When students return to their classrooms at Holy Angels Catholic School, Woodbury, they will be greeted by a new principal who is far from a stranger to their community.
A member of Holy Angels Parish, Bill Hennessy is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the parish council and the school’s Dad’s Club. He has two sons – William and Theo – who are in preschool, and his wife, Christina, is the middle school math and nature studies teacher.
“Holy Angels is my parish. It’s the soil where I’m nourished mind, body and soul,” he said. “As an active parishioner, I hope that I can be a channel to connect the school, parish and community in an authentic way. I’m also looking forward to picking up the torch in our exciting school renewal of becoming the first Catholic Liberal Arts School in the Camden Diocese.”
Hennessy earned his bachelor’s degree in English, and later his master’s degree in school administration, from Rowan University, Glassboro. He brings to his new role a decade of experience in education, having served as an English teacher at Woodrow Wilson High School, Camden, and later Camden County Technical Schools in Sicklerville. For the past several years, in addition to teaching English at Camden County, he has also been responsible for leading weekly English Department meetings and developing curricula.
He also has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, having spent six years in the Marine Wing Support Squadron in Johnstown, Pa.
Hennessy considers faith to be the foundation of his life.
“The fact that God became man and established a visible Church here on earth – one that maintains an unbroken apostolic succession tracing back to Christ Himself – continually amazes me,” he said. “There is truly nothing more important than cultivating and nurturing a deep, personal relationship with God and abiding in His Church.”
He also feels strongly about the power of Catholic education, and the importance of Catholic school leaders and faculty to model Catholic identity for their students.
“Catholic education plays a crucial role in developing the student holistically – mind, body and soul. It is far more about formation than information,” Hennessy said. “I truly believe that we, as Catholic educators, have a particular responsibility as evangelists to carry out this commandment. We are called to the vocation of education, and we have to continually foster an authentic witness to the faith ourselves.”
As he assumes his new role, Hennessy is eager to get to know members of the school community, and to demonstrate his commitment to faith and Catholic education.
“I want my teachers, students, and parents to know that I am a dedicated disciple of Christ who wants to share the Gospel,” he said. “I believe an effective school leader should show magnanimity day in and day out.”
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