Sr. Mary Celine Weidenbenner, OSU, smiles with a plaque honoring her as 2024 Outstanding Catholic Educator of the Year, which was presented at the July 26, 2024 Celebration of Catholic Schools event, held this year at Christ the King School in Madisonville. RACHEL HALL | WKC

BY WKC STAFF

Editor’s note: On July 26, 2024, the Diocese of Owensboro’s Catholic Schools Office coordinated the annual in-service day for Catholic school educators, which was held this year at Christ the King School in Madisonville. The following nomination was read by superintendent David Kessler at the announcement of the 2024 Outstanding Catholic Educator of the Year.

This educator has devoted 54 years of her life to educating students throughout Kentucky. She was a teacher at St. Peter of Alcantara, Stanley (1967-71), Holy Cross School, Holy Cross (1971-73), Calvary School, Calvary (1973-76), St. Joseph, Mayfield (1985-89) and St. Mary Middle School, Paducah (1991-2006). She was principal of St. Alphonsus School, St. Joseph (1976-85). She served in a daycare center at Precious Blood Daycare, Owensboro (2006-07). Since 2007 she has been a teacher at Mary Carrico Memorial School, Knottsville, Ky. She has committed to continue teaching two religion classes at Mary Carrico Catholic School for the  upcoming 2024-25 school year after her 80th birthday. Her dedication to Catholic education and to her students in her care are a model for all of us. Whether she is teaching social studies, square dancing or a song to kindergarteners, her love for Jesus is shown in her words and actions. Her smile radiates God’s love to all she comes in contact with. She feels the pain, as Jesus would, when her students make a choice that hurts others and the Body of Christ. She lovingly challenges us to be accountable to our Catholic faith and to our Christian values.

This educator is pure joy to her colleagues and parents of her students! She is so encouraging and supportive of her colleagues, never forgetting a birthday or other special occasion. She is the first to purchase cards to be sent around for all to sign for a birthday, anniversary, or get well. She writes a special song each year and sings it to her colleagues for their birthdays. She sends a thank you to each teacher and staff member at the end of the year thanking them for their commitment to Catholic education and pointing out the ways they share their gifts at Mary Carrico. Though part-time, she is present in the school building until the end of most school days, cheering on the classes with great hallway behavior, or staying to pray with a class for Adoration later in the day. Having been at Mary Carrico for 17 years now, she is teaching the children of her former students. She has a knack for talking with parents and providing  the encouragement that is needed to get the best behavior and effort from their children. She is a beloved member of the school community who parents value. Parents look forward to their children learning from Sister and having her influence in their children’s lives! To date, she has taught more years than any other Ursuline Sister in her community.

Everyone please help me in congratulating Sr. Mary Celine Weidenbenner of Mary Carrico Catholic School in Knottsville as the 2024 Outstanding Catholic School Educator of the Year.

David Kessler, superintendent of the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Owensboro, presents Sr. Mary Celine Weidenbenner, OSU, with a plaque honoring her as 2024 Outstanding Catholic Educator of the Year, which was presented at the July 26, 2024 Celebration of Catholic Schools event, held this year at Christ the King School in Madisonville. RACHEL HALL | WKC

Originally printed in the September 2024 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.