St. Alphonsus, St. Patrick School Announces New Principal

LEMONT, IL — St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School has announced a new principal for the 2017-18 school year. Robert Priest has been chosen as principal, beginning July 1.

According to a release from the school, Priest has over 40 years of education experience including from Paw Paw Community Unit School District 271 as the superintendent and the elementary school’s principal from 2005-2014.

“We are excited to have Mr. Priest join the St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School family. We welcome him to our school and look forward to the start of the new school year under his leadership,” Fr. Brian P. Ardagh and Fr. Kurt Boras said in a release.

According to the release, Priest is a veteran and dynamic leader who has a passion for education and the spiritual formation of young minds. The principal search committee feels that St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School will benefit from Priest’s extensive experience.

In his introductory letter to the St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick community, Priest writes, “As a dedicated educator and a devout Catholic, I am excited to help the children of St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School grow academically and spiritually. I live in the Lemont community and have been in awe over the last six months at the hard work and effort and dedication of your Celtic community. It is YOUR inspiration and God's voice that called me to 'come out of retirement' and begin to work again.”

Photo provided by St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick School.