Galesburg Catholic Parishes

Dear Members of the Galesburg Catholic Community:  

With great joy, our prayers have been answered. As you know, we've been searching for a principal at our school.  Over the last several weeks in conversations with Father Miller, Bishop Jenky, and Dr. Weiss, the conversation has been about the needs of the school and where that solution best comes from.  Out of that conversation, Bishop Jenky and Dr. Weiss both thought that the best fit for the current time is me.   I am happy to accept the assignment as principal of Costa Catholic Academy.  While I will still remain the parochial vicar in the parishes in Galesburg and Abingdon, I will also assume the role of principal at the school effective today.  I am excited about this opportunity and think it will be a great opportunity for growth and bridging for our parish communities and our school community.  

I come to the position as the principal with a Master of Arts degree in Divinity and a Master of Arts degree in Moral Theology.  I have received training in Mental Health First Aid, and I am currently pursuing another Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership.  I've spent the last 19 consecutive years as a student, teacher, and administrative team member in our Catholic School system.  Before coming to Costa, I've been assigned to and loved the opportunity to serve in the schools at St. Michael the Archangel in Streator, Marquette Academy in Ottawa, and Peru Catholic School in Peru. Additionally, I served for a three-year term after I was ordained on the Diocesan Education Commission for the Office of Catholic Schools.  

I am looking forward to the opportunity to spend dedicated time in our school building and in our classrooms.  In my time here, I have been greatly impressed by our faculty and look forward to working with these excellent teachers.  I am also excited to spend more time with our students and families as we journey together in the academic and spiritual formation of our children.  

I know there are many questions swirling about what the upcoming school year will look like and when we'll know about that.  Rest assured, we are working on finalizing plans for re-opening our school building for the 2020-2021 academic year.  As of now, at the recommendation of the Office of Catholic Schools and the Office of the Bishop, we will plan to open five days per week.  We'll work to ensure that our school remains a safe environment for our faculty, staff, students, and families, and that appropriate precautions are taken during this continued time of public health crisis.  I hope to finalize these details and share that plan with you with the next couple of weeks, if not sooner.   I can tell you now though, our Back to School Night is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM, and our first day (half day) back in the classroom will be Thursday, August 20.  

Please know of my continued prayers for you and for the year to come.   Please pray for me because you need holy priests, and I will pray for you because I need holy people.  

God love you, 

Fr. Jacob M. Rose 
Principal, Costa Catholic Academy
Parochial Vicar, Galesburg Catholic Parishes