Bishop Dennis Sullivan of the Diocese of Camden has appointed Father Allain Caparas as principal of Saint Joseph High School in Hammonton, N.J. Father Caparas succeeds Lynn Domenico who announced her retirement in February of this year after nine years of service to the school.
A priest of more than 10 years in the Diocese of Camden, Father Caparas most recently served as Director of Catholic Identity and head of the religion department at Gloucester Catholic High School. In this capacity he oversaw the Catholic formation of all students at the school.
“Father Caparas is not only an excellent educator and administrator of the Diocese of Camden, but he also brings a passion for the Catholic values of faith and service to others to his every assignment,” said Bishop Sullivan. “His appointment demonstrates the Diocese’s commitment to continuing the tradition of educational excellence at Saint Joseph High School, and the ongoing support of the Catholic faithful of Hammonton, as well as Atlantic, Cumberland and Camden counties, all of which are served by the high school.”
Father Caparas is the first priest of the diocese to hold the title of principal in nearly a decade. He will assume leadership of the school on July 1, 2016.
“I am humbled and grateful to Bishop Sullivan for entrusting to me the work of being the principal of Saint Joseph High School. I believe that to be a successful Catholic school the focus has to be on the students – what is best for them and what we can do to help them to be successful in life, grow in their faith, and to be men and women for others. Saint Joseph has a rich legacy that dates back to 1935 — and I stand on the shoulders of many giants who built this school. The best way we can honor them is to continue the work they’ve begun and move forward with confidence into the future,” said Father Caparas.
Mary Boyle, Superintendent of the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Catholic Schools noted that Rev. Caparas “is a much beloved member of the Gloucester Catholic High School community and a gifted messenger of the Catholic ideal for students and their families. He will be an excellent addition to both the community of Saint Joseph High School, the city of Hammonton and the entire region the school serves.”
“This has been my home for many years,” said Lynn Domenico. “I am happy and blessed to have spent so many years working in Catholic schools in the diocese and to finish this stage of my career here at Saint Joe’s. The appointment of Father Caparas is very, very good news and I know he will maintain the great work of our students and ensure that the school will remain deeply rooted in our Catholic faith.”
Saint Joseph’s Advancement Director Jodi Domenico-Kollias noted that “This is very exciting news. Everyone has been waiting in anticipation since we first learned Lynn was retiring. Father Caparas is going to find that our students are very engaged and will welcome him with open arms. It’s great that he already knows so much about our school, our successes and our traditions.”
Prior to his appointment to Gloucester Catholic High School, Father Caparas taught at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, N.J., and served as pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Newfield, N.J. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University and Saint Charles Seminary, where he earned his graduate degree in theology.
About Saint Joseph’s High School:
Opened in 1949, Saint Joseph High School provides a unique Catholic high school experience to students and families from Atlantic, Cumberland and Camden Counties. Students receive a comprehensive quality Catholic education that fosters excellence in scholarship, lifelong learning, enlightened citizenship, and moral integrity. Our mission is to prepare students to serve as leaders who will use their Catholic values and education to shape a world of social justice and peace.