Cristina Viveiros-Serra receives 2024 Carey, PhD Award in Catholic Education
Originally posted on www.anchornews.org
PROVIDENCE, RI – Cristina Viveiros-Serra, Principal of St. Teresa of Calcutta School in New Bedford, received the 2024 Br. Patrick Carey, CFC, PhD Award in Catholic Education in recognition of her dedicated service as a Catholic school teacher, mentor, and administrator.
She is the third recipient of the award, inaugurated in Br. Patrick Carey’s name upon his 2018 retirement as the long-time director of the Providence Alliance for catholic Teachers (PACT) program. Viveiros-Serra joins past recipients from the Diocese, Alberta M. “Albie” Goss (2023) and Dr. George Milot (2019).
PACT Director Chris Keavy presented the award at the program’s twenty-second graduation celebration in June.
Viveiros-Serra serves as principal of St. Teresa of Calcutta School, a vibrant urban Catholic school founded in 2022 from the merger of New Bedford’s Holy Family-Home Name School and St. James-St. John School. At St. Teresa of Calcutta, Viveiros-Serra has been singular in bringing the new school community together.
“With professional poise and decorum, Cristina has been a steadfast leader and has made great personal sacrifices. She is an anchor for this school community,” said Rev. Chris Peschel, Pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and co-Chaplain to St. Teresa of Calcutta School.
Her more than 25 years in Catholic education began at St. Anthony of Padua School (New Bedford, MA), in 1998. She was named principal in 2006 and, upon the school’s closure, became principal of St. James – St. John School until its merger in 2022.
PACT graduate Meghan (Lovett) De Dios characterized Viveiros-Serra’s influence this way:
“It has been a blessing working with Cristina, especially at the beginning of my teaching and administrative career. She is a model of servant leadership and commitment to Catholic education. So much of my approach to education can be traced back to my formative years working with her. She taught me always to put the students first, show appreciation and love for parents, faculty, and staff, and place God at the center of all we do. I believe God brought me to St. James-St. John School so I could learn from Cristina Viveiros-Serra,” she said.
“Since 1998, Cristina has led with conviction and become a pivotal leader in New Bedford Catholic schools. Catholic school students and families are richer for her service,” added Director Keavy.