Statement from Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School on the Passing of Louis V. Gerstner Jr.

The Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School community joins countless others in mourning the recent passing of Louis V. Gerstner Jr. (December 27, 2026), a visionary leader whose generosity and commitment to education have left a lasting mark on our school and on Catholic education more broadly.

Mr. Gerstner believed deeply in the power of Catholic education to transform lives—especially for young people facing challenging circumstances. His conviction that every student possesses inherent dignity, promise, and potential aligned profoundly with Kolbe’s mission. Through his generosity, insight, and trust, he helped ensure that a rigorous, faith-filled education remains accessible to students and families who need it most.

We are deeply grateful for Mr. Gerstner’s partnership, his faith in our students, and his unwavering support of Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School. 

His legacy will endure in the lives of the young men and women whose futures have been changed because he dared to believe in the promise of Catholic education.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Gerstner family and to all who loved him. Our students, staff, faculty and Board of Directors will honor him and Bishop Caggiano will celebrate a memorial Mass at the St. Augustine Cathedral on February 12, 2026 at 9:30am. May he rest in peace.

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St. Joseph Parenting Center Newsletter

October 2025 Parent Connection: Setting Your Child Up for a Successful School Year

A strong start can make all the difference for a successful school year. Children are known to thrive when they know what to expect, have the necessary tools, and feel supported at home and in school. Establishing reliable routines and bedtime habits is crucial as it supports brain development and emotional regulation. In fact, recent research indicates that children with consistent daily routines have more developed brain areas related to language, sensory processing, and emotion regulation. By creating this foundation, you can help your child feel prepared, confident, and eager to learn. Your encouragement and support are one of the most valuable tools your child has for success this year.

Tools to Keep the Positive Back-to-School Energy All Year Long

  • Set Routines: Create consistency with morning schedules, homework time, and bedtimes to make life smoother for both children and parents.
  • Stay connected: Keep everyone in the loop and feeling supported with regular check-ins with your child and their teachers.
  • Get organized: Help your child stay focused and confident by creating a designated homework spot and using folders and reminders.

Join a Community That Supports You

You don’t have to do it alone. At Saint Joseph Parenting Center (SJPC), you can receive support, guidance, and free resources from a community that understands. We offer specialized parenting groups for moms, dads, and caregivers, which are led by trained facilitators and surrounded by caring peers. Let’s build stronger families together.

Our Services Include:
  • Free parenting groups available in English & Spanish
  • One-on-one case management and referrals
  • A supportive and non-judgmental environment
Contact us to learn more:
  • Location: 299 Washington Ave. Bridgeport, CT
  • Contact Person: Olga De Aza
  • Phone: 203-588-1934 x1601
  • Email:
  • Website: sjcpcenter.org

Kolbe Cathedral Opens Louis V. Gerstner III Center for Students and Families

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LOUIS V. GERSTNER III
CENTER FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

 A New Home for Support and Growth.

Formerly Wissel Hall, the newly renovated Louis V. Gerstner III Center for Students and Families supports Kolbe students and various administrative programs. This renovated building is a beacon of light for Kolbe and the Bridgeport Hollow neighborhood. The exterior design enhances the campus and community, while the interior offers the following:

+ Four new classrooms

+ New art and music studio

+ Modern fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment

+ The center houses critical programs such as:

  • Student Success Center 
  • St. Joseph Parenting Center 
  • Administrative support for internship programs 
  • Expanded development office to support the school’s operations

Student Success at Kolbe:

Kolbe Cathedral Preparatory School (Kolbe Cathedral) has embarked on a bold and thoughtful approach to school improvement.  Launched in the 2023/24 school year, the Student Success Center (SSC) is a safe, supportive environment for students to work during and after school hours.  Staffed with certified teachers, tutors, peer mentors, and Director of Student Success, the SSC helps students achieve their learning goals through the development of personalized learning plans.  The SSC collaborates with teachers, school counselors and families to provide enrichment and interventions based on class performance and standardized test scores.  Students receive real-time academic support and additional skills and practice to both remediate and accelerate their personal learning.  The center features collaborative learning spaces where students can engage with tutors, their peers, Reading and Numeracy Specialists and or educational learning platforms like IXL to enrich their learning and help them reach the Vision of a Kolbe Cathedral Prep graduate.

Watch the ribbon cutting ceremony and words from Bishop Caggiano, Mayor Ganim, and Kolbe student Raschelle.

Lisa Hodges Inducted Into Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame

Coach Hodges standing

Girls Basketball head coach Lisa Hodges was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) hall of fame recently. We honor this accomplishment by looking back on her long and storied career at Kolbe Cathedral. Coach Hodges accomplished many things since she took over the head coaching job in 2003. In the twenty years since she began coaching, Hodges turned a sinking program around to be one of the most elite teams in the state of Connecticut. A team which was struggling to fill roster spots in the 90’s and early 2000’s is now a contender to win conference and state championships year in and year out. Coach Hodges brought her intense work ethic and unfaltering leadership to a team that was searching for something fresh.

The relationship that she built with the players is a bond that we still see today when former players return to visit. Hodges has been a mentor to so many of our young men and women not just on the court, but in the classroom as well. Coach Hodges preached the importance of getting an education and how being educated leads to future success.

Coach Hodges’ influence expands beyond the walls of Kolbe’s gym, however. Twenty-two players from Kolbe Cathedral have gone on to play at the collegiate level and two of them have gone on to play professionally as well. The life skills that she has imparted upon these students have developed them into intensely successful individuals and inspirational leaders of the future.