St. Joseph Catholic School Administration
Fr. Osmar Aguirre
St. Joseph Catholic Church Pastor
Phone: 509-663-2644
Fr. Osmar Aguirre is the first Latino pastor in St. Joseph Catholic Church's 100+ year history. Fr. Osmar was born in El Salvador and fled to the United States as a refugee in the 1980's, after Archbishop Saint Osmar Romero was assassinated. Fr. Osmar serves the Diocese of Yakima as Vicar for parish life and is also director of the deacon program. He started his seminary formation at Bishop White Seminary in Spokane in 1984, later attending Mt. Angel Seminary in Benedict, Oregon from 1985 to 1989, earning a Liberal Arts and Philosophy bachelor's degree. He also attended St. Mary of the Lake University / Mundelein Seminary, Illinois, from 1989 to 1993, accomplishing a master’s degree in divinity, and was ordained a priest on May 28, 1993. After becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen, he pursued post-graduate studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, earning a Sacred Theology Licentiate (STL) and a doctorate (STD). Fr. Osmar is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and English. In the Diocese of Yakima, Fr. Osmar has served St. Aloysius Parish in Toppenish, St. Joseph parish in Sunnyside, Holy Redeemer Parish in Yakima, and Sacred Heart Parish in Prosser. He has been serving St. Joseph Catholic Church in beautiful Wenatchee since 2015. The parish and school communities are grateful to Bishop Tyson for placing such a dynamic and humble priest in our beloved parish. Thank you, Fr. Osmar, for your service to God's people and places.
Deacon Robert Turner
St. Joseph Catholic School Chaplain, St. Joseph Catholic Church Deacon
Phone: 509-663-2644
Deacon Robert Turner has over 30 years of teaching experience in a variety of different settings such as high school, middle school, and elementary school. In addition to serving as a teacher for many years, he has most recently served as principal of St. Joseph Catholic School. Deacon Robert is passionate about expansion of Catholic education to help more children and older students establish faith in Jesus Christ as the cornerstone of their lives. At St. Joe’s, Deacon Robert loves witnessing the Christian commitment of the staff and parents and enjoys sharing the Word of God with the students.
Mrs. Lisa Martinez
St. Joseph Catholic School Principal
Phone: 509-663-2644
Email: lmartinez@saintjosephcatholicschool.org
Lisa is a St. Joseph Catholic School alumni (class of 1986), and she has successfully taught multiple grade levels - first, second and fifth grades - at the school from 2011 to 2021. Lisa is passionate about facilitating learning at all levels through the encouragement of each unique individual to work to grow into themselves and have the full opportunity to develop and share their God-given gifts with the world. Lisa graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in K-8 Elementary Education, with course work for an endorsement in Special Education, in 2010. In 2021, she earned her Certificate in Catholic School Administration through Loyola Marymount University, and she earned her M.A. Educational Leadership from LMU in 2022. Lisa feels that “there has always been a charism of family, community, and service at the school that permeates the culture and climate at every level. St. Joseph is our patron saint and leads us to faithfully work together and to be a strong family.” Lisa is proud and excited to serve as principal of St. Joseph Catholic School, Wenatchee, where faith, excellence, and service are paramount.
Did you know that Lisa is not only a St. Joe's alumni, she was also a St. Joe's parent to her son, Xavier Martinez, St. Joe's alumni class of 2012. Xavier is currently attending Stanford University, class of 2023, and is pursuing his masters in Journalism. So, Lisa has sat in all seats and walked in all shoes at St. Joe's; student, parent, teacher and now principal. Thank you, Lisa, for your dedication to serving God's children as well as being among one of His children. You can read more about Lisa's St. Joe's Wenatchee journey in this Wenatchee World article.
Ms. Maria Padilla
St. Joseph Catholic School Administrative Assistant
Phone: 509-663-2644
Email: stjosephschoolwenatchee@yakimadiocese.org
St. Joseph Catholic School Wenatchee is grateful to have had Maria as our Administrative Assistant since 2018. Her exceptional organizational skills, warm personality, and welcoming demeanor make her an integral part of the St. Joe's team. Maria's dedication to her work is evident through her daily commitment to ensure the school runs smoothly.
Maria's passion for her work stems from her love for the school's Christ-centered environment and strong Catholic identity. She feels blessed to work in an environment where she can freely practice her faith alongside her peers. Maria's dedication to her work and love for the St. Joe's community make her an invaluable asset to the school's administrative team. We are grateful for her contributions and look forward to many more years of her service to St. Joseph Catholic School Wenatchee.
“I consider myself blessed to work at a place where my peers and I can freely practice our faith on a daily basis. What I love most about St. Joe's is that we are a Christ centered school, surrounded by a strong Catholic identity. Together, our students, school families, and staff form a strong community.” -Maria Padilla
Mrs. Mary Ann Castro
St. Joseph Catholic School Bookkeeper
Email: mcastro@saintjosephcatholicschool.org
Mary Ann was born and raised in our beautiful Wenatchee Valley and has been a dedicated part of St. Joseph Catholic School since 2013 when her eldest daughter, now a St. Joseph Catholic School graduate, began attending the Pre-3 preschool program. Mary Ann's youngest daughter is currently a student at St. Joe's.
In 2016, Mary Ann became more than an involved school parent, and started working as a part-time bookkeeper for the school's former principal, Sister Olga Cano, before Sr. Olga moved to New Jersey with her sisters, The Missionary Daughters of the Most Pure Virgin Mary. In 2018, Mary Ann received her Associate of Arts degree from Wenatchee Valley College along with her Business and Accounting Certificates. The year 2019 opened wider doors for Mary Ann as the school's part-time bookkeeper position became full-time. Since then, students, families and faculty get to see more of Mary Ann feeling, "truly blessed to be here (at St. Joe's)! I love the children and seeing their eyes light up when they figure something out!
We really do have a school family and watch out for each other and our children all the time." While Mary Ann's title is Bookkeeper, her willingness to help does not stop there. "I am mostly your bookkeeper here at the school but also help a lot with preschool, in the school library and assisting Maria in the front office." Mary Ann's passion for St. Joseph Catholic School Wenatchee is apparent in all she does with a smile. "You will love our school and hopefully get to see it for yourself by coming to our Have a Heart Auction in February and by joining the fun spring events we have planned!" You will no doubt see Mary Ann present at all of the school events and fundraisers.
In addition, Mary Ann is the 2024-2025 Applarian Chancellor and her husband, Ignacio is First Gentleman, at Wenatchee's Washington State Apple Blossom Festival.
Thank you, Mary Ann, for your devotion to the Spirit of St. Joe's and the Wenatchee community!
Mrs. Erin Stitt
Director of Teaching & Learning
estitt@saintjosephcatholicschool.org
St. Joseph Catholic School recently appointed Mrs. Erin Stitt as our Instructional Coach. Erin has been teaching elementary school for nearly two decades. Ten years were in first grade, and five years were in kindergarten. Erin has her Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Pepperdine University and her Bachelor of Arts in K-12 Education, with endorsements in Reading and Special Education. Erin feels that teaching reading is her niche. She loves laying the foundation for students and colleagues to have a successful academic career. Erin is inspired to serve at St. Joe’s because, "I am inspired by the connection of all members of St. Joe’s to the faith. The mission of our school is carried out on a daily basis and is clear and present at any moment you step into the school. The collective Christ community inspires me to do my best, be my best, and give my best. Serving the student body of St. Joe's as well as the community as a whole is a gift for me.” As you can see, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to St. Joseph Catholic School. As an instructional coach, Erin will be responsible for guiding and supporting our teachers in their professional development, both inside and outside the classroom. Her extensive experience in the field of education has earned her a great deal of respect from her peers and colleagues, making her an invaluable addition to our team. We are confident that under her guidance, our teachers will continue to grow and thrive, ensuring that our students receive the best education possible. We look forward to working with Erin in this role to continue the journey of Faith, Excellence and Service.
Established 1955
Saint Joseph Catholic School | 600 St. Joseph Place, Wenatchee, WA. 98801 | 509-663-2644
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