Mary Rochford appointed superintendent of schools
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
Mary Rochford, formerly the archdiocesan assistant superintendent for elementary educational services, has been named archdiocesan superintendent of schools. She is the first woman in the Philadelphia Archdiocese to be named to that post.
“The Archdiocese is blessed to have such a gifted administrator assisting in the leadership of our Catholic schools,” Cardinal Justin Rigali said. “Ms. Rochford is an exceptional educator who inspires our students, teachers and administrators with her faith and unwavering commitment to Catholic education. I am confident that she will bring the same enthusiasm and devotion to her new role as superintendent of schools.”
Rochford will assist Richard McCarron, the archdiocesan secretary for Catholic Education, in overseeing the Archdiocese’s 182 Catholic elementary, 20 secondary and five special education schools in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
“This appointment gives great hope for the future of Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools in our Archdiocese,” said McCarron who, in addition to being secretary for Catholic Education, served as superintendent of schools.
He said his successor “will nurture and support the Catholic identity and faith formation of each member of our Catholic school community [and] is already known in all our schools for her academic leadership in enhancing the teaching of critical thinking skills.”
McCarron also acknowledged Rochford’s “deep faith and witness to Gospel values. Mary frequently encourages our principals with this common refrain, ‘I can do all things through Christ Who makes me strong.’”
Rochford is a product of Catholic schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese. A 1966 alumna of St. Athanasius School in Philadelphia, she attended Immaculate Conception School in the Germantown section of the city from first through seventh grades and graduated from Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia in 1970.
“God has blessed me with tremendous energy and a passion for Catholic education,” Rochford said. “I know full well what a Catholic education can cause within a person who truly absorbs the day-to-day graces that are present within our schools.”
She said her vision for the future of Catholic education in the Archdiocese will be a continuation of the exemplary work that already exists. “Our secondary, elementary and schools of special education continue to define and redefine the educational needs of our students as the current students are the ones who will need to find their way in this ever-changing world. The Catholic schools respond to the message of Christ as He reminds us, ‘Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them.’
“The faith formation and spiritual development of our students is our highest priority,” Rochford continued. “Springing forth from this formation and development is the clear awareness that we prepare our students in academically challenging ways so that they might take their rightful place in this world.”
A Philadelphia native, Rochford is the third of seven children of Elizabeth and the late Thomas Rochford. She resides with her mother in St. Anselm Parish in Northeast Philadelphia.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia and a master of education in administration from Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. A former member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Rochford left the community in 1993 to help care for her niece, who is severely brain-damaged.
After serving in teaching and administration capacities in parish schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and North Carolina for more than 25 years, Rochford joined the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education in 1999.
In her role as superintendent, Rochford said she plans to get out of the office “and into the schools where the action unfolds every day,” supporting the administrators, teachers, parents and students. Referring to her roots as a teacher, she added: “I never want to forget where I came from —St. Timothy Catholic School, Grade 3, 1972.”
She added: “Christ is the reason for our schools and our work ethic strives to meet that of the Master Teacher.”
To congratulate Rochford on her appointment, send correspondence to Mary Rochford, Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, 222 N. 17th St., Philadelphia, PA 19103, e-mail her at mrochford@adphila.org or call (215) 587-3700.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.
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