School Sisters of Notre Dame

It was a warm September 5, 1951. St. Matthew Catholic School opened its doors for the first day of classes. Ready to greet all the children were the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The children were eager to meet the “Sisters” and thus began their long legacy of education at St. Matthew.

Sister Patricia Shea, SSND, was the last School Sister to be principal, serving in the 1980s. It seems Sr. Patricia was in the right place at the right time. She comments how she “likes change” and thrives in the process. During her tenure, there were three different pastors of the parish — talk about change! But the biggest change occurred when St. Thomas More School merged with St. Matthew in 1986, to become Cardinal Shehan School.

Sister recalls all the twists and turns of the transition as being exciting as well as painful. Of course, practical matters involved change of uniforms, re-aligning tuition rates, hiring all the teachers from St. Thomas More, and orienting the new students to their new surroundings. Among the harder tasks were helping two different school groups (and their families) to adjust. Sr. Patricia was keenly aware of the emotional loss felt by some, and the need for others to offer a warm and welcoming hospitality. She was dedicated to facilitating this transition, and with prayer, wisdom and hard work, the new Cardinal Shehan School was born. As the demographics of the neighborhoods changed, so did the school’s diversity, which flourishes in the school we know today.

 “The blessing ceremony of the new school, presided over by Bishop John Ricard, was so special and healing. The School Sisters will always consider our ministry at St. Matthew parish as an honored and treasured place in the history of our community.”

Oblate Sisters of Providence

Sister Rita Michelle Proctor, OSP, sums up the memories of her 14 years at Cardinal Shehan School with one word – JOY!

These years of service occurred in different time frames, in different positions, but “all in God’s plan for me. Cardinal Shehan was one of the best schools in all my experiences,” exclaims Sister. The school resources (i.e., the gym, cafeteria, and spacious grounds) were more than she had elsewhere. With these amenities, along with a committed faculty, and a deep trust in God, “we could get things done.”

Sr. Rita Michelle’s first time at Cardinal Shehan was as assistant principal, in the 1990s. She then was in administration at another regional Catholic school for five years, until it closed. Upon her return to Cardinal Shehan as principal in 2010, “it was like a homecoming for me, and a healing for me after the closure of the previous school.”

What pleases her most is that the school still claims its goal of “peace-making” (which was a goal for the Middle-States Accreditation) and was still strongly practiced upon her return years later as principal. She recalls a parent telling her that during a family dispute, the young student spoke up and said, “Mom, you’re not a peacemaker.” How wonderful that such an understanding and practice of peace-making extends beyond the school walls!

Sr. Rita Michelle retains fond memories of her times at Cardinal Shehan. She strongly believes in collaboration and states that we all work together to achieve success. She so much appreciated Fr. Joe’s support and his listening ear as they served the parish together. Sister still hears from some of the students and families after her departure in 2015.

As she currently serves as the Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, she thinks back to her tenure at Cardinal Shehan with JOY!

Fametta Jackson

I trust in the LORD with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge Him and He directs my paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Fametta Jackson, current principal of Cardinal Shehan School, says this scripture is how she has chosen to live her life.

Fametta strongly states, “As I walked through the halls and every classroom after I was hired, I realized that I have officially come home. More than 30 years ago, the foundation of my personal relationship with the Lord was fostered and cultivated in these very classrooms. It was here that I learned that I was a valuable gift from God. These experiences directed me to gain the perspective of Catholic education over the years in different capacities – as a teacher in Catholic schools, as a parent of children in Catholic schools, and now, finally, as a leader of a Catholic school.

“One of my goals for Cardinal Shehan School is to continue developing peaceful children for our world through the implementation of the CSS’s successful Peace Program. The second goal is to assist all students to reach their fullest potential in a student-centered learning environment. This supports Pope Francis’ vision that all Catholic school students will be equipped with the necessary 21^st century skills needed to be successful in this technological age. The third goal is to build, within our school, Christ disciples and change agents for our world. These goals will help our students become academically, emotionally and spiritually confident, and will help build and strengthen that personal relationship with the Lord, which is so much needed in one’s life.

“For over three decades, St. Matthew parish has been my pillar in getting to know and serve Christ. In a word, this parish and school are my family.”