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Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > March > 09 > Entry
Why not Dorothy Stang Catholic School?
So, suppose you had to choose name for a new Catholic school in Dayton and I told you this:
There’s a Dayton native, a nun, educated in Catholic schools here, who spent her life helping the poor and was named an official martyr by the Vatican little more than a month ago. Oh, and her family really likes the idea of naming a school for her.
What would you think about using her name?
On Wednesday, Martin Sheen, a Chaminade High School grad, was back at his old school to unveil a painting he commissioned of Sister Dorothy Stang.
It was a very nice event, with members of Stang’s family on hand along with friends and members of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur order of nuns to which she belonged. Sheen later spoke to the students, urging them to follow Sister Dorothy’s example by working for social justice.
Meanwhile, earlier this week the name was announced for a new inner-city Catholic school formed by the merger of five schools together — Mary Queen of Peace Catholic School.
At the event for Sister Dorothy, I spoke with one of her relatives who said the family had offered her name for the school and was a bit disappointed the committee leading the merger passed.
So I decided to ask why. The person handling publicity for the new school explained that Stang’s name was one of five finalists out of 60 suggested names. They put the list to a vote of the elementary kids in the five merging schools and they picked Mary Queen of Peace.
A committee made up of the four parish priests overseeing the merger went with that. She said they felt Mary Queen of Peace might be more inclusive to the whole city, and that it would avoid giving the impression the school was more identified with the parishes and schools Sister Dorothy attended.
But some think an opportunity to honor a real hometown Catholic hero was wasted. What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: Private Schools
Comments
By Louanna
March 14, 2006 3:04 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Stonehill, As the archivist for the Sisters of Notre Dame in Ohio, I read with interest your reference to working on the production of a 150 page docuument on Sister Dorothy Stang’s life. Could you lead me to a place where I might purchase a copy for our archives? Gratefully, Sister Louanna Orth, SNDdeNBy Dave Stonehill
March 10, 2006 6:21 PM | Link to this
I am posting on this blog not as a Dayton resident, but a a graduate student at American University in Washington D.C. and a true admirer of Sister Dorothy Stang. I recently had the privilege of working on a 150 page document about her life, both politically and spiritually, so that Americans, Brazilians, and others around the world can better understand what an amazazing person Dorothy was. A true martyr for justice and sustainable development! Being a modest person, Dorothy wouldn’t make a fuss about having a school named after her. But people of Dayton, you should be honored that such an amazing soul hails from your hometown. Do yourselves a favor and name the school after Dorothy so that the Dayton community and future generation will be compelled to ask, “Who was Dorothy Stang?” The answers will impact you.By Jeanne Erling
March 9, 2006 8:51 PM | Link to this
Adding to my previous comments. Sr. Dorothy’s life could be so easily added to the curriculum….Religion, Science, Social Studies. How interesting then the learning could be when the person your school is named after is in the lessons? As Miss Russell commented..it’s so easy for the city to rename a street appropriately, why couldn’t the cup committe figure this one out? Let’s not give up!By Laura
March 9, 2006 8:22 PM | Link to this
I think the CUP made a grave mistake not allowing the parishoners help in choosing the name. This process has brought so much division, why not try to bring those who WOULD BE attending the school, the parents of those kids and the parishoners who are willing to stick it out with the changes, together by letting us all vote on the change. I have been a member of Corpus Christi for 40 years…nobody asked my opinion, nor anyone else I know. I agree with the earlier comment. The CUP seems to be dividing, instead of bringing people together.By Roz Suprenant
March 9, 2006 4:30 PM | Link to this
My comments are in agreement with those of Jean Nitz, stated above. Sister Dorothy Stang probably did not sound like a pretty name to children. I am concerned the children did not know her story of compassion, love, and support to the poor people of Brazil, in addition to her attempts to influence the ecological impacts of deforestation on the people of the world. I would hope there is still an opportunity to rethink the decision. Sr. Dorothy Stang would be a proud name for a school, and an opportunity to honor a true hero.By Sheila C. Russell
March 9, 2006 4:11 PM | Link to this
Not renaming the new merged catholic school after the late Sr. Dorothy Stang is unjustified and a slap in the face to Sr. Dorothy Stang’s legacy. Dayton is honored and blessed to have a native Daytonian with strong ties to the community, be named a martyr by the Vatican. One would think naming a new Dayton catholic school after Sr. Dorothy Stang would be a “no brainer.” I did not know Sr. Dorothy Stang; however, I have followed her life through the flurry of news articles, web sites and television coverage since her death as have many Miami Valley residents and people throughout our great nation. Her death was a horrific international event. Apparently, she was a very important and influential woman in the Dayton area, South America and as a Sister of Notre Dame to receive such notoriety and media coverage. She had tremendous faith, strong convictions and was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. It seems only natural to name the new merged Catholic school after her. I am somewhat confused on the process of naming the new school. Allowing elementary students to select the name of the new merged school seems capricious. Something this important should be voted on by all the parishioners, not just the elementary students. School and church officials should have weighed all options and taken the request to name the school after the late Sr. Dorothy Stang seriously. Although the name they selected is a fine and just name, the significance of Dorothy Stang’s life should not go unaccounted. Hopefully, this decision will be revoked and the new merged school Mary, Queen of Peace will be renamed after the late Sr. Dorothy Stang. Although, a school named after her will not change the significance of her life, it would pay honor and tribute to a woman who represented the Catholic faith and the Dayton area on the highest level. I would hope that the school officials monitor their decision closely and find it in their power to change the name of the school. If not, perhaps the city of Dayton will rename one of the streets in Dayton to Sr. Dorothy Stang Parkway. The city seems to be able to change street names regularly to pay honor and tribute to distinguished Daytonians. Why can’t a Catholic school?By Karl
March 9, 2006 3:10 PM | Link to this
In my previous post, I was not referring to Sister’s family. I know they offered her name for the new school. I was referring to everyone else who feels the same way. Also I wanted to point out it might not be too late if enough people got involved. Thanks.By Karl
March 9, 2006 3:04 PM | Link to this
She is obviously someone to imitate and the Dayton Catholic Community should be very proud. Hindsight is always 20/20 especially when looking for fault in church leadership. Instead of complaining, why not reflect on what you could have done. Why wasn’t this mentioned to the Bishop by any of you when the mergers were announced several months ago? Also, the new school will have two campuses. Why not name one of them after her? Don’t give up yet.By Jean Nitz
March 9, 2006 2:32 PM | Link to this
I am a graduate of St. Peter’s School in Huber Heights and Chaminade-Julienne High School. Part of my Catholic education while attending those schools was learning about the people for which the schools were named. What a perfect opportunity to tell Sr. Dorothy’s story for years to come. I don’t understand how this opportunity could have been overlooked. And to allow the children to vote on the new name? How many of these children even know Sr. Dorothy’s story? This is a huge disappointment. And how many schools around the world are named after Mary (no disrespect intended)? This would have been an appropriate way of honoring Sr. Dorothy’s memory and ensuring that future generations know of her sacrifice for the less fortunate of our world.By dave
March 9, 2006 2:16 PM | Link to this
This kind of me reminds me of Jesus Christ. When he returned to his hometown of Nazareth, he was rejected. Not that Sister Dorothy has been rejected here, but when you see the worldwide respect and admiration given, from Congress,California, human rights org.s from around the world, Bishops, The Vatican, The city and Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Washington D.C. and numerous other countries, you would think that the very root-The small urban Catholic community of Dayton and recognize her by overriding the children (no disrespect to the children) and taking a second look at this before it is too late. And… I think if these children would have met or been taught by her she would have won in a landslide. cupplanning@ameritech.net is the address to let your voices be heard, maybe its not too late.By K. Whisenhunt
March 9, 2006 1:57 PM | Link to this
It sounds like the Dayton Catholic community may be missing out on an incredible opportunity. We should be honoring Sr Dorothy as we have many other native Daytonians who have made a difference. Not only would it be the right thing to do but it would give the students a contemporary person with whom they can identify —someone who dedicated her life to living the Faith.By Ken Kreitzer
March 9, 2006 1:52 PM | Link to this
Why are we surprised the CUP process did not select the name the People wanted. They did the same thing during the planning of the schools. If you did not agree with what the executive committee wanted you were not included and your ideas dismissed. That is the reason Our Lady of the Rosary members wanted out of the CUP process.By wheels
March 9, 2006 1:35 PM | Link to this
I think that having a school named after Sr Dorothy Stang would have been a great tribute to a woman who lived the message that Catholic schools are trying to teach. Wouldn’t it have been inspiring every year for children at that school to learn about the woman their school was named after and realize that she grew up so very close to where they were continuing to learn today? What a powerful message to young children to tell them that they too can make a difference, because one of their very own did.By Jack Stang
March 9, 2006 1:30 PM | Link to this
I can only agree with the prior comments. A local school should be named for a local saint. Public schools are named for polititicans, or the man who donated the land. Why not Sr. Dorothy?By David Stang
March 9, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
Dorothy Stang is my great sister, a woman loved by thousands of farmers,environmentalists, known by millions of Brazilians for her many years of hard work in the Amazon. She built and developed 36 schools in the Amazon for the poor. She developed and built 21 adult educational centers for Women, Health Care, and Organic Farmers. She is known as the Angel of the Amazon. The President of Brazil mourned her loss, dedicated millions of acres in the Amazon for her enormous dedication to sustainable farming in this awesome forest. When I traveled to the Amazon immediately after her death to see her grave which is deep in the forest,I was surrounded by thousands of crying Amazonian Poor who miss her as much as all my family does.The President of the Supreme Court for Brazil, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Agrarian Reform, the President of the Supreme Court for the State of Para,many state and federal senators and Congressman gave me hugs and support during the two weeks immediately after our sisters murder. The Millions of Poor in Brazil are watching closely the public trials taking place in Belem Brazil. This great “Woman” has captured the hearts of the Brazilian People. I have felt it personally during my five recent trips to Brazil. I now wonder why one school in Dayton cannot be named after this great, great woman. Is it true that women are still being treated as second class citizens in the Catholic Church we all grew up in and love so deeply? Is it true that if you live simply, love deeply the poor, you opt to live with the poor, you are not worth anything? Are simplicity, humility not in vogue? Can my sister not be recognized even in Dayton where she grew up, was nurtured right across from Corpus Christi, at Julienne High School. Dorothy had a unique bond with Corpus Christi as many of her nephews and nieces went to this school. These same nephews and nieces paid my way to the Amazon when my sister was murdered. For shame that such a great woman is being ignored in her birthplace. David Stang-BrotherBy Jamie D. Stang
March 9, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this
I have to side with my family in this matter. Sr. Dorothy was/is a Daytonian and she believed that one person could make a difference. What a positive message to send to the community and to the children. This is a person who LIVED in Dayton that people can relate to. Name the school after her, it is not an honor to her, it is an honor to Dayton.By Jeanne Erling
March 9, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
I am Sr. Dorothy's niece, so I am a little biased. However, it seems to me that it's a no-brainer. Favoring where she went to school has nothing to do with it as she attended St. Rita's and they are not involved. Her family has been members of Corpus for 40 plus years. The point is...she was a Daytonian and a Sr. of Notre Dame. Nothing more should even affect the decision. Anyone in their right mind would love to claim this woman and have the opportunity to name the school after her. THey should be proud and eager to do so. Letting kids have the final say is a little irresponsbible. Let them choose the school colors or mascot. Not something this important.By J. Williams
March 9, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
As a native Daytonian, I see nothing wrong with honoring our own by naming a school after them. Afterall, We have Paul Lawerence Dunbar H.S. and Stebbins High School in Dayton. My son was educated in a Catholic College Prep High School in Texas and it has made a difference in his outlook and his academics. One day he will be able to give back. Martin Sheen moved on to become successful but has not forgotten where he came from. I think that not considering the school being named after her is snubbing what she stood for. Dayton needs a change for the better. Why not start here. Too much talk has been about what needs to be done. Stop talking and put your words into action. One CAN make a difference. There is an entire city full. Lets start with our families, city government, churches, and our educational institutions. Let Dayton return to “Dayton the City Beautiful”. A good place for industry and families.By Angela Mason
March 9, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
In addition to the process being flawed, some of the reasons to choose Dorothy Stang Catholic Elementary or Sister Dorothy Stang Elementary are as follows: She is from Dayton, OH. She is Catholic. She believed in equality for all people, especially the poor. She believed strongly in education and was a teacher. She has been named a martyr by the Vatican for the year 2005. Thank you for your time.By Mary
March 9, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
Dorothy Stang sounds as if she was a highly giving and admirable person. Whatever a Catholic school decides is their business. I mainly have an opinion on all levels of government naming public buildings, streets, coins, stamps, schools, and stadiums as representing the interest and values of the public.By dave richardson
March 9, 2006 9:58 AM | Link to this
what a missed opportunity for the whole area. She represented everything great about being a catholic, a christian, an educator, a martyr, and on top of all that she is a product of dayton catholic schools. What an unbeleivable miscalculation by those in charge to be able to spend the next century teaching people whAT It is to be a christian when the little children ask about herBy Angela Mason
March 9, 2006 9:58 AM | Link to this
I was the Dorothy Stang relative who made the comment about the new CUP School name. As I mentioned, I believe the new name is nice but the process to pick a new name was flawed and as outlined: Students only were given the option to vote on the final name. There are people who have been members of these 5 parishes for 40+ year and have been supporting their parish school although they no longer have children at these schools. They were not asked for their input and were not able to vote. Students who have not registered for the new school and are not supportive of the CUP process were allowed to vote. Pastoral Council and Education Commission members were not included in the name process.