NEW YORK, NY (May 21, 2023) — Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York. She will succeed Mr. Michael Deegan, who will be retiring from that role at the end of the current academic year.
The hiring was announced by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan in a statement issued last month. “After an extensive search process, wide consultation, and much prayer, Sister Mary Grace Walsh has accepted my invitation to serve as the next Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York,” he said.
Sister Mary Grace is no stranger to the Archdiocese of New York. A member of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she has served in the archdiocese as both a teacher and principal in Catholic schools and received a Ph.D. in Educational Administration/Church Leadership from Fordham University. She has also served as Provost for Education, Evangelization, and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Hartford and as Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of Education and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Bridgeport.
Sister Mary Grace is excited to serve in this archdiocese and looks forward to working with priests and pastors, teachers, principals, staff in schools, benefactors, parents and students to give young people an outstanding academic and spiritual formation.
Sister Mary Grace will succeed Michael J. Deegan who announced his retirement from the position of Superintendent of Schools of the Archdiocese of New York in December 2022, effective summer 2023. He has served as superintendent for the past four and a half years, following more than 50-years as a teacher, principal, associate superintendent, and deputy superintendent.
Cardinal Dolan expressed his gratitude to Mr. Deegan for his many years of service to Catholic education in the archdiocese. “The legacy that Mike will leave on Catholic education in the Archdiocese of New York is immeasurable,” he said.
Sister Mary Grace Walsh will begin her new role as Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York in July.
