Archbishop Leonard P. Blair announced today the appointment of Valerie Mara as Superintendent of the Archdiocese’s Catholic schools. Mrs. Mara has held the post of interim superintendent since February and previously served as Adjunct to the Vicar for Education, Research, and Policy.

“For the past six months, Mrs. Mara has led our schools admirably, helping guide administrators, faculty and our students through a global pandemic that challenged educators everywhere,” said Archbishop Blair. “During that time, our schools adapted and stayed open—teaching, grading and nurturing our students and their families. Valerie’s appointment as Superintendent is a fitting recognition of her accomplishments leading through turbulent times and her authorship of the current curriculum utilized by the Archdiocese of Hartford and others dioceses throughout the U.S. and internationally.”

The appointment coincides with the opening of the 2021-2022 school year and the renaming of the Archdiocese’s Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis (OEEC), which will now be known as the Center for Catholic Education & Formation. OEEC was formed in 2016 with the integration of the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization and the Office of Catholic Schools.

“This new name embodies a unifying step forward in our work to build a continuum of faith development and Catholic formation extending from childhood through adulthood,” said Father Michael Whyte, who has helmed OEEC and will remain as Vicar for the newly named Center. “The wonders of Catholic education and faith formation don’t end with a high school diploma, Confirmation or in isolation from pastoral planning,” Whyte explained. “The Center for Catholic Education & Formation beautifully and simply describes the continuous growth in the spiritual life of the faith community that is the Archdiocese of Hartford. We, therefore, begin this school year with renewed hope for our mission, confidence in our people and thankfulness to Almighty God for the families we serve.

The Staff of the Center for Catholic Education & Formation