Very Rev. Leo Francis Daniels, C.O.
Congregation of the Pharr Oratory
Position: Rector/Provost
Father Leo has served his Oratorian community as head priest at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Pharr for over 30 years. Though from the East Coast, he has a deep love for the Rio Grande Valley and its rich Hispanic culture. It was approximately 25 years ago that the idea of founding a dual language bi-cultural school emerged and therefore sought to find the lay people to help fulfill his mission. As a founder of the Oratory Schools, he has served on the board since 1983. His educational background includes degrees in Theology, Philosophy, Sociology and Counseling. Fluent in five languages, Father Leo teaches high school Latin and French classes as well as continuing his education through online doctoral studies.
Rev. José Encarnación Losoya, C.O.
Congregation of the Pharr Oratory
Position: Priest, Vice- Principal, Academic Counselor & Teacher
Father José has been a board member since his ordination in 1996. However, he has dedicated his time and efforts at the Oratory Schools since before becoming a priest. He studied in Mexico City where he attained his degree in Theology and later in Psychology at UTPA. Today, Father serves his community in a variety of ways. First, he is a priest assisting at both St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and the Oratory Schools. Secondly, he's dedicated his career as vice-principal, academic counselor, and teacher at the Oratory Schools. Father José continues his education through taking on-line graduate courses and attaining certifications in technology and grant writing. As school counselor, he has helped high school students attain scholarships at various private and public universities across the state of Texas.
Ruben Rosales
Position: Member
Mr. Rosales has served on the board of the Oratory Schools for the past six years. He and his wife are active members of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish in Pharr where they have served their community as catechism teachers for many years. Ruben is further connected with his church as a member of its charity organization- The Knights of Columbus. He is employed by the Hidalgo County Appraisal District as a data processing manager.
José Adan Farías
Position: Member
Mr. Farías has over 30 years of educational experience, more than half of which have been as a high school principal. He is a founding member of the Oratory Schools, since 1983, where his youngest daughter, Alisa attended (PK 3- 6th). Adan and his wife Diana dedicated their professional careers as teachers, administrators and principals of the PSJA Independent School District until 2001 when Mr. Farías retired from his principalship at PSJA North High School to join the South Texas Independent School District. There, he is employed as Principal of BETA (Business, Education and Technology Academy), formerly known as Teacher Academy in Edinburg.
Manuel N. Pérez, Sr.
Position: Director of Finance and Plant Coordinator
Mr. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving as a board member since 1983. He began his career with the PSJA Independent School District where he served as teacher, principal, Federal Programs Administrator and Asst. Superintendent for Finance for almost 30 years. He was also employed by the Point Isabel Independent School District through the mid-late 70's as Asst. Superintendent. From 1980 through 1997, he served as Asst. Superintendent for Finance for PSJA and Mission C.I.S.D. having served at PSJA for fourteen years and retiring from the public education sector in 1997. Through the years, he has further served his community as Pharr Chamber President, and Lion's Club Member. Today, Mr. Pérez is employed by the Oratory Schools as Director of Finance and Plant Coordinator. He is also the parent of one of the Oratory's very first class of students in 1983, Laura, who attended the school (PK 3-6th grade). He and his family are parishioners of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and reside in Pharr.
Noe Lauro Hernández
Position: Oratory Parent
Mr. Hernández has served as a board member for the past six years. He and his wife Sally reside in Pharr where all three of their young boys attend school. Christopher, the youngest, is a 4th grade student at the Oratory Schools. Sally has served as both a teacher and a parent volunteer at the Oratory through the years. Noe is a business owner and a farmer. He and his family are parishioners at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and continue to support Catholic education through sponsorships for the Oratory's various fundraising endeavors.
Rev. Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O.
Congregation of the Pharr Oratory
Position: Priest, Director (Principal)
Father Mario joined the school board upon his ordination in 1998. He, like Father José, found himself volunteering at the Oratory Schools pre-ordination. Father Mario serves his community as head priest at Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo in addition to his evangelical duties to his mother church, St. Jude Thaddeus. Fluent in four languages, Father Mario's studies took him to Rome, Italy where he received degrees in Theology and Philosophy. This year marks his first year as Director of the Oratory Schools making him the second principal in the school's 23-year history. Before becoming Director, he taught high school courses at the Oratory and assisted with weekly masses.
Oralia Cantú
Position: Board President
Oralia has been a board member of the Oratory Schools since its inception in 1983, and is thus, a founding member. Through the years, she has served her community as a public school teacher for the PSJA Independent School District as well as at the Oratory Schools. She is an active member of the congregation of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish where she has served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector and C.C.D. instructor. As the mother of an Oratorian graduate, Carina (PK 4- 6th grade), and presently, the grandmother of a kinder student, Angelina, Oralia has dedicated countless hours toward assisting the Oratory Schools as Board President, volunteer and chairperson of the institution's largest annual fundraising event, "Noche de Alegría". She and her family are residents of Pharr and have sponsored many of the school's charitable events and fundraisers.
G. Yvonne Pérez
Position: President, Oratory Schools
Mrs. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving on the board since 1983. She was the first and only Directress (principal) of the educational institution until February of 2005 where she took on the role of President. Prior to serving her community in the private sector, Mrs. Pérez worked as a teacher, coordinator and principal for both Point Isabel and PSJA Independent School Districts for over 10 years. She is also an author of bilingual educational literature and is published by the Scott Foresman Company. Presently, she also sits on the board of the Pharr Historical Commission and was awarded a "Leadership Pharr" scholarship sponsored by the Pharr Chamber of Commerce last year. Like other board members, she is also the parent of an Oratorian graduate- Laura (PK 3-6th grade). She and her family attend St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and live in Pharr.
Sochíl J. Durán
Position: Board Secretary
Mrs. Durán is a founding member of the Oratory Schools and a parent of one of the Athenaeum's first high school graduates- Pedro Angel Durán. At present, she presides as Board Secretary. Sochíl has been the bookkeeper at St. Jude Thaddeus Parish for over 20 years where she also serves as Director of Religious Education. She and her family reside in Pharr.