Mount St. Joseph: Embracing Change After Mr. Stromberg's Departure

A young man wearing a purple shirt stands in front of a colorful, patterned backdrop with a cross, appearing thoughtful during a presentation.

The hallways feel a little quieter this semester, with the departure of Mr. Stromberg, a familiar presence is missing at Mount St. Joseph. To understand how our community is coping and what this change means spiritually and personally, I spoke with Mr. Bonham, who offered his perspective. Known for his thoughtful guidance and calm presence, Mr. Bonham has been at the heart of many of the school’s spiritual programs and retreats. I asked him about the departure of Mr. Stromberg and how XBSS was planning to move forward. He spoke with a mix of honesty and hope, acknowledging the challenges of losing someone who meant so much to the community while also emphasizing the strength that remains within it.

A group of male students wearing purple polo shirts poses for a photo in a chapel setting, with a colorful mural in the background. The students are holding an award, and several adults are also in the picture, smiling.

When asked about the departure, Mr. Bonham acknowledged the sense of loss that many in the community feel. “This year, Mrs. Abdo will be the point person for XBSS, and going forward, that might rotate,” he shared. Mr. Bonham expressed confidence that the XBSS mission will remain strong. He emphasized that the values Mr. Stromberg helped nurture are still deeply rooted in the school. “XBSS has been around for a long time, late 90’s going on for almost 30 years of XBSS’ he explained, “We’ve had so many great leaders in XBSS over the years and Mr. Stromberg is just the latest in a long line so it’s been going all the way back to like a fitting coin” As Mount St. Joseph adjusts to this change, Mr. Bonham and the rest of the campus ministry team are focusing on keeping that mission alive through retreats, service opportunities, and faith-based activities that continue to invite students to lead with heart and compassion.

Students gathered in a school auditorium for a meeting, with a speaker presenting on stage and motivational quotes displayed on a screen.

“XBSS is really dependent on students; it’s a vehicle for students to bring ideas from other schools and their own school.” Mr. Bonham is looking forward to seeing what the senior leaders have to offer this school year. He stated, “We’re looking to lean on those senior leaders a lot in terms of what they have done, what they feel they can do, and we’re really looking towards the seniors for a lot of leadership this year.” Though the loss of Mr. Stromberg is noticeable, the values that he has left will not be forgotten. In the compassion students show one another, in the dedication of teachers like Mr. Bonham, and in the shared mission that defines Mount St. Joseph, XBSS will strive to be the best it has ever been.