, S.J.

Superintendent

Welcome, families and friends of the Diocese of Joliet!

I'm thrilled to have joined the diocese as Superintendent of Catholic Schools and am looking forward to the seasons of this 2010-11 school year. Whether you're already a member of our diocesan school community or you're considering a Catholic education for your child for the very first time, I hope this web site will provide all the information necessary to help you make the right choices for your child and your family.

I would like to give special welcome to Fr. Jeremiah Lynch, S.J., who was recently named Director of Community Outreach for Catholic Schools by Bishop Sartain. This position, under the direction of the Diocese of Joliet Catholic School Superintendent, will cultivate contacts within the wider community in order to promote the objectives, policies and programs of the Catholic Schools Office related to the strategic plan for schools. These objectives will include enrollment growth, retention and expansion of services for diverse populations, especially those newly resident to the diocese. In addition, as Director of Community Outreach, Fr. Lynch will organize and implement outreach strategies with the many diverse groups within the local communities of the diocese. Finally, this position will also interface with key diocesan stakeholders including other diocesan agencies, elementary and high schools, parishes as well as the business community.

Bishop Sartain recently announced an exciting new partnership between the Diocese of Joliet and two of the University of Notre Dame’s excellent Catholic Schools projects: the Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) and the Institute for Educational Initiatives (IEI).This new partnership will offer a number of benefits to our Catholic schools, particularly those that serve our extremely large Latino/Hispanic population. Fr. Lynch will be the lead staff member with this initiative.

Fr. Lynch brings great experience in education, social outreach and fundraising. Prior to his entrance in the Society of Jesus, he worked as a teacher in Chicago’s inner city schools, as a prosecutor at the Circuit Court of Cook County and finally in the private practice of law among Latinos in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. He has worked as classroom teacher, chaplain, retreat director, admissions officer and fundraiser at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago and Loyola Academy in Wilmette. Father Lynch has lived and worked in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish. He brings extensive pastoral experience working with diverse populations. I am delighted that someone of his caliber will be joining the Catholic Schools Office and know that the entire diocese will benefit from his presence.

Along with the announcement of Fr. Lynch's arrival, I am also very pleased to inform you that a local family who are generous supporters of Catholic schools will fund the position. We can all be grateful and proud about the many ways that the faithful people of this diocese support these kinds of initiatives.

May God's blessings be yours! Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions or for more information.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. John Belmonte, S.J., Superintendent of Catholic Schools

Our Mission Statement

Jesus commissioned His apostles to teach and make disciples.

Mindful of this twofold mandate, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Joliet

provide formation in the Catholic faith as well as superior academic education

to students of diverse backgrounds. Our Christ-centered education nurtures a

personal relationship with Jesus and service to others. Our whole child approach

integrates Catholic doctrine, prayer, sacraments,and moral decision-making

with academic achievement and physical health. Working in partnership with

parents and parish communities, Catholic schools prepare students for success

in further education, a productive career and a life eternal with God.