MASSENA -- Trinity Catholic School honored three past principals service at its recent gala, “April in Paris.”

Joan Rufa and Michele Bombard paid tribute to Dan Case, Sister Mary Eamon Lyng and Sister Shirley Anne Brown, for their efforts securing the future of Catholic education in Massena.

Over 200 guests, including Bishop Terry LaValley and Sister Ellen Rose Coughlin, Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, were present.

Case began his teaching career at Sacred Heart School in 1972, teaching seventh and eighth grade math. In 1978, he was appointed the first lay principal of a Catholic school in Massena. During her tribute to Case, Rufa commented about the fact that both are alumni of Holy Family High School.

“I’m quite certain our beloved Father Billmeyer was up in heaven; beaming with pride knowing that Dan, one of his brightest students, a forensics star, with a brilliant mind for numbers and trained by Jesuits, would be following in his footsteps,” she said.

She went on to praise his efforts with undertaking the challenging task of running a kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic school for six years, later assisting the blending of Sacred Heart School and St. Joseph School in 1983.

“Fortunately for Trinity Catholic, God had placed the right person at the helm of Sacred Heart School; a leader who exemplified extreme humility, loyalty and service above self. A leader who worked diligently to assure this newly consolidated school would be a success and Catholic education in Massena would remain alive and well,” according to Rufa.

Case lives in Massena with his wife, Linda, and is still helps at Trinity Catholic when he can. He serves as a member of the Trinity Catholic Strategic Planning Committee for Finance.

Sister Mary Eamon Lyng, a Sister of St. Joseph for 51 years, was honored for her contributions to Catholic education over the last 46 years. Eamon worked as principal in Massena during two different time periods. She was principal of St. Joseph’s School from 1977 to 1983 and principal of Trinity Catholic School from 1988 to 2000. Eamon was greatly loved and respected by the parents, students and teachers during her time as principal, according to Trinity Catholic School.

Eamon also played a significant role in the consolidation process of St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart School. At the time, many parents were concerned about their children transferring into a newly formed school.

“Eamon guaranteed a solid enrollment for Trinity Catholic by visiting every family, listening to their concerns and dispelling their fears,” Trinity Catholic said in a prepared statement. “Her optimism and perseverance convinced each family not to abandon a Catholic education for their child.”

When she returned to Massena as principal at Trinity Catholic School, she initiated several improvements and accomplishments such as the New Window Campaign, the Trinity Truck raffle and the Ellen McKenna Scholarship Fund. One significant achievement, while she was principal, was Trinity Catholic’s recognition as a National Drug Free School. Students and teachers were invited to the White House in 1989 to receive the award. Joan Rufa presented Eamon her award stating, “Sister refers to the time she spent in Massena as ‘18 years of joy!’ This is an accurate description of her years of service. Sister’s time in Massena was ‘18 years of joy’--the joy she spread with her loyal devotion, spirit of optimism and steadfast faith.”

Sister Shirley Anne Brown was also honored for her extensive and impressive service to Catholic education throughout the Diocese of Ogdensburg and the Diocese of Syracuse. In September 1983, Trinity Catholic School opened with Brown as its first principal. It was her task to unite two school boards, two faculties and two school cultures into one.

“Brown accomplished this with integrity and grace, as well as laying the groundwork necessary for a cutting edge curriculum and high academic standards,” the statement reads.

Under her leadership, Trinity Catholic began a pre-k program, a program for talented and gifted students, the Great Books Program and was the first school in Massena to offer a full-day kindergarten. Brown’s administrative efforts and guidance was largely responsible for Trinity being named a New York State School of Excellence, the school said.

Michele Bombard honored Sister Shirley Anne with these words, “The poet Maya Angelou said, ‘if you’re lucky, once in a great while, one visionary’s solitary fantasy can transform a million realities.’ Trinity was one of those lucky ones; for without a doubt Sr. Shirley Anne’s vision for Trinity Catholic School touched the future of so many lives and virtually saved Catholic education in Massena.”