Between 6th and 15th February 2025, Fr. Pedro Aguado, General Father, made a long-awaited visit to the Province of USA-PR. During his visit, he held meetings with the Provincial Congregation, with the novitiate community in the Piarist presence of Hialeah, participated in a Eucharistic celebration at St. John the Apostle Parish Church, planted a tree at the new St. John the Apostle Parish School, and met with the first community of Fraternity members in the Province of USA-PR.
Later, the General Father, together with Fr. Francisco Anaya, Provincial Father, and the General Assistant for America, travelled to Philadelphia. During this visit, Fr. Pedro Aguado met with the Piarist religious community in Devon, as well as with:
- The Student Council of Devon Prep
- The Administrative Council of Devon Prep
- The Pastoral Ministry Council of Devon Prep
- The Student Counselling Council of Devon Prep
- The students of Devon Prep at the Eucharistic celebration
Finally, Fr. Pedro Aguado, Provincial Father Francisco Anaya, Provincial Assistant Fr. Vinod, and General Assistant for America, Julio Alberto Álvarez (who served as interpreter during the visit), travelled to Kentucky to visit the Piarist religious community, which has resumed its educational mission on behalf of the Province of USA-PR.
“The Piarist School”: A Living Educational Commitment
“The Piarist School” was formally founded by Fr. Thomas R. Carroll, Sch. P., in 1990, in Martin, Floyd County. Since 2015, the school has been located in Hager Hill, Johnson County. The school is sustained through a fundraising initiative: “Piarist Outreach Project”, which supports local families.
Fr. Thomas R. Carroll, the school’s founder, passed away in April 2024. Shortly afterwards, the Province of USA-PR resumed responsibility for this mission. The current Piarist community consists of:
- John Callan, Principal of the School
- David Powers, teacher of Geometry and New Testament
- Sunil Damiyanose, originally from India, teacher of Religion and Church History
Fr. Pedro Aguado met with the community, as well as with each religious and the teaching staff individually. He also visited every classroom, engaging with students, who all gave the same response: “In this school, we are loved and cared for.”
The Calasanz Movement and a Greater Educational Family
At this school, the Calasanz Movement is promoted by the teaching staff, under the coordination of Fr. Sunil Damiyanose. On this occasion, they surprised everyone with a beautiful theatrical performance on the life of St. Joseph Calasanz.
The teachers also presented the school, highlighting its mission, vision, educational projects, values, and philosophy. Mr. Kevin Owens gave a presentation on the Piarist Fathers’ missionary work in the Province of USA-PR, raising awareness among those present that “The Piarist School” is part of a much larger family.
The visit concluded with a Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving for 35 years of this wonderful educational mission, where the charism of Calasanz is truly alive in every member of the educational community, nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.
The Eucharist was presided over by Bishop John Eric Stowe, of the Diocese of Lexington (Kentucky), who also participated in the lunch and the students’ theatrical performance.
One last mention about this visit. During a tour of the school to get to know the facilities and staff, we came across a tree painted on the wall of one of the classrooms. The names of those who have graduated from the school are written on the leaves of the tree. An interesting fact about this school is that 100% of the students who enrol complete their education and the same percentage go on to university. This is not just a statistic, but a source of great joy for the families and the Province of the USA-PR: high standards, commitment, mutual care and celebration. In one of the photos, the flags of the universities that the students have entered after their comprehensive education at “The Piarist School” are shared.
Thus concluded the visit of the General Father, who encouraged and supported these three magnificent pastoral and educational platforms in the Piarist Presence of USA-PR.
