Rev. John Fortin, O.S.B. Named Superintendent of Schools


Rev. John Fortin, O.S.B. Named Superintendent of Schools

 

for Diocese of Manchester

 

Bishop Peter A. Libasci has appointed Rev. John R. Fortin, O.S.B. to serve as the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Manchester. Fr. John will join the diocesan staff on Monday, June 3, 2013. To download a picture of Fr. John Fortin, visit catholicnh.org.

 

 

 

            Fr. John said, “It is a great honor to be named Superintendent. I appreciate the confidence that Bishop Libasci has shown in me by this appointment. I plan to join him and the people of the diocese in ensuring and enhancing the future of New Hampshire’s Catholic schools. These schools have both a proud tradition of forming young men and women in the faith as well as a long heritage of academic excellence. They have great potential to form the next generation of Catholics engaged in evangelization throughout the diocese. I look forward to working with the principals, faculties, staffs, and parents in our Catholic schools community to assist them in their outstanding efforts to develop and advance the quality and excellence of the schools.”

 

 

 

Fr. John professed vows as a monk of Saint Anselm Abbey in 1970.  He graduated with a degree in philosophy from Saint Anselm College and pursued theological studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA, prior to his ordination to the priesthood in 1976. Fr. John holds a master’s degree in the Great Books from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, NM and a master’s degree and a doctorate in medieval studies from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.

 

 

 

Following his ordination, he was assigned to Woodside Priory School in California, where he was a teacher and then served as headmaster. Since 1981, he has served at Saint Anselm College in many capacities, on the Campus Ministry staff, on the Residential Life staff, as Dean of Students, as a member of the Governing Board and Board of Trustees, and as a member of numerous college committees and task forces. He served on the Diocese of Manchester Presbyteral Council, chaired the Diocesan Task Force on Education and Formation in 2003-04, served as a member of the Diocesan School Board, and served on the Board of Advisors for Trinity High School. He is the founding director of the Institute for Saint Anselm Studies at Saint Anselm College and is a professor in the Philosophy Department. He has published several books and articles in scholarly journals and has given presentations at professional conferences on a variety of medieval subjects. He also preaches retreats and days of recollection for clergy, religious communities, schools, and parishes.

 

 

 

Bishop Libasci expressed his deep gratitude to Very Rev. Dennis J. Audet, VF, who has served as Interim Superintendent of Schools since August 2012, in addition to his many other responsibilities as Dean of the Lakes Region Deanery and as pastor of St. Charles Parish. Bishop Libasci said, “Fr. Audet has been a passionate and devoted supporter and leader of Catholic schools for many years and has generously offered his time and his talents to promote Catholic education.”

 

 

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Teens Robbed of I-pod/Cell Phone

 

MANCHESTER, NH- On Monday, February 11, 2013, at about 6:30 PM, Manchester Police responded to a Clay Street address for a report of a robbery.  On arrival, they met with two 16 year old Manchester teens who reported they had been the victims of a robbery a short time earlier on Somerville Street, near Belmont Street.

 

According to the boys, they were walking in the area when they were approached by two men, one of whom demanded their belongings, indicating his companion had a gun, although no gun was observed.

 

One of the boys surrendered his I-pod Nano and Galaxy S3 cell phone and the men left.  They were last seen leaving the area as passengers in an older, dark colored 4-door sedan operated by a third individual who was possibly wearing a red sweatshirt.

 

The first suspect was described as a white male in his forties, about 6’3” tall with a slender build and dark “stubble” on his face.  He was last seen wearing a dark colored vest and a green “beanie” style hat.  The second man, alleged to have possessed a gun, was described as a clean-shaven white male in his forties with an average height and build.  He was last seen wearing a camouflage shirt and khaki pants.

 

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Manchester Police Department at 668-8711.  Anonymous tips for cash rewards can be made through Manchester Crimeline at 624-4040 or online at manchestercrimeline.org.