Dear Sacred Heart Cathedral School Faculty, Staff, Families, and School Board,
On Ash Wednesday, we began our Lenten journey, which will help prepare us to celebrate Easter with joy. The term “Paschal Mystery” is what describes the events of Jesus’ life that saved us from sin. We share in this mystery with Him, and it forms the pattern of our life with Christ: life, death, and resurrection. The Paschal Mystery is not easy to embrace, but with the help of the Lord Jesus, we are able to see how our lives mirror His.
Our principal, Mrs. Mary Sue Kosky, has made the difficult decision to move into a new role caring for her parents, who are in greater need of support and assistance. Mrs. Kosky has done an exceptional job with our school. She has a tenderness and love for our parents, staff, and students of Sacred Heart Cathedral School. During her tenure, we have increased enrollment, maintained a balanced budget, renovated our gym, and built a new turf field. More importantly, she has worked tirelessly to allow our Catholic identity to shine forth and continued our vision of “making disciples through worship, formation, and service.” Guided in her decisions by the Holy Spirit, she has built a strong leadership team with our Assistant Principals, Mr. Mark Amrein and Mrs. Valerie Hanks, our Development Director, Elisa Crawford, and our Admissions team with Emily Widmer and Clarissa Rojas. She has recruited
excellent teachers and staff. I am truly grateful for Mrs. Kosky’s sacrifices to lead our school community; we are stronger because of her leadership.
Please join me in thanking and supporting Mrs. Kosky as she prepares to give the gift of her time to her parents in the twilight of their lives. While Mary Sue will be splitting her time between Knoxville and Florida, I am glad she and her husband, Robert, will continue to be active members of our Cathedral Parish Family. Mrs. Kosky and her family will remain in our prayers.
I have invited Mrs. Valerie Hanks to step into the role of principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School, and I am excited that she has accepted my invitation. Mrs. Hanks has been an active leader in the school as
a teacher, Academic Dean, and Assistant Principal. This is possible because of the succession planning and leadership development that has been a part of our strategic planning. It allows us to develop strong leadership now and for the future. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Valerie Hanks as our new principal of Sacred Heart Cathedral School beginning July 1, 2025.
Mr. Mark Amrein will continue in his role as Assistant Principal, and we will begin a search for a new Assistant Principal to replace the position formerly held by Mrs. Hanks. Along with me, our search committee includes members of the school board, faculty and administration: COO CMSHJ -Mary Mac Wilson, SHCS Administrators – Valerie Hanks, Mark Amrein, School Board – Jason Wakley, Bruce Hartmann, and SHCS Faculty – Michelle Coffman.
Included with this letter is a message from Mrs. Kosky and Mrs. Hanks. Thank you for entrusting us with your children as we continue to form disciples of Christ. Please be assured of my continued prayers for
each of you and your families.
In Christ’s peace,
Father David
Very Rev. David A. Boettner
Rector- Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus