ORLANDO | Patricia Dailey, associate superintendent of education, was grieved upon hearing of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

A shooter opened fire on at Annunciation Catholic Church during Mass on August 27, killing two school children and injuring more than 20 others before killing himself.

“We are grieving alongside the community affected by this senseless violence,” she said.

In charge of assuring schools are maintaining a high level of security and proper emergency procedures, she acknowledges it is her worst nightmare.

“Across our schools, the safety and well-being of students and staff remain our top priority,” Dailey said.

Realizing the increase in frequency of these events, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando have increased security over the past five years. In addition to the usual emergency preparedness trainings and drills routinely done throughout the school year, this year every campus added protection of an armed officer on site at the behest of Bishop John Noonan.

Many diocesan schools have also strengthened their facilities with the support of the Florida Nonprofit Security Grant Program (FL-NSGP).

Lakeland’s Santa Fe Catholic High School president Matt Franzino noted improvements in recent years include heavy duty aluminum fencing, cameras, and each door has special access codes enabling an immediate lockdown in case of emergency. There are also two gates visitors must buzz in to get access to campus. With nieces at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, the recent shooting hit home. “It is sad to have to do it, but safety is a priority,” he said.

All schools within the Diocese also follow the Standard Response Protocol. Through Raptor Alert, teachers are empowered to initiate an emergency response directly from their phones, immediately notifying all staff in the event of a crisis. Dailey added the community partnership schools have with local law enforcement is a critical element as well.

On the day of the Annunciation shooting, many local law enforcement agencies immediately reached out to the schools notifying them of increase patrolling over the following weeks.

“We are deeply grateful for the strong partnerships we share with our county sheriff’s offices and local police departments, who provide ongoing collaboration, support, and guidance, both in daily operations and in moments of crisis,” she said.

Dailey reached out to all diocesan schools, asking leaders to remind students and staff of safety steps in a way that promotes confidence and calm, asking them to ensure students and staff know how to respond in the event of an active assailant. She encouraged them to review safety and emergency protocols, especially during more exposed gatherings like Mass and lunch. She added to continue promoting the ‘See Something, Say Something’ policy.

“Vigilance from everyone may just help prevent future tragedy,” she said. Principals and faculty were asked “to reassure families that safety is a top priority, and that plans are in place, practiced, and enforced.”

Amidst prayer services and ensuring schools were properly supported, Erika Wikstrom, superintendent of Catholic Schools, stood in prayerful solidarity with Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis and all who were impacted by the heartbreaking event. “The safety of our students and staff is both a moral and spiritual duty,” she said. “While we hope and pray such tragedies never touch our schools, we remain committed to thoughtful preparation and vigilant action. Rooted in our Catholic faith, we look to Christ, our Good Shepherd, who assures us, ‘I am with you always.’ In that promise, we find the strength to continue building schools that are not only places of learning, but sanctuaries of faith, safety, and hope.”

By Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, September 11, 2025