Message from the Pastor Msgr. Kenneth Schwanger
My Dear Family of Our Lady of Lourdes,
Thomas Halfaker ("Halfaker"), our School Principal, in his own words: "Thank you for allowing me to serve this community since 2005.
You are truly a special group in a special place... After forty-five years of serving students and families, of which nineteen have been at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School, I will be stepping down as Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes at the end of this school year. I leave knowing that I leave this place a little better than I found it, which is all any of us can hope for.
I am sure you know what an understatement that is! He came at a transitional time for us as a parish and school family to lead the school to new heights. He has always treated the school with the love it deserves as one of the principal ministries of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and leaves us with a strong and healthy parish and school community. I can't thank him enough and I wish him all the blessings of a well-deserved retirement.
Because he is who he is, we have not come to this moment unprepared. Clara Cabrera, our Vice-Principal, joined us two years ago and has spent that time with him and me getting to know our vision for the parish and school and learning our operational praxis. She has been a Principal here in the Archdiocese of Miami , has 31 years of experience, is an Educational Specialist and has a Master's in Early Childhood. She has quickly become an important member of the parish and school community.
I asked her to meet under the direction of the Office of Catholic Schools with a committee comprised of representatives of the Office of Schools, our Pastoral Council, our Parish Finance Council, our School Advisory Board, our teachers, and our parish and school families. I will quote them as well: "The members of the committee confirm, support, and celebrate your decision to appoint her as Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School... Respectfully, the committee commends you for considering Mrs. Cabrera for the position and we look forward to working with you and Mrs. "C" as the vision of excellence for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School continues to advance."
I have appointed her as the next Principal of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School! We are very blessed and the years ahead are full of promise.
Congratulations to her - and to us all.
Msgr. Schwanger
Pastor