Bishop Raymond A. Kearney High School was founded in 1961 as part of the Diocesan system of schools. It was dedicated by Most Rev. Brian Joseph McEntegart on November 2, 1961 and named in honor of the youngest auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn who had served the diocese from 1935 until his death on October 1, 1956.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph were asked to administer and staff the school. In 1973, the Henry Hald Association, which governed diocesan schools was dissolved and the school was purchased by the Sisters of Saint Joseph. It was incorporated and reopened as Bishop Kearney High School which was to be governed by a Board of Trustees. In 1994, the Board was expanded to include not only the General Government of the Congregation, but also parents, alumnae and other lay persons with expertise in education, finance and plant management.

The administrators of Bishop Kearney High School have been:
Sister Letitia Maria Flanagan, CSJ (1961-67)
Sister Mary Jogues (Rose Tehan), CSJ (1967-70)
Sister John Crucis (Helen Faulds), CSJ (1970-80)
Sister Ann McCarthy (John Capistran), CSJ (1980-90)
Sister Joan McAvoy (Maria Columba), CSJ (1990-2003)
Sister Thomasine Stagnitta, CSJ (2003-Present)
 
Some significant dates in Bishop Kearney's history:
Accredited by Middle States Association 1966
Mater Dei, Chapter of National Honor Society est. 1966
Incorporated by NYS Board of Regents 1973
Absolute Charter granted 1979

In his dedication address in 1961, Bishop McEntegart predicted: "In this school, young girls for decades to come will be taught the truths of God's word. They will receive an education second to none."

Kearney continues to pursue this mission: The Bishop Kearney Community is Christianity in Action - Living, Loving and Teaching as Jesus.


History of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

The Congregation of St. Joseph (CSJ) was founded in Le Puy, France in 1650. Six women came together under the direction of Bishop Henri de Maupas and Father Jean Pierre Medaille, S.J. to live a simple, prayerful life in community and to serve their neighbor with the same faithful care that St. Joseph had given to Jesus and Mary.

The Congregation was disbanded during the French Revolution and was refounded by Mother St. John Fontbonne in 1808. The first sister came to the United States to teach deaf children in St. Louis in 1836. As the first small group grew, sisters were sent to Philadelphia and in 1856, a small band of sisters came to Brooklyn at the request of Bishop Loughlin. Their ministry in Brooklyn centered on education. Today the works of the Congregation relate to the many needs of God's people on Long Island, Puerto Rico, Appalachia and many other locations throughout the United States.

CSJ Mission Statement

The educational mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is rooted in the mission of Jesus who came to bring about the reign of God by revealing God's love and by healing, redeeming and liberating all people. The unique way in which the Congregation is called to this mission is through inclusive love which brings about union and reconciliation.
The mission and tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is characterized in a unique way by our: hospitality and caring community , concern for all without distinction addressing the needs of the times, striving for excellence in all endeavors, making a difference in the local and world community.

As we move toward the next millennium, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood seek to empower and form educational communities which will be: committed to an inclusive love which recognizes the dignity of all persons, appreciative of the riches of our multicultural society, responsive to the principles of social justice, especially the needs of the poor and of women, faithful to non-violence as a way of life, reverent and respectful of the earth and all creation.

As an educational community we strive to embody this mission in all of our activities, especially in our practices, policies and methodologies.

We call each CSJ educational community to witness to this mission.