Pastor’s Welcome Letter

June 9, 2020

Dear Members of the St. Mary’s Community, School and Parish,

In February, Mrs. Patricia McDermott announced her plans to retire as principal of St. Mary Catholic School on June 30. A lot has happened between now and then! We are grateful for Mrs. McDermott’s tireless work, with the faculty, to give our students the best possible education in very challenging circumstances. We also began the search process for the next principal in midst of those challenging circumstances.

Today, I am happy to announce that Mr. Frank Nicely will serve as the next principal of St. Mary Catholic School. Mr. Nicely has served as a teacher, dean of academics, assistant principal, principal, and headmaster at four different elementary schools, Catholic, private, and public, over the past thirty years. A native of Rochester, NY, and currently serving in the Diocese of Green Bay, WI, Maryland was home for more than twenty years as he completed his education and began his teaching career. Mr. Nicely earned a BA in Catholic Theology, with a liberal arts concentration, from Christendom College, K-8 Certification Credit Count Program from University of Maryland Baltimore County, and an MS in School Administration and Supervision from the Johns Hopkins University.

Mr. Nicely comes to us highly recommended, not only by his previous employers and coworkers, but also as the top recommendation of our search committee, comprised of a catholic school principal and members of our parish and school community, including parents of recent alumni. I ask you to join me in welcoming Mr. Nicely as he takes up this important role in the formation of our children.

Please also join me in thanking Mrs. McDermott for her dedicated service these past years, especially in these last few challenging months. Most importantly, please pray for the entire community, our students in particular, that the Holy Spirit guide and the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph watch over the “passing of the torch” from Mrs. McDermott to Mr. Nicely. With trust in God’s providence, St. Mary Catholic School will continue its 145-year commitment to empowering children in their faith journey and promoting academic excellence and life-long service inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a nurturing community.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Ernest W. Cibelli
Pastor