Mary Star of the Sea High School
Deed Transfer
On Saturday, February 20, 1999, a crowd of several hundred gathered at the new Mary Star of the Sea High School site to officially witness the transfer of the deed from the US Navy to Mary Star. During the ceremony, the deed to the 27-acre property was symbolically passed from one dignitary to the next after each had spoken. Finally it was placed in the hands of Msgr. Patrick Gallagher, who raised it high to a standing ovation.
"My deepest gratitude to all who have brought us to this point. I want to thank Msgr. Scott along with the Immaculate Heart Sisters for starting the school, the parents who made Mary Star High School their choice for their children, the Abbot for sending us the Norbertines, and the present administration. They have made this possible. And thank you for all you have done and for being here to celebrate today".
Most Rev. Joseph M. Sartoris, Auxiliary Bishop, San Pedro Pastoral Region "This is a miracle. There have been obstacles and there will be lots more obstacles and many great opportunities. God is working constantly. You are all God's instruments and you did it!"
The following quotes capture the enthusiasm and spirit of the day.
Captain Thomas Pinard, US Navy (Left) "In our down sizing, we have a phrase we use--"turning swords into plowshares". As an old South Bay resident, raised in Hawthorne and educated at Mount Carmel High, this particular plowshare makes my heart sing."
Honorable Rudy Svorinich, Jr., Councilman - 15th District, City of LA (Right) "In a few short months, this surplus Navy property will spring alive again for a purpose equally as important as national defense - the education of our youth!"
Doane Liu, First Chair of the San Pedro Area Reuse Committee (Below middle) "There were many who thought this would never happen and a few of us who were naive enough to think WHY NOT?"
Jerry Gaines, Second Chair of the San Pedro Area Reuse Committee (Above R) "Thank you SPARC members, who worked long & hard with confidence & hope of this day!"
Barbara Brown, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Arch. of LA. (Above middle) "I can't think of anything more positive than the dream of San Pedro and Mary Star to build a new Catholic High School. Across the US, there are only 19 being planned or built and Mary Star is one of them!"
Abbot Eugene Hayes, Abbot of St. Michael’s Abbey in Silverado, CA; Albert DiRocco, Steering Committee Chairman for Mary Star; Camilla Townsend Kocol, Honorary Mayor of San Pedro, Principal of San Pedro/Narbonne Community Adult School; Barbara Brown, Associate Superintendent of Secondary Schools, Archdiocese of LA; & Rita Swartz, Director of the Mary Star Captial Campaign at the time.
Al DiRocco, Steering Committee Chair. "You are the ones that made this happen. Congratulations!""
Fr. Norbert Wood, Principal of Mary Star High School at the time: "The deed transfer has taken place. Now God has challenged us to put up the buildings."
Congressman Steve T. Kuykendall, Member of Congress, 36th District; Rev. Norbert Wood, O.Praem, Principal of Mary Star of the Sea High School at the time; Msgr. Patrick Gallagher, Pastor, Mary Star of the Sea Parish; Captain Thomas C. "Tom" Pinard, United States Naval Reserve; The Honorable Rudy Svorinich, Jr., Councilman - the15th District, City of Los Angeles; and Most Rev. Joseph M. Sartoris, Auxiliary Bishop, San Pedro Pastoral Region
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Mary Star of the Sea High School
810 West 8th Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 547-1138 -- (310) 547-1827 FAX
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