Bishop Lennon is committed to VASJ

Recently Bishop Lennon sent a letter to President Brian R. Menard and Principal Janice Roccosalva stating how much he values Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. The Bishop states that he is committed to continuing to support VASJ with diocesan resources and encourages the VASJ community to join him in such support as VASJ builds a 21st Century model of Catholic education.  

Diocese of Cleveland
Cathedral Square          
Office of the Bishop

4 February 2010


Mr. Brian Menard
Ms. Janice Roccosalva
Villa Angela-Saint Joseph High School

Dear Janice and Brian,

    I would like to express my gratitude to you for my enjoyable visit to Villa Angela-Saint Joseph on 3 February 2010.  It was heartening to me to see the positive results of your many efforts to continue the excellent education provided students in Villa Angela-Saint Joseph High School.  I found it encouraging meeting the new President and Vice President of the Board of Advisors, its members, the Endowment Board, the Ursuline Sisters, the Marianists, and the many others committed to the enduring presence of this school.  I know that Villa Angela-Saint Joseph is well on its way to stability and continued service to its students.

    I am very confident that the financial support of the diocese that I have awarded you will be met with successful efforts of the whole Villa Angela-Saint Joseph community. I see this already happening through the recent initiatives begun in the last few months.  Your sensible business policies, your ambitious marketing and recruitment efforts, along with your sound fiscal planning will insure the proper development of Villa Angela-Saint Joseph.

    To continue this good work, it will be important that all the members of the extended community of the school, families, alumnae, and stakeholders, participate in your Annual Fund and development efforts.  Diocesan resources are limited and need to be equally met with sound financial resources of the school.  Schools that are dependent on tuition must always work toward financial independence to insure their viability into the future.

    I commend the goals that have already been achieved.  I encourage you and all in the Villa Angela-Saint Joseph extended family to unite together to continue the fine work that is being accomplished.  You are an invaluable resource to the Collinwood and Euclid areas and their surrounding environs.  Villa Angela-Saint Joseph’s contribution to these communities will not be lost provided everyone shoulders their responsibility to our young people in supporting it.

    I offer you my sincere appreciation for the vision with which you are leading the school. My gratitude also extends to the many former members of the school community and the many civic stakeholders who have dedicated themselves to assisting you in this endeavor.  I am sure, with God’s assistance, Villa Angela-Saint Joseph High School will be a significant presence long into the future.


                        Sincerely yours,

                        Bishop Richard Lennon