BY KATHI STEARNS

The eight members of the Sisters of mercy of Merion, Pa., who have served as principals at St. John the Evangelist in Hapeville, compare their work to that of an itinerant gardener.

Although they planted seeds of faith, they had to move on to new fields before they knew if any seeds had taken root, let alone flourished.

On Saturday, Sept. 17 the Religious caught a glimpse of the fruits of their labor as former and current students, parents and faculty gathered to celebrate their dedication over the years on the occasion of the school’s 40th anniversary.

Activities planned by the anniversary committee included a spirit day, a school-wide Mass celebrated by Archbishop John F. Donoghue, a school tradition day, a 5K run or one-mile walk and concluded with a special Mass honoring the eight former principals and a reaffirmation of the current school leadership.

“Great things happen when God mixes with his people,” said Father Henry Gracz, pastor of St. John the Evangelist. “Today, as we appreciate the past and anticipate the future we celebrate some of the great things that have taken place and the wonderful people who made them happen.”

During his homily Father Gracz said that the work of the Sisters of Mercy could best be described by the word compassion.

“Because of their work in this community mercy has come to mean the compassion of God, the love of God, the tenderness of God and the understanding of God. The seed of mercy that the sisters nourished is one of the gifts that we are celebrating today.”

In September 1953 the Sisters of Mercy of Merion were asked to staff St. John’s parochial school by Bishop Francis E. Hyland, auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Savannah-Atlanta. On Sept. 7, 1954 the school opened serving grades one through five. Today the school has 211 students and provides education from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school arranged for each former principal to return for the celebration.

“I had originally told them (the school) that I wasn’t going to be able to attend because I just couldn’t afford the airline ticket,” said Sister Rita McSorley, RSM. “Next thing I knew they had sent me an airline ticket. I was so touched.”

Christine Foley, t. John’s current principal, thanked the eight former principals for building a strong foundation that continues to grow because of the care and time that they spent in its establishment. “We are celebrating our past and the present as we plan for the future. I ask the eight of you to remember us in your prayers so that we are able to go into the 21st century being the Christian leaders that God wants us to be,” she said.

After the 5K race Ms. Foley presented each principal with a race number which indicated the sequence in which she served. In chronological order they are: Sister Mary Alberta Gillen, RSM, principal from 1954-1960; Sister Catherine Rawley, RSM, principal from 1960-1964; Sister Mary Elaine Buckley, RSM, principal from 1964-1971; Sister McSorley, principal from 1971-1974; Sister Martha Mary Whelan, RSM, principal from 1974-1976; Sister Sara Ann Condart, RSM, principal from 1976-1979; Sister Janet Ashenbrenner, RSM, principal from 1979-1983, and Sister Santa Maria D’Angelo, RSM, principal from 1983-1988. Sallie McQuaid, principal from 1988-1994, who was unable to attend the celebration, was given the number nine.

Ms. Foley, who wore number 10 during the race, said to the former principals, “Even though you weren’t out there running today, I carried the torch for you. I need you guys to pray hard for me; please pray hard.”

The nuns, in a symbolic and prayerful way, celebrated the direction of the lay principals who have led the school since the departure of the sisters of Mercy in 1988.

“While we are grateful for the past, we are also very hopeful about the future,” said Sister D’Angelo. “This school is full of possibilities for more of God’s mercy; full of possibilities for new dreams and visions and full of possibilities for new gifts,” she said.

To affirm the direction of Ms. Foley’s leadership the nuns formed a circle around her symbolizing the continuing quest for excellence in the community, the parish, students, parents and alumni.

The congregation, with arms outstretched toward their principal, reiterated the nuns' confidence. The sisters then gave Ms. Foley a plaque telling her that they would pray for her continued commitment to academic excellence as well as for the members of the multi-cultural community which continues to thrive and develop in the parish.

St. John the Evangelist and St. John Neumann Regional School, Lilburn, were among the seven public and private schools in Georgia to receive the National School of Excellence award from the U.S. Department of Education in 1994.

“We always knew that this was a school of excellence when we were here,” said Sister D’Angelo. “We’re glad they finally have received the official paperwork which backs up our feelings.”

On Oct. 5 Sallie McQuaid, Karen Vogtner, Alumna and assistant principal, and Priscilla Garten, secretary of development, will travel to Washington, D.C., to receive a flag and plaque commemorating this achievement.

After the Mass and a brunch honoring the nuns everyone gathered in the gym as the past principals told stories about their attempts to adapt to their students’ Southern accents, the ever-present fear that the school, located near the airport, would mistakenly become a runway, the hassle of communicating without a public address system, the stress of teaching during spells of unyielding heat, and the community’s excitement when they learned that they had enough money to purchase ceiling fans for each classroom. “That was truly a gift from God,” one nun recalled.