Florida Catholic | New School Superintendent

New school superintendent has dual role

Nicholas Wolsonovich is responsible for diocesan schools and the oversight of faith formation in both Catholic schools and parish religious education programs.

Published: 01.25.08

ORLANDO | Bishop Thomas Wenski chose the beginning of a new year as the time to formally introduce Nicholas Wolsonovich as the Diocese of Orlando’s faith formation secretary and Catholic schools superintendent. Bishop Wenski hosted a reception for Wolsonovich Jan. 3 at Bishop Moore High School here.

CHARLES HODGES | FC
Dr. Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, new faith formation secretary and Diocese of Orlando Catholic Schools superintendent, left, talks to Kathy Martin, center, and Phyllis Mann, right, both of the Office of Schools, Jan. 3 at Bishop Moore High School in Orlando.

“The search committee did an excellent job in discerning this selection. I am most grateful to Dr. Harry Purpur, our current superintendent of schools, who has served the church well,” Bishop Wenski said in December when announcing the appointment. Purpur’s last day on the job will be Jan. 31.

Wolsonovich, who starts Jan. 28, served as superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago for seven years. He served in the ministry of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, for more than 35 years, 16 as superintendent of schools. He received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.; a master’s degree in education from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa.; a master’s in religious education from Loyola University in New Orleans; and a doctorate in educational leadership/administration from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.

“I am passionate about religious education both for what it has to do with the schools and for the different parish programs,” Wolsonovich said. “There is much work to do with the youths and I am deeply touched by the opportunity to continue to learn from them. I was used to facing different challenges in the Archdiocese of Chicago and expect to find them in the Diocese of Orlando, as well. This is a very active diocese and I am very happy to be part of it. I am ready to start.”

The position of secretary of faith formation was a recommendation of the diocesan Synod Commission on Episcopal Governance as part of an overall chancery reorganization. As secretary, Wolsonovich will be responsible for the oversight of faith formation, serving more than 45,000 children and young people in both Catholic schools and parish religious education programs. Serving in the capacity of superintendent of schools, he will be responsible for the oversight of five high schools, one special-education school and 31 elementary schools.

“We wish him much success in his future endeavors,” Bishop Wenski said.

Tanya Goodman of the Florida Catholic staff and Marjorie Ann Rosa, program director of Buena Nueva FM, contributed to this report.

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New school superintendent has dual role

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