Epiphany – January 27, 2025

Fr. Joe Mallia from St. Kieran’s invite us to Ascend Praise & Worship night.

Rev. Joseph S. Mallia Born in 1962, his family emigrated from Malta in 1965 in Detroit. After graduation from high school, he attended Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, St. John Seminary in Plymouth and concluded his studies at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners Wisconsin. Fr. Joe was ordained for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1992. Over the years he has served at various parishes in the archdiocese as an Associate Pastor for five years before being named a pastor in 1997. He has also been appointed a vicar forane and chaired the Vicar’s Committee and served on the Presbyteral Council over the years. Fr. Joe also has taught high school, directed retreats and still serves as the chaplain to the Maltese American community in the archdiocese. He was named a Canon by the archbishop of Malta for his work with the community in 2007 with responsibility at the Chapter church of the Immaculate Conception in Malta. He is presently the Moderator for the Family of Parishes made up of St. Kieran in Shelby Township, St. Lawrence in Utica and St. Matthias in Sterling Heights.

Visit St. Kieran Catholic Church here: St. Kieran

 Judy Hehs from St. Catherine of Siena kicks off our Catholic Schools Week celebration.

Judy Hehs is a dedicated leader and educator with a lifelong passion for Catholic, single-gender education. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Detroit. With 37 years of teaching experience in Catholic schools for young women, and now in her sixth year at St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Ms. Hehs is deeply committed to living out the mission of SCA: to educate young women to develop their feminine genius—their unique dignity, identity, and gifts as women created in the image of God.

Beyond her work in education, Judy has an extraordinary coaching career, spanning 38 seasons as a high school tennis coach, including six years leading SCA’s Varsity Tennis team. Under her leadership, her teams have achieved remarkable success: six State Championships, 14 Regional Championships, 19 Top-10 State finishes, and countless individual player accomplishments. Her accolades include being named Regional Coach of the Year seven times, State Coach of the Year twice, MHSCA Coach of the Year in 2015, NHSACA National Coach of the Year Finalist in 2015, NHSACA National Coach of the Year in 2020, and the Catholic High School League (CHSL) Person of the Year in 2013.

Ms. Hehs brings her passion for developing young women into every aspect of her work, whether leading on the tennis court or in the classroom. Her approach to coaching focuses on teaching life lessons through tennis, shaping not only skilled athletes but also strong, confident, and faith-filled young women.

As Principal, Judy is an enthusiastic advocate for the feminine genius, helping young women discover their God-given talents and calling. Her passion for single-gender education is rooted in her belief in the power of fostering an environment where young women can grow in faith, confidence, and leadership.

A proud Hungarian national, Judy also shares a unique personal connection to her heritage, having obtained Hungarian citizenship through her ancestral roots. Both of her parents were citizens of Hungary before immigrating to the United States.

Judy’s commitment to excellence, faith, and the empowerment of young women makes her an invaluable leader and mentor in the St. Catherine of Siena Academy community.

Visit St. Catherine of Siena Academy here: St. Catherine of Siena Academy