Frequently asked questions
There are a lot of questions about what's going on at our school, and within the Archdiocese of San Francisco. We will be updating this FAQ frequently to capture the latest information.
Ban of Girl Altar Servers
Q: How have the parents reacted to the policy banning girls from being altar servers?
A: The parents were shocked and upset. Star of the Sea has been training and relying on girl altar servers for more than twenty years prior to the arrival of Father Illo and Father Driscoll. Fr. Illo made the decision when he had been at the parish and school for only three months. He did not consult the parents or discuss the issue with them in advance, but merely presented his intentions to change the policy at a monthly parent club meeting. Many parents learned about the decision from the news media:
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/video/11065173-sf-richmond-district-church-ban-on-girls-as-altar-servers-upheld-by-archbishop/
Q: Isn’t it the parish administrator’s right to make these changes?
A: It is, and he has the support of the Archbishop in doing so. However, Star of the Sea is a parish with more than one hundred years of history. The school is an active and vibrant community. The ban on altar girls represents a sharp and sudden departure from tradition and the school community’s values. While Pope Francis encourages a more pastoral vision of the church that connects priests to their congregations, our parish administrator emphasizes a more rigid adherence to liturgical norms and Church doctrine.
Q: Are other parishes in the San Francisco archdiocese following Star and implementing such a policy?
A: As far as we know, we will be the only parish with a boys-only policy. In fact, many parishes took time in the weeks following the announcement to reassure their parishioners that they value the role of altar girls and have no intention of changing their policies. St. Stephen’s parish had a particularly poignant response: http://www.siprep.org/page.cfm?p=9377
Additionally, at a recent Council of Priests meeting (as reported in the National Catholic Reporter) during which the crisis at Star of the Sea school and parish was discussed, one Church official commented: "...excluding girls from being altar servers is 'invidious discrimination' and to do this in this day and age in our culture has no justification."
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/san-francisco-priests-council-debates-pr-disaster-parish
Q: Is it true that the boys-only policy promotes priestly vocations and should be encouraged?
A: In his blog, Fr. Illo asserts, “the essential connection between the Church’s male priesthood and the acolytes who assist them in their high priestly office.” We were unable to find any data demonstrating a link. On the contrary, the available data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Georgetown University, may support the argument that there is no causal link. http://cara.georgetown.edu
Q: Is there official Church documents stating that only boys should be altar servers?
A: No, both the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have made statements about including girls as altar servers, not excluding them. See:
- Vatican Communication on Female Altar Servers
Catholicculture.org
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5212&CFID=18154356&CFTOKEN=59005847
Note: This document cites Canon Law in Latin.
- Vatican OKs Use of Girls as Altar Servers
LA Times
http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-14/news/mn-45798_1_altar-girls
- Letter on Altar Servers
adoremus.org
http://www.adoremus.org/CDW-AltarServers.html
- Guidelines for Altar Servers
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm
Q: How can I support the Star of the Sea community in their efforts to re-institute the training of girls as altar servers?
A: We’re glad you asked! You may join in the effort to reinstate girl altar servers at Star of the Sea by signing this petition - http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/girls-belong-on-the-altar-support-altar-girls-in-san-francisco-parish
Examination of Conscience Pamphlet
Q: What is this pamphlet? Where can I view it?
A: This is a pamphlet developed by The Fathers of Mercy for adults in support of an examination of conscience before reconciliation. Its content is not appropriate for children. ~ http://www.newmanconnection.com/ccwatershed/Examination.pdf
Q: Did the school distribute this pamphlet?
A: No, the school did not distribute this pamphlet. The Parish Administrator gave it to the school for distribution. The school determined it was inappropriate for children and decided not to hand them out. During a school visit to the church, the Associate Pastor passed the pamphlets out. Upon noticing what was being passed around, the teachers immediately collected the pamphlets and placed them into the recycling bin.
Q: If very few kids had the opportunity to read the pamphlet, why are parents upset?
A: The distribution of the pamphlets demonstrates an ongoing pattern of poor judgment on the part of the priests with regard to children and the community.
Q: Are the parents opposed to children being prepared for the sacraments, in this case, reconciliation?
A: Absolutely not. Parents selected a Catholic school like Star because of its values and Catholic teachings, and that includes preparation for the sacraments. The faculty has, for decades, done a fabulous job and used age appropriate materials, as have previous pastors.
Q: Why did the parents wait so long to make the issue of the pamphlets public?
A: There has been a growing unease between the parents and the Parish Administrator related to his vision for the school and a series of public statements he made about the school. The parents were trying to resolve these issues internally, but the increasingly public statements from the Parish Administrator led parents to seek external support.
History of Star of the Sea
Q: When was the school founded?
A: Star of the Sea School was founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Carondelet and opened the morning of January 3rd, 1909.
Q: Was Star always a grammar school?
A: It has always been a grammar school but was also a high school.
Q: Tell me more about the Star Academy (High School)
A: Star of the Sea High School opened on August 7th, 1910 (the first co-ed high school in San Francisco, although later it became an all girls high school). In 1924, a new three story building was completed and would later become the “Academy”. Changes in the population in the city, demands for private school education, and the costs of maintaining led to the decision to close the Academy in 1985.
Q: Is the school self-supporting financially or depends on funds from the Parish?
A: The parish does not support the school financially. However, as with almost all Catholic schools in San Francisco, the buildings belong to the Archdiocese. The school has over 240 students. In the past few years the school has raised over $500,000 and built a new state of the art science lab, upgraded the wireless internet, computer systems, and replaced all the windows in the school.
Q: Is Star Catholic?
A: Yes, the mission has always been to teach Catholic values and academic excellence. Children receive religion education daily, those who are Catholic are prepared for the sacraments and above all, all children are loved and valued for who they are.
Q: After graduating, where do students go to high school?
A: in any given year between 85% to 90% of graduating 8th graders go to Catholic high schools, such as St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Archbishop Riordan High School, Mercy High School and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.
Q: Are the Star teachers and staff being supported?
A: Absolutely, the parents love the teachers and staff and support all of them.
Q: How have the parents reacted to the policy banning girls from being altar servers?
A: The parents were shocked and upset. Star of the Sea has been training and relying on girl altar servers for more than twenty years prior to the arrival of Father Illo and Father Driscoll. Fr. Illo made the decision when he had been at the parish and school for only three months. He did not consult the parents or discuss the issue with them in advance, but merely presented his intentions to change the policy at a monthly parent club meeting. Many parents learned about the decision from the news media:
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/video/11065173-sf-richmond-district-church-ban-on-girls-as-altar-servers-upheld-by-archbishop/
Q: Isn’t it the parish administrator’s right to make these changes?
A: It is, and he has the support of the Archbishop in doing so. However, Star of the Sea is a parish with more than one hundred years of history. The school is an active and vibrant community. The ban on altar girls represents a sharp and sudden departure from tradition and the school community’s values. While Pope Francis encourages a more pastoral vision of the church that connects priests to their congregations, our parish administrator emphasizes a more rigid adherence to liturgical norms and Church doctrine.
Q: Are other parishes in the San Francisco archdiocese following Star and implementing such a policy?
A: As far as we know, we will be the only parish with a boys-only policy. In fact, many parishes took time in the weeks following the announcement to reassure their parishioners that they value the role of altar girls and have no intention of changing their policies. St. Stephen’s parish had a particularly poignant response: http://www.siprep.org/page.cfm?p=9377
Additionally, at a recent Council of Priests meeting (as reported in the National Catholic Reporter) during which the crisis at Star of the Sea school and parish was discussed, one Church official commented: "...excluding girls from being altar servers is 'invidious discrimination' and to do this in this day and age in our culture has no justification."
http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/san-francisco-priests-council-debates-pr-disaster-parish
Q: Is it true that the boys-only policy promotes priestly vocations and should be encouraged?
A: In his blog, Fr. Illo asserts, “the essential connection between the Church’s male priesthood and the acolytes who assist them in their high priestly office.” We were unable to find any data demonstrating a link. On the contrary, the available data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), Georgetown University, may support the argument that there is no causal link. http://cara.georgetown.edu
Q: Is there official Church documents stating that only boys should be altar servers?
A: No, both the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have made statements about including girls as altar servers, not excluding them. See:
- Vatican Communication on Female Altar Servers
Catholicculture.org
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=5212&CFID=18154356&CFTOKEN=59005847
Note: This document cites Canon Law in Latin.
- Vatican OKs Use of Girls as Altar Servers
LA Times
http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-14/news/mn-45798_1_altar-girls
- Letter on Altar Servers
adoremus.org
http://www.adoremus.org/CDW-AltarServers.html
- Guidelines for Altar Servers
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/frequently-asked-questions/guidelines-for-altar-servers.cfm
Q: How can I support the Star of the Sea community in their efforts to re-institute the training of girls as altar servers?
A: We’re glad you asked! You may join in the effort to reinstate girl altar servers at Star of the Sea by signing this petition - http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/girls-belong-on-the-altar-support-altar-girls-in-san-francisco-parish
Examination of Conscience Pamphlet
Q: What is this pamphlet? Where can I view it?
A: This is a pamphlet developed by The Fathers of Mercy for adults in support of an examination of conscience before reconciliation. Its content is not appropriate for children. ~ http://www.newmanconnection.com/ccwatershed/Examination.pdf
Q: Did the school distribute this pamphlet?
A: No, the school did not distribute this pamphlet. The Parish Administrator gave it to the school for distribution. The school determined it was inappropriate for children and decided not to hand them out. During a school visit to the church, the Associate Pastor passed the pamphlets out. Upon noticing what was being passed around, the teachers immediately collected the pamphlets and placed them into the recycling bin.
Q: If very few kids had the opportunity to read the pamphlet, why are parents upset?
A: The distribution of the pamphlets demonstrates an ongoing pattern of poor judgment on the part of the priests with regard to children and the community.
Q: Are the parents opposed to children being prepared for the sacraments, in this case, reconciliation?
A: Absolutely not. Parents selected a Catholic school like Star because of its values and Catholic teachings, and that includes preparation for the sacraments. The faculty has, for decades, done a fabulous job and used age appropriate materials, as have previous pastors.
Q: Why did the parents wait so long to make the issue of the pamphlets public?
A: There has been a growing unease between the parents and the Parish Administrator related to his vision for the school and a series of public statements he made about the school. The parents were trying to resolve these issues internally, but the increasingly public statements from the Parish Administrator led parents to seek external support.
History of Star of the Sea
Q: When was the school founded?
A: Star of the Sea School was founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph Carondelet and opened the morning of January 3rd, 1909.
Q: Was Star always a grammar school?
A: It has always been a grammar school but was also a high school.
Q: Tell me more about the Star Academy (High School)
A: Star of the Sea High School opened on August 7th, 1910 (the first co-ed high school in San Francisco, although later it became an all girls high school). In 1924, a new three story building was completed and would later become the “Academy”. Changes in the population in the city, demands for private school education, and the costs of maintaining led to the decision to close the Academy in 1985.
Q: Is the school self-supporting financially or depends on funds from the Parish?
A: The parish does not support the school financially. However, as with almost all Catholic schools in San Francisco, the buildings belong to the Archdiocese. The school has over 240 students. In the past few years the school has raised over $500,000 and built a new state of the art science lab, upgraded the wireless internet, computer systems, and replaced all the windows in the school.
Q: Is Star Catholic?
A: Yes, the mission has always been to teach Catholic values and academic excellence. Children receive religion education daily, those who are Catholic are prepared for the sacraments and above all, all children are loved and valued for who they are.
Q: After graduating, where do students go to high school?
A: in any given year between 85% to 90% of graduating 8th graders go to Catholic high schools, such as St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Archbishop Riordan High School, Mercy High School and Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory.
Q: Are the Star teachers and staff being supported?
A: Absolutely, the parents love the teachers and staff and support all of them.