Faculty & Staff Directory
As a Catholic School of the Diocese of Scranton, we are committed to educate students and their families in the Catholic Faith. We provide a Catholic education that is spiritually sound and academically excellent. We strive to prepare our students to be faith-filled leaders and life-long learners dedicated to serving the church and society.

Meet Our Principal
Mrs. Kara Kennedy Ware
Lifelong Scranton resident and St. Clare St. Paul School alumni, Kara Kennedy Ware has spent 25 years working in both private and public education settings. Kara began her teaching career in Montessori Pre-School, and then transitioned to the elementary classroom setting teaching Reading and Literature in grades 5 through 8. Kara’s educational experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of educators to meet the goal of increasing student achievement and well-being throughDifferentiated Instruction & Social & Emotional Learning, while simultaneously providing a rigorous learning environment, rooted in the Catholic faith. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can thrive, given positive and curriculum-rich learning experiences, a committed, focused educational team, and finally, a supportive engaged school community.
Kara received a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary/Early Childhood Education in 1990 from Marywood University. She returned to Marywood University in 2008 where she earned a Master’s Degree in Reading Education, and finally Kara completed a Master’s Degree in Administrative Leadership in 2020. Currently, Kara is a Post Master's student pursuing a PhD in Strategic Leadership and Administrative Studies.

Meet Our Assistant to the Principal
Mrs. Katie Musso
With a deep passion for nurturing the whole child, Mrs. Katie Musso brings over seven years of dedicated teaching experience to the St. Clare/St. Paul School community. She has instructed students in 3rd and 5th-grade ELA, as well as PreK-8th grade in STREAM/Technology education. Mrs. Musso holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Marywood University. She earned her Master of Science in Instructional Media with a STEM Endorsement from Wilkes University and is currently pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership.
In the classroom, Mrs. Musso is known for designing engaging, differentiated lessons that support diverse learning styles. She has specialized training in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), Project-Based Learning, STREAM education, and more. A strong advocate for SEL, she serves as a co-facilitator of SEL initiatives at St. Clare/St. Paul School, helping students build emotional intelligence and resilience. She is also a Certified Level 1 Google Educator, and brings a strong background in educational technology. Mrs. Musso has led professional development sessions for fellow educators in areas such as SEL, STREAM education, and classroom technology integration.
Mrs. Musso believes that every student deserves a safe, respectful, and engaging learning environment. Her warm and energetic approach to teaching inspires students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally—preparing them for success in the classroom and beyond.

Meet Our Pastor
Reverend Monsignor Neil J. Van Loon, V.F.
Monsignor Van Loon was born on June 6, 1952, to John and Evelyn Harron Van
Loon in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. A product of the Wilkes-Barre Public Schools, he
graduated from King's College in 1974 and subsequently studied Philosophy at the University of Scranton and Saint Pius X Seminary, Dalton before entering Saint Joseph Seminary, Yonkers, New York, from which he received a Master's of Divinity in 1978. He later did graduate work at Marywood University, receiving an MA in 1984.
Ordained a deacon in 1978, he served in Diaconal Ministry at Saint John the Evangelist, Honesdale, before being ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on September 1, 1979, after which he was appointed assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Snows in Clarks Summit. In September 1983, he was appointed Diocesan Pontifical Master of Ceremonies and Personal Secretary to the Most Reverend John J. Ơ Connor, Bishop of Scranton and later Archbishop of New York. He continued in those roles during the administration of the Most Reverend James C. Timlin and later served as Diocesan Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia. In July of 1996, he was appointed Pastor of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Kingston, and Dean of the Kingston Deanery. In July of 2005, he was named Episcopal Vicar of the Western Pastoral Region and took residency in Williamsport. In 2010, he took on the pastorate of Saint Maria Goretti, Laflin, and then in July of 2015 became pastor of Saint Paul's in Green Ridge and Dean of Scranton.
In addition to serving on the Episcopal Council and the Presbyteral Council as Chairman, he has served on the Board of Consultors, Priest Personal Board, Diocesan Liturgical Commission, Seminary Admissions and Review Board, Building Commission, Diocesan Finance Committee, Little Flower Board of Trustees and the Clergy Review Board.
He was named Chaplain to His Holiness (Monsignor) in 1989 and promoted to
Prelate of Honor in 1996. In 2013, he was admitted to the Sovereign Military
Order of Malta and in 2016 promoted to Magistral Chaplain. He was invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 2018 and promoted to Knight Commander in 2021.
His hobbies include reading, world travel, running, and exercise.