Mary Fiala, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Youngstown, is to be honored next month with the National Catholic Educational Association's (NCEA) Lifetime Commitment to Catholic Education Award. Fiala is one of five educators nationally to be recognized for this award. 

The NCEA's annual event honors outstanding educators, leaders and organizations who have made exceptional contributions over their career to the mission of Catholic education.

The award came as a surprise to Fiala, who was nominated by her peers, but her colleagues say it shouldn't. They note Fiala exemplifies what it means to act as a spiritual leader in the community and build Catholic identity.

"This recognition came as a total surprise to me. I am humbled by it as well as honored. There are so many people who work together to make a Christ-centered education possible for children. No one does this work alone. The Diocese of Youngstown is blessed by the support of Bishop Bonnar, our priests, administrators, teachers, and parents who all share in the mission. I feel blessed to serve in the Diocese of Youngstown," says Fiala.

Fiala has been superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Youngstown for the past decade. She joined the diocesan staff in 2011 as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and instruction. Before that, she was the principal at both SS. Philip and James School in Canal Fulton and St. Joan of Arc School in Canton from 1991-2011. Prior to those appointments, Fiala was also a teacher at St. Paul School in North Canton for 12 years. 

The ceremony will be held on April 1 in Pittsburgh, PA.