THE MEN AND WOMEN working day in and day out for the next generation of Catholics came out of their classrooms and offices one Friday night to celebrate their peers who have gone above and beyond.
THE 2025 CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER WAS HELD ON JAN. 31 AT THE ANAHEIM MARRIOTT. PHOTO BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
The 2025 Celebrating Catholic School Educators dinner, held on Jan. 31 at the Anaheim Marriott Suites hotel, recognized teachers and administrators throughout the Diocese of Orange. The event, which brought together 300 educators, opened with a prayer by Bishop Kevin Vann. It also featured a keynote address from the Very Rev. Angelos Sebastian, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese, who celebrated the accomplishments of Catholic educators. He also spoke about the importance of teachers in transforming children into lifelong disciples.
BISHOP KEVIN VANN SPEAKS DURING THE 2025 CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER. PHOTOS BY STEVEN GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“Teaching in a Catholic school is more than a profession; it’s a vocation,” Fr. Angelos said. “It’s a sacred calling to guide young minds and hearts towards faith, wisdom and love for God. The most powerful tool each of us possesses in forming disciples is their own witness of faith.”
JOHN RUSSELL AND MARK VAN NESS WERE HONORED FOR THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE DURING THE JAN. 31 CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER.
Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of Catholic schools, added that “it really is a great celebration to be together and celebrate not only the gift of Catholic education, but the gift of all of you to this great mission. As our Universal Church engages in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are called to be pilgrims of hope in all that we do. As Catholic school educators, we have numerous opportunities to be pilgrims of hope for our students and their families.”
FR. ANGELOS SEBASTIAN ADDRESSES ATTENDEES OF THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATING CATHOLIC EDUCATORS DINNER HELD ON JAN. 31.
The night was filled with recognition for educators who were celebrating teaching a milestone number of years, starting with 10 and climbing up to 40. There was one notable exception to those numbers: St. Hedwig’s John Russell, who celebrated 61 years of service.
The night’s biggest honor was presented to Mater Dei High School Principal Frances Clare, who was named the 2025 Bishop Vann Award honoree.
A longtime educator with more than five decades of experience in Catholic education, at Mater Dei Clare served as an English teacher and assistant principal of academic services before becoming principal in 2002. Praising Clare for her collaboration and commitment to providing students with opportunities that will help them achieve their goals and support of students, Dr. Barisano noted how Clare still enjoys reading every single Mater Dei admissions application.
“Frances is a woman of deep faith, integrity and commitment to the mission,” Dr. Barisano said.
Taking the stage to a standing ovation, Clare said she felt privileged to join the list of other Bishop Vann Award honorees.
Those recently include Sr. Johnellen Turner, OP, former president of St. Catherine’s Academy in Anaheim; Sr. Cecilia Duran, ODN, principal of St. Jeanne De Lestonnac School in Tustin; Dr. Shawna Pautsch, head of school at Rosary Academy in Fullerton; and Sean Basford, principal and assistant
head of school at Rosary.
“To be recognized for my work in education is deeply humbling,” Clare said. “Tonight, I stand here filled with gratitude and a great sense of responsibility. Life for me is a beautiful journey, an adventure and a miracle of divine providence. In this Jubilee Year of Hope in our Church and in this celebration, I recognize and I thank all of you who have come before me in the great mission of Catholic education.”
Two teachers — one elementary and one secondary — were honored as teachers of the year. St. Pius V Catholic School’s Chloe Fiorentino was awarded the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Elementary Teacher of the Year award. Fiorentino teaches fifth grade homeroom and literature to fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students.
Fiorentino has taken up the role of campus minister, where she started the Campus Ministry Club that has implemented daily morning prayer readings, a Thanksgiving food drive and the school’s first Día de los Muertos ofrenda (altar), said St. Pius V’s principal Shannon Kwan in her nomination letter.
“Ms. Fiorentino is the heart of our school,” Kwan wrote. “Her faith-filled, student-centered approach to teaching combines rigorous academics with genuine care, ensuring each child feels valued and inspired.”
JSerra Catholic High School’s Eileen McKeagney was awarded the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Secondary Teacher of the Year award. A tenth-grade English teacher, McKeagney also serves as eucharistic minister, PLC coordinator and guiding coalition teacher. Over the last two years, McKeagney, the English department chair, overhauled her department’s curriculum to ensure all courses are taught from a Catholic worldview, said JSerra Principal Eric Stroupe in his nomination letter.
“Eileen is the epitome of servant leadership,” wrote. “She is so much more than an excellent teacher. While just her impact on her students who
merit her winning this award, her impact on the larger school is without peer. She is someone who shapes culture and it is always in a positive direction.”