Pastor & Principal
Father Donald P. Farnan
Don Farnan was born on August 17, 1959 near Richmond, Missouri, the seventh of eleven children born to C. A. and Helen (Spire) Farnan. He graduated from Rockhurst College, Kansas City, in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Secondary Education. He received a Master of Divinity degree from The University of Saint Mary of the Lake—Mundelein Seminary, Chicago, and a Master of Christian Spirituality degree from Creighton University, Omaha. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 13, 1987 for the Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph. He served as parochial vicar at Visitation Parish (1987-92), pastor of Saint Therese Little Flower and Saint Louis Parishes (1992-2001), Saint John Lalande (2001-2006), and Saint Thomas More (2006-2016). He also served in diocesan positions: Director of Vocations (1991-96), Director of Priest Personnel (2005-2013), and the College of Consultors (2004-2014).
In the mid-90s he established The Upper Room, a nondenominational inner city literacy program for youth and their families, and has served on the board of directors for numerous educational and service institutions in and around the Kansas City area. His writings include At the Crossroads of Hope: A priest’s inner (city) journey, This Bold Prayer: A collection of spiritual essays, and A Parish for All Seasons: A year in the life of Saint Thomas More School.
Fr. Don joined St. Charles Borromeo Parish and School on July 1, 2016. He has established the SCB Revitalization Campaign, to rebuild, rejuvenate, revitalize, and expand the parish and campus grounds. In addition, he has established Charged With Saint Charles, a blog, where he chronicles some of his experiences in hopes that they will inspire your relationship with the divine and deepen faith in your heavenly destiny.
Ann Lachowitzer
Mrs. Lachowitzer joined St. Charles Borromeo Academy in 2015 and is a veteran educator. A 1988 graduate of the University of Missouri, she began her teaching career in Catholic schools in St. Louis and has taught locally in the Park Hill School District as well as at St. Therese School in Parkville. In 2010 she earned her Master's in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University and was the administrative director of the Early Education Center at St. Therese Parish for five years.
Firmly committed to Catholic education, she and her husband have raised their family in the Northland where they have lived for over 20 years. They have been active members at St. Therese Parish in Parkville where their children attended grade school before going on to St. Pius X High School.
Mrs. Lachowitzer is very excited about this opportunity to serve both St. Charles Borromeo Parish and Holy Family Parish in her role as principal, and our unique community which encompasses families from both parishes as well as other families who value the high quality Catholic education that we continue to offer.