Religious of the Divine Compassion to depart; convent to become pastoral center
ELMSFORD — Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Elmsford will begin a major transition starting with the 2025–2026 academic year. The school will adopt a new school model and be renamed Our Lady of Mount Carmel School and Pastoral Center to better serve its students and the surrounding community.
The announcement to the parish community on Palm Sunday reflects the Archdiocese of New York’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality education while expanding community support services.
As part of this transformation, the Religious of the Divine Compassion, who have served the school for decades, will depart the on-campus convent during the summer of 2025. The convent will be repurposed into a Pastoral Center, providing expanded services to families and the broader Elmsford community.
“This shift will allow us to continue our proud tradition of academic excellence while expanding our outreach and services to support the needs of our families and neighbors,” said Sister Mary Grace Walsh, ASCJ, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, and the Most Rev. John Bonnici, Episcopal Vicar for Westchester and Rockland, in their joint letter to the parish.
The new Pastoral Center will complement the school’s mission by exploring relationships with organizations like ArchCare and Catholic Charities to offer additional support services for the community. These efforts are inspired by the successful model at the St. Philip Neri Family and Education Center in the Bronx.
The school will continue to offer a robust K–8 academic program while incorporating services to foster both educational and spiritual growth. Updates will also be made to the curriculum, staffing, and campus facilities to align with the school’s expanded mission.
In a leadership transition, Sister M. Stephen, RDC, who has served as Principal for many years, will take on a new role as Coordinator of Alumni and Community Relations. The Archdiocese expressed deep gratitude to Sister Stephen and the Religious of the Divine Compassion for their longstanding service and contributions to the school.
Founded in 1929, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School has been a vital part of the Elmsford community, serving generations of immigrant families and parishioners. The upcoming changes honor that legacy while embracing new opportunities for growth and service.
A search for a new Executive Director and Principal will begin in the coming months to guide the school and pastoral center into the future.