Announcing the new Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools
from Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda
With gratitude to God and great hope for the future of Catholic education in our local Church, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Deacon Michael McGinty as the next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, effective July 2026.
Deacon McGinty brings more than three decades of leadership experience across Catholic education, ministry, and organizational leadership. He currently serves as Head of School at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Edina, where he has led a thriving PK-8 community with a strong focus on Catholic identity, academic excellence, enrollment vitality, and operational sustainability. He had previously distinguished himself in his service as the Archdiocese’s Associate Director of Catholic School Operations, supporting pastors, principals, and school communities throughout times of transition and growth.
Throughout the search process conducted over the last few months, we sought a leader of deep faith, pastoral wisdom, operational excellence, and a profound commitment to the evangelizing mission of Catholic education. We have found all those attributes in Deacon McGinty. He has consistently demonstrated that he is a servant leader who understands that Catholic schools and parish catechetical programs are not simply institutions, but essential ministries of the Church that help young people encounter Jesus Christ and grow in holiness, wisdom, and truth.
As an ordained deacon of the Archdiocese, Deacon McGinty approaches this role not merely as an administrator, but as a ministry in service to the Church. He articulates a compelling vision for faith formation and Catholic identity in our schools and parish catechetical programs. He has consistently shared his belief that Catholic education must “develop the mind, the heart, and the soul” and work in partnership with parents to form students spiritually, academically, socially, and morally. He understands that the responsibility of Catholic education extends far beyond academic achievement; it is about forming saints, renewing families, strengthening parishes, and preparing young people to live lives of Christian witness and service.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Bernard A. Hebda
Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Deacon Micheal McGinty
About the role
The Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools serves as the chief educational leader for Catholic schools and parish catechesis programs across the Archdiocese, partnering closely with the Archbishop, pastors, school leaders, clergy, and families to foster a unified and thriving system of Catholic education. The Director is responsible for strategic leadership, operational excellence, and spiritual formation across all Archdiocesan Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in addition to ensuring the effectiveness of all parish catechesis programs.
The Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools will:
- Champion the mission and identity of Catholic education, ensuring that Gospel values and the teachings of the Church animate every aspect of the school system and parish catechetical programs.
- Provide visionary educational leadership that supports and elevates academic rigor, faith formation, and student growth across all grades and contexts.
- Collaborate with pastors, principals, and the Office for the Mission of Catholic Education to implement cohesive policies and resources that strengthen systemwide alignment across schools and parish catechetical programs.
- Promote operational vitality, including enrollment growth, recruitment and retention of outstanding Catholic educators, and sustainable fiscal stewardship.
- Be a pastoral presence and ambassador, building relationships with families, parish communities, civic partners, and benefactors to advance the vision and support for Catholic schools and catechesis programs.
The next Director of Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools will serve as a trusted collaborator, skilled communicator, and faith-filled leader who upholds the dignity of every student and educator in the Archdiocese.
About Catholic Education in the Archdiocese
The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis have a long tradition of partnering with parents in the formation and education of their children. Collectively serving more than 30,000 students in 76 elementary and 17 high schools across the 12-county metro area, the Archdiocese’s schools help prepare students for life by providing rigorous academics, developing virtue, encouraging recognition of their God-given gifts, and inviting them into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Catholic schools of the Archdiocese are accredited by Lumen Accreditation at The Catholic University of America.
The Archdiocese’s parish catechetical programs serve more than 20,000 students in grades K-12, helping them to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through systematic formation, prayer and sacramental preparation.
The Archdiocese continues to advance the mission of Catholic education with both fidelity and rigor.
