Introducing Ralph Pesce, Our New Principal at JPG
Dear friends of St. John Paul the Great,
I am delighted to share some exciting news with you—Ralph Pesce has been appointed as the new principal of St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School starting in the 2025 school year!
Ralph joins us with a distinguished background in education and a profound dedication to forming young men and women in the Catholic faith. His leadership experience, coupled with his passion for academic excellence and the holistic development of students, aligns perfectly with our mission to educate future leaders rooted in truth, beauty, and goodness.
As we welcome Ralph, we also want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our founding principal, Erin Heule. While Erin's tenure does not officially end until next summer, I want to recognize her tireless dedication, faith-filled leadership, and pioneering spirit that have laid the foundation for the vibrant school community we enjoy today. Her passion for Catholic education and her unwavering commitment to our mission have impacted all the students, families, and staff. As she moves on, we are profoundly grateful for all she has done to make St. John Paul the Great a beacon of excellence and faith.
Please join me in welcoming Ralph Pesce to the JPG family and in offering our prayers of thanksgiving for Erin Heule. We are excited to introduce Ralph to you in the coming months and will share opportunities to meet him personally.
Steve Pries
President
St. John Paul the Great
Ralph Pesce has dedicated his career to teaching and immersing himself in Catholic liberal education. He comes to St. John Paul the Great most recently from Bishop Machebeuf High School teaching Integrated Humanities, Theology, and Philosophy, and serving as Dean of Faculty.
He teaches the Catechism and Introduction to Philosophy for St. John Vianney Seminary: Lay Division Catechetical School. Ralph has led professional development for teachers in the Archdiocese of Denver as well as the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education.
Ralph holds a B.A. in Philosophy and English from the University of New Mexico and an M.A. in Theology from the Augustine Institute. Originally from New Mexico, Ralph and his wife Dakota have lived in Denver since 2017.They have two young sons, Alfie and Theo.
