Principal Retreat

The annual local gathering of Catholic School principals is essential for fostering a community of leaders dedicated to the mission of Catholic education within our Diocese. Designed as a structured, spiritual, and professional renewal, the Principal Retreat helps school leaders step away from daily administrative demands and focus on faith, prayer, and Catholic identity. The event fosters collaboration, fellowship, and spiritual rejuvenation among diocesan school administrators.

The focus of the 2026 retreat was Francesco Mancini's Rest During the Flight into Egypt.  The painting captures the Catholic Schools' February's monthly devotion to the Holy Family. Through prayerful reflection on the role of St. Joseph, Fr. Samuel Asantey led the retreatants in focusing on the protective nature of their work.

Pictured below are the 2025-2026 Principals: (front row from left to right) Lesley Bacak, Shiner Catholic School - Shiner; Shawna Collins, St. Anthony Catholic School - Columbus; Leslie New, Nazareth Academy - Victoria; Taylor Jensen, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School - Schulenburg; Kathy Jahn, St. Philip Catholic School - El Campo; Brooke Tomek, Holy Cross Catholic School - Bay City; Dana Dworaczyk, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic School - Port Lavaca; Fr. Samuel Asanty, Parochial Vicar - The Cathedral of Our Lady of Victory - Victoria and  Clinical Director - Emmaus Center - Victoria; Rob Whitworth, Superintendent of Catholic Schools - Diocese of Victoria; (back row from left to right) Kevin Haas, Sacred Heart Catholic School - Hallettsville; Sean Mooney, St. Michael's Catholic School - Cuero; Megan Schott, St. Joseph High School - Victoria; Sr. Marilyn Springs, St. Joseph Catholic School - Yoakum; John Gilley, St. Joseph High School - Victoria; and Justin Matias, Our Lady of Victory Catholic School - Victoria.