What’s the truth?
Who let this happen.
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed: life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” Luke 12:15
Meet the Catholic Leaders closing visitation academy:
Catholic families in Brooklyn have experienced extensive consolidation, leading to a lack of trust in the continuity of our Catholic schools. There is a significant absence of investment in quality Catholic education and a noticeable absence of options for female single-sex education. At a time when womanhood is constantly under scrutiny, our young Catholic women deserve the opportunity to attend single-sex schools within the largest city in the USA without having to leave their borough.
Mother Susan Marie kasprzak
Chairwoman of the School Board of Directors, Second Federation President, Major Superior on the Ad Hoc Commission
Mother Susan joined the Sisters of the Visitation in September of 1988 after a career in radio. She serves as the President of the Second Federation of Visitation Monasteries with a mission to educate. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Brooklyn Visitation Monastery.
Bishop Robert Brennan
Bishop of Brooklyn Queens, The Ordinary on Ad Hoc Commission
Bishop Robert Brennan of Brooklyn, overseeing the Brooklyn and Queens Diocese, was aware the sisters were seeking to close their Brooklyn Monastery. He oversees the Visitation Monastery as it is under his jurisdiction, according to Cor Orans VII Relations Between the Monostery and the Diocesan Bishiop.
As of 2/28 Bishop Brennan has not made a statement on the closing of the ONLY all-girls Catholic elementary school in his diocese.
Sister Mary Berchmans
The Federation President on the Ad Hoc Commission
A graduate of Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in Washington, D.C.,(from the school in 1948 and its former junior college in 1950), Sister Mary the entered the Monastery after graduating from the junior college, professing in 1952. A teacher of Latin and religion for many years, Sister Berchmans became headmistress in 1969, serving in that role for 20 years and later as the school’s president. She served as the Monastery’s Superior until August of 2022. She is also a national leader in the Visitation order.
Reverand Lewis Fiorelli
The Federal Assistant on the Ad Hoc Commission
Father Lewis Fiorelli has served in various capacities including Faculty at De Sales Hall School of Theology, Father Judge (Philadelphia), and St. Francis de Sales High School (Toledo, OH). He has also held positions such as Superior General, Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, General formation coordinator, Auxiliary Religious Assistant to the two Visitation federations. Currently, he is retired at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Vienna, VA.
Roseann Paradiso-Fodera
Vice Chair of the School Board of Directors
Connection to the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens: Board Member of Futures in Education
Attorney at Law Offices of Gregory Messer, Esq.
John Heyer
Member School Board of Directors
Connection to the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens: Development Officer for Futures in Education and the Catholic Foundation for Brooklyn and Queens. Pastoral Associate and Church Archivist at Sacred Hearts St. Stephen’s Church. Close friends with Vicar of Catholic Schools for the Brooklyn Diocese and Board of Trustees for Futures in Education Monsignor David Cassato.
Ran for City Council (Democrat) in 2009 John Heyer for City Council. Owner Scotto Funeral Home
Sister Maryann Seton Lopiccolo
Member School Board of Directors
Connection to the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens: Episcopal Delegate for Religious in the Diocese of Brooklyn since 1998. Known as a “connection maker,” offering pastoral presence through participation in meetings and committees with bishops, diocesan leaders, and major superiors. She serves on many diocesan and national committees and is the President of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious.
Sister of Charity – Halifax, with a background in education and administration. Sr. Maryann is a native Brooklynite and now a member of St. Bernadette Parish.
Reverend Steven Aggugia
Member School Board of Directors
Connection to the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens: Vicar for Canonical Affairs and Chancellor of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Previously served as Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Brooklyn. Pastor of St. Pancras Church in Glendale.
Holds a J.C.L. (Juris Canonici Licentiata) degree from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Mr. Paul Tocci
Member School Board of Directors
Connection to the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens: Property owner and developer who purchased property from the Catholic Church.
Former owner of Tocci Brothers trash haulers until shutdown in 1998.
Mr. Joe Occhiogrosso
Member School Board of Directors
Actively involved in the Fathers’ Club at Visitation Academy, serving as its President. Recognized as the Visitation Academy Man of the Year in 2008. Member of Fontbonne Hall events committee. Notable online presence as an author and involvement in legislative matters.
Ms. Marie Corkhill
Member School Board of Directors
Retired science teacher from Poly Prep.
Save Visitation
Brooklyn Diocese: (718) 965-7300
Sisters of the Visitation: (202) 337-0305
savevisitation@gmail.com
Brooklyn Monastery
8902 Ridge Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11209
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.