Mother Mary Bosco sent a memo to all of the parents April 28 2007 (hope I have the year right) stating the Sisiters would not be returning to Immaculate Conception Academy the following school year.
There was no explanation of Why. Rumors, gossip, private meetings amongst the parish Movers-and-Shakers, silence, suspicion, lies, misunderstandings, ruined friendships, detractions and all kinds of demoralisation followed.
About three months later, after the nuns were moved out of the convent Fr. Jenkins announced he would be giving a talk.
He said he was videorecording the talk because people were misrepresenting his words. ( How ironic, considering he could have simply told the truth from the beginning and not cultivated the factions, secrecy and calumnies.)
I brought a notebook, and on it is written the word Paranoia.
That's my only note.
Fr. Jenkins said that Bp. Kelly had continued "to make mountains out of molehills". There had been an issue with students that had not been resolved in a manner satisfactory to the Sisters. (Based on personal experience with those who took over for the Sisters, I absolutely can't believe they stuck it out at ICA for as long as they did.)
Fr. Jenkins mocked Bp. Kelly, using a gutteral tone of voice, "It's aaalll your fault". He mentioned a faction in the parish called the Northern Alliance. I was left with the impression of a madman roaming around in an old mansion in Long Island. He complained that Bp. Kelly would not speak to him. He said he was notified that the nuns were leaving on Good Friday. He said he is not a "cult leader".
A woman who has worked for the Immaculate Conception priests for many years told me she had supplied Fr. Jenkins the material for his talk. She told me she was Fr. Jenkins' confidant in this whole matter, having been a realtor and with them from back in the days in Connecticut. This is the same teacher who slapped a student in the face at Mass last year, among other things. (every parish has a few ladies who desire to be indispensible to the priest)
I believe the video talk was a ploy, because Bp. Santay has not seen it. We can not recall Fr. Jenkins admitting to any wrongdoing. We were given the impression that Bp. Kelly was paranoid and ill, bent on mistreating Fr. Jenkins.
Fr. Jenkins claims he was disciplined for debating about Terri Sciavo. ( Due to particlar incidents I have witnessed/experienced I can not vouch for his honesty in any matter.)
That's about all I can remember, except for leaving feeling outraged that Fr. Jenkins had been so persecuted, but now I believe I was very ignorant and stupid.