Editor’s Note: This is part one of a series of articles highlighting the progress of the diocese’s five-year strategic plan.
GET A GROUP OF HIGH school leaders together, and inevitably the talk will focus on athletics, enrollment, academics — and, of course, good old-fashioned rivalries.
Well, not always.
Dr. Erin Barisano, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Orange, wanted spirituality to take a front seat during such meetings. So, she organized regular get togethers for her and the presidents of the three diocese-managed Catholic high schools (Mater Dei, Santa Margarita, Rosary Academy) as well as leaders of O.C.’s three private high schools administered independently (Servite, J Serra and Cristo Rey Orange County).
Result? Faith-sharing sessions that diocesan leaders have cited as one of the accomplishments of Dr. Barisano’s division, Catholic Schools, during year two of the five-year diocesan strategic plan known as Project Siempre Adelante.
MEET SIX TIMES A YEAR
Six times each school year, Dr. Barisano facilitates meetings of the high school presidents held at the Center for the Spiritual Development on the campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. The five-hour meetings include Gospel reflections, Mass with the sisters, lunch and discussions.
“When we started, I told them we wouldn’t be talking about enrollment, legal issues or high school athletics,” Dr. Barisano said of the school presidents. “We do a pretty good job about not talking about those topics but when we do, it’s through the lens of being spiritual leaders.”
She added, “These meetings have really empowered our high school leaders to embrace their roles as spiritual leaders of these complex institutions. The sessions fuel their own spirituality, and they take that back to their own teams, which is the point of leadership development.”
OTHER CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In addition to Catholic Schools, Project Siempre Adelante includes five other areas of focus: Faith Formation and Evangelization, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Governance/ Human Resources, Communications and Financial Resources/ Stewardship.
The strategic plan focuses on fostering a culture of evangelization while adapting to financial constraints and operational refinements across all strategic areas.
Dr. Barisano manages for the diocese progress being made under Project Siempre Adelante (Spanish for “always forward” or “ever onward”) and reports to Bishop Timothy Freyer on accomplishments made each year.
For year two of the strategic plan, she cited Catholic Schools’ faith-formation sessions with the high school presidents as one of her department’s top accomplishments.
Others were:
■ Implementing ARK (Assessment of Religious Knowledge) across all diocesan schools, which for the first time established baseline religious education metrics.
■ Continuing to successfully conduct “I Thirst” events for high school students with increased momentum and expanded student engagement in Catholic identity.
“I Thirst has had a profound effect on our high school students with youth not only celebrating the Eucharist, but adoration has been a big part of it, too – and it’s been powerful,” Dr. Barisano said of the day of prayer, music, teaching and celebration.
■ Established a compensation committee to develop competitive teacher compensation packages, addressing retention and recruitment challenges.
■ Advanced Pax Christi Academies as a priority, maintaining focus on strengthening Catholic identity, academic excellence and operational vitality. The Pax Christi Academies are five elementary schools that are under-enrolled and financially challenged that now are managed by an independent governing board to create better outcomes.
PRAISE FROM PARTICIPANTS
Stephen Walswick, president of Servite High School, said faith formation is critical for all school employees for them to serve as models for students so they can better inspire them in becoming extraordinary men.
STEPHEN WALSWICK, PRESIDENT OF SERVITE HIGH SCHOOL, CONGRATULATES A STUDENT DURING THE 2025 COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY. PHOTO BY EVERETT JOHNSON/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“When I started teaching at Servite 20 years ago, I said to myself, ‘You can only be an effective teacher if you are an effective student,’” Walswick said. “Regularly gathering with Dr. Barisano and the other Catholic High School presidents to learn more about our faith has kept me true to being a life-long learner and faith-filled leader.”
Andrew Sulick, president of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, echoed Walswick’s sentiments.
“Bringing together the presidents of our Catholic schools has proven to be a meaningful and enriching experience,” Sulick said. “These gatherings offer a valuable opportunity to share our faith, engage in prayer and gain perspective on our shared mission. Moreover, they foster collaboration on matters uniquely relevant to our roles as leaders in Catholic education.”
He continued, “I am deeply appreciative of the professional trust and collegiality that continue to grow each time we meet. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Barisano for her commitment to cultivating these moments of unity and reflection throughout the school year.”