The Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle announced today the appointment of Patrick Haggarty as superintendent of the archdiocesan Office for Catholic Schools. Haggarty, who currently is superintendent of Catholic schools in the Montana Dioceses of Great Falls-Billings and Helena, will assume his new position in the fall.

As superintendent, Haggarty will provide guidance to 58 archdiocesan elementary schools and five archdiocesan high schools as well as serving as a resource to five private Catholic elementary schools and six private Catholic high schools. Together these schools serve more than 22,000 students throughout western Washington.

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of an educator with Patrick’s experience and academic credentials as superintendent of the Office for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle,” Archbishop J. Peter Sartain said. “We are especially pleased that Dr. Haggarty brings a lifelong commitment to Catholic education that prepares students for faith-filled leadership and service to the church and society.”

Haggarty will succeed Father Stephen Rowan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Seattle, who has served as superintendent for Catholic schools since 2012.

Haggarty served as superintendent of Helena Catholic schools for eight years beginning in 2002 and became superintendent of all Montana Catholic schools in 2010. His local ties include teaching sixth- and seventh-grade social studies at Seattle’s St. Anne Catholic School from 1988 to 1990.

He earned his undergraduate degree in education from the University of Montana and a graduate degree from Lesley College in Cambridge, Mass., before returning to the University of Montana where he earned his doctorate in education in 2005.

Haggarty also was principal at Loyola Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Missoula from 1999 to 2003 and taught high school and coached at Columbia Falls High School in Montana for five years beginning in 1994. He was named President of Missoula Catholic Schools in 2000 and also has served as adjunct faculty at the University of San Francisco and Creighton University.

“I look forward to working for Archbishop Sartain and with the excellent staff of the Office for Catholic Schools in Seattle,” Haggarty said.

Haggarty also expressed gratitude to Father Rowan for developing the strategic plan for Catholic schools, “From Strength to Strength,” and for agreeing to stay on to assist with the transition.

Father Rowan, who has previously served as a college administrator and English teacher, also served as superintendent for Catholic Schools and founding chair of the Fulcrum Foundation, which raised more than $40 million for Catholic schools, from 2001 to 2008.

Archbishop Sartain praised Father Rowan for his leadership of Catholic Schools.

“From the beginning of his second term as Superintendent, Father Rowan took on his responsibilities with enthusiasm and competence,” Archbishop Sartain said. “Since he was already well known to our clergy and the majority of our educational leaders, he was accepted as a trusted colleague and gifted administrator. The fact that he led our strategic planning process for schools with such success means that the impact of his leadership will be felt for years to come. I am personally grateful for his superb work and the exceptional collaboration we have enjoyed.”

“I am very grateful for the trust that Archbishop Sartain placed in me, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as superintendent for Catholic schools,” Father Rowan said. “At the same time, I am very happy that Dr. Haggarty has accepted the archbishop’s appointment. He has the credentials, the experience, the character and the vision that will make him an outstanding superintendent.”