It’s election season! Fr. Eric is assembling his pastoral council for the next year, and the deadline to vote for the six (6) openings is November 2! We are blessed to have so many qualified nominees interested in enriching the life of our parish!
Nominees were asked to submit a brief, self-written bio. They are listed below. The link to vote online is live below. Paper ballots will be distributed with the bulletin over the next weeks!
Nominees for SIX (6) available positions; bios below.
LINK TO VOTE
- Harold Vincent
- Elaine Greene
- Terence Sweeney
- Molly Schmidt
- Lonnie Perry, Jr.
- Michele Dooley (Kocher)
- Nancy DiPasquale Ruane
- Gertrude Borres, RA
- Clare Theresa, RA
- Rosalind Kulasegram
Harold Vincent
I was the former campus administrator for the Academic Affairs Department of Community College.
After 30 years being there I retired with a greater percentage of staff coming to my retirement party, which was presented to me by our college president. I have been a member of the parish council for many years. I also was on the 125th Anniversary committee which was wonderful. I look forward to being on our new parish council.
Terence Sweeney
Terence Sweeney has been a parishioner for seven years. He is a philosophy professor at Villanova and theologian-in-residence at the Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture. He helps at the parish for RCIA, choir, altar serving, and sundry activities. He has written on Catholic life for publications like America Magazine, First Things, and Church Life Journal. He is married to Jessica and father to Isabel.
Michelle Dooley (Kocher)
I grew up hither, thither, and yon (England, Brazil, and Belgium), but have now lived here for many years, writing the parish history column, the weekly Parish Bulletin, and helping with the PREP family religious education program. I’ve also been part of the Parish 125th Anniversary Committee and the Building Committee. My employment history includes working as a writer/editor for a division of McGraw Hill; developing new product ideas and managing PR for The Franklin Mint; and teaching World Cultures to students at the University of the Sciences. Now that we have recovered our past, it feels like time for our diverse urban parish to harness its hidden talents and strengths to grow into its future, and I’d like to help that to happen.
Nancy DiPasquale Ruane
Born in Philadelphia of Italian immigrant parents, married with one daughter and has two grandsons. Attended Catholic elementary and high schools. Earned an R.N. at St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing; a BSN from Villanova University and an MA from New York University. In addition to hospital nursing, taught community health nursing courses at Temple, Penn and LaSalle. Parish activities: Faith Sharing Committee and Parish Council under Father Hand. Community activities: Democratic Committee person and Ward Leader previously; member of Community Advisory Board of Health Center #3, and member of Board of Directors of Friends of University of the Sciences.
Elaine Greene
Hi, I’m Elaine Greene. Some of you know me from the various ministries I participate in here at de Sales: The Wellspring Women (Chair), Hospitality Committee (Chair), and as a Proclaimer of the Word. I volunteer as a Cantor at the Saturday Vigil Mass. I was a strong supportive voice during the merger/closing of MBS. While at MBS, I was President of the PTA for several years, Chair of the Women’s Day Committee and Chair of the Sunday Fellowship Group. Bridging my service to both churches is my commitment to The Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary.
I am a retired Site Director from a non-profit organization that provides literacy and career-preparedness services to youth and young adults in Philadelphia and in Camden. In my free time I play word games and I am an avid reader. I’ll bring 21st Century skills of teamwork, collaboration and initiative to your Pastoral Council, as well as a healthy dose of humor.
Molly Schmidt
Hello! My name is Molly Schmitt and I am blessed to be a member of St Francis de Sales since 2013. Immediately I knew that St. Francis was truly unique not only in its striking architecture but also its warm and welcoming parishioners My husband and I are happy to call this our spiritual home (as will our two year old daughter – she just doesn’t know it yet!) Working at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a nurse practitioner has committed me as a Catholic to serving the most vulnerable and fragile in our city as well as supporting many families towards a bright outlook and vibrant future. In my past three years as a catechist for our PREP children, I am inspired by our dedication to establishing a strong faith foundation for our next generation of Catholics, particularly during this most difficult of years. I would be honored to serve on the parish council, working to continue our steadfast faith, compassionate outreach, and joyful worship of God.