Posted
January 30, 2025
In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, we sat down with Vice President of Faith, Mission, & Culture Owen Williams ’13 to discuss how a St. Edward education instills hope, the continued relevance of our Holy Cross mission, and what he loves about his job.
As Vice President of Faith, Mission, and Culture, you play a key role in ensuring that every decision at St. Edward reflects our Holy Cross identity. What do you find most fulfilling about this responsibility?
A big part of my job is overseeing our faith formation programs—making sure we are meeting the spiritual needs of our entire community. The most fulfilling part of this work is actively working to design a place where everyone—students, parents, faculty, staff—feels that they belong. Our mission calls us to make room for others, to cross boundaries, and to create a space where people feel safe, valued, and heard. That’s at the heart of the Holy Cross identity, and I love knowing that I get to help make that a reality every day.
You often talk about building a school culture that's rooted in joy. Why is this important?
Our mission emphasizes the importance of being people who bring hope—through acts of service, encouragement, and belief in a better future, especially when things feel uncertain. The world needs more joyful individuals to spread that kind of hope. I also believe there’s a direct connection between a joyful school culture and academic success. When students look forward to coming to school each day, it creates a positive, motivating environment that helps them reach their goals.
Ask any Edsman, and they’ll tell you—they love school! I’m grateful to be part of the team that makes that happen.
As an alumnus of two Holy Cross schools, St. Edward and the University of Notre Dame, did you always know you wanted to work in a Holy Cross school?
Not at all. I went to the college seminary at Notre Dame, where I earned degrees in theology and philosophy. After that, I spent time at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Colorado—it is like an intense retreat designed to prepare you for vowed life. You disconnect from everything (no phone; no TV), spending time in the mountains focusing on deep spiritual reflection, connecting with God, and discerning your path forward. After six months, I felt called to return home. I stopped by St. Ed’s to talk with Chris Merriman, and he mentioned there was an opening for a theology teacher. I hadn’t planned on teaching as a career, but I quickly fell in love with it.
In addition to your administrative role, you still find time to teach. What courses do you lead and what about them do you enjoy most?
I teach Catholic Social Teaching and currently, World Religions. These classes are the highlight of my week because they help me stay connected with students. I make it a point to eat lunch with a group of them every day to stay in touch with their world. Staying connected was one of the key reasons I took this job—I never want to stop teaching!
What excites me about these subjects is that they allow us to dive into the big, universal questions that stir our hearts: Who am I? What is the purpose of suffering? Why do we suffer? What is the road to true happiness? What’s the meaning of life? We approach these questions through the lens of different world religions, which fosters really meaningful dialogue among students. I think it’s crucial for students to leave St. Edward prepared to have thoughtful conversations with people of various faiths, whether that’s a Buddhist, Muslim, or Jewish person.
Another thing I love about teaching at St. Ed’s is how student-centered our approach is. Our IB philosophy focuses on discussion, seminars, and project-based learning. This method not only teaches students how to collaborate with each other but also how to engage with teachers and see themselves as active participants in the learning process. I always tell my students, “You’ll learn way more from each other than you will from me.”
Catholic Schools Week gives us a chance to reflect on the important role of Catholic education across the country. In your view, why does St. Edward’s Holy Cross mission matter in today’s educational landscape?
At St. Ed’s, our influence goes beyond the classroom. Our world needs people who can spot injustice and have the courage to do something about it. We’re here to help teenagers discover who they truly are, so they can go out and make the world a better place. Of course, we’re also about academic excellence; we push our students to excel in science, math, language, and beyond. But as Blessed Basil Moreau said, “The world is more in need of people of values than it is of scholars.” That’s what sets us apart. We believe in developing both the mind and the heart—students who excel academically but who are also rooted in values. Our mission is to raise young men who not only recognize the challenges our neighbors are facing, but also have the strength to make a real difference.
You are one of more than 40 alumni currently working at St. Edward; what do you think draws so many Edsmen back to campus as employees?
St. Ed’s is where so many of us formed the closest and strongest relationships of our lives, so it makes sense that alumni are drawn back. For me, the greatest blessing of my time here was the relationships. The guys I met at Ed’s are still some of my closest friends today.
And even after all this time, I often find myself thinking about interactions I had back in high school with teachers like Mark Urban and Chris Merriman. Their words shaped me into who I am. But if I had to point to one person who had the greatest impact, it would be Brother James Everett.
Brother James started here in 1978, and he got to know many of my uncles when they were students. They would invite him over to their house, and once I was born, he would continue to come to our family events. He became my confirmation sponsor, and when I was a student here, he was always encouraging me, sending notes, and challenging me to be the best version of myself. It was actually in my first year teaching here when he passed away. And so I think about him all the time. These relationships are what make St. Ed’s feel like home, and I think that’s why so many of us never want to leave.
What keeps you excited to come to work every day?
The people! I absolutely love my colleagues—they’re deeply dedicated and great at what they do, but they’re also fun and willing to laugh. Being part of a team that’s passionate about both their work and the people they work with makes every day exciting.
Owen Williams ’13 is part of a proud Eagle legacy! His alumni family members include brothers Adam Williams ’14, Ethan Williams ’18, and Charlie Williams ’20; uncles Thomas Lowe ’74, Robert Lowe ’77, Karl Lowe ’79, Gregg Lowe ’80, Michael Lowe ’81, Aaron Lowe ’82, Anthony Lowe ’84, Steven Lowe '85, and Ray Lowe ’87; and cousins Brian Lowe ’07, Jonathan Lowe ’08, and Tim Lowe ’14. Br. James Everett, C.S.C. was a close friend who felt like family. Additionally, the Joseph & Helen Lowe Institute for Innovation is named after Owen's grandparents.
