Sr. Catherine Stewart O.P.
I am so excited to be the principal on the St. Agnes campus! I’m eager to become an integral part of the warm, welcoming community I’ve experienced these past weeks. I grew up on a farm in central Illinois. I am the oldest followed by twin brothers and a sister. Living on a farm gifted me with a strong work ethic, a love for nature and a deep trust in God. I often heard my parents talk about how we must trust God for rain when crops needed it or dry weather for baling hay. I knew I wanted to be a teacher in third grade; I often played school with my siblings, and I loved learning. I always had a book close by and could be found reading while filling water tanks for the animals.
I received a BA in elementary education from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL, an MA in elementary education with a specialization in Reading from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, an Ed.S. degree in Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. and an Ed.D degree from the University of Sarasota in Florida. I am a lifelong learner, a wide reader, and enjoy learning new things. I have taught in the Primary Grades, in Junior High, in a Catholic High School, in Teacher Preparation Programs at three different universities, and have served as Principal. Honestly, I don’t have a “favorite” ministry–I’ve enjoyed the variety of educational experiences–”Students are my business.”
I was drawn to our Springfield, IL community because we focused on the four pillars of St. Dominic: prayer, study, community, and preaching. The Dominican Order is the only religious order that is both contemplative and active. I am deeply grateful that God has gifted me with the ability to be aware of Him throughout my day. I treasure moments in which I can share in others’ faith journeys. It is a privilege to help students, parents, staff, and parishioners initiate and/or deepen their relationships with God. I enjoy walking, hiking, baking, reading, word games (Wordle, Quordle, Crossword puzzles), and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy attending plays, concerts, and musicals. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you. Please feel free to stop me wherever you happen to see me and introduce yourself. I know our first year together will be filled with moments of laughter, smiles, tears, joys, and sorrows because there “is a season for everything under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
I received a BA in elementary education from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL, an MA in elementary education with a specialization in Reading from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, an Ed.S. degree in Administration from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. and an Ed.D degree from the University of Sarasota in Florida. I am a lifelong learner, a wide reader, and enjoy learning new things. I have taught in the Primary Grades, in Junior High, in a Catholic High School, in Teacher Preparation Programs at three different universities, and have served as Principal. Honestly, I don’t have a “favorite” ministry–I’ve enjoyed the variety of educational experiences–”Students are my business.”
I was drawn to our Springfield, IL community because we focused on the four pillars of St. Dominic: prayer, study, community, and preaching. The Dominican Order is the only religious order that is both contemplative and active. I am deeply grateful that God has gifted me with the ability to be aware of Him throughout my day. I treasure moments in which I can share in others’ faith journeys. It is a privilege to help students, parents, staff, and parishioners initiate and/or deepen their relationships with God. I enjoy walking, hiking, baking, reading, word games (Wordle, Quordle, Crossword puzzles), and hanging out with friends and family. I also enjoy attending plays, concerts, and musicals. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and getting to know you. Please feel free to stop me wherever you happen to see me and introduce yourself. I know our first year together will be filled with moments of laughter, smiles, tears, joys, and sorrows because there “is a season for everything under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
