What is going on?

As many of you are aware, Visitation Academy (“VA”) in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, will be closing its doors in June 2024 for good. On February 6, 2024, a letter was sent to parents informing them of this “unwavering” decision via an email which frankly stated:

“The Holy See set up an Ad Hoc commission to work with Mother Superior to decide about the closing of the Visitation Brooklyn Monastery… Unfortunately, the ad hoc commission has determined that the Sisters must leave this monastery in Brooklyn. Without the Sisters, the school, which is a part of their external ministry, is unable to continue and must close.”

In truth, many options could have been taken to save VA that were simply not. Ultimately, the profit from the sale of the land was more important than the survival of the school and continuation of its Catholic presence here in Bay Ridge. 

Let’s review the options that could have been taken to save the school. This can be outlined into three parts: 

1. Exploration of forming an Association of the Christian Faithful (“ACF”), which would have allowed VA to continue without the monastery and be governed under a lay sponsorship; 
2. Options presented from third parties by the Board of VA to Mother Susan and an Ad Hoc commission (comprised of herself and 3 other religious affiliates) to save VA; and
3. Transparency, open communication and collaboration with VA parents and alumni for joint efforts in raising money to protect and ensure the survival of the school. 

1. Exploration of an ACF:

The explanation given for the school closure has asserted that Visitation Academy cannot continue to exist without the sponsorship of the monastery and therefore “must close” if the monastery is closing. That is categorically untrue. In the absence of a monastery, Canon law permits a group of lay people, called an Association of the Christian Faithful (“ACF”), to act as the canonical sponsor of a Catholic institution. The establishment of an ACF allows for a lay governance of a Catholic school, ever after the sponsoring monastery closes.  

While it comes as no surprise that religious vocations have been dwindling and those called to monastic life are fewer, many active monasteries have engaged in meticulous planning to protect their respective school from closure should it eventually cease to exist. In fact, there are many examples of Catholic schools continuing to operate without a monastery. More importantly, there is precedent for the Order of the Visitation, that has allowed for the continuation of the school without a monastery. For example,  

• The Visitation School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, already exists without a monastery. The monastery, which closed in 2018, ensured that the influence of the sisters would endure through the surviving school by their responsible and careful planning which allowed the school to remain open upon its closure. In addition, during the 2020-2021 school year, Mendota Heights launched a comprehensive strategic planning process. A strategic plan was developed to provide a long-range view of future school priorities and the entire school community was able to provide feedback.
• Visitation Academy (“VIZ”) in St. Louis, Missouri proactively created an ACF to preserve Visitation’s Catholic and Salesian spirit. The ACF can continue to be the religious sponsor of the school thereby allowing it to exist independently of monastery closure should that happen. 
• Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington D.C., is currently planning for the continued vitality of Georgetown Visitation for generations to come. The Georgetown monastery is forming a group of candidates that will become an ACF. When the ACF receives approval from the Cardinal, it will begin working with the monastery to sponsor their school and will therefore allow it to exist without the monastery when or if the time comes.  More about ACF:  https://www.visi.org/our-mission/leadership/acf

According to past Board members, Mother Susan was aware of the actions other monasteries of the Order of Visitation have taken to proactively protect their schools and ensure their survival, but for reasons unknown to the public, chose not to pursue this viable path, nor advise parents of this possibility.  

2. Rejection by an Ad Hoc Commission of three proposals presented by the Board to save VA:

Since the possibility of an ACF was not explored, Visitation Academy would therefore have to obtain other sponsorships to continue its operation. At a parent meeting that took place on February 9, 2024, after the decision to close the school was made final, the Board informed parents that it had presented three viable options to the Ad hoc Commission (set up by the Holy See) that would have allowed the school to keep its doors open. 

The Ad hoc Committee is comprised of Bishop Brennan, the current bishop of the Diocese of Brooklyn, Reverand Lewis Fiorelli, a reverend from Wilmington/Philadelphia who is First Federation assistant to the order of the Visitation, Sister Mary Berchmans, the President Emerita from the Georgetown order, and Mother Susan Marie Kasprzak, the Mother Superior of Visitation Academy in Brooklyn. To be clear, Mother Susan runs the monastery, she is the Chairman of the Board of VA school and she is on the ad hoc commission which is deciding the fate of the property. All of which is in direct conflict of interest for the school itself.  

The three proposals presented to the Ad Hoc Committee by the Board of VA included, based upon available public information and collective knowledge, the following: 

1. Xaverian’s offer rumored to be as low as $8 million and as high as $35 million to purchase the land and allow Visitation Academy to remain in operation;
2. Fontbonne Hall Academy’s offer to take over the school;
3. A private developer’s offer which included keeping 2 acres of land for the school and chapel as a donation back.  

Although efforts were undertaken by the Board to obtain sponsorship from other neighborhood orders, they were decidedly rejected by the Ad hoc Committee, with no explanation or apparent reasoning. One Board member even went on record at the parent meeting stating: “We are not sure the Ad hoc Commission even read them.”  

When Mother Susan was asked to clarify (having been privy to any alleged Ad Hoc Committee discussions), the parents were advised that the actions of the Committee are confidential, and members of the Ad Hoc Committee were not permitted to disclose the process to the families that are, in fact, the most impacted by the process itself. The person who advised the Committee on the issue of confidentiality has not been identified and its accuracy has not been verified. Mother Susan, again acting in both conflicting capacities as Chair of the Board of the school in addition to being on the Ad hoc Committee, stated she was not at liberty to say who advised the Committee on confidentiality and that matters of her personal contemplative discernment are not to be discussed. Other Board members went on record as stating that the Board felt the proposals were viable options and did not think that all three proposals would be rejected. Facing such a blatant conflict of interest, an independent decision by the Board was never an option. 

3. Lack of transparency, communication and collaboration with outsiders:

Let it be clear: the parents and alumni of VA have always been strongly invested in the well-being of both the school and the monastery. In fact, “the Wall” that has become such a staple in the community of the last century was built with the funds raised by the alumni. Alumni, upon hearing the news of the impending closure, have been vocal in droves lending their support. The school also has a prominent Mothers’ Club (VAMC) and Fathers’ Club (VAFC) who both work tirelessly, along with the whole Bay Ridge community, to provide fundraising for VA. Nonetheless, everyone beyond the Wall was kept in the dark and the parents were given inconsistent answers for years. This lack of communication and unwillingness to participate in any joint efforts towards ensuring the prosperity of the school made saving VA seemingly impossible.

A recap of the timeline of relevant major events over the last 18 months follows:

-In September 2022, parents asked to speak with VA Board members to work together towards a more collaborative and transparent effort to raise money. Parents knew the rumors swirling around in the community about the school’s financial viability. Upon asking for information on the Board, the parents received a notice saying that there was a completely new Board with only one remaining member from the prior year. Yet, unsurprisingly, Mother Susan continued to remain as the Chair of the Board which at a time where the school and monastery are supposed to be separate entities again creates direct conflict of interest in moving forward for the best options for the school. Interestingly, past Board members have expressed concern over this conflict of interest and called for change but, despite that, she has remained as head of the Board since the beginning in 2016. The previous Board, which served for the prior 6 years since its inception and made up of those with strong ties to the community and school, was abruptly terminated in June 2022. Many of these Board members contacted Mother Susan expressing their disappointment and shock at their removal.  [It is worth nothing that while there were bylaws of a Board outlined in the incorporation papers of the school filed in 2001, a Board was never used in official capacity until 2016.]

Upon finding out about this new Board composition, many parents made inquiries and voiced concerns about the lack of any transparency. Unfortunately, parents were placated and brushed aside, as they were told that this was not an issue and there was no cause for alarm. While the Board is supposed to represent the school’s best interest, there remained zero governance to support it. Under the guidance of Mother Susan, they could not operate independently of the monastery. 

-More recently, on October 19, 2023, parents received a letter from the Board that identified 3 areas of improvement for financial sustainability of the school: increased enrollment, tuition, and fundraising. While seemingly a step in the right direction, this letter was also posted on the school’s social media outlets immediately, which caused many rumors in the community and alarmed parents. Parents asked for it to be taken down from social media, as they believed it would be detrimental to the image of the school, hinder enrollment, and continue to foster rumors of its closing (in hindsight, it didn’t matter). 

The parents responded the very next day, on October 20, 2023, with a letter of their own addressed to the Board, school, and monastery expressing concerns. Parents simultaneously requested a town hall meeting to collaborate with the Board and offer any resources they could provide. Parents implored for the support of the Board and additional transparency and outlined some immediate suggestions for exploring additional income streams with a pledge of support in doing whatever necessary to support the school and its financial health. [One such suggestion outlined was raising money through renting the chapel and courtyard for weddings or events. An idea that had been brought up many times in the past. This idea was always rejected on the basis of the order not allowing for such gatherings on their property. Interestingly though, the Fredrick, monastery, an Order of the Visitation, did use this approach to raise money for the school and the upkeep of the buildings so we know now that it was possible all along and just not chosen as an option to help the school.] This letter was signed by 43 parents, within less than 24 hours of the receipt of the Board’s letter, a testament to their commitment to the school.

-In response to the letter, parents were told that they would get the opportunity to attend a meeting with the Board. Despite multiple follow-ups and reminders over the next few months, it became clear that this was not going to happen.  Simultaneously, all continued to be assured that things were fine and there was no cause for alarm.  Astonishingly, the school continued to encourage fundraising, sought expanded enrollment, and continued to solicit donations throughout the school year implying viability of the institution. 

-In November 2023, there was a tremendous push for donations for “Giving Tuesday” with donation levels outlined with associated acknowledgement and signage.  Many parents asked what exactly the money would be used for, as there was concern that if the rumors were correct there may not be a school after this year and were hesitant to donate.  Parents were told by the school that all the monies raised would be used for improvements to the school (inside & outside). 

-The VAMC and VAFC continued to work tirelessly throughout the year towards addressing the points as outlined in the letter from the Board. Fundraising efforts increased substantially. The biggest fundraiser, Ladies Night Out, raised well over $100,000, and many parents spearheaded a marketing campaign for the school to increase enrollment. 

-Parents achieved the objectives that they were made aware of such as increased enrollment efforts and increased fundraising, however, tuition increases are numbers that are set yearly by the Board. With no access to books or records kept, parents have no way of knowing what tuition amount would cover costs per student and, as such, rely on the Board of Visitation Academy to provide the cost of what needs to be covered. Over the last few years, tuition for Visitation has clearly not increased drastically enough (or sufficiently enough) to cover costs and it remains a mystery as to why. Additionally, parents were never presented with a goal number to achieve in fundraising that was necessary to sustain the school, nor were they ever informed what any money raised went to. 

While a group of dedicated parents can achieve great things without such cooperation, they can only do so much having not been privy to the truth of what was already in motion behind the scenes. In short, parents were not given the opportunity to succeed in making the school a financially sustainable venture.

Summary:

Based on all of the above, it is clear that none of the options for the school to remain open despite a monastery closure occurred:

• A sponsorship from an ACF or transition plan in the event the monastery closed was never explored. 
• Rejection of the 3 options proposed to the Ad hoc Commission, which were in line with the supposed purpose of the non-profit, were rejected without explanation.
• Exploring additional income streams or collaboration with parents regarding fundraising efforts or substantial tuition increases that would allow for our financial viability did not occur. 

The fact of the matter remains that the 7.5-acre property in the heart of Bay Ridge is a lucrative asset for the monastery to sell. Based on all of the information obtained, it appears logical (if not obvious) to conclude that money is the sole factor in the decision to close the school along with the monastery. Especially considering the Ad Hoc committee would have something to gain from the sale of the property. 

So, in order to obtain the highest sales price, 93 young girls plus teachers and staff are being evicted from the property at a time when raising children in the Catholic faith is more important now than ever before. And, specifically, removing the Catholic presence of the only all girl’s elementary academy in Brooklyn.  

There has been no accountability for any actions. There have been no justifications. A community of Faith is rocked to its core. Belief in perpetuating a life as a Catholic in question.  

It is unfathomable that, at a time where Catholicism in the United States is seeing a steady decline in Mass attendance, Catholic school enrollment, and religious affiliation, the monastery and, ultimately, the Vatican would not do whatever it takes to continue being a Catholic presence in the Brooklyn community. 

It is a sobering reminder to know that at the end of the day, it is not about Faith, it is not about perpetuating the sacredness of our religion for generations to come, it is about money and greed. It is an utter shame that the vibrance that has permeated the halls of VA since it opened in 1903 might amount to nothing more than a memory. The VA community deserves their voices to be heard – by the Bay Ridge community and Catholics around the world. 

Disclaimer: 

All information, views or opinions contained herein are stated upon information and belief and do not represent those of every or all VA parents, students, alumni, etc. or any of their families, nor are representative of the school or monastery.  The authors do not assume liability for any misstatement or omissions.