State of Marian Catholic High School: A Message from Rev. Robert Finlan ’86 CBHS, Principal on Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Marian Catholic High School
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Dear Parents, Alumni, Parents of Alumni, Grandparents, Benefactors, and Friends of Marian Catholic High School,
As we conclude the 2025-26 academic year and prepare to celebrate the 72nd Annual Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2026 tomorrow evening, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on my first year as Principal of Marian Catholic High School.
This year has been filled with moments of joy, challenge, faith, growth, and tremendous hope for our future. More than anything, I have been reminded daily that Marian is far more than a school — it is a family rooted in faith, tradition, service, and an unwavering commitment to forming young men and women for lives of purpose.
Tomorrow, 62 outstanding graduates will receive their diplomas and become the newest members of our alumni family — joining more than 7,500 Marian graduates whose impact reaches communities throughout our region and across the country.
The Class of 2026 has distinguished itself through academic excellence, leadership, resilience, faith, and service. Many represent multi-generational Marian families, reminding us that Catholic education changes not only individual lives, but entire families for generations.
As we congratulate our graduates, we also thank their parents and families who have sacrificed greatly to provide a Marian education. Your commitment to Catholic education is an investment in faith, character, and lifelong values. We are honored to partner with you.
Gratitude for Those Who Sustain Marian
No school fulfills its mission alone.
I offer sincere appreciation to:
Our dedicated faculty and staff who tirelessly accompany our students each day with professionalism, compassion, and faith. A special thank you to Patricia Patton, P ’07, ’09 ’19, business teacher and humanities department chair on her retirement after 28 years of dedicated service to Marian;
Bishop Alfred A. Schlert and the Diocese of Allentown for their steadfast support of Catholic education;
Dr. Michael St. Pierre and the Office of Catholic Education;
The pastors throughout our region who generously support Marian through leadership, encouragement, and resources;
Our Board of Directors, led by Chairman Dave Bielen ’69, P ’91, GP ’24, whose volunteer leadership continues to position Marian for long-term success;
Alumni, parents, and community members serving on Board committees and volunteering countless hours;
The Blue and Gold Club, Alumni Association, boosters, coaches, mentors, and volunteers;
Our benefactors and donors whose generosity of time, talent, and treasure make opportunities possible for current and future students.
Your support strengthens Marian every day.
A Year of Momentum and Historic Achievements
This school year has been marked by extraordinary progress.
Together, we:
Expanded Access to Catholic Education
Marian awarded a record $815,000 in financial aid to help make Catholic education affordable for 200 students from 171 families.
Strengthened College and Career Readiness
We established partnerships with 16 colleges and universities, creating new scholarship opportunities and streamlined pathways to higher education for our students.
Celebrated Alumni Excellence and Philanthropy
More than 220 people gathered for our largest-ever Distinguished Alumnus and Hall of Fame Celebration, raising over $100,000 for scholarships and campus priorities while establishing new endowed scholarships benefiting future generations.
Strengthened the Marian Family Beyond Our Campus
Throughout the year, Marian hosted a series of highly attended regional receptions in New York, Southwest Florida, the Greater Tampa area, Philadelphia, and the Lehigh Valley, bringing together hundreds of alumni, parents, grandparents, and friends of the school. These gatherings reflected the extraordinary loyalty and affection people continue to hold for Marian long after graduation.
The warmth, pride, and enthusiasm shared at these events reminded us that the Marian family extends far beyond our campus and across many communities. The evenings provided opportunities to reconnect, welcome new supporters, celebrate memories, and strengthen relationships that will help sustain Marian for future generations.
As I witnessed these gatherings firsthand and from afar, I was struck by one common theme: regardless of where life has taken our alumni and supporters, Marian remains home.
Enhanced Our Campus
New entrance signs, pole banners, benches, campus improvements, and beautification projects continue to create a welcoming environment reflective of Marian pride.
Expanded Leadership and Expertise
We welcomed Brian Sebring as Director of Facilities and announced Samantha Schugardt as Marian’s first Director of Strategic Communications — investments designed to strengthen operations, enrollment, storytelling, and community engagement.
Strengthened Governance for the Future
The Board established new Investment and Strategic Communications Committees to support long-term sustainability, stewardship, and growth.
Looking Forward: Building Marian’s Future
Perhaps the most transformational accomplishment this year was the completion of Marian’s Campus Master Facilities Plan.
This visionary roadmap represents our commitment to safety, modernization, wellness, creative spaces, infrastructure improvements, and long-term sustainability — while preserving the faith-filled culture that makes Marian unique.
As we approach Marian’s 75th anniversary in 2028-29, we are planning boldly for future generations.
Catholic schools throughout our country face demographic and financial challenges. Marian is not immune. Yet I remain extraordinarily hopeful because our Board, leadership team, alumni, and supporters are confronting those challenges with courage, innovation, and faith.
Our commitment is clear:
Marian Catholic High School will continue preparing students spiritually, academically, and personally for generations to come.
Supporting Marian’s Mission
The generosity of our community continues to inspire me.
As we approach the close of our fiscal year on June 30, Marian is working toward an ambitious Marian Fund goal of $550,000 — support that directly impacts tuition assistance, programs, faculty development, and operational priorities.
Beginning in June, we will launch “June for Jack – The Malarkey Match Challenge,” honoring the extraordinary legacy of John “Jack” Malarkey ’51.
For more than six decades, Jack embodied Marian’s mission as educator, coach, mentor, principal, and servant leader. Through a generous matching challenge, gifts to the Marian Fund during June will have double the impact while honoring a man many affectionately knew as “Mr. Marian.”
I encourage our Marian family to participate as they are able.
A Special Tribute: Jim Sauka ’66
As we prepare to welcome new members to the Board of Directors next year, we also offer heartfelt gratitude to Jim Sauka ’66, P ’93, ’94, ’96, ’00, who concludes many years of distinguished Board service.
Jim’s devotion to Marian has touched nearly every corner of school life — as Board member, Facilities Chairman, Men of Marian leader, volunteer, supporter, bus driver, Advancement Office volunteer, founder of the French Fry Stand, and champion of Catholic education.
On behalf of the entire Marian family: thank you, Jim.
To Our Alumni: You Always Have a Home Here
To our alumni throughout the country — whether you graduated last year or decades ago — please remember:
You always have a home in Colt Country.
Stop by campus. Attend a reunion. Join us for Homecoming. Volunteer. Mentor students. Return for an alumni event. Stay connected.
Marian’s strength comes from generations who continue giving back.
We look forward to welcoming alumni celebrating class reunions ending in ‘1 and ‘6, and seeing many more this fall during Alumni Homecoming Weekend.
Closing Reflection
As a priest and educator, I believe deeply that Catholic schools remain among the Church’s greatest ministries of evangelization and formation.
I am grateful to conclude my first year as Principal surrounded by such a faithful, generous, and committed community. I am equally grateful for the opportunity next year to serve as Pastor of St. Richard of Chichester Parish while continuing to lead Marian Catholic — a role that will allow me to be present with our students and school community even more frequently.
The future of Marian will not be built by one person.
It will be built by all of us — together.
Guided by faith. Strengthened by tradition. Inspired by service. Focused on the future.
May God continue to bless our graduates, our families, our benefactors, and the entire Marian Catholic community.
With gratitude and prayers,
Rev. Robert Finlan ’86 CBHS
Principal
Marian Catholic High School
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