GARDEN GROVE — As Catholic Schools Week drew to a close recently, Bishop Vann gathered with Catholic educators from across the diocese for the second annual Celebration of Catholic Schools Dinner at Christ Cathedral Academy.
More than 400 teachers, principals, staff and pastors gathered to hear the St. Anne School (Santa Ana) choir and the keynote speaker, Father Robert Walsh, S.J. Father Robert, the executive director of the Center of Catholic Education at Loyola Marymount University, opened the event with words of encouragement and challenge: “Your Catholic identity is a gift for all who are members of the school community and, indeed, for civic society. The education you deliver is extraordinary in many ways.”
Although the event celebrated all Catholic school educators, special tribute was paid to those reaching milestone years of 25, 30, 35, and even 40 years of service to Catholic schools. The focus honoree of the evening was Sister Mary Vianney Ennis, principal of St. John the Baptist School in Costa Mesa. Sister Vianney, who is celebrating 50 years in Catholic school education in the diocese and 40 years as principal of St. John the Baptist School, has announced her retirement at the end of this school year. She was presented with the Bishop Kevin Vann Award for Service to School and Diocese.