Fr. Nadolski Leaves Ireton with Sadness, Pride

By Alfonso Aguilar
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/22/03)

After three years of leading Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria through difficult, even traumatic times, Principal, oblate Father Kevin Nadolski is leaving the school with sadness, but confident that the institution is stronger than ever.

Father Nadolski will become director of vocations for the Eastern Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and assistant of their seminary in Washington, D.C., starting June 30. The new principal will be Oblate Father Matt Hillyard.

"Father Nadolski has been nothing short of a blessing for the Bishop Ireton community and the Diocese of Arlington," said Dr. Timothy J. McNiff, diocesan superintendent of schools.

"In recognizing that his charisma, work ethic and enthusiasm has captured the hearts of many at the school, his dedication to promoting the spirituality of St. Francis to the students has made a very positive impact on the students. For that, I am most thankful," McNiff said.

"I am leaving this great school with sadness because this is a community with wonderful students, staff, parents and volunteers," said Father Nadolski, who graduated from Father Judge High School in Philadelphia in 1985 and received a bacherlor’s in journalism from Temple University four years later. In 1989 he entered the seminary of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales in the nation’s capital.

Father Nadolski said that his successor will continue to build the Church with his gentleness and strengthen. "Father Hillyard will serve our young people exceedingly well," Father Nadolski assured.

The young priest and principal of this school founded 40 years ago by the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales with the motto "Advance Always in the Love of God and Man," said that he is proud of the way the school coped with what he calls "the four evils" during his tenure, which began in July 2000. These dramatic events were the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the sexual abuse scandal within the Church, the multiple sniper attacks and the war in Iraq.

"These four events were framed in the context of the Gospel, and since then we have become more peaceful, prayerful persons," said Father Nadolski. "As the spiritual leader of this school, I just helped guide our young students through great crisis," he said, emphasizing that the whole school should be credited for overcoming these dramatic events and accomplishing many academic successes.

Valerie A. Brown, director of Development and Alumni Relations Office, said that "in the Salesian way, Father Nadolski has gone about his job, he is giving both the school and the diocese a unique gift."

Bishop Ireton promotes spiritual, intellectual, creative, scientific, technological, social and physical development, and since its inception, "the Oblates and their lay and religious colleagues have created a school with a spirit restless in the pursuit of excellence," reads one of its brochures.

To challenge students to recognize and respect the multicultural diversity within the global society is also part of this mission. The school currently has 822 students, some of them Hispanic, Asian and African-American.

"We are a community where people enjoy being here because they are respected. The school is very committed to the spirit of St. Francis de Sales," said the principal, who also received two masters, one in Divinity from the De Sales School of Theology and one in Education Administration from Catholic University.

In his new position Father Nadolski will be responsible for working with communities and individual men to draw awareness to the Spirit leading them to consider life as an Oblate priest or brother. He will visit all apostolates where the Oblates minister in the East, from Boston to southwest Florida. 

Father Nadolski explained that this includes parishes, colleges and high schools. Other duties include collaborating with parishes and Newman Center councils to design pastoral plans for the work of local vocation ministry.

In one of his last messages to all members of the school, Father Nadolski said "I am proud and honored to have been part of a school that has helped so many students achieve their personal and professional goals…. I pray that you will continue your support the help the school maximize its growth to strengthen our Church by our committed graduates who advance always by living Jesus."

Brown said that the principal has moved the community of Bishop Ireton toward a growth in faith by helping everyone "to recognize we are truly Church. Every morning he greets every one by saying ‘Good morning Church’".

"His presence in and around the school has been a very positive influence on the students. He will be truly missed," Brown added.  

Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.