Catholic schools recognize outstanding employees

Intermountain Catholic

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Daughter of Charity Sister Stella Marie Zahner (center) is recognized for her 46 years with the Diocese of Salt Lake City Catholic Schools, where she served as a teacher, principal and as director of the Special Needs Office. With her is Bishop John C. Wester and Holy Cross Sister Catherine Kamphaus, superintendent of Utah Catholic Schools. SEE MORE PHOTOS ON THE INTERMOUNTAIN CATHOLIC FACEBOOK PAGE. IC photo/Marie Mischel

SALT LAKE CITY — Exceptional staff and educators were honored April 25 at the annual Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Schools Outstanding Employees Dinner, held at the Salt Lake City Marriott University Park.

In his comments at the dinner, the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, said he was grateful and proud "to all of you who have made Catholic education such an important part of your lives and who have served our young people so well, served our Church so well, and served our community so well."

Keeping a love relationship with Jesus Christ alive and dynamic and at the center of life is critically important, Bishop Wester said, "and to communicate that to our children. You are sharing with your children your love of God and your love of them and the fact that love is the most powerful force in the world.... It is that power of love expressed sometimes in compassion, sometimes in tolerance, and sometimes in challenging our young people to grow and to learn."

He commended those at the dinner for sharing their love with young people. "I know that teaching is difficult," he said, but "you meet the challenges and exceed them."

The 21 people recognized at the dinner ranged widely in job descriptions and years on the job, but each had two things in common: their dedication and abilities.

For example, Terry Stack has been a teacher for 36 years. "She is the most senior member of our teaching staff," said Mark Longe, principal of Saint Vincent de Paul in Salt Lake City. She has "inspired numerous former students to become teachers," which exemplifies her outstanding qualities more than any of the other numerous things she has done to make the school a better place, he said.

At Blessed Sacrament School in Sandy, Marcy Mullholand has made vibrant with watercolors and sculptures "brick walls in the hallways that for many years were just plain flat surfaces," said Principal Matt DeVoll. "Images appear, look back at you, and most of all make you stop and think."

At Saint Andrew School in Riverton, Elizabeth Gallagher not only teaches and serves as a mentor to two other teachers, she organizes Eucharistic ministers and the song sheets for the regular school Mass and next year will take on the role of part-time vice principal, said Principal Louise Herman.

Not all of those recognized were teachers. At the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper, which is home to Saint John the Baptist Elementary and Middle schools and Juan Diego Catholic High School, Ruth Fitzpatrick has been in charge of collecting the money, said Juan Diego Principal Galey Colosimo. "It’s a very difficult job, and she’s done it from the very first day (the center opened.)"

Likewise, at Saint Joseph Elementary, Janet Evans serves not only as the front office person but also the safe environment coordinator and school nurse, said Principal Nancy Essary. "She’s a great morale builder and she’s a spiritual boost for all she encounters. She can always remind us of what’s important in life. You can count on her to help with anything and she always has a smile. She’s an excellent example of Christ for our faculty, our staff, our parents and our students."

2013 Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City Schools Outstanding Employees:

Marcy Mullholand, Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

Kassi Mancini, J. E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School

Judy Warden, J. E. Cosgriff Memorial Catholic School

Ruth Fitzpatrick, Juan Diego Catholic High School

Samuel Salts, Juan Diego Catholic High School

Roberto Madrigal, Judge Memorial Catholic High School

Toni McSpadden, Kearns - Saint Ann Catholic School

Erin Mattes, The Madeleine Choir School

Christy Terrill, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School

Elizabeth Gallagher, Saint Andrew Catholic School

Lisa Rose, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic School

Kathy Butkovich, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School

Rhea Gray-Eggert, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School

Karen Smith, Saint John the Baptist Catholic Middle School

Janet Evans, Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School

NaLani Gannon, Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary School

Chad Loosemore, Saint Joseph Catholic High School

Christine Nielsen, Saint Marguerite Catholic School

JoAnn Emery, Saint Olaf Catholic School

Terry Stack, Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School

Daughter of Charity Sister Stella Marie Zahner, Diocese of Salt Lake City Catholic Schools.