By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has been named a 2025 Cognia System of Distinction, joining a select group of school systems around the world recognized for exemplary service to learners and sustained commitment to continuous improvement. The honor follows a rigorous review earlier this year and places the diocese among systems in countries such as Belgium, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.

Accreditation from Cognia, a global nonprofit organization serving more than 40,000 schools and systems in over 90 countries, is widely regarded as a mark of educational excellence. Each year, Cognia identifies a limited number of systems that not only meet but exceed its performance standards in leadership, learning and resource capacity. The Diocese of Jackson was one of only four Catholic systems worldwide – and the only Catholic diocese – to receive the 2025 distinction.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart, president and CEO of Cognia, said the process reflects the organization’s focus on helping all students succeed. He commended the Diocese of Jackson for its strong results during the 2025 review. “Cognia Systems Accreditation is a rigorous process that focuses the entire school system and its community on the primary goal of ensuring all students can flourish in engaging and equitable learning environments,” Elgart said. “We commend the Diocese of Jackson for meeting high standards and making progress on key indicators that impact student learning.”

The recognition marks a milestone in a process that began in 2018 when diocesan leaders embarked on their first systemwide accreditation journey with Cognia. The two-year process brought together principals, pastors, educators, parents and advisory councils from across Mississippi to build a framework for continuous improvement grounded in Catholic identity and academic rigor. The diocese first achieved system accreditation in 2020, establishing the foundation for this latest honor.

The Cognia review team visited diocesan schools earlier this year, meeting with educators, administrators and families. Evaluators commended the Catholic schools for their collaborative leadership, welcoming communities and the authentic integration of faith and Gospel values throughout daily learning. The team also noted the professionalism of school leaders and the strength of the diocesan system’s vision for student success.

Karla Luke, who retired as executive director of Catholic Education at the end of September after more than 33 years in Catholic education, guided the diocese through the accreditation and review process. She described the System of Distinction honor as one of the most meaningful moments of her career. Luke said that while the recognition was extraordinary, her greatest joy came from working alongside the dedicated principals, teachers and students who make Catholic education thrive across the diocese.

“Over the past 33 years, the most recent accomplishment of having Cognia recognize the Diocese of Jackson as a System of Distinction has been an overwhelming and rare experience,” Luke said. “However, in the everyday realm of the work, I am most proud of being able to interact with so many students, teachers and principals. It is very humbling to know that you have been a tiny part of a student’s life for a short time.”

Bishop Joseph Kopacz praised Luke’s leadership and the collaborative spirit of all involved in Catholic education. He said the distinction reflects both the faith and hard work that define the diocesan school system. He expressed gratitude to the principals, pastors and teachers who continue to advance the mission of forming students in faith, knowledge and service. “This recognition affirms what we already know – our Catholic schools are places of faith, excellence and community,” he said. “I am deeply grateful for the dedication of our principals, teachers and families who ensure that every child is known, loved and challenged to grow in the light of Christ.”

Joni House, who succeeded Luke as executive director in September, said the honor is both a celebration and a challenge to continue striving for excellence. She noted that the Cognia recognition affirms the strength of diocesan schools and their ongoing pursuit of improvement. House, a former principal of Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus and Cognia accreditation specialist, said she looks forward to building on the foundation Luke helped establish. “The recognition as a Cognia System of Distinction affirms the hard work of our schools,” she said, “and it challenges us to sustain and grow that culture of continuous improvement so Catholic education in our diocese remains strong and vibrant.”

As the diocese celebrates this global recognition, families are invited to experience Catholic education firsthand during Discover Catholic Schools Week that takes place Nov. 16-22, 2025. Many schools across the diocese will host open houses and special events offering families the opportunity to meet teachers, visit classrooms and see how students are growing in faith and learning every day.

For more information about Catholic schools in the Diocese of Jackson, visit https://jacksondiocese.org/schools-centers.

By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – The Catholic Foundation of the Diocese of Jackson gathered members and guests on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at the Country Club of Jackson for its annual membership meeting, celebrating another year of faithful stewardship and the continued growth of endowments that sustain ministries across the diocese.

The membership approved the docket of new board members, welcoming Dennis Antici and Gretchen Ware of St. Paul Flowood, Bob Gaston of St. Francis of Assisi Madison, and Bill Morris and Chris Walters of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson. Returning board members re-elected to serve additional terms represented parishes from across the diocese, reflecting the Foundation’s wide reach and collaborative mission.

Joe Rice, president of the board of directors, provided an overview of the Foundation’s financial health and ongoing growth. “Since 2006, our investment earnings – measured by income, dividends, and market appreciation – have been a little over $40 million,” said Rice. “During that same period, we’ve distributed more than $20 million and built reserves of over $7 million in anticipation of market weakness.”

Rice noted that the Foundation’s portfolio, valued at $11.3 million in 2010, now stands at $75.5 million. “Our charge is to be good stewards of the money that the faithful across the Diocese have entrusted us with,” he said. “It’s only through and by the grace of God that we’ve been able to accomplish these things and keep our finances strong.”

One of the year’s most significant developments, Rice shared, was the establishment of an endowed operational trust to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Foundation’s work. “This decision allows our executive director and staff to focus on what they do best – telling the story of the Foundation and helping donors create new trusts to support the ministries they are passionate about,” he said.

Executive director Rebecca Harris expressed gratitude to members and donors who make that mission possible. She shared that the Foundation now manages 407 trusts with total assets of $75.5 million. These funds support parishes, schools, diocesan ministries, seminarian education and Catholic Charities. “I love sitting down with donors and talking about what is their passion,” Harris said. “I ask them to pray about where the Holy Spirit is calling them to give – and it’s always a blessing to see where that leads.”

Harris also celebrated the success of the annual Bishop’s Cup Golf Tournament, which raised a record amount this year to support diocesan youth ministry. Funds will assist in sending more young people to DCYC – the diocese’s annual youth convention, helping strengthen faith among the next generation.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz concluded the evening with a reflection on the Jubilee Year of Hope. “The work of the Foundation feeds hope in the lives of many people,” he said. “We are so grateful to God for the blessings He continues to pour out on our diocese.”