Alliance for Catholic Education
A landmark gift to ACE in memory of the bright life of Sean Richards will support the spiritual formation of ACE teachers in years to come through a chaplaincy in Sean’s name.
Offered by the Richards family to endow the position of ACE Teaching Fellows chaplain in honor of their son, Sean, the Institute for Educational Initiative’s (IEI) community celebrated their generosity at a Mass on Monday, April 27. Sean’s parents, Brian and Kristine (B.A. ’95, J.D. ’98) of Hinsdale, Illinois, came to campus for the occasion. Their son, Conor Richards, is completing his first year as an ACE teacher at Bishop Kelly High School in Tulsa.
Fr. Joe Carey, C.S.C., currently serving in the role now endowed by the family as the Sean Richards ACE Chaplain, presided and preached at the Mass in honor of Sean’s life and the enduring good the gift will do in the lives of new Catholic educators and emerging school leaders.
“Spiritual development is foundational to the work of the ACE Teaching Fellows program in the lives of its members over the course of their two years with us,” said Matt Kloser, Hackett Family Director for the IEI. “We’re grateful to the Richards family that this joyful mission at the institute will be carried forward bearing Sean’s name.”
Sean Richards was tragically killed at age 14 while walking on a sidewalk in his hometown. A graduate of St. Isaac Jogues parish grade school, Sean’s young life was deeply shaped by the formative power of Catholic education, and he was unfailingly kind, always caring for others and putting their needs first. The chaplaincy named for this young witness to the Gospel provides pastoral care for ACE teachers and plays a significant role in their spiritual formation so that they can serve their students as models of faith, hope, and love.
“Naming the ACE chaplaincy for Sean will help to keep the focus on the ultimate beneficiaries of a loving Catholic education—the students taught by ACE teachers,” Executive Director of the Alliance for Catholic Education John Staud said. “It is especially meaningful for all of us that the family’s gift has arrived at a moment when Sean’s brother, Conor, will be among those benefiting from Fr. Joe’s service as the inaugural Sean Richards ACE Chaplain. This summer, we look forward to hosting the Richards’ family at an evening Mass with Conor and his fellow ACE teachers.”
In his homily remarks, Father Carey said he was both honored and humbled to serve in the role. “I plan, in this new ministry to the ACE teachers and leaders, to encourage them to love like Sean,” he said.
Learn more about the work of the Love Like Sean Foundation, established by the family in Sean’s memory, here.