Dr. Shannon Gomez Commissioned as President 

The St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School community gathered today in prayer to formally welcome and commission Dr. Shannon Gomez as President, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the 175-year story of St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School.

The Mass, concelebrated by Fr. Nicholas Reynolds and Fr. Scott O’Brien, brought together students, educators, families, Trustees, representatives of the Dominican Sisters of Peace and Dominican Veritas Ministries (DVM), along with alumni and other special guests. As a school community we honored the extraordinary legacy of the Dominican Sisters of Peace while looking with hope toward the future of the school. 

Inspired by St. Dominic’s call to bring the Light of Christ into the world, the rite of commissioning invited Dr. Gomez to embrace the responsibility of carrying that light forward as she leads with courage, truth and compassion. 

Sr. Therese Leckert, O.P., led Dr. Gomez through the rite. Educators welcomed her into the work of forming students who lead with integrity, joy and a commitment to social justice. Students invited her to witness to the Gospel through a life grounded in the Dominican Pillars of Study, Prayer, Community and Service. Trustees welcomed her into the work of promoting and maintaining the mission of the school and the heritage of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Parents invited her to share in the care and guidance of students and to model a life rooted in faith, justice, joy and compassion.

A highlight was the presentation by students of several gifts to Dr. Gomez. A framed school prayer expressed the heart of who we are as a school and the faith that guides our work. A school blanket served as a reminder that Dr. Gomez is surrounded by the love, prayers and traditions of the entire school family. A monogrammed vase symbolized the beauty that grows when we faithfully serve God and one another.

The ceremony included a special blessing led by Dr. Kristen Melley, Executive Director of DVM, asking God to strengthen Dr. Gomez with wisdom and grace as she serves as both leader and servant of the school. 

The commissioning serves as a reminder that leadership at St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School is about more than guiding a school. It is about carrying forward a mission rooted in the Dominican tradition and bringing that mission to life in a changing world.

In her address to the school community, Dr. Gomez reflected on the significance of the moment and the responsibility she has been entrusted to carry forward.

“The legacy I have been commissioned to steward today was built by extraordinary people, and I intend to honor every one of them by ensuring that the next chapter of this story is as luminous as the ones that came before.

“And so, with a grateful heart, I accept this commission. I accept the responsibility. I accept the joy. I accept the work. And I accept the invitation to walk with all of you into whatever God has in store for St. Agnes Academy–St. Dominic School. Let us go forward, together, in joy, and with great, audacious, Dominican hope.”