Gulf Pine Catholic

Volume 42, Issue 1 www.gulfpinecatholic.com September 13, 2024 G ulf P ine C atholic Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Biloxi The Department of Education of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi announced today that it has earned Cognia ® Systems Accreditation. Cognia is a nonprofit organization that provides quality assurance for schools, school districts, and education service pro- viders. “Accreditation as conferred by the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission provides schools in the Diocese of Biloxi a nationally recognized mark of quality, ” shared Jennifer Broadus, Superintendent of Education. “It demonstrates to our community our commitment to excellence, our willingness to enact meaningful change based on evaluation and feedback, and our desire to be the best we can be on behalf of the students we serve.” Cognia recognizes schools and districts across the globe that meet rigorous standards focused on produc- tive learning environments, equitable resource alloca- tion, and effective leadership. To earn Cognia Systems Accreditation, a school district must submit to internal and external review. Earning accreditation from the Cognia Global Accreditation Commission means that the school system meets Cognia Performance Standards and maintains a commitment to continuous improvement. Schools and districts in good standing can maintain their accreditation for a six-year term. Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, stated, “Cognia Systems Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all stu- dents can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments. We commend the Diocese of Biloxi for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.” Cognia is the parent organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Parents and interested community members can learn more about Cognia Systems Accreditation at cognia.org. Diocese of Biloxi Catholic Schools Earn Cognia Systems Accreditation Bishop Kihneman blesses two new homes for retired priests in Biloxi Bishop Louis F. Kihneman III blessed two new homes for retired priests on August 23 behind Our Lady of Fatima Church in Biloxi. At top left, Bishop Kih- neman prays a prayer of blessing over one the houses. At right, Bishop Kihneman sprinkles holy water on one of the houses with the assistance of Father Jacob-Matthew Smith, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Bishop Kihneman thanked current OLF pastor Father Henry McInerney and former pastor Father Paddy Mockler for their support of this project. The houses were designed by David Niolet and constructed by Kevin Shaughnessy and Shaugh- nessy Homes of Biloxi. Chris Cooper of Mandal’s Roofing Inc. in Gulfport donated the roofing for both houses. There are now seven retired priest homes behind Our Lady of Fatima. It is undecided as to who will live in the two newest homes. Photos/Terry Dickson