Campaign: ‘Save Sister’

Michael Miller

More than 100 parents and children crowded St. John the Baptist

School Monday evening, praying out loud for the retention of a

principal whose job they believe is in jeopardy.

The demonstrators contended that Sister Mary Vianney, the

principal at St. John for 31 years, has not been offered a contract

for the 2005-06 school year and that the church’s parish priests have

been vague about her status. In response to the rumors, a group of

parents has started a campaign called “Save Sister” to implore the

church to keep Vianney in office.

On Monday, the crowd gathered between the school and the convent,

where Vianney lives, reciting prayers and Hail Marys and reading

passages from the Bible. Vianney, who taught at the school before

becoming its principal, did not come outside to speak to the crowd.

Parents at the prayer vigil said Vianney has been a beloved figure

in their community and expressed puzzlement over why the church,

owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, would want to let her

go.

“I’m here because I cannot believe the amount of disrespect

they’re showing to someone who’s dedicated 43 years of her life to

the community,” said John Stephens, a member of the St. John church,

with three children at the school. “We all love Sister. My kids have

collectively had 17 school years here, and every year has been a good

year.”

Father Martin Benzoni, the pastor of the Costa Mesa church,

declined comment, and Father Gerry Horan, superintendent of schools

for the diocese, did not return repeated calls. However, Father Joe

Fenton, a spokesman for the diocese, said no official steps had been

taken to discontinue Vianney’s employment.

“We have received no official notification,” Fenton said. “Every

year, contracts come up for renewal. It’s up to the local pastor to

determine what to do.”

Parents close to Vianney said she was unwilling to comment, but

added that she had voiced concerns to them about her status in the

fall.

“At this point, she has not been offered a contract,” said Cathy

Jo Liebel, the president of St. John’s parent auxiliary for the last

year. “We’re not quite sure why. They’re not telling us. She has

asked why, and they don’t answer.”

Hoping to encourage the school to rehire Vianney for next year,

the campaigners have started a website for St. John families to post

comments and also invited the public to send donations to Sisters of

Mercy in Santa Ana, the order to which Vianney belongs.

Suzi Brown, the school’s parent auxiliary president for next year,

said the fund was for “anyone who’s sympathetic to Sister Mary’s

situation and wants to make a donation in her name to the Sisters of

Mercy.” She and Liebel said the funds had not been earmarked toward

anything specific, although some parents had floated the idea of

establishing a new school.

“We want to save our Sister,” Liebel said. “She means the world to

us.”

* MICHAEL MILLER covers education and may be reached at (714)

966-4617 or by e-mail at michael.miller@latimes.com.