Brother James Kelly, C.F.X. the president of Mount St. Joseph High School, received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Archbishop Edwin O’Brien at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen on Nov. 20, 2011.

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal is an award of the Roman Catholic Church. It is also known as the "Cross of Honour". The medal was established by Leo XIII on July 17, 1888, to commemorate his golden sacerdotal jubilee and was originally bestowed on those women and men who had aided and promoted the jubilee, and by other means assisted in making the jubilee and the Vatican Exposition successful.  It is currently given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy.

“It is very humbling to be announced as the recipient of this award,” said Brother Kelly. “Education, specifically teaching in Catholic schools, has been a large part of my life. To be recognized by the Pope for doing something that I love is a great honor.”                                              

Brother James Kelly, C.F.X. is in his eleventh year as President of Mount Saint Joseph High School.  He has served previously for eight years as President of Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, and for nine years as Principal of Xavier High School in Middletown, Connecticut.  Brother Kelly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Latin and Greek from the Catholic University of America, a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree in counseling from Saint Joseph College.