Carrying Our Legacy Forward

Q: Why is the transition of the canonical leadership from the Visitation Sisters to the Association of Christian Faithful happening and what does it mean for Visitation School?

A: As you may know, Visitation School is Catholic because of its governance by the Visitation Monastery, a canonically recognized entity. In 2002, the Sisters and their trusted advisers began exploring canonical options and over a decade ago established a succession group called the HOPE (Help Our Plans Evolve) Committee. The HOPE Committee through approval from the Church will now transition into a new canonical entity called the Association of Christian Faithful (ACF). Going forward, the ACF will maintain our independent, Catholic, Salesian identity by serving in the same governance role as the Sisters have always done.

Q: How will Visitation students and staff be impacted?
A: This change in canonical oversight will not have an impact on the day-to-day learning in our classrooms or the level of academic excellence Visitation students receive. The intent of the Sisters is to maintain our independent, Catholic, Salesian identity. 

Q: Why is the HOPE Committee now called the Association of Christian Faithful?
A: While the people involved remain the same, including the Sisters, the Association of Christian Faithful (ACF) is a legal entity whose mission is to take care of the sisters and to protect their legacy, Visitation School.  

Q: Who is part of the Association of Christian Faithful?
A: The ACF includes Visitation Sisters and those who have served on the HOPE Committee for the past decade: Sister Mary Frances Reis, VHM ’55, Sister Mary Paula McCarthy, VHM ‘47, Bill Brady, Anna Marie Ettel ‘63, Bob Gilsdorf and Brian Wenger.  

Q: How is Visitation School governed? What is the role of the ACF in relationship to the school and the Board of Trustees? 
A: The Head of School and administrative council lead the day-to day management and operations of the school. The Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight for mission and vision. The Association of Christian Faithful (ACF) will operate alongside the Board of Trustees as the Sisters have always done – providing the Catholic, Salesian identity of the school, making any final decisions on major changes to the direction of the school, including hiring the head of school and final approval of board members.

Q: How are members of the ACF chosen?
A: The current ACF includes individuals who were invited by the Sisters to participate with them. They have been working with the Sisters for the past decade and are trusted by them to care for their needs and carry their wishes forward. It has a similar governance structure to a board of trustees and has a succession plan in place that is aligned with the wishes of the Sisters.

Q: What does it mean to be canonically recognized? 
A:  For an organization to be canonically recognized it must have the approval of the Church and be established by the appropriate canonical entities. The Sisters intentions and years of planning are now approved by the appropriate canonical entities so the HOPE Committee can become the ACF. 

Q: Are the recent changes in school leadership connected to the transition to the ACF?
A: We understand that some may question the timing of these announcements and want to underscore that these changes are all independent of each other. The ACF has the utmost confidence in school leadership and a strong working relationship just as the Sisters have had with school leadership. 

Q: How will a successor for Head of School Rene Gavic be chosen?
A: The Board of Trustees is driving this process. We will have the opportunity to plan with Rene Gavic for her succession while celebrating her incredible contribution to the Visitation School community over the coming year. A search for Head of School will commence shortly.

Q: What is the timeline for naming a new Head of Visitation School?
A: The Board of Trustees is driving this process and will announce plans shortly. We will have the opportunity to plan with Rene Gavic for her successor while celebrating her incredible contribution to the Visitation School community over the coming year.

Q: How involved will the Visitation community be in choosing a new Head of School?
A: The Board of Trustees is committed to a thorough, extensive, and transparent process. We fully recognize the importance of ensuring our next Head of School can both lead and live the legacy of our Sisters, as well as meet the needs of our current and future students. 

Q: How will a successor for Director of Salesian Studies Anne Williams be chosen?
A: Work is well underway naming a new Director of Salesian Studies. The Head of School, in collaboration with Anne Williams and the Visitation Sisters, has been working on succession planning to ensure the next Director of Salesian Studies meets the needs of our current and future students.  

Q: What is the timeline for naming a new Director of Salesian Studies?
A: Work is well underway naming a new Director of Salesian Studies and we anticipate celebrating that announcement in the coming weeks. 

Q: How involved will the Visitation community be in choosing a new Director of Salesian Studies?
A: As work is well underway naming a new Director of Salesian Studies, the Visitation community will be made aware and included in celebrating that announcement in the coming weeks. The Head of School, in collaboration with Anne Williams and the Visitation Sisters, has been working on succession planning to ensure the next Director of Salesian Studies meets the needs of our current and future students.  

Q: Are there any other big changes ahead for Visitation School?
A: Visitation has grown and evolved for 150 years and we plan to continue this beautiful evolution for another 150 years and beyond. We understand that change can sometimes be unsettling, however we are committed to ensuring smooth transitions, holding the Sisters in our hearts as we carefully guide the community and school forward, and we will continue to communicate with our community as we live Jesus. In the words of Sister Mary Paula, “Change always involves challenge, but I keep recalling the words of our Founder, ‘Blessed are the pliable hearts, for they will never break.’”

Q: If Visitation students, their families or staff members have questions about any of these changes, who should they contact?
A: There is no way to share this news without allowing time to reflect because these changes mark the end of an incredible chapter of our beloved school. If you have any questions, you are encouraged to reach out to the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Jamie Candee, or the Head of School, Rene Gavic.

Q: Are the changes in Visitation leadership related to the transition of canonical leadership from the Visitation Sisters to the ACF?
A: Some of the timing is planned and some is God’s plan for us. Despite the retirements of Rene Gavic and Anne Williams being announced at the same time as the transition of canonical leadership, we assure you these decisions are independent of each other. While tough decisions to make, the retirements of our beloved leaders are based on personal decisions that are in their best interests at this time. 

Q: Will there be opportunities to celebrate with the Sisters, Rene Gavic and Anne Williams?
A: The 150^th Anniversary Celebration will be a wonderful occasion to celebrate our past and future. Information about that celebration is here. We will commemorate the occasion with the Sisters at the 150^th Anniversary Celebration Mass on Sunday, August 13 at 10 a.m. Please share that date as we hope for a full house and to livestream for those who cannot attend in person. We will host a community-wide celebration to honor Anne on June 2. Details to follow. All of these wonderful women will continue to be involved in the Visitation community and there be opportunities to celebrate with them.