Nativity Jesuit Academy “Trailblazers”
Nativity Jesuit Academy’s Class of 2024, known as the “Trailblazers,” launched the school’s elementary program when they started K4 in 2014. A decade later, they are the first coed class to graduate from Nativity.
Four Appointments at Midwest Jesuit Schools
Dr. Jim Power
Karl Ertle
Tim Grady
Fr. Martin Connell, SJ
On June 17, Dr. Jim Power became the 13th president of Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis. On July 1, two presidents will assume roles at Ohio schools—Karl Ertle at St. John’s Jesuit High School & Academy in Toledo, and Tim Grady at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls. On Aug. 1, Fr. Martin Connell, SJ, will take over as dean of Arrupe College at Loyola University Chicago.
Power is the former superintendent of Catholic Schools in Providence, R.I., where he oversaw 36 Catholic primary and secondary schools.
Ertle has extensive experience working in both all-boys and co-ed Catholic education, including 41 years in Jesuit schools.
Grady served in various roles at Boys Hope Girls Hope of Northeast Ohio and was executive director of the Arrupe Neighborhood Partnership at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland.
Father Connell most recently served as rector at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. Before that he was rector of the Jesuit Community at John Carroll University, where he was also an associate professor.
A Birthday Blessing from Pope Francis
In April, Fr. Joseph Daoust, SJ, superior of the Holy Rosary Mission and the De Smet Jesuit Community in Pine Ridge, S.D., asked Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, for a favor. Brother Michael Zimmerman, SJ, the longtime sacristan and manager of maintenance and grounds at the mission, was about to turn 90. He had worked in Argentina for 16 years, including when Pope Francis was the Jesuit provincial there. Could the Father General ask Pope Francis for a birthday blessing?
Father General made the request and three hours later Pope Francis responded with a hand-written note in Spanish. When Fr. Daoust read the note to Br. Zimmerman on his birthday—in the hospital room where he awaited surgery—Br. Zimmerman was moved to tears. The surgery was a success, and Br. Zimmerman recovered well.
Rev. Br. Michael Zimmerman, SJ
Dear Brother,
I know that tomorrow you will have completed 90 years. I know you were in Argentina, in Salta if I am not mistaken.
I remember your work and your cheerfulness (or happiness, joy).
I pray for you in this commemoration, and I ask that you please pray for me!
May Jesus bless you, and the Holy Virgin care for you.
Fraternally,
Francis
Above is the original note from Pope Francis. The English translation Fr. Daoust read to Br. Zimmerman is at left.
The Queen City Thanks Fr. B
Earlier this year, Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval and the Cincinnati City Council recognized Fr. Albert J. Bischoff, SJ, known to many as “Father B,” for the positive impact he has had on students’ lives and the Xavier University community for more than 50 years.
The resolution notes Father B’s graduation in 1949 from Xavier University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, his ordination in 1956 in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, his service as a parish pastor and teacher at Elder High School, and the Master of Education degree he received from Xavier in 1958. He entered the Society of Jesus in 1979.
“Father B has supported students and served the Xavier University community in numerous roles including as Emeritus Campus Minister for the Dorothy Day Center for Faith and Justice, resident minister in Husman Hall, and minister of Bellarmine Chapel,” the resolution reads in part. “Father B recently celebrated his 97th birthday and, as he retires to join [a] Jesuit Community…has been celebrated as an endearing fixture of the Xavier University community, supporting students and becoming a beloved face on campus.”
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Photo: Steve Donisch