Catholic school faculty and staff participate in July 25 Mass for Celebration of Catholic Schools at Christ the King Parish and School in Madisonville. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Learners, servants, leaders: 2025 Celebration of Catholic Schools
BY RACHEL HALL, THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
Every year, the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Owensboro hosts a gathering to celebrate our 17 Catholic schools across western Kentucky.
As teachers finish preparing their classrooms – lining the desks, hanging posters, and organizing folders – their work is a motion of steadfast dedication, not unlike a prayer. They pray students will feel excited, nurtured, and welcomed when they walk in the door. They prepare “get to know me” pages and decorate bulletin boards in hope that trust and relationships will grow between students, parents, and teachers throughout the year.
On Friday, July 25, educators from across our diocese gathered at Christ the King in Madisonville for this annual celebration. This was an opportunity to recognize their incredible work, recharge spiritually, and prepare for the year ahead.
The day was kicked off with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Steve Hohman, pastor of Christ the King, who during his homily reflected on his own Catholic school upbringing and years of teaching before entering the priesthood.
Following Mass, teachers heard from keynote speaker Dr. Jason Winkle, who drew from his over 20 years of experience in higher education, speaking on the importance of leaning on their faith in their teaching and leadership, highlighting his years at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Superintendent David Kessler expressed gratitude for our diocesan educators’ dedication to their ministry and gave special recognition for those with years of service milestones. He then awarded the 2025 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year to Kiley Leonard, middle school language arts teacher serving at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bowling Green. A colleague nominated Leonard, praising her as, “a true role model for our students, not only teaching them the right thing to do but also demonstrating it through her actions.” Leonard goes beyond the expected, modeling a Christian witness with her faith, service, and dedication in all that she does.
The day also included a special recognition of Sr. Celine Weidenbenner, OSU, from Mary Carrico Catholic School in Knottsville, celebrating her 50 years of education.
As the teachers and administrators check off those final tasks and welcome new students, they do so with anticipation of the joys and challenges a new school year brings. They left that Friday with the mission Christ gave us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” – Matthew 28:19–20
Kiley Leonard, middle school language arts teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School in Bowling Green, smiles with superintendent David Kessler after Leonard received the 2025 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year Award on July 25 at Celebration of Catholic Schools in Madisonville. RACHEL HALL | WKC
Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
