St. Mark Church Official: Stop Talking to The Argonaut
During a tense meeting of more than 160 parents and parishioners on Tuesday, Father Paul Spellman announced that he will resign as pastor of St. Mark Church in June but will not waver from his decision to dismiss St. Mark School Principal Mary Ann McQueen, also as of June.
The parish’s pastoral coordinator urged attendees to stop publicly voicing concerns about McQueen’s dismissal and specifically asked parents not to talk to The Argonaut, which published an exclusive news report about the controversy last week. Following publication, a number of St. Mark’s parishioners have written letters or posted online comments in defense of Spellman and his removal of McQueen.
Parents who attended the meeting said Spellman’s prepared remarks cited personal health concerns and turmoil involving the school as reasons for leaving the parish. Plans for a moderated Q&A shifted after parents began openly vocalizing questions or concerns, and Spellman soon left the meeting after a private discussion with its organizers.
Asked by a reporter to discuss his decision to leave the parish, Spellman emailed Wednesday: “Please do not write an article about me. I don’t want any more negativity in the press.”
Joe Piasecki
editor@argonautnews.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
St. Mark School Built a Wall Around Itself
Re: “Parents Paint Pastor as a Schoolhouse Bully,” News, Feb. 28
Mary McQueen came to St. Mark with an agenda — to build a fiefdom analogous to the upper-crust, prestigious ambiance of Marymount High School, where she had been an academic officer. Of course, savvy and self-interested parents caught on and dovetailed her scheme with a vengeance. This myopic vision had the intended effect: It attracted a new constituency with expectations of royal treatment, snobbish disregard for others and deep pockets. Their sole objective was to ensure the funding of programs and benefits unavailable at most parochial schools.
This carving out of a private school castle, removed and aloof from the quotidian realities of the parish, was the principal reason (no pun intended) why Father Paul had deep and substantiated reservations with the school maven.
I have never seen McQueen at a single Spanish mass in my 10 years as music director. The outreach efforts that one would expect were brazenly absent, even though many would-be matriculants attend that mass.
Successful principals who care to nurture and buoy the spiritual health of their parish communities consistently ensconce themselves in various aspects of liturgical and pastoral planning, side-by-side with laypersons who have sustained the parish for decades.
The financial demands of the school were at times diametrically opposed to the pastoral plans as laid out by the ministerial leadership of the parish.
Those in the know will remember the parking expansion fiasco that exhausted time and resources and returned nothing.
I find this article contemptible, irascible and biased.
Alex Venegas,
Culver City
‘A Few Do Not Speak For All’
We, the undersigned parishioners of St. Mark Parish, are greatly disturbed and angered by your negative portrayal of our beloved pastor and our parish family. We believe this article is clearly biased, one-sided and does not represent the majority of our parishioners.
Since you have chosen to quote only a select group of parents unfamiliar with all the details of this situation, we’d like to present views held by the vast majority of the people at St. Mark’s parish. Hopefully this will provide your readership with a more balanced understanding of the issue.
First, it should be noted that no one has been privy to the countless meetings and discussions pertaining to Ms. McQueen’s position as principal. It was well known that her contract was not renewed last year and that she did not leave. In her zeal to protect her job and her position, Ms. McQueen has, outrageously and inappropriately, allowed students to “protest” on her behalf, though many had no idea what the situation was even about. She did not tamp down or discourage this kind of behavior.
Ms. McQueen’s statement that she “cares deeply about the community and wants to see it continue to grow and flourish” is in stark contrast to the scorched-earth, “take no prisoners” mindset she has held since the beginning of this situation last year. By her actions or inactions to stop this disruptive and destructive activity, the only conclusion we can come to is that she is motivated to protect and maintain her perceived position of power and control.
We parishioners want the people of this community to know that a few do not speak for all. Thousands of families attend masses and send their children and grandchildren to this church and school because it provides the highest quality education in the area at an extraordinary low cost. Our hardworking teachers are committed to and love these students, as does our pastor.
Fr. Paul is beloved by all who meet him. We know of no one who questions his deep faith or his devotion to and love of the people of this community. He spends at least one day a week at the school talking to the kids in all the classes. He helps to fund, run and insure that all the facilities are the best they can be, and that the equipment and resources that teachers need are all available to them.
At the school, as with the church, Fr. Paul has been tireless in his efforts to see, meet with, and talk to everyone — whether they are Catholic or not. He visits the sick and infirmed daily, attends countless meetings to insure the smooth daily workings of the church and school, and has a great sense of humor that inspires us all to greater faith.
Fr. Paul is seen as the most gracious, loving and devoted pastor we have had at St. Mark’s in many years. The parishioners love and respect him and hold him in the highest regard. He truly is a “people person,” and by his warmth and caring nature he has won the hearts of many. It is ludicrous to assume that the pastor of this community “shows little interest in engaging with the more affluent parishioners associated with the school.” This is a man who genuinely cares about people and treats everyone like a brother or sister in Christ. After each Mass you will find him eager to personally shake the hands of, and welcome, everyone he meets. He would never ask anyone to leave based on their opinion of him, as he is a compassionate, humble and gentle man.
Father Paul’s actions have been above reproach. He has elevated the Masses and welcomed and inspired everyone around him to participate in local charity events and serve the poor in our local area in every way.
We, the parishioners of St. Mark, invite everyone to come and see for themselves what a special and uplifting environment we have in this parish.
Janice Woods
Mary Ann Long
Margaret and Norm Mezey
Pepper Neflas
Mary Ann Robinson
Jean-Marc Vlaminck
Barbara Valentino
Sharon Sarno-Barbanel
Ruben and Myra Estrada
Carrie Lou Gray
Ginger Caples Urode
Lisa Harrison Speer
Shawna Tobalina
Joan Horne
Lydia TB Brown
John DeWig
… and many more anonymously
St. Mark Isn’t Only for the Affluent
As a parishioner of St. Mark Church for more than 50 years, I am appalled that you had the audacity to call our pastor a bully. He has done everything that is possible to run a parish community with respect for all people, not just the affluent.
We are blessed to have a loving, caring and vibrant church community. I feel for my grandchildren as they grow up in a world of one-sided journalism. It’s a shame.
It seems that some of our affluent parishioners do not walk in the way of Jesus. I’m sure if Jesus were walking around Venice today he would probably be picked up by the police as a vagrant.
If you don’t like our parish school, leave. We have enough problems in the Catholic Church, but we are working to correct them. The only person who was perfect was crucified. I pray for the people at The Argonaut — next time, get both sides of the story.
George Holguin
Mar Vista
Spellman Isn’t the Bully
I am a longtime St. Mark parishioner with three children who attended St. Mark School. Father Paul was correct not to renew Ms. Mc Queen’s contract. Her harsh and authoritative leadership style has disturbed many of us from day one.
Ginger Caples Urode
Marina del Rey
Father Paul Has Been a Blessing
I am enraged that these school families are accusing Father Spellman of being a bully, for they are the real bullies. As a pastor, Father Spellman has a dual responsibility of leading both the parish and the school at St. Mark Parish Community. These families are selfishly only thinking about themselves and not the well-being of the parish as a whole, which relies on his strong leadership.
I have been an active parishioner of St. Mark Church for several years, and I can only say good things about Father Paul Spellman. Since he arrived in 2014, St. Mark has had a total turnaround and the number of parishioners has increased drastically just because of him. He is a man of great character, honor and faith with compassion for all individuals. He has a genuine interest in getting to know the parishioners and takes the time to talk and listen, visits the sick and homebound personally to bring them Holy Communion (which at most other churches is done by Lay Eucharistic Ministers), and will come at a moment’s notice to assist, support or pray with a family in need, whatever the hour.
He is deeply admired and loved by the parish community for his profound faith, dedication, encouragement, support, compassion and inspiration to all people. We are blessed to have him. I am absolutely appalled that these mean and false accusations and judgments have been made against him.
These school families are bitter because they do not agree with the decision, but they are only thinking of themselves and not the bigger picture which involves
the entire St. Mark Parish Community, which thrives because of Father Paul Spellman’s leadership.
Liza Espinas
Venice
Praying For Fairness
I know at this point you must have received letters, emails and calls in defense of our pastor at St Mark. I only ask you to read these letters and listen to all these people.
Father Paul would never, ever make an important decision of this kind without council. Fr. Paul loves his community and is only trying to give us his best leadership. Not everyone will always agree with your articles, but this article should have never been printed without further investigation.
I am asking you to please retract the name-calling article and write an article on how this situation had complete backing of multiple areas, and sometimes we all need to make difficult decisions in life. Our community needs you both to tell the true story of our pastor. He helps people, he guides our children in our faith, and he tries to be all he can be for our community.
Get to know him beyond this one event, and then you will know he would not be this person you describe in your article. Praying you will be fair and better citizens by writing the complete story.
I back my pastor.
Joan Picciano
Del Rey
Here’s the written instructions today from St. Mark Church’s Deacon, Joe Womac and Pastoral Coordinator Heidi Villaluz specifically instructing parents of the school not to talk to you, The Argonaut, and the press. It also mentioned that Father Paul Spellman decided that if he had to go, he’s taking the principal down with him.
While we did not and probably will not prepare a “Frequently Asked Questions” sheet relating to the most recent decisions Fr. Paul has made regarding our parish and parish school’s leadership, we have prepared an answer to what we view as one the most probable significant questions from the community in hearing about this. We understand like with most questions in complicated community situations, some answers can raise as many new questions as those the answers dismiss. Fr. Paul reminds us much of the reasoning behind these decisions remains appropriately confidential. We are also in a situation where no consensus view exists and no consensus answer exists, so the goal cannot be fully satisfying all stakeholders. Instead, all involved pray the combined impact of Fr. Paul’s decisions show that all perspectives have been prioritized and giving the community a chance to move forward with as much of a blank slate as possible has been a major aim. This includes any stakeholders that must engage, as we all should, in self-care.
Anticipated Frequently Asked Question: If Fr. Paul has decided to end his term early, does this mean that Mrs. McQueen can now stay?
Answer: Simple and final answer: No.
Brief explanation: Firstly, Fr. Paul’s decisions regarding Mrs. McQueen have not stemmed from personality differences, as he sees it. He has been very clear about this from the beginning and has received consistent accurate advice that his privately stated reasons are confidential and he may not share. This confidentiality is not unique to just Mrs. McQueen but to all staff. If there was a teacher issue or a parish staff issue it would not be shared either.
Secondly, and more to the big picture of our community’s current context: Fr. Paul has decided that if both he and Mary Ann are not both going to stay, then they both are going go together at the same time. In this way, under Church practice and authority, Fr. Paul’s decisions can be viewed as one connected decision at this point in time. Both he and Mrs. McQueen will transition from St. Mark’s ministry on June 30, 2019. That single decision (both pastor and principal transition) has been accepted from the very top ranks of this Archdiocese and agreed with, and any future pastor will be asked to honor this decision in accepting the role of replacing Mrs. McQueen. This codification of the exiting pastor’s arranged decision is common Church practice, but it should also be stated that such situations are not unique to Church institutions or within the education world limited to just Catholic schools.
Dual turnovers in leadership are common and often lead to new growth in many employment and institutional situations. Yet they are rarely pleasant for anyone. The person that is forced to make such a decision is often one of the departing leaders, and is never in an enviable position. Father’s and Mary Ann’s transitions in June, while they can be difficult to accept, provides an unexpected “clean leadership slate,” and can allow all points of view the hope for acceptance and the chance to move forward. The prayer is not that all community members agree nor even find satisfaction in this news. Even those that would view this news as a potential compromise, would also admit as the best compromises often leave everyone dissatisfied. After all, this is not where we hoped to be. Instead, we pray that everyone find acceptance in the finality of Fr. Paul’s decision regarding Mrs. McQueen and find agreement it allows a path forward with the events surrounding this situation fading from dominating the most important work on the school campus: Educating the children ever towards their God given potentials, so their developed talents and developed faiths will lead them continue to be agents of light and goodness in our broken world. Any efforts to “game” this reality are not only certain to fail, those very efforts will likely impede the school’s efforts to find a quality principal and the Archdiocese’s efforts to find a willing and talented pastor to take this assignment. In the best interests of the entire community, acceptance of this decision as the final decision in this process is therefore encouraged.
In a moment of confusion in what can feel like an ongoing state of conflict, amidst a culture in and beyond our community of division we have many choices moving forward. We gathered this evening under the objective of beginning the search for a leader of the parish school ministry and are still processing the news that we will be in need of a new pastor as well. We will continue the gathering in order to meet the goal which we set out. In a few minutes, KJ Peters will be providing you with some information regarding the search process and the committee. We will be continuing the conversation and agenda we set out, while we recognize there many new questions and new objectives may have risen in your mind.
Following this evening, we ask you, for the well-being of the community, to undertake one unified objective above all: cease all public protest. Private protest, including messages directed to one other individual or to choose to remain or leave is the right of each person. Public protest, including responses in defense of individuals or the community at large will only invite further response. No publication or well-intentioned and crafted response will ever be understood the way they were intended. Media outlets, like the Argonaut, should not profit from the conflict and pain we have endured, nor deny us of the healing that is needed. Let the silence of a refusal to be baited serve as a resounding echo that we are better and stronger than the divisiveness that is ours to overcome, not for others to define or label.
I am disgusted that a cabal of rich parents, the vast majority of which do not attend our parish or profess our faith have managed this horrific coup.
Shame on the Argonaut for their biased, one-sided reporting that has contributed to our community’s pain.
INTHE NEWS – PARENTS PAINT PASTOR AS A SCHOOLHOUSE BULLY
I am a parishioner at St. March Church of Venice. Am also a Human Resources Consultant. Some decisions that are made through Human Resources are confidential. Well, practically all. This is done so no parties will be tarnished by the outcome of any such decisions. This also allows the person who was affected by the HR decisions seek unbiased employment elsewhere. It is even illegal to give negative feedback to any employees during a reference check. The most ANY institution, catholic or private sector can give for any dismissed employee is that it was NOT a good fit.
To publish an article depicting our Pastor, Father Paul Spellman as a bully is not only unfair, irresponsible, defamatory, and downright a smear campaign. I refrain from capitalizing and use of any exclamation points in this letter so I do not stoop to your level of bias, prejudiced article. Having said that, I challenge you to print this letter.
Father Paul Spellman have my outmost respect . As a Catholic, who has recently gone back to church and luckily in my parish of St. Marks, I am surprisingly enlightened by the way Father Paul has shared and tackle sensitive issues of the Catholic Church and his explaining the messages of the Prophets in the church’s weekly readings and Gospel.
You see, the reason I first cut ties with the catholic church was because of its secrecy of taboo topics, its hypocrisy and condemnation of some of its parishioners who are not part of the clique, who are not high monetary donors.
One goes to church of their faith for enlightenment, guidance and spiritual self auditing. When I went back to church, this is what I received from St. Mark’s Church, from Father Paul.
He was not timid in sharing with his parishioners the current challenges of the Catholic Church and openly tackles them in his homily. What a breath of Fresh Air, at least for me . A priest who is not timid and who is courageously honest. A priest who will candidly talk about the difficult issues of the Catholic Church and ask for its parishioners for its prayers and vigilance. Yes, its vigilance towards anyone who may have been affected by these issues and show compassion, support and love. Instead of adapting a blind eye and sweeping it under the rug, per se.
Going back to HR issues, the people who have reached out to The Argonaut to depict that our Pastor, Father Paul Spellman only reaches out to the poor must really be a part of the Elite. I read some of the comments from some of the parents and in the ensuing replies. Indeed, if you’re not happy with the catholic teachings of St. Marks School, you’re welcome to send your children elsewhere. Because this Parish teaches what every Catholic should know and adapt: Love, Peace,Compassion, and Respect that includes reaching out to the needy.
Isn’t it what we have been taught as a Catholic? That we must help the poor and educate the rich, and that compassion must be practiced? So to anyone who is and was critical of Father Paul’s outreach to the underserved of the parish. Please take a moment and do some self evaluation of your motive in going to this church and/or allowing your children to be taught the catholic way at St. Marks School.
Father Paul is a practicing catholic…giving compassion to its parishioners and neighbors like the homeless of Venice. These destitute people sometimes sleep at the doors of the church and Father Paul gives them something to eat before asking them to leave. That in several occasions, some of these homeless people of Venice has been attending church, accepted by its parishioners including their bulky belongings and street scents. And you call him a bully? To criticize his compassion for the needy is pretty elitist in my book.
Your article and of course Father Paul’s health was a factor in him leaving the parish, who then is the bully here?
Please be responsible in your covering any NEWS, Article that can be detrimental to the spiritual psyche and health of people and of its local residents, readers, and parishioners. It definitely saddens and depressed me.
April Goddard
Venice Beach
The people in these comments are correct, Father Paul is not the bully perhaps some within the parish may better fit that description? The ones who have made it their mission for the last 6 years to undermine the success of St Mark out of spite or disgruntled feelings?
This is a generational divide & an aversion to growth, not a racial or
Religous war as they seem to readily go to in their statements.
The facts of this story have not been true and the he said/ she said have been the culprit for the demise of this principal and pastor’s departure at St Mark.
No one has won and unfortunately the children are the ones who will lose the most out of this needless debacle. The fact is this divide was created by the established members of the St Mark parish many,many years ago. Parishioners who had past grievances with the pastor going out and bent the ear of the new pastor coming in so to have more control and say in their ministry and parish.
This divide was created by anger that their community was being interrupted ( as they saw it) by ct
growth and renewal in the building across the yard. Instead of reaching out to US (some of which were “newbies to the community”, members of other parishes who moved to St Mark parish ,or if were parish members, now had kids to put in the school) we were met with disdain, JUDGEMENT and irrelevance.
This is about parking spaces and school/ mass start times and parents and Kindergarteners in their way! This is about wanting grass and trees for our children to play on because we are all in it for the long haul not just on Sunday mornings. This is about wanting to share our resources and talent and being met with constant obstacles and disdain at wanting to make St Mark all it could be in the community together. This is about sharing a church hall and being met with contempt. This is about a devout and extremely capable principal who was brought in to get the failing school ( as all schools have ups and downs of course) out of the red , which she mastered in 2 short years with the support of school parents & increased enrollment, not the parish. This is about school accreditation and perhaps moving staff into or out of roles they were not qualified for . All of this was seen as an “out with the old, in with the new “ by the established members of the community and they got angry and vengeful.
Instead of celebrating and holding high the success of this renewal, the established turned a priest ( who perhaps is better suited not being burdened by a parish school but rather helping the many in need who are in the community a was his will) against us and created hostility and negativity where it did not need to exist. How many homeless and disenfranchised could have been helped by the money spent on this ridiculous and obviously misguided “mediation” process.
Because the school families give endlessly to the needs of the less fortunate. Yearly hygiene drives, holiday meals, clothing drives, feeding the homeless weekly on Mondays & giving food, clothing and money to SPY.
We had parents and children alike converting !! All out of love for what they had found in this renewal of a catholic community that Mrs McQueen engineered. She brought together amazing teachers, fantastic families who rejoiced in once again having a Catholic school and church to call home. We didn’t see much of Father Paul unfortunately except at mass, I wish we would’ve. I wish he had been at more school functions perhaps he may not have been so easily manipulated by some if he took the time to really know his majority. But I doubt there are many priests who have much time to oversee a school, just like there are no principals running a thriving school and who have to wear many, many hats are responsible for the parishes success.
The system is broken. This sort of thing is happening all over the country. Successful principals being let go by a pastor of a parish who really isn’t involved in daily operations if a school but is devoted to what he became a priest for in the first place.
Do the above members have school age children ? No, most do not or if so are LONG out of school age. They are retirement age.
Are they young families trying to navigate the horrors that occur in our modern world today and just want our kids to be in a safe environment ? No, they are not .
Are they just looking for a lovely little school on a tree lined street in the middle of a big city that BONUS is a Catholic school ( as 70% of our families are Catholic ) and teaches core Catholic values AND education ? No they are not .
MaryAnn McQueen created this beacon , much to the joy of the DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS who used St Mark as a benchmark of growth and renewal in the parochial school system. She succeeded where 6 principals in less then 10 years could not. And therein lies the problem . SHE succeeded. And the parents , the teachers and the students loved her for it . And they loved St Mark.
Many have been hurt by what has transpired in this community and I have great empathy for all involved. I believe that everyone feels THEY are right and just but many understand what a waste of time and energy it is to break something that was not broken. The damage done to an otherwise copacetic Community was done by a few and they know exactly who they are.
The reasons behind Mrs McQueen’s non renewal and Father Paul stepping down are not known publicly but I do know it was all completely unnecessary and not for any of the reasons the established members are touting. This is NOT about race or religion but more of an aversion to growth and expansion of a very special school and parish. Change can be hard for those who don’t understand it and don’t want to. Everything that went on here is a direct parallel to what is happening in our world politically and it’s sad because St Mark School was really making a difference and an entire generation of young people were receiving the best of Catholic teachings and academics. But guess what, we aren’t going anywhere and our foundation that is strong will not crumble.
We will prevail and together we will all be stronger for it but what a shame that a few misguided folks felt it their mission in life to destroy a light in an otherwise sometimes dimly lit world. I hope you understand what you have done.
Father Paul just wanted to help the disenfranchised and be a decent pastor and even though his decision was complettly erroneous I believe those that brought him to that decision are still among us. You know who you are.
MaryAnn McQueen just wanted to give everyone an amazing place to learn and grow and give students scholarships and help anyone who needed it.
Who called me while sitting in the hospital with my husband after Cancer surgery? Our principal. Who knows every single student’s name and what their interests are? Our principal .
Who brought the scholarship funds to an unprecedented level and seeked out funds from foundations to give students a Catholic education who might otherwise not receive one. Our principal.
Who cares , truly cares for her teachers and staff that should took great pains to finding the best. Our principal.
Is she suppose to run the church and a school??!! It’s absurd. She gave all of herself to St Mark and a handful of disgruntled and controlling “established” members of the community were allowed to take all that away. Shame . On . You.
I hope you realize that NONE of this was necessary & we pray we move forward in the same direction , together and not divided. I really hope this is possible.
We owe it to Father Paul and MaryAnn McQueen and to one another.
#WEarestmark