Dear Friends of St. Mary's,

I am writing to announce to you that Mrs. Debbie Ollis has expressed her intention to retire from her position as principal of St. Mary Catholic School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

On behalf of our faculty, staff, students, and parents, I would like to express our deep gratitude for her many years of dedicated service. Her leadership, guidance, and tireless efforts have been a constant source of inspiration to us all.

As a first class Catholic school principal, she has provided us with an unwavering example of faith, compassion, and commitment to education. She has been a mentor, a role model, and a friend to so many of us. For over two decades she has poured her entire self into our school and has left a lasting impact on our parish family and the wider community.

She has always had an open door policy and was always willing to listen to the concerns of teachers, parents, and students alike. All students and alumni from her tenure at St. Mary's have been better for their time here, thanks to the Christ centered environment she created and maintained.

In addition to her dedication to our school community, we have also been touched by the love and care that she has shown to her own family. Her devotion to them has been an example to us all of the importance of family values and of balancing personal and professional life.

I'll close with some words to Mrs. Ollis: As we bid you farewell and wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement, we want you to know that your contributions to our school will always be remembered and valued. We will miss you dearly, but take comfort in knowing that the legacy you have built at St. Mary Catholic School will continue to thrive for years to come.

To our St. Mary Families, please be assured that St. Mary Catholic School is committed to our legacy of excellence. Our search for our new St. Mary Catholic School Principal is in progress, facilitated by The Archdiocese of Mobile Office of Catholic Schools. Details will be announced soon. 

Thank you for everything and God bless.

In Christ,

Very Rev. Stephen Vrazel

From Our Principal, Mrs. Ollis

Dear Members of the St. Mary Catholic School Family,

For over 20 years I have had the honor of serving as principal of St. Mary Catholic School. It has truly been the highlight of my 40 plus years in Catholic education. After much thought and prayer I have made the decision to retire from this position at the end of the current school year. I cannot thank you all enough for the love and support I have been given from every sector of this community.

St. Mary Catholic School is a special place. I have truly felt the presence of God here. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with three supportive pastors, numerous support staff, dozens of talented teachers and so many generous parents and volunteers. Most dear to me are the hundreds of children who have been students here while I served as principal. Each and every one of them have been a gift.

I look forward to what the future holds for me personally and for St. Mary Catholic School.

God Bless,

Debbie Ollis