Parish Staff

parish staff

Meet Our Team

Fr. Dan O'Connell

pastor

Father Dan O'Connell has always had an avid interest in the strength and presence of God's Word and its power to build up the human person and transform their lives. It is true that in God's Word we live, move and have our being. Father Dan is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston He was ordained in 1983 and has served in parishes in Lowell, Quincy, West Newton, Cambridge and Downtown Boston. In 2012 he returned as Pastor to Corpus Christi-St Bernard parish now serving the people of Auburndale, West Newton and beyond!


In addition to pastoral duties he has worked as Associate Director of the Office Spiritual Life located in the Archdiocese's Pastoral Center. His duties have included Retreats in parishes, schools and colleges as well as parish renewal and catichetical workshops.


He teaches homiletics through the office of Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese.
In 1988, he studied the art of homiletics at the Institute for Preaching at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of CATH and attends yearly meetings for those who teach Homiletics at the University of Notre dame.


In 1989, Father Dan shot the pilot episode of Catholic TV's award-winning show We've Got To Talk. It is currently the longest-running studio series in the history of the CatholicTV Network. Father Dan is the recipient of the 1997 Proclaim Award from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for Excellence in Catholic Television Broadcasting and the 2012 Telly/People’s Choice Award through the You Tube Channel.

Sr. Suzanne Fondini, MFIC

pastoral associate

For many years, Sr. Suzanne was the principal of Mt. Alvernia High School here in Newton and St. Monica School in Methuen.

Sr. Suzanne was born in East Boston. She has been a sister with the Franciscan order for over 40 years, inspired by the same order of nuns who taught her at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grammar school in East Boston. She has a Bachelor's Degree in history from Newton College of the Sacred Heart and a Master's Degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University
in Western, N.Y. She also took courses in administration at Boston College.

In her years of ministry, she has taught and guided many people in many ways. While on sabbatical, she spent six months in a renewal program in Assisi, Italy, and the other half at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, learning Spanish.

She has served as Provincial of her Franciscan Order for eight years, and more recently, she has just completed four years on the provincial team working with the sisters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Papua Guinea, Bolivia, and Peru.

The Bible passage she lives by comes from John 14:1, which reads, "Don't let your heart be troubled." What you are meant to carry in your heart, at its center is love, the love of God and the people," she said. Sister Suzanne incorporates her Franciscan values each day by living the peace prayer of St.
Francis, "He wants us to be a symbol of peace and a sign as to how the world can come together," she has said. 'I desire only to walk with God's people.'

Sr. Irene Laurence, MFIC

director of faith formation

Sr Irene is the Faith Formation Director for K-8

 

 

 

Sr. Irene was born and raised in Philadelphia and met the Missionary Franciscan Sisters when she began teaching in one of their schools.


She has been a member of her community for over forty-six years. Sr. Irene has a BA in English and Education and a MED in Supervision and Curriculum from Boston College. She has an advanced certificate in ESL from Fairleigh DickesonCollege. She has taken courses in Franciscism, theology, and counseling courses. She has served as a teacher, principal of Mount Alvernia Academy in Newton and St. Theresa Academy in Cresskill, NJ, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in the Diocese of Paterson, NJ. 


Over the past 40 years as a Franciscan Sister, Sr. Irene has guided her students to develop the skills needed to be leaders who promote peace in a world that so needs it. 

Within her community, she served in leadership for eight years as assistant minister and, before joining our staff, was the Provincial Minister for four years. 


Her favorite quotes are the following:

Matthew 19:26 "With God all things are possible."

St. Francis's words: "Preach the Gospel and use words if necessary.

 

Sister Irene hopes that she and her teachers will help the youngest members of our Corpus Christi/St. Bernard Parish come to know and understand that they are loved and that all things are possible with God, and to help them learn how they treat others and respect themselves shows others our Savior's love not through words but through their actions.


Anthony Caruso

business manager

Tony retired from a 40-year career in community banking, last serving as Senior Vice President at Bank of Canton. Upon retirement, Tony joined Ascension Parish in Sudbury and Maynard as Director of Finance & Operations. Tony earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education at Boston University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Ministry through the Institute for the New Evangelization at Saint John's Seminary.

Born and raised here in West Newton, Tony is a long-time parishioner at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish, and save for ten years while he and his family lived away, he has worshiped right here at our parish. He has served in a board capacity at a number of organizations including Rotary Club, Chambers of Commerce, and The Bay State Charitable Foundation. Tony and his wife Clara have three grown children and six grandchildren, with whom they spend most of their free time!

Because it speaks so well to the theme of evangelization, Tony's favorite scripture passage is Matthew 4:18-20 --- As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.

Stephen Forster

COORDINATOR OF PARISH SERVICES


Stephen Forster joined Corpus Christi – Saint Bernard Parish this past summer as Coordinator of Parish Services. Prior to arriving here, Stephen served as Youth Minister at Saint Matthew Parish in Southborough, and as Operations & Ministry Assistant at Ascension Parish in Sudbury. In his new role, Stephen will manage the day-to-day operations of the office, assist parishioners with sacramental records and Mass intentions as well as manage the weekly bulletin and website. He will also lend support to other areas of the parish as needed. Stephen earned his B.A. Degree in Political Science from Merrimack College and his M.A. Degree in Ministry and Theology from Villanova University. 


As it is at the heart of his own nature, a favorite Bible passage of Stephen's is Micah 6:8 - He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Brendan & Lauren Belschner

confirmation coordinators

Brendan and Lauren took over as the Confirmation Coordinators in the fall of 2022. In their first year, they incorporated new ways of engaging the students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Brendan and Lauren are excited to continue to serve the people of Corpus Christi - St. Bernard Parish in their ministry.

Jay Porter

facilities CONSULTANT

In the fall of 2022, Jay transitioned away from the role of Business Manager to the role of Facilities Consultant. He currently is assisting the parish with upcoming projects that will improve our parish campus.

Mary Nolan

music director

Mary Nolan has been the Music Director at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish for the past 8 years. Mary plays both the organ and keyboard and leads our Adult and Children Choirs. Mary takes an active role in our liturgical celebrations and rehearses with members of the choir throughout the year. She also assists the parish during Funeral Liturgies and other events that take place. If you are interested in joining one of our choirs, please see Mary after one of the weekend Masses.

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