Ten Network of Sacred Heart Schools member schools welcome new leadership

Ten schools within the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, a network of 25 Catholic independent Sacred Heart schools and the United States – Canada Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart, welcomed new Heads of Schools and Presidents to their respective school communities this fall.

Provincial Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, Head of the Conference of Sacred Heart Education Nat Wilburn, and several Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) from throughout the Province joined the ten school communities for commissioning and installation ceremonies and liturgies to welcome these new leaders.

Among these individuals, eight are new to the Network and three have previously served at another Network member school.

Meet those serving in new leadership positions across the Network of Sacred Heart Schools:

Micheline Dutil-Hoffmann, Head of School, Academy of the Heart (New Orleans, Louisiana)

|
Micheline Dutil-Hoffmann with Nat Wilburn. (Photo courtesy of Academy of the Sacred Heart)
Micheline Dutil-Hoffmann with Nat Wilburn. (Photo courtesy of Academy of the Sacred Heart)
|

Timothy Horner, Head of School, Academy of the Sacred Heart (St. Charles, Missouri)

|
Timothy Horner (middle) with (from left to right) Nancy Koke, RSCJ; Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ; Maureen Glavin, RSCJ; Lynne Lieux, RSCJ; Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ; and Margaret Munch, RSCJ. (Photo courtesy of Academy of the Sacred Heart)
Timothy Horner (middle) with (from left to right) Nancy Koke, RSCJ; Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ; Maureen Glavin, RSCJ; Lynne Lieux, RSCJ; Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ; and Margaret Munch, RSCJ. (Photo courtesy of Academy of the Sacred Heart)
|

Heather Gillingham-Rivas, Head of School, and Patrick J. Coyle, President, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (Miami, Florida)

|
Provincial Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, leads a blessing over Heather Gillingham-Rivas and Patrick J. Coyle. (Photo courtesy of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart)
Provincial Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, leads a blessing over Heather Gillingham-Rivas and Patrick J. Coyle. (Photo courtesy of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart)
|

Steven R. Turner, Jr., Head of School, The Regis School of the Sacred Heart (Houston, Texas)

|
Nat Wilburn and Steven R. Turner, Jr. (right) greet Regis students before Mass. (Photo courtesy of The Regis School of the Sacred Heart)
Nat Wilburn and Steven R. Turner, Jr. (right) greet Regis students before Mass. (Photo courtesy of The Regis School of the Sacred Heart)
|

Michael F. Baber, President and Interim Head of School, Sacred Heart Greenwich (Greenwich, Connecticut)

Baber previously served as Head of School at Villa Duchesne School of the Sacred Heart (St. Louis, Missouri).

|
(right to left) Michael F. Baber with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, and Kathleen O'Connor, Chair of the Greenwich Board of Trustees . (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Greenwich)
(right to left) Michael F. Baber with Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, and Kathleen O’Connor, Chair of the Greenwich Board of Trustees . (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart Greenwich)
|

Dennis Phillips, Head of School, Sacred Heart School of Halifax (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Phillips previously served as Head of School at The Regis School of the Sacred Heart.

|
Dennis Philips (left) with Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, and Nat Wilburn. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart School of Halifax)
Dennis Philips (left) with Archbishop Brian Joseph Dunn, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth, and Nat Wilburn. (Photo courtesy of Sacred Heart School of Halifax)
|

Julia Breen Wall, Head of School, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Princeton, New Jersey)

|
The installation blessing of Julia Breen Wall (right) by Monsignor Gregory Malovetz along with a student and staff member who were part of the school's previous head's installation 11 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Stuart Country Day School)
The installation blessing of Julia Breen Wall (right) by Monsignor Gregory Malovetz along with a student and staff member who were part of the school’s previous head’s installation 11 years ago. (Photo courtesy of Stuart Country Day School)
|

Dr. Dawn Nichols, Interim Head of School, Villa Duchesne School of the Sacred Heart (St. Louis, Missouri)

|
Dr. Dawn Nichols (third from the left) with RSCJ and members of Villa Duchesne's board of trustees. (Photo courtesy of Villa Duchesne)
Dr. Dawn Nichols (third from the left) with RSCJ and members of Villa Duchesne’s board of trustees. (Photo courtesy of Villa Duchesne)
|

Dr. Susan Tyree Dempf, Head of School, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart (Lake Forest, Illinois)

Dr. Dempf previously served as Head of School at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles.

|
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, leads a blessing of Dr. Susan Tyree Dempf (left). (Photo courtesy of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart)
Suzanne Cooke, RSCJ, leads a blessing of Dr. Susan Tyree Dempf (left). (Photo courtesy of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart)
|

Not pictured

Carla Jantos MacMullen, Head of School, Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania)

The Latest

From the Archives: Canonization of Madeleine Sophie Barat Virtual Exhibit

From the Archives: Canonization of Madeleine Sophie Barat Virtual Exhibit

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat’s canonization. There are many wonderful items from her canonization held in the Society of the Sacred Heart United States – Canada Province archives. The archives building is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and so for those who are unable to visit in-person, we share…

Welcome Pope Leo XIV

Welcome Pope Leo XIV

Alleluia! Alleluia!! Our hearts were filled with joy as we heard the words “We have a new Pope!” Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. Pope Leo greeted the people of God with Jesus’ Easter message – Peace be with you! Our hearts are filled with gratitude, believing that Pope Leo will be…

Rehabilitation of chapel in Grand Coteau complete, altar consecrated

Rehabilitation of chapel in Grand Coteau complete, altar consecrated

By Caroline Richard, Director of Le Petit Musée and Shrine of Saint John Berchmans in Grand Coteau, Louisiana The Chapel at the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau has just completed an extensive and necessary rehabilitation. For almost two centuries, the Chapel has been the spiritual heart of the campus and…

Diane Roche, RSCJ, honored by Catholic Charities

Diane Roche, RSCJ, honored by Catholic Charities

April 10, 2025, Diane Roche, RSCJ was among seven volunteers recognized by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington at their annual Caritas! event. Sister Roche received the Father John O’Connor Award for Empowerment and recognized for her work at the Refugee Service Center. Catholic Charities wrote of Diane: Sister Diane Roche, RSCJ, is an impactful…

RSCJ visits Newton Country Day, shares about United Nations experience

RSCJ visits Newton Country Day, shares about United Nations experience

Cecile Meijer, RSCJ, visited Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart in early February to speak about her time and experience at the United Nations (UN). Sister Meijer served as the Society of the Sacred Heart’s first UN-NGO (Non-governmental organization) representative from 2003-2017. Sarah Malone, who teaches high school theology, extended the invitation to…