Fr. Hillyard Named New Ireton Principal

Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 3/20/03)

Oblate Father Matthew Hillyard (pictured at right) was named the new principal of Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. He will succeed Oblate Father Kevin M. Nadolski at the end of this academic year.

Dr. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Arlington, made the announcement last week to Bishop Ireton’s faculty and staff during a packed faculty meeting.

"I would like to thank Father Nadolski for his three years of faithful and devoted service to the young men and women studying at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria and, therefore, to our diocesan community," said Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde. "Father Nadolski’s commitment to the intellectual and spiritual formation of our young people has strengthened our diocesan church, and has given our young people a solid formation in Catholic doctrine which will serve them in good stead throughout their lives.

"I would also like to thank Father Hillyard for accepting the position of principal at Bishop Ireton," Bishop Loverde said. "As both an alumnus and teacher, Father Hillyard is uniquely qualified to lead the Bishop Ireton community. Having also served as chaplain at the school, he is able to lead the students entrusted to his care to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. The students, faculty, and staff of Bishop Ireton High School have been blessed with the leadership of Father Nadolski, and I am confident that that dynamic leadership will continue under Father Hillyard. To my warm welcome to Father Hillyard in his new position, I add congratulations and pledge my prayer-filled support."

Oblate Father Edward Fitzpatrick, assistant provincial and director of personnel for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, was also present for the announcement. He echoed the comments of Bishop Loverde by saying that he was delighted that Father Hillyard had stepped forward to accept this responsibility. He felt confident that even though, in any leadership transition, especially a transition within an academic institution there will be challenges, there was a stability at Bishop Ireton that was reflective of the Salesian charism that has been sustained by Father Nadolski and will be further strengthened by Father Hillyard.

Father Hillyard, a 1979 Ireton graduate, was an outstanding student and received the Salesian Medal for service. Before coming to Bishop Ireton in 2000, Father Hillyard served as chaplain at Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax.

"I am very excited and very honored to be the next principal of Bishop Ireton," Father Hillyard said. "It is largely due to my experience here as a student that I am an Oblate priest. Ireton and the Oblates have had a profound impact on my life; it is my hope that this Salesian charism will continue for our students."

Father Nadolski was named director of vocations for the Oblates’ Wilmington/Philadelphia Province. He will assume his new role July 1.

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