SOUTHERN PINES, NC – Bishop Luis Zarama, joined by Father John Forbes of Sacred Heart and Father John Kane of St. Anthony of Padua, celebrated Mass with students, faculty and families at St. John Paul II Catholic School to mark the start of the new school year. The visit and Mass also ushered in a new era for the school, which has officially transitioned to a regional governance model to better serve the growing Catholic community in Moore County, Hoke County, Fort Liberty and surrounding areas.
During his homily, Bishop Luis, a native of Colombia, humorously noted that he speaks “one and a half languages—Spanish and a little bit of English.” He emphasized the universal language of love through Christ, encouraging students to listen in silence to find joy in their hearts. The Mass concluded with Bishop Luis blessing the newly formed regional board of directors, charging them with the responsibility to make St. John Paul II “the best!”
Originally founded as St. Anthony’s School nearly 20 years ago, St. John Paul II Catholic School was renamed to honor the late Holy Father and reflect its regional role. The school’s new governance structure, modeled after Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, includes a board of directors and a parent advisory committee to provide strategic leadership alongside the school’s principal.
The regional model aligns with the school’s mission to serve a growing number of families seeking a traditional Catholic education. To accommodate this growth, St. Anthony of Padua and Sacred Heart parishes have launched fundraising campaigns to expand the school’s facilities.
New Board of Directors:
- Bishop Luis Zarama
- Father John Forbes
- Father John Kane
- Lin Hutaff (Chair, Sacred Heart parishioner)
- Craig Lister (Vice Chair, St. Anthony of Padua parishioner)
- Matthew Caruso
- Jim Duers
- Heidi Etowski
- Steve Kastner
- Joyce (Joy) Nuzzie
- JoAnn Sciarrino
- Mike Szydlowski
- Marcelo Eureste (Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Raleigh)
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