Schools merge, Sister Torre passed over for principal

In 26 years as principal at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Ozone Park, Sister Marguerite Torre gained the respect and admiration of her community. Some locals feel she has not gotten the same respect from church leaders, however.
Earlier this year, Nativity and nearby St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr School announced that low enrollment would force them to merge to begin the Fall 2007 semester. Divine Mercy Catholic Academy, the product of the merger, will adopt both campuses, housing grades K through five in the former Nativity schoolhouse, and grades six through eight at St. Stan’s.
In their search for a new principal, Diocesan officials passed over Torre, whose brother, Joe, manages the New York Yankees. The Diocese chose instead to give the job to former St. Stan’s principal, Sister Francis Marie Wystepek, going against a recommendation from Divine Mercy’s principal selection committee.
Torre was offered a lesser position, but declined it.
Nativity parishioners say they were not given a good reason for the decision.
“I honestly don’t know why,” said Enrica Pitz, who chaired the committee. “Having gone through the whole process, I think the committee was just window dressing, and the Diocese had its mind made up.”
Pitz acknowledged that Wystepek is a “very intelligent” woman. Still, she said, Torre was a better choice for principal because she had more experience leading a larger student body.
“She had great relationships with her students,” said Pitz. “[Torre] ran a very warm environment.”
Eric Ulrich, a St. Stan’s grad and community leader in Ozone Park, agreed that Torre was a strong leader.
“She loved children, and that’s not just a clich/,” said Ulrich. “She knew all of them by name. She was a tough lady, but she had a heart of gold.”
Ulrich stands behind the church’s decision, however, noting that “parents need to realize we have to move forward…Sister Francis is a very capable and intelligent woman.”
Offering speculation, Ulrich said the selection could have been a matter of age, with the younger Wystepek providing more long-term security. Ulrich also said he thinks Wystepek would provide “a smoother transition and more cooperation” with school leaders than would Torre.
The Rev. Gregory C. Wielunski, pastor at Nativity, kept his comments brief regarding the decision.
“We just thought, with a new school, Sister Francis would be a better choice,” said Wielunski. “The advisory committee had some input, and we listened, but the final decision was made by Fr. James [Meszaros, Pastor at St. Stan’s] and I.”
Phone calls to Meszaros and Wystepek were not immediately returned, but according to one published report, Wystepek said she feels confident that all parents will be satisfied with her leadership once the school year begins.
For some parishioners, however, the issue is not about Wystepek.
“I’m sure the students will not suffer,” said one Nativity parishioner. “Everyone has always had the kids’ best interest at heart. I certainly don’t disapprove of Sister Francis. For me, I just don’t believe Sister Marguerite got a fair shake…I think her feelings were hurt. I’m baffled by the decision, and we never got an explanation for it.”
“The woman devoted so many years to the church, and now she’s out, just like that,” said one Ozone Park resident who attends mass regularly at Nativity. “I don’t think it’s fair.”
The upcoming school year begins Wednesday, September 5. The following morning, Bishop Frank Caggiano, vicar general of the Brooklyn Diocese, will lead a celebratory mass to kick off the first year of Divine Mercy.
“A lot of people feel like they’re losing Nativity,” said Ulrich. “But in practice, it’s still there, under a different name. This is a great time for Catholic education in Ozone Park. We’re rebuilding a system that’s worked for the last 50 years to ensure that it will still be here in 50 more years.”