Plummer leaves Catholic education post to become principal in Arizona

By John Shaughnessy

Lured by an educational opportunity in the Southwest, Harry Plummer will officially end his four years as the archdiocese’s executive director of Catholic education and faith formation on June 30.

The 55-year-old Plummer will become the principal of a private school—kindergarten through the 12th grade—in the Phoenix area. He will move to Arizona with his wife, Annina, and four of their eight children.

“I began my service in Catholic school administration as a school principal in New Mexico, and my wife and I fell in love with the Southwest at that time,” Plummer said. “When the opportunity to return to this profession came up in the Phoenix area, we decided that now was the time to make the career change.”

In announcing Plummer’s decision, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin praised his efforts for the archdiocese.

“I am grateful for all the good work Harry has done in leading our educational secretariat,” the archbishop noted. “His love of the Catholic Church and ability to clearly articulate our mission and teachings were great assets in his role here.”

Looking back on his time with the archdiocese, Plummer focused on several accomplishments achieved by his staff.

He noted “the stellar success of the efforts of our Catholic school office in maximizing the benefits” of Indiana’s school voucher program, a program that has helped thousands of economically disadvantaged students and their families afford a Catholic education.

He also cited the success of hosting two National Catholic Youth Conferences in Indianapolis in 2011 and 2013, each time drawing more than 20,000 high school and college students to the events designed to deepen the faith of participants.

Two other areas of faith development also stood out to Plummer. He mentioned how the department enhanced the archdiocese’s efforts to serve people with special needs.

“We now have a full time, fully funded staff member that focuses on awareness, inclusion and specialized approaches to special religious education,” he said. “I’m really excited about this.”

Plummer also said the department “dramatically increased the number of teachers and catechists focusing on their personal formation in the faith.” He said that progress was achieved “through an innovative use of the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults and establishing the annual Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education in all our schools and faith formation programs.”

“I’m deeply grateful for being given the opportunity to lead the secretariat and serve its many talented, faith-filled employees in these and many other standout accomplishments,” Plummer said.

Before his four years with the archdiocese, Plummer had dedicated most of his adult life to Catholic education, following a career path that has taken him and his family to Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota and Montana.

In the archdiocese, Plummer succeeded Annette “Mickey” Lentz, who served as the executive director of the Office of Catholic Education and Faith Formation for 12 years.

Now the chancellor of the archdiocese, Lentz will assume leadership responsibility for the office on an interim basis. She praised Plummer for his faith and his commitment to Catholic education.

“His deep roots in the teaching of the Catholic faith have permeated his actions,” Lentz said. “His presence at the donor appeals dinners served to enforce his commitment to Catholic education. He made it very easy for ‘table talk’ to be about our Christ-centered schools and parish religious education programs.

“His commitment to his family has been admired by all. He truly ‘walks the talk’ when it comes to leading by example. God bless him and his family on their new faith journey.” †