Dear Members of the York Catholic Family,

This fall, I was approached by Mr. Barry Fitzpatrick, the principal of Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, MD, who asked me to meet with the President of the school, Brother James Kelly, C.F.X., who was terminally ill with cancer.  I was surprised and deeply humbled to have him request I succeed him as president of Mount St. Joseph High School.  My family history with the Xaverian Brothers goes back to my great-grandfather attending St. Mary's Industrial School in the 1870s.  I was taught by the Xaverian Brothers for four years at Ryken High School followed by 11 years at Mount St. Joseph's, a Xaverian Brothers-sponsored school prior to my service at York Catholic. Brother James and I served together on the school board of Ryken High School in the early 1990s, and I learned much from him.  After a thoughtful period of prayer, discernment, and discussion with my family, I told Brother James that I would like to be considered for the position.

Brother James Kelly passed away on the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, truly fitting of a giant among the Xaverian Brothers.  I attended his funeral in Baltimore with over 3,500 people in attendance.  It was really a sad day for me personally, as well as the Mount St. Joseph's community.  After a series of meetings with all the stakeholders of Mount St. Joseph High School, the Board of Directors has granted Brother James his dying wish which was for me to succeed him as president of the school.  It is certainly daunting for me to provide service as president after such a great leader.  I truly feel I’ve been called back to this community to do what I can for the mission of their school.

It is very difficult for me to leave York Catholic High School and I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to serve at this school.  After nearly 14 years, change will be positive for York Catholic.  I have informed the Diocese of Harrisburg’s Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Directors at York Catholic that I will not be renewing my contract at the end of the year. The priest prince, Count Gallitzin, who was pastor of a Catholic settlement in the Alleghany Mountains of Pennsylvania in the early 1800s, once told a young woman who was leaving for a convent in the east, "Always remember that you are useful, but not necessary."  I would like to think that I have been useful to York Catholic over the past fourteen years, but certainly not necessary.  I will work with the school board to help select an appropriate successor. 

The students and faculty of York Catholic are generating outstanding SAT and AP scores, the campus is in good shape with a recent Energy Star rating of 94, and no major work is necessary to the structural plant in the near future.  Financially, the school remains in good standing for the present and foreseeable future.

A part of my heart will always be with York Catholic and the value of the education here is paramount.  My children will continue to attend YC as I commute to Baltimore, and I will share their pride when they say they are York Catholic graduates.

Sincerely,

George E. Andrews, Jr
Principal