Author Topic: introducing: "Queen of Heaven Academy" (Read 6898 times)

Geremia · « **on:** February 12, 2014, 09:06:59 AM »

Quote from: Wendy Pierce, original founder of Regina Cœli Academy

It has come to our attention that the administration of Fisher More College announced the departure of Randy and Wendy Pierce, Sarah Carmona and Dana Heise from Fisher More Academy administration without an explanation as to why we left. The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the reasons for our departure and the announcement of a newly formed academy that will head in a different direction of which we think you will want to be a part!

OUR DEPARTURE

As employees of Fisher More College and beginning in May 2013 through October 2014 Randy and Wendy received salary cuts up to 70% of their salaries. Sarah Carmona received a salary cut of 50% in October 2013. These large salary cuts alerted us to the financial problems of the college and possible future financial difficulties for the academy. We began discussions in October 2013 of separating finances and control of the academy from the college in order to obtain financial stability for the academy families, faculty and staff.

Randy, Wendy, and Sarah continued to work for the college as directors of the academy in hopes that the college would obtain enough financial assistance to sustain itself and maintain operations. Though donations were received, there were not enough donations collected to sustain both college and academy staff. In December 2013, the college began talk of eliminating Fisher More Academy staff positions.

The FMA staff explained to the college that the academy needed three positions to function: admissions director, academic director, and operations/technology director. Elimination of one or two of those directorships would put an impossible burden on the remaining director(s). Negotiations for separation of the Academy from the college were declined - the board of visitors (directors) would not consider the proposal. When we said we would not do the work of the academy with one director position, the college terminated Randy, Wendy, and Sarah. Upon our terminations, Dana Heise resigned as the elementary director.

In addition to significant reductions in pay, the college has changed its theological direction over the past year. This direction includes inviting guests that are of a controversial nature (John Vennari, Father Gruner) who we believe are not helpful in fostering Catholic unity. This change in direction, which was never part of the 17 year history of Regina Coeli Academy, is detrimental to the academy and brings confusion and division among the Catholic faithful. We could not support this direction.

QUEEN OF HEAVEN ACADEMY (QHA)

Due to the financial difficulties and theological differences of Fisher More College, the former administration of Fisher More Academy (formerly Regina Coeli Academy) is heading in a different direction. A new entity, Queen of Heaven Academy, has been formed and will offer the same proven 17 year curriculum taught by experienced teachers. (Since our future teachers are currently under contract with the college through May and because they desire to finish the year for the families, names of faculty moving to QHA will be made public at a later date.) The administration of QHA will feature the original founders and staff of the former Regina Coeli Academy and include Linda Robinson, Randy and Wendy Pierce, Sarah Carmona and Dana Heise.

WHAT ABOUT THE REST OF THIS YEAR

The current FMA faculty is committed to completing the existing academic year through May. We encourage you to contact them if you need assistance.

WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEAR

When students apply for the FM college program they are told that they can apply but that they should also make alternate plans should the college not be operational this fall. The college must obtain an extremely large donation in order to continue operations for the fall 2014 semester.

Concerning FMA, the financial instability of the college does, in the opinion of the QHA staff, cause concern about the future viability of Fisher More Academy. Queen of Heaven Academy will be a completely separate entity and will not be associated with Fisher More College. The QHA staff has agreed that a new more stable direction is needed for our families and that funds received into the academy shall stay within the academy, hence the formation of the new entity, Queen of Heaven Academy.

Queen of Heaven Academy will begin enrollment for the 2014-2015 academic year once our new website has been launched. We anticipate that happening in the next two weeks. We will also begin live webinars where new students will be able to experience a live classroom environment and learn of the QHA programs.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Please share Queen of Heaven Academy information with classmates, families, home school groups. co-ops and friends you know so all can benefit from this exciting educational opportunity. At this point, we are using word of mouth to advertise Queen of Heaven Academy. The QHA staff desires to provide to all families, old or newly enrolled, a financially stable academy that is faithful to the the magisterial teaching of the Church.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to call or email. I would be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.

Queen of Heaven Academy

queenofheavenacademy.org

Mabel · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:57:21 AM »

You could say a lot about Fr. Gruner's work or John Vennari's theological position but to see such an accusation against both of these men is painful. I would have no qualms about either of them speaking to my children or dealing with my child's school.

Geremia · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2014, 12:08:49 PM »

Quote from: Mabel

You could say a lot about Fr. Gruner's work or John Vennari's theological position but to see such an accusation against both of these men is painful. I would have no qualms about either of them speaking to my children or dealing with my child's school.

Well, they're both controversial, both for some trads and many Novus Ordites.

Mabel · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2014, 12:24:12 PM »

Quote from: Geremia

Quote from: Mabel
You could say a lot about Fr. Gruner's work or John Vennari's theological position but to see such an accusation against both of these men is painful. I would have no qualms about either of them speaking to my children or dealing with my child's school.
Well, they're both controversial, both for some trads and many Novus Ordites.

They are upstanding Catholics who would never intentionally do harm to souls. I can say that and I don't even agree with them.

I think those who would consider them divisive are more controversial because they probably have liberal tendencies in the first place.

claudel · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2014, 01:49:30 PM »

The core of the problem is that Wendy Pierce's letter leaves as much unsaid as said. Since the founders and recent directors of Fisher More have been Reform of the Reform types rather than true Traditionalists, it is impossible to know from what has been written whether Mrs. Pierce's complaints about Vennari and Father Gruner stem from a perspective that views them as too Traditional or not Traditional enough.

As ever, a comment from someone who actually knows a fact or two would be very helpful.

Graham · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2014, 09:05:35 PM »

Quote from: claudel

The core of the problem is that Wendy Pierce's letter leaves as much unsaid as said. Since the founders and recent directors of Fisher More have been Reform of the Reform types rather than true Traditionalists, it is impossible to know from what has been written whether Mrs. Pierce's complaints about Vennari and Father Gruner stem from a perspective that views them as too Traditional or not Traditional enough.

As ever, a comment from someone who actually knows a fact or two would be very helpful.

Do you follow these things - e.g. the Fisher More Academy and these personages?

claudel · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2014, 10:25:47 PM »

Quote from: Graham

Do you follow these things - e.g. the Fisher More Academy and these personages?

No longer. For three-plus years in the middle of the last decade (what the Brits helpfully call the noughties), I had a close working relationship with Doctor James A. Patrick, the founder of the institution, then called the College of Saint Thomas More. We never met in the flesh, however; Dr. Patrick was in Texas, and I in New York. By the time we could have met, I had become as I am now: too ill to travel.

Primarily through him but through others, too, I learned something of the mind-set and attitudes of his colleagues and his administrative and academic successors. Of Mrs. Pierce and the people of whom she speaks in her letter, I know nothing. That is the reason, of course, why I hope that someone with a better acquaintance with her and them will step forward with some additional background and, perhaps, a more objective perspective.

claudel · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2014, 11:22:27 PM »

Quote from: Geremia

Quote from: Wendy Pierce, original founder of Regina Cœli Academy
[snip]

I don't see why there are so many down thumbs for the OP. Whether one likes what's in the letter or not, it's full of useful information.

I frequently disagree with Geremia, as he well knows, but I think he should be thanked for bringing this matter to the attention of the site's readership.

Geremia · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2014, 12:51:13 AM »

Quote from: claudel

I frequently disagree with Geremia, as he well knows.

I do? On what do we disagree?

claudel · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2014, 12:55:47 PM »

Quote from: Geremia

Quote from: claudel
I frequently disagree with Geremia, as he well knows.

I do? On what do we disagree?

"Frequently" was an inadvertent exaggeration; sorry. We argued a while back about the meaning and implication of Bellarmine's letter to Foscarini. Water under the bridge, I hope.

Again, thanks for posting this letter.

Geremia · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2014, 01:09:54 PM »

Quote from: claudel

We argued a while back about the meaning and implication of Bellarmine's letter to Foscarini.

Ah, now I remember. :smile:

NeelyAnn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 24, 2014, 07:24:24 PM »

Quote from: claudel

The core of the problem is that Wendy Pierce's letter leaves as much unsaid as said. Since the founders and recent directors of Fisher More have been Reform of the Reform types rather than true Traditionalists, it is impossible to know from what has been written whether Mrs. Pierce's complaints about Vennari and Father Gruner stem from a perspective that views them as too Traditional or not Traditional enough.

As ever, a comment from someone who actually knows a fact or two would be very helpful.

Mrs. Pierce is as Novus Ordo as they come. She views Vennari and Fr. Gruner as too Traditional.

claudel · « **Reply #12 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:51:53 PM »

Quote from: NeelyAnn

Quote from: claudel
The core of the problem is that Wendy Pierce's letter leaves as much unsaid as said. Since the founders and recent directors of Fisher More have been Reform of the Reform types rather than true Traditionalists, it is impossible to know from what has been written whether Mrs. Pierce's complaints about Vennari and Father Gruner stem from a perspective that views them as too Traditional or not Traditional enough.

As ever, a comment from someone who actually knows a fact or two would be very helpful.

Mrs. Pierce is as Novus Ordo as they come. She views Vennari and Fr. Gruner as too Traditional.

Thanks for adding perspective to this thread. The letter now makes more and better sense than it did before.

Geremia · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2014, 09:54:46 AM »

Quote from: NeelyAnn

Mrs. Pierce is as Novus Ordo as they come.

She attends an ICRSS parish.

NeelyAnn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2014, 04:58:55 PM »

Quote from: Geremia

Quote from: NeelyAnn
Mrs. Pierce is as Novus Ordo as they come.
She attends an ICRSS parish.

LOL! Well that must be some commute from Texas!

She is NO. Take a look at the Catechism used in the junior high and high school courses of her 'new' program. It is the CCC!