ABOUT ST. RICHARD CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Saint Richard Catholic School has been dedicated to the tenets of Academic Excellence, Character Development and Faith Formation since its inception in 1953. Steeped in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, we are committed to providing the best possible education to our students. We are accredited by Cognia Accreditation and Certification and we are members of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS). We follow the Diocese of Jackson curriculum, which is based on state and national standards for math, reading, language arts, science, social studies and the arts. 

 

Our Mission

Saint Richard Catholic School is dedicated to providing academic excellence for all students as well as instilling a reverence for God, a respect for all life, and a commitment to serve others in a safe, Catholic environment.

 

Our Vision

Teaching children to learn, love, and help like Christ in a diverse and nurturing school community.

 

Our History

Saint Richard Catholic School is a parish-based Pre-K3 through 6th grade Catholic elementary school. Our school was founded in 1953 by the Sisters of Mercy. Originally, three nuns from the Sisters of Mercy taught grades one through five and a lay teacher taught Kindergarten. Throughout the years, enrollment increased and an extensive renovation was completed in 2010. Today our school has over 25 classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a Visual Art space, a Music room and a STREAM Lab. We purchas

ed the former Meadowbrook Church of Christ campus in January 2024 and will relocate our campus there upon completion of a state-of-the-art renovation. We are thrilled to continue to invest in the city of Jackson and ensure that St. Richard remains a beacon of academic excellence and a nurturing environment for all students. 

 

Prayer of Saint Richard

Thanks be to you, our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which you have given us,
for all the pains and insults which you have borne for us.
Most merciful Redeemer, Friend and Brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly,
and follow you more nearly, day by day.
Amen.

Father Joe Tonos, Pastor

Fr. Joe Tonos is a native of Greenville, Mississippi and fiercely proud of his Lebanese heritage. He's a graduate of Delta State University and spent a short time in the business sector before following a calling to the priesthood. After graduating from Mundelein Seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of Jackson in 1994. In the past, he has served as director of youth ministries and vocations for the diocese and was appointed as the pastor of St. John's in 2004.

Father Andrew Bowen, Associate Pastor

Fr. Andrew Bowden is from Brandon, Mississippi. After graduating from Brandon High School, he began priestly formation. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and the Liberal Arts at Saint Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana then attended Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he earned a Masters in Divinity. He was ordained in the spring of 2022. Saint Richard’s parish and school is his first priestly assignment. 

Russ Nelson, Principal

Russ Nelson is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi and a graduate of Mississippi State University. He began his career at his alma mater, Saint Aloysius Catholic School in Vicksburg, where he coached high school football and taught Theology. Mr. Nelson also taught in Terry and Clarksdale before entering the business sector where he acquired a unique set of skills including financial management.

Mr. Nelson joined Saint Richard Catholic School in 2022. He is currently pursuing a Master of Education in school leadership at Mississippi College. Mr. Nelson is married to Kimberly Nelson and is the proud father of two daughters, Reagan and Marilee, both students at Saint Richard Catholic School. Mr. Nelson is honored to serve the Saint Richard community as Interim Principal.