‘A GREAT FIT’

BACK TO SCHOOL: Carla Angiolillo excited to strengthen the bonds of faith at St. Thomas the Apostle School

Carla Angiolillo takes over at St. Thomas the Apostle School and is excited to work with Father Matthew Duclos saying, “He definitely showcases the mission and shares the mission with the school and parish. His communication style, his leadership style is really special and it’s exciting to get to be on this journey together.” (Mike Matvey photo)

As the new principal at St. Thomas the Apostle School in Delmar, Carla Angiolillo can rely on two priests when it comes to questions of the Catholic faith and beyond. 

Of course, she can call on Father Matthew Duclos, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, but she can also ask her brother, Father Alexander Turpin, who was ordained this May and was named parochial vicar of Holy Trinity Parish in Columbia County (which consists of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson, Church of the Resurrection in Germantown and Chapel of the Nativity in Linlithgo) this June.

“Growing up with my brother we were very close. When he told us he would begin this journey we were very excited. We were raised Catholic and always had very strong values in the faith,” she said. “He was just ordained in May and our family couldn’t be more joyful about it. He definitely has taught us all so much. 

“I think those of us who are strong practicing Catholics realize that there is still so much more to learn because I am always asking him questions and it’s great to have a priest in the family and be able to get clarification on things that we all think we may know but there is so much more to it.”

Angiolillo has strong faith roots in the Capital Region having attended St. Pius X Parish and School in Loudonville, where her mother, Carmela Turpin, has been an active presence in the community for years and is now parish secretary. Angiolillo attended Shaker High School and The College of St. Rose before teaching at St. Pius and then La Salle Institute in Troy.  

When her husband Thomas’ job called for a move to Connecticut, she said it “was hard from the aspect of me leaving Catholic education at La Salle. I absolutely loved it. It was a hard thing to move on but we knew we had to do it.”

While she worked at a private school there, the opportunity arose for the family, now with 3-month-old Nicholas in tow, to move back to upstate New York.

“We knew that if this chapter was to change and we were able to come back to the Capital Region, we would be very excited to come back,” Angiolillo said. “My in-laws are in Connecticut and we had a great time there but this past spring (my husband) was able to return to the area for his job.”

That is when she found out about the opening at St. Thomas the Apostle School.

“Carla Angiolillo brings to St. Thomas the Apostle School a deep commitment to Catholic education, a genuine love for students and families, and a strong belief in the mission of our Catholic schools,” said Dr. Christopher Bott, Superintendent of Schools. “She understands that a successful school is one where faith, academic excellence and a strong sense of community come together. We are excited to welcome Carla into this leadership role and look forward to the energy, experience and vision she will bring to the St. Thomas community.”

Father Duclos added that she is “a great fit” for the school.

“It’s great to welcome Mrs. Angiolillo back to the Diocese! She brings a combination of experience, passion and a genuine commitment to Catholic education that I believe is a great fit for St. Thomas the Apostle School,” Father Duclos said. “She has helped to welcome many new students, families and faculty this year, and I’m excited to see how the Holy Spirit is leading us forward. The beautiful phrase about our faith being ‘ever ancient and ever new’ rings true in my mind as we begin this new school year.”

Angiolillo — who said her goal this year is to infuse a Catholic-centric view into everything the students do — is just as excited to work with Father Duclos and continue strengthening the strong bond between the students, families, school and parish.

“Father Matt has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He was great throughout the whole process and shared all of the great joys of the parish and school side of St. Thomas and showed why it’s a very beloved place,” she said. “He definitely showcases the mission and shares the mission with the school and parish. His communication style, his leadership style is really special and it’s exciting to get to be on this journey together.”

More Back to School: 

MAKING HISTORY: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/making-history/ 

‘DID YOU GO TO CATHOLIC HIGH?’: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/did-you-go-to-catholic-high/ 

NEW YEAR, NEW SCHOOL: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/new-year-new-school/ 

THE SISTERS ARE BACK: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/the-sisters-are-back/ 

AN ANCHOR IN LIFE: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/back-to-school-an-anchor-in-my-life-and-for-many-others/ 

A VALUED PROCESS: http://evangelist.www.clients.ellingtoncms.com/news/2026/sep/23/a-valued-process/