On March 25, 2015, parents from Star of the Sea school met with Fr. Raymund Reyes, Vicar of Clergy, and Bishop William Justice, Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of San Francisco, along with Fr. Joseph Illo and Fr. Patrick Driscoll. After receiving letters from more than 75% of the families at the school, the Archdiocese requested the meeting. The goal was to provide the representatives of the Archdiocese with a personal sense of the situation at Star of the Sea.
Fifteen parents, including one from each grade, were asked to speak on behalf of the parents. These talks were personal, often raw and emotional, covering a range of issues. The common thread through it all was a love of our school, our faculty, and our principal.
It was a very challenging evening for all. There was no joy for any of us in sharing the pain we have experienced these past months. We are grateful to Fr. Ray and Bishop Bill for coming to hear us.
Many of the speakers from the event have agreed to share their speeches. We appreciate the honesty and bravery of everyone that spoke. Below is a list of selected speakers. Many have asked that their names be obscured to protect their privacy.
Fifteen parents, including one from each grade, were asked to speak on behalf of the parents. These talks were personal, often raw and emotional, covering a range of issues. The common thread through it all was a love of our school, our faculty, and our principal.
It was a very challenging evening for all. There was no joy for any of us in sharing the pain we have experienced these past months. We are grateful to Fr. Ray and Bishop Bill for coming to hear us.
Many of the speakers from the event have agreed to share their speeches. We appreciate the honesty and bravery of everyone that spoke. Below is a list of selected speakers. Many have asked that their names be obscured to protect their privacy.
Read the Speeches
Speaker #1 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the past history of the Star of the Sea Parish and School, threatened by the changes brought by Fr. Illo
Speaker #2 Ruth Callanan
Speaks about Star as a community with a welcoming embrace
Speaker #4 Scott Castro
Speaks about the divisive dogma of Fr. Illo and the misguided campaign he’s brought to Star of the Sea
Speaker #5 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the ban on altar girls and the impact on our children
Speaker #6 Siobhan Mc Feeney
Speaks about the negative emotional impact of numerous careless acts on the children
Speaker #7 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the devastating impact of exclusion and hate on children, parents, faculty and the community
Speaker # 8 Ben […] [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the virtue of kindness, confession and child safety
Speaker #9 Naomi Kelly and [Sebastian Lee – pseudonym at the request of the speaker]
Speak about the specter of segregation rising again at Star and the terrible cost on our children
Speaker #10 Margaret Farruggio
Speaks about the spiritual growth of her son before and after the arrival of Fr. Illo
Speaker #12 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the divisive attitude and policies of Fr. Illo on our Catholic community
Speaker #13 Ryan Brooks
Speaks about Fr Illo’s words via his blog, with its implications and impacts
Speaker #14 Luke Atkins
Speaks about the quality of leadership exhibited by Fr. Illo
Speaks about the past history of the Star of the Sea Parish and School, threatened by the changes brought by Fr. Illo
Speaker #2 Ruth Callanan
Speaks about Star as a community with a welcoming embrace
Speaker #4 Scott Castro
Speaks about the divisive dogma of Fr. Illo and the misguided campaign he’s brought to Star of the Sea
Speaker #5 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the ban on altar girls and the impact on our children
Speaker #6 Siobhan Mc Feeney
Speaks about the negative emotional impact of numerous careless acts on the children
Speaker #7 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the devastating impact of exclusion and hate on children, parents, faculty and the community
Speaker # 8 Ben […] [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the virtue of kindness, confession and child safety
Speaker #9 Naomi Kelly and [Sebastian Lee – pseudonym at the request of the speaker]
Speak about the specter of segregation rising again at Star and the terrible cost on our children
Speaker #10 Margaret Farruggio
Speaks about the spiritual growth of her son before and after the arrival of Fr. Illo
Speaker #12 [Name withheld at the request of the speaker]
Speaks about the divisive attitude and policies of Fr. Illo on our Catholic community
Speaker #13 Ryan Brooks
Speaks about Fr Illo’s words via his blog, with its implications and impacts
Speaker #14 Luke Atkins
Speaks about the quality of leadership exhibited by Fr. Illo