Ave Maria Fires Fr. Joseph Fessio

[MrS]

No. Bishops are the ones who refuse to allow the indult and refuse to allow the FSSP priests in their dioceses. Plus there are not very many of those priests yet since they’re only a new order. But if you compare them to other orders, they’re growing by leaps and bounds. There is nothing wrong with their picture. How long has it been in existence? Only a few years, and yet you say something is wrong. Get it a chance!

And people don’t know they need Tradition and ritual because **they’re not *taught ***that they need it; that it’s important and provides a special source of spiritual nourishment that the charismatic movement cannot solely provide.

Absolutely true… another example might be the importance of the Saints and how their lives and examples (traditions) can improve ours. The young know little or nothing of the Saints… even their names now show greater interest in the culture than in the Christian names of the Saints.

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[MrS]

I didn’t catch that poll result in the article. **That was just my sense of humor, sorry:blush: **

I thought Fr. Fessio was pretty funny with his comment about having “all the advantages of dying without being dead.”

I think he’s handled this very well and I’m glad he had the class to come back, because the school needs him. I pray that there is no permanent harm done which can certainly happen when you are blindsided as he, the faculty, staff, students and donors were when he was asked to resign.

I did read your comments, MrS, in the discussion about the law school’s move to FL. I can certainly understand the sense of betrayal among the students and faculty in that case, especially being told that the school would definitely not move even though that is obviously what Mr. Monaghan wanted - obvious now, although not necessarily obvious to the person who said it wasn’t going to move. I would feel betrayed, too.

Yes, I have been privy to the minutes of those early meetings, and more, when the true founders (5 faculty members) agreed to first ask for and then accept TM’s help. It was shortly thereafter when TM began to renige on so many other “promises”… CREDO Magazine, AVE Maria Catholic Radio, Spiritus Sanctus Schools, Ave Maria College, etc etc. Had those things happened earlier, the Law School would still have begun… but would have grown more slowly without the Sole Proprietor mentality of TM

But, the move was going to happen, and now at least anyone who considers going there will know for certain.

Actually that may not be the case. The cleverly worded announcement leaves an “out” for the move. The ABA (American Bar Association) has to first acquiese. Chances are good that the accredidation of the Law School will be withdrawn if the move (“a major change”) happens.

As for those in AMU… I hope they don’t plan on atending the Law School if it moves to Naples… they will be rejected without proper accredidation of AMU- something that is not a sure thing and may not happen, as the accrediting bodies watch TM’s fiasco.

That is not something we experienced, since my daughter was accepted to AMU when it already was in FL. So, Florida it is. Personally, I think it’s a beautiful place to go to school. I pray for the success both of AMU and of the law school. These are good things Tom Monaghan is trying to do, and I certainly don’t want him and the school to be hurt by the fact that he can be “his own worst enemy,” as the article says. If the university and the law school can be successful, it will be a very good thing.

After he is long gone, it will only be the kids and their families who will be hurt.
The solution is quite simple… remove Monaghan, Healy(and all his relatives), and Dobranski. The problem is governance.

 

[VociMike]

Anybody who wants to leave a message of support for Fr. Fessio can do so in the comments area of this new blog, set up for just that purpose:

welcomebackfrfessio.blogspot.com/

 

[m134e5]

then people will speculate what the true intentions are of Tom Monaghan and his school.

I never trusted Tom Monaghan or the school- not for a minute.

 

[MrS]

Another voice is heard for Fr Fessio

avewatch.com/

which links to the full story at:

renewamerica.us/columns/mershon/070403

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[momof8]

Another voice is heard for Fr Fessio

avewatch.com/

which links to the full story at:

renewamerica.us/columns/mershon/070403

.

MrS,

Who, exactly, are the “investigative journalists” who are running the web site you provide a link to (the first link) above? I looked around the site and could not find a name of a responsible person anywhere. I checked the “contact” page which on most web sites provide a name and e-mail address as contacts, but for this website, they only ask for MY contact information.

What’s with this, MrS? Why should I trust these people?

 

[MrS]

MrS,

Who, exactly, are the “investigative journalists” who are running the web site you provide a link to (the first link) above? I looked around the site and could not find a name of a responsible person anywhere. I checked the “contact” page which on most web sites provide a name and e-mail address as contacts, but for this website, they only ask for MY contact information.

What’s with this, MrS? Why should I trust these people?

I don’t believe that anyone at the www.avewatch.com site or the anonymous blog site www.fumare.blogspot.com or even at www.whoseamsol.com site is the ultimate “investigative journalist”

However, the links are provided to validate the issues. And quite frankly, the firing of Fr F, and rehire/“demotion” is visible evidence of one more problem at AMU,.

Yes it will take some time to read all the threads at those sites… but one either follows Monaghan blindly to their demise, or reads what he does and then makes a wiser decision.

The real question has become “why should you trust Monaghan, Fessio, Healy, Dobranski, etc.”

The real answer is that they have all lost the trust, and really don’t care anyway.

 

[MrS]

Some employees prefer to move on… instead of waiting to be moved on…

It is being reported that most of AMU’s Admissions Department resigned last week - Erin Flaherty (Assistant Director of Admissions), Rose DeCaro (Admissions Counselor), and John Gordon. Flaherty & DeCaro have been AMU employees for several years. The University will not confirm/comment, and has tightened media access even more since the Fessio fire/rehire.

avewatch.com/

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[MrS]

OSV: Reckless “Holy Entrepeneurship”

April 8, 2007 - “If I Were A Rich Man”
by Greg Erlandson, President and Publisher of Our Sunday Visitor

“Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first introduce to Tom Monaghan.”

The fact that a large Catholic publisher is now willing to openly discuss Monaghan’s management is even more significant than the pubisher’s analysis; to date, Catholic media has largely avoided the story, save a few small brave “orthodox” outlets.

The OSV article is subscription protected, but “fair-use” excerpts can be found at this link:
Excerpts:

*“The body count - including several folks I’ve known over the years - is high from projects that lost their funding or were suddenly cast aside when priorities shifted. Recent uproars include his handling of Ave Maria College and [the] Law School in Michigan. In the wake of such abrupt decisions, professors, students, entrepeneurs, and good and faithful Catholics have sometimes been left adrift, scrambling to keep themselves afloat as the Monaghan enterprise sails on to other interests.”

“There is a book to be written someday about wealthy Catholics who, with more money than insight, decide to single-handedly “save” the Church.”

“What has become clear to me is that it takes as much work to give one’s money away wisely and justly as it does to earn it in the first place.”*

osv.com/OSVNav/OSVNewsweeklyApril82007/IfIwerearichman/tabid/2691/Default.aspx

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[momof8]

I’m sorry, MrS, but while I am not happy with all that I have read about Tom Monaghan, I have a big problem with your anonymous critics of AMU. It’s not just Tom Monaghan that they don’t like, it’s Ave Maria. They can’t find enough bad things to say about it.

Big link to the fact that AMU had a Seder meal on Holy Thursday after the Mass. So what? If I were there, I would have gone, and I would have appreciated the experience! Who are these people??? Is there some kind of ultra-traditional wing out there that hates Ave Maria because they don’t mind that not everyone is “Traditional”? What is in it for these people to destroy Ave Maria? Are they with the “liberals” (their word) who want to destroy the school and the town? They don’t mind associating with liberals as long as the liberals have the same agenda they do, is that it? MrS, my name is Sharon Grant. What are the names of the folks over at avewatch?

If Tom Monaghan is truly a problem (and I will research that through some other source than avewatch), then I pray that control is taken away from him and given to people who will complete the good work that has already begun there. I don’t think that anyone at “avewatch” is interested in seeing that done.

 

[MrS]

I’m sorry, MrS, but while I am not happy with all that I have read about Tom Monaghan, I have a big problem with your anonymous critics of AMU.

The most recent post above is from the editor of Our Sunday Visitor.

Those who have been burned by him, and those who have blown the whistle on him use their names at the blog www.fumare.blogspot.com

Even the Naples News, which at first took a wait and see position, now writes what is going on.

Fr Michael Beer has announced his leaving (he was head of the theologate program)

www.avewatch.com gave the names of the three more who are leaving from the admissions office

It’s not just Tom Monaghan that they don’t like, it’s Ave Maria. They can’t find enough bad things to say about it.

If you took some time to read what is written it becomes obvious even to those who don’t care that the problem is the governance which is Monaghan, Healy, Dobranski etc… not Ave Maria

There is no more Ave Maria College, there is no more 1st Tier Law School (it wallows as a 4th tier again this year), and the board of Governors are now resigning or speaking out.

Why would you think they are trying to destroy???

They are trying to save the Catholic Education from the incompetant.

Big link to the fact that AMU had a Seder meal on Holy Thursday after the Mass. So what? If I were there, I would have gone, and I would have appreciated the experience! Who are these people???

So go to a Seder Meal… it is a good experience. But use the advice of St Thomas and St Augustine and don’t let it “invade” or change, or compromise what is Catholic… read the links…

Is there some kind of ultra-traditional wing out there that hates Ave Maria because they don’t mind that not everyone is “Traditional”? What is in it for these people to destroy Ave Maria? Are they with the “liberals” (their word) who want to destroy the school and the town?

The ones most concerned with preserving the Law School and Ave College are most certainly not liberal nor “far-right”. Where ever you got that idea it is goofy.

The town is an investment for the builders.

They don’t mind associating with liberals as long as the liberals have the same agenda they do, is that it? MrS, my name is Sharon Grant. What are the names of the folks over at avewatch?

If Tom Monaghan is truly a problem (and I will research that through some other source than avewatch),

then I pray that control is taken away from him and given to people who will complete the good work that has already begun there.
that is exactly what should happen… but the man with the gold, rules. So first he should leave, take his money and leave. There are others who will step forward when that happens, but not before. Monaghan is a joke among the wealthy benefactors who would donate without strings, and without wanting to be sole proprietor.

I don’t think that anyone at “avewatch” is interested in seeing that done.

By the way, the stories most often link to New Reports, or the sites of those of whom you seem do doubt the existance.

 

[momof8]

MrS, when I try to quote your message, it looks like the program will only quote your last line. I don’t know how to get around that, so I will do the best I can to quote from your reply.

You said: “Fr Michael Beer has announced his leaving (he was head of the theologate program)”

MrS. the Naples News, which wrote an article about Fr. Beer’s reassignment, tried to make it sound as though his leaving was connected to the firing of Fr. Fessio, but their own article, which ran just a couple of days after the firing, says that Fr. Beer’s transfer had been in the works long before the Fr. Fessio controversy. It is misleading to try to leave the impression that Fr. Beers is leaving because Fr. Fessio had been fired.

You also said: “www.avewatch.com gave the names of the three more who are leaving from the admissions office” Yes, avewatch says that. I do not therefor know for a fact that that is true, but even if it is, I would need more information to know why they are leaving. I have met Erin Flaherty and she is a wonderful asset to the school. Her opinion would carry weight with me, but I don’t know what her opinion is, and reading avewatch did not enlighten me on her opinion. Maybe she’s getting married and that is why she is leaving, if her resignation is a fact. I don’t know her reasons, and there is no indication that the unidentified authors at avewatch know, either.

You said: “They are trying to save Ave Maria from the incompetents.” Holding a Seder Meal is in no sense whatsoever an indication of incompetence, yet the event is reported as though it was something to be concerned about. It isn’t. Having Jewish roots, which we do, and learning about them, does not invade my faith. It has enhanced it.

You said: “Why do you think they are trying to destroy?” Because the tone of the website and the “problems” they link to indicate more than just a dislike of Mr. Monaghan. There is more behind it than that.

I said: “If Tom Monaghan is truly a problem (and I will research that through some other source than avewatch), then I pray that control is taken away from him and given to people who will complete the good work that has already begun there.” And you replied: “that is exactly what should happen”. Your posts here and in other places have led me to find information that I did not know about Tom Monaghan. I think avewatch is divisive not because they report on Tom Monaghan but because I sense other agendas there as represented by their concern over the Seder meal. It is not just Tom Monaghan that they don’t like. While we disagree on the usefulness of avewatch as a source of information, I think we both agree that the goals of those who founded the Ave Maria schools were worthwhile and we hope to see those goals met.

 

[MrS]

MrS, when I try to quote your message, it looks like the program will only quote your last line. I don’t know how to get around that, so I will do the best I can to quote from your reply.

You said: “Fr Michael Beer has announced his leaving (he was head of the theologate program)”

My statement was correct… he announced his leaving… and yes he was planning this for some time… hardly a simple re-assignment

MrS. the Naples News, which wrote an article about Fr. Beer’s reassignment, tried to make it sound as though his leaving was connected to the firing of Fr. Fessio, but their own article, which ran just a couple of days after the firing, says that Fr. Beer’s transfer had been in the works long before the Fr. Fessio controversy. It is misleading to try to leave the impression that Fr. Beers is leaving because Fr. Fessio had been fired.

You also said: “www.avewatch.com gave the names of the three more who are leaving from the admissions office” Yes, avewatch says that. I do not therefor know for a fact that that is true, but even if it is, I would need more information to know why they are leaving. I have met Erin Flaherty and she is a wonderful asset to the school. Her opinion would carry weight with me, but I don’t know what her opinion is, and reading avewatch did not enlighten me on her opinion. Maybe she’s getting married and that is why she is leaving, if her resignation is a fact. I don’t know her reasons, and there is no indication that the unidentified authors at avewatch know, either.

Do you find it strange that the school refuses to comment. (getting married or something similar would be a great comment if true) Do you find the articles about the security restrictions a bit paranoid. Do you wonder why their PR department can’t/won’t address these issues?

You said: “They are trying to save Ave Maria from the incompetents.” Holding a Seder Meal is in no sense whatsoever an indication of incompetence, yet the event is reported as though it was something to be concerned about. It isn’t. Having Jewish roots, which we do, and learning about them, does not invade my faith. It has enhanced it.

So go to a Seder Meal… avoid a potentially conflicting “Catholic Version”

You said: “Why do you think they are trying to destroy?” Because the tone of the website and the “problems” they link to indicate more than just a dislike of Mr. Monaghan. There is more behind it than that.

Not more… he is the problem, and more people are finally beginning to see it…including those on the Board of Governors, and the Alumni Association, and the Student Associations etc etc

I said: “If Tom Monaghan is truly a problem (and I will research that through some other source than avewatch), then I pray that control is taken away from him and given to people who will complete the good work that has already begun there.” And you replied: “that is exactly what should happen”. Your posts here and in other places have led me to find information that I did not know about Tom Monaghan. I think avewatch is divisive not because they report on Tom Monaghan but because I sense other agendas there as represented by their concern over the Seder meal. It is not just Tom Monaghan that they don’t like. While we disagree on the usefulness of avewatch as a source of information, I think we both agree that the goals of those who founded the Ave Maria schools were worthwhile and we hope to see those goals met.

I totally agree… and you will find that the true founders of the school… those who moved families, careers and personal monies to see their ideas come to life… want to see their goals met. I personally support each of them, and some more than others.

No one is perfect, and no vision or idea is perfect. Even Catholic Education is not always perfect.

The problem, or obstacle, to those goals being met is the governance of those schools by Tom Monaghan. His history of making promises, dangling dollars, and walking away is long and painful. The writing is on the wall… it will happen in Naples too. And nearly 1/3 of the student body decided he is not worth the risk.

Out of curiosity… what do you think about the way Fr Fessio was treated… and the fact that he claims he still does not know why… and the school remains mum.

 

[stinkcat_14]

Out of curiosity… what do you think about the way Fr Fessio was treated… and the fact that he claims he still does not know why… and the school remains mum.

I realize that this question is not addressed to me, but here is the thing that really has me puzzled: Fr Fessio was working for free and they couldn’t even handle his firing with dignity. Its not like they would be saving $15,000 per month by getting him off campus immediately. That is assuming that the typical provost makes about $180,000 per year.

 

[MrS]

I realize that this question is not addressed to me, but here is the thing that really has me puzzled: Fr Fessio was working for free and they couldn’t even handle his firing with dignity. Its not like they would be saving $15,000 per month by getting him off campus immediately. That is assuming that the typical provost makes about $180,000 per year.

Well, I am of the understanding that T$M pays his chaplain at the Law School (a diocese priest from New Jersey on leave with his bishop’s permission) just under half that amount.

Now the position of provost or chancellar may be “free”, and other positions may be paid… don’t know. And his provincial may be allocating $1000 per month or so for his upkeep as some other order priests receive.

Rest assured that no one in their right mind will ever work for TM for free in the future… or without a contract.

If he can fire Fr F just like that… imagine the consideration he would give to others (oh yeh, he did that to the faculty at Ave Maria College in Michigan)

 

[MrS]

a collection of observations from the last week… names included:

“Institutional suicide” was the immediate response of Philip F. Lawler, editor of Catholic World News [after the firing of Fr. Fessio], "…if you’re a tenured professor at another Catholic university and you see this happening, you say to yourself, ‘If it could happen to Father Fessio, it could happen to anyone – so what’s my incentive for going to work at Ave Maria?’ "

“[Ave Maria administration] describes the Monaghan vision as something good - but it has a dark side to it - and it excludes some key Catholic features. The dark side is the dependence upon Monaghan’s arbitrary focus or level of interest and its idiosyncratic definitions of Catholic faith - Mr. Monaghan seems oblivious to Church doctrine on social justice in his treatment of faculty and staff as “at will” employees. He also spurns centuries-old academic customs and protocols especially those pertaining to faculty status and governance. Unfortunately, the quest for authentic renewal of Catholic higher education has taken some wrong turns under the Ave Maria auspices.” - Dr. John Hittinger

“How do you recommend a University whose leaders behave as they did in firing their best friend [Fr. Fessio], their most loyal and devoted player? I will say this: things will change over a couple of years, not necessarily right away. However, Masses will change at the very earliest opportunity. That you can be sure of.” - Roger McCaffrey (Publisher of Roman Catholic Books & former AMU employee)

“Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first introduce to Tom Monaghan.” “The body count - including several folks I’ve known over the years - is high from projects that lost their funding or were suddenly cast aside when priorities shifted. Recent uproars include his handling of Ave Maria College and [the] Law School in Michigan. In the wake of such abrupt decisions, professors, students, entrepeneurs, and good and faithful Catholics have sometimes been left adrift, scrambling to keep themselves afloat as the Monaghan enterprise sails on to other interests.” - Greg Erlandson, President and Publisher of Our Sunday Visitor.

“Just this past March, 2007, [Ave Maria] university sponsored a retreat for 15 students to travel to a mission ranch in New Mexico. Once there, students attended a Mass where they witnessed many blatant abuses. Among other absurdities, they were made to run around in circles shouting Native American chants near the start of the Mass, then as a group they were made to sing the day’s Holy Gospel, the words of which were scrolling in “bouncy ball” fashion across Teleprompters that had been rolled in for the occasion. When two of the scandalized students brought their concerns to the Jesuits who were overseeing the event, not only were they harshly rebuffed, but their retreat was cut short and the two were put on the next plane back to Florida. When Healy and others in the administration got wind of the incident, the students were severely censured and an effort was made to have them expelled. The move to expel the students ended only after Fr. Fessio stepped in on their behalf, once again saving students who found themselves on the wrong end of the administration from being expelled. Only two days later, Father Fessio would be called into Tom Monaghan’s office and told to get leave campus by day’s end.” - a snipet from a forth coming Angel Queen article by %between%“servitium.”

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[momof8]

Out of curiosity… what do you think about the way Fr Fessio was treated… and the fact that he claims he still does not know why… and the school remains mum.

I had been aware of problems with Tom Monaghan but did not know very many details and had only heard them from one source. I had been very surprised and disappointed that the law school had let Prof. Rice go, wondering why they would apparently not value a person who was obviously worth so much to the law school, but I still did not know very much about it. When I heard about Fr. Fessio, I thought it must be another example of the way things are handled and I was concerned.

I have spoken with a friend whose son-in-law will be graduating from the law school this semester. She did fill me in generally on what the situation has been like for him as a student of the school. Quite frankly, the situation seems more and more bizarre the more I learn of it.

Ok, so what are the possibilities here for Ave Maria University? Who “owns” it? What are the possible events that could allow someone other than Tom Monaghan to be in charge?

Can I ask you the same question you asked me, MrS? In an earlier post you said, "The real question has become ‘why should you trust Monaghan, Fessio, Healy, Dobranski, etc.’

The real answer is that they have all lost the trust, and really don’t care anyway."

Based on that, what was your reaction to Fr. Fessio’s firing? Only that you wished it had been handled differently?

 

[MrS]

When I heard about Fr. Fessio, I thought it must be another example of the way things are handled and I was concerned.

The feeling about the firing was not concern. It was not even suprise. We have seen so much of the mis-management already.

I admire Fr. Fessio for many things. I still have a tape of his talk from Canada on aspects of the liturgy… something I wish he would expand on. On the other hand, I can’t for the life of me see why he would continue to be “in Monaghan’s pocket”.

---

Perhaps he will learn the reasons why… and perhaps he will someday share them.

I have spoken with a friend whose son-in-law will be graduating from the law school this semester. She did fill me in generally on what the situation has been like for him as a student of the school. Quite frankly, the situation seems more and more bizarre the more I learn of it.

The students there are either in turmoil, in stress or in utter disappointment… or all three. When the ABA was there, many were told point blank to say only good things to the investigator… told by the Chaplain!! Your friend can verify that and the growing list of incidents of intimidation, and warnings of “…just remember, you don’t have a job yet…”. This all comes from the top… Monaghan and Dobranski.

Ok, so what are the possibilities here for Ave Maria University? Who “owns” it? What are the possible events that could allow someone other than Tom Monaghan to be in charge?

The AveMaria College in now the AveMaria University… any endeavor to promote Catholic Education should be lauded. And with the right administration it can work. I think there are more prayers that Monaghan just walks away. It would be disasterous for a while, but in the long run other benefactors would/could make it work.

Can I ask you the same question you asked me, MrS? In an earlier post you said, "The real question has become ‘why should you trust Monaghan, Fessio, Healy, Dobranski, etc.’

The real answer is that they have all lost the trust, and really don’t care anyway."

Based on that, what was your reaction to Fr. Fessio’s firing? Only that you wished it had been handled differently?

The firing was bad enough. The rehire, assignment to DC and to jobs in Europe etc effectively get him out of the way. I tend to agree with those who say the real conflict is between Fessio and Healy, and the Healy is Monaghan’s main guy till the ship goes down.

Some of the comments get way out of line on the blogs, but that is the nature of the blogs. AveWatch allows for comments, but the stuff they offer is all factual.

As for the Law School…
The real founders… the Faculty who gave their all for this effort (now referred to by their Dean as a “failed experiment”), … they deserve support and prayers. If Monaghan is blocked from moving it to Naples, he will abandon it entirely… that is his history. A once aspiring project won’t be the anchor pin he thinks he needs to save his project. And perhaps real donors will come forward to help the Law School,… and then perhaps Ave U… donors who will not be “sole proprietors”…

Do you realize that in 6 years, almost 7, the Law School has raised nearly zero dollars… they are dependant to a great degree on Monaghan (that is his plan). Without him they could struggle for a few years, but certainly return to success… the plan is sound… the planner ™ is faulty.

There is a story, widely known, that years ago TM wanted to make a movie on JPII. He estimated 25million. As usual, he was wrong (costs were closer to 75million). A benefactor stepped forward and offered considerable financial help. Than man was told to butt out and his help was declined. To this day there is no love lost. TM’s project went down the tubes. The other man’s dream did not. It became The Passion of the Christ.

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[momof8]

I wasn’t going to respond any more, having expressed pretty much what I think and the little I know about the situation, and having already learned a good bit myself, but I want to say one more thing.

If Ave Maria is being led down a path of destruction by the current leadership, then all we can do is pray for them. I suspect that it would be tremendously difficult to get Mr. Monaghan completely out of the picture. He must be bound in the construction deals and other details so completely that if he walked away, he would spend the last of his earthly riches not on Catholic projects but on lawsuits.

I just want to say that the school that has been created in Florida is a beautiful one, even considering it as it is on the temporary campus. Not physically beautiful necessarily, although it is, but really wonderful in meeting the goals of the university. My daughter is learning from fabulous professors (British lit from Joseph Pearce - how fortunate she is! Philosophy, humanities and history from excellent teachers, some of whom come from prestigious universities.) She is learning from a Catholic perspective, which does not limit her thoughts but enlightens them - she can, after all, get a non-Catholic perspective on life from the very air we breathe in our society. Contrary to any who try to portray it as a place of liturgical nonsense or misleading theology, it is a school where many are finding rich support for beautiful religious vocations. In the past, I would have thought of these things as Tom Monaghan’s goals, and in his saner moments I think they are, but they are being brought about by the efforts and dreams of other people. He’s just providing the purse as his worthwhile contribution. Overall Ave Maria seems to me like a place that one person, in particular, would be pleased to see go under. We all know him as “the enemy”.

It would be heartbreaking to see the efforts of the wonderful people at Ave Maria simply washed away in defeat, so I will continue to pray for them all and for the success of all who are trying to give students a truly Catholic education.

 

[MrS]

Well said, and you express the desire of those with concerns for the future of Catholic education in general.

We will all continue to pray for the success of Catholic education, and perhaps even for the change of heart in Monaghan… as you are right, he won’t leave quietly.