By David Karas | Correspondent

Kathleen Blazewicz might be starting off the school year in a new building, but she feels right at home.

“It is like coming home for me,” said Blazewicz, the new principal in All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin. The veteran of Catholic education came to the All Saints community after a 37-year career in Holy Family School, Lakewood, which closed after finishing the academic year in June.

The transition to All Saints, she reflected, doesn’t feel much like a transition at all.

“You walk in and you just feel welcome. You can feel the family warmth here,” she said. “That’s what I had left at Holy Family, and that is what I have found here.”

Blazewicz, a parishioner of St. Mary of the Lake Parish, Lakewood, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from the University of Delaware, and this past May, graduated from Georgian Court University, Lakewood, with a master’s degree in administration and leadership through a joint program with GCU and the Diocese of Trenton.

She began her time in Holy Family School in 1979 as a classroom teacher, serving in that capacity until 1994 when she was named technology coordinator and established the school’s technology program. She later served as assistant to the principal before beginning in 2009 her time as technology director. Her final position there, from 2011 until last year, was as coordinator of the middle school and science teacher. Her accomplishments in Lakewood included creating and managing a laptop program and establishing a primary science lab and an upgraded lab for middle-school students.

She recalled being encouraged by her graduate cohort in Georgian Court to peruse the diocesan website for job opportunities to continue her long tenure in Catholic education.  Having visited All Saints on several occasions for workshops in the past, she was familiar with the school and applied, hardly expecting to soon be named the school community’s new leader.

As she kicks off her inaugural school year in Manahawkin, she is overjoyed.

“God gave me a new home, and here I am,” she said.

In a recent interview with The Monitor, Blazewicz discussed her belief in the power of Catholic education, as well as the tremendous capacity that those involved in Catholic schools have.

“It is a ministry,” she said. “You are called to teach in Catholic school…It is about openly sharing the values of the Church.”

She described the role of educators in shaping the Catholic identities of their students, characterizing it as “a service.” She also noted how much of a sacrifice parents make to provide such an opportunity for their children.

Blazewicz said that she looks forward to getting acquainted with the faculty, staff, students and parents in the All Saints community, and in seeing what has been working well, and what can be enhanced.

She said that one thing she is considering is finding ways to strengthen the presence of faith and religion in the daily routine of students, whether related to prayer or additions to the school’s chapel.

When discussing her career in education, Blazewicz said that friends have often suggested that she shift to working in a public school environment, mainly because of the higher salary potential.

That wasn’t something she was ready to consider, however.

“This is where my heart is,” she said. “God finds ways to provide for you.”