Dear Friends in Christ,

Grace and peace to you, today and always. As we enter the Second Week of Advent and prepare for the sacred “launch” of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, I am pleased to inform you of two wonderful additions to our parish leadership. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Sr. Carol Barnes, SC and Mr. Stephen Weyer, Esq, have graciously agreed to take on the role of parish trustees, effective January 1, 2016. As trustees, Sr. Carol and Steve will approve our fiscal operations, guide and endorse developments in our mission, and advise me on matters of substance that will be brought to them regularly. I’m sure you know both of these good people --if not from their contributions, then certainly by their faces!

Sister Carol Barnes, S.C.
Sr. Carol is a former president of the Sisters of Charity and as such, she has extensive experience in the governance of not-for-profit organizations. In addition to The Foundling, she has served on the Boards of hospitals, nursing homes, and colleges. Her particular interest as a board member at the Foundling is in the oversight of quality and mission integration. Sr. Carol has an academic background in math and math education and a second master’s degree in pastoral counseling. She has taught at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels.

Mr. Stephen Weyer, Esq.
Steve has been a member of the St. Francis Xavier community for over a decade. From 2003 to 2006 he served on the parish staff and led the Xavier Mission. These days he volunteers as part of the Welcome Table’s pot washing team. He has graduate degrees in law and theology from Emory University, and presently he works as a civil litigator at a boutique Midtown law firm. Steve and his wife, Liz, were married at Xavier in September 2014. They live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Sr. Carol and Steve succeed Sandy Mattingly and Jim Martinez, both of whom have been absolutely tireless in their support of our church in so many ways. Quite frankly, I don’t know what I would have done without them these past 3 years! So please join me in thanking Jim and Sandy as we welcome Carol and Steve. May our Lord bless each of them in their generous service.

On a related note, I am delighted to announce that Jim Martinez, as he transitions from trustee and finance council chair, will assume a new part-time position on our administrative team as Director of Stewardship and Assistant to the Pastor for Financial Planning. You may know that we have been without a stewardship director since my arrival. Jim will be indispensible in this new role and, no doubt, highly effective. Clearly, the Spirit continues to be at work among us! Please keep Carol, Steve, Sandy and Jim in your prayers as we proceed together, more deeply, into this holy season.

Your servant,
Fr. Marina