Dear Parishioners:
Mr. Fuller with Fr. Healey and Fr. Barrow on the First Day of School 2019!
Dear Parishioners:
Our OLM Principal, Mr. Scott W. Fuller is retiring at the end of the school year. I am grateful for his tremendous leadership of our parish school and wish him well in his much deserved retirement. As Mr. Fuller’s replacement I am happy to tell you that I have appointed Mr. Patrick H. McNabb as the new Principal of Our Lady of Mercy School.
Mr. McNabb holds a B.A. in History from Haverford College and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from National Louis University. With experience in teaching and administration, he has served as a coach, classroom teacher, and Vice-Principal.
Since 2016, he has served as Middle School Religion Teacher and Director of Faith Formation at Holy Name Church and School in Fall River, MA. Previous to working at Holy Name School, McNabb began his career in education at the Shelby Middle School in Shelby, Mississippi for Teach for America.
He went on to serve as Middle School Teacher and then Vice-Principal at KIPP DC: KEY Academy in Washington, DC and as Vice-Principal of KIPP DC: College Preparatory in Washington, DC. Principal McNabb and his wife are parishioners of St. Barnabas Church in Portsmouth, RI and are the parents of two young children.
With Mr. McNabb’s appointment we begin another great chapter in the history of our parish school. I am confident that his skillful and faith-filled leadership of Our Lady of Mercy School with build on the tradition of strong faith and academic excellence.
He brings a wealth of educational experience, an abundance of energy and talent and most importantly a strong commitment to his Catholic Faith. In your name, I welcome him to our parish family and look forward to his leadership of our wonderful parish school.
I wish to thank Mr. Greg Paolino, Chair of the OLM School Board, who led our Principal Search Committee. He and the committee members did an outstanding job finding great candidates for the position. I am grateful for their insight and guidance in the search for a new principal for OLM School.
Two of our longtime OLM School Teachers, Miss Paula Noll and Mrs. Donna Beaulieu, are to retire at the end of the school year. They have taught at OLM for many years and both are excellent educators who are dedicated to their students and committed to Catholic Education. In your name, I offer our deep gratitude for their years of service to the students of OLM School. Ad multos annos!
On Saturday night we had our Annual Spring Fling in support of OLM School. This great night of fun includes both a live and silent auction. All the proceeds go to support our mission of teaching the future saints and scholars of our world and Church. I am grateful to Spring Fling Committee for organizing another great night.
There are always some great auction items like front row tickets to Hamilton on Broadway, Red Sox and Patriots tickets, a day cruise to Newport on a luxury yacht, at stay at Block Island’s premier hotel, the Spring House, Hi-Lo Jack Night at the Regency Cigar Emporium with Fr. Healey and Fr. Barrow and of course, dinner in the OLM Rectory with the Fathers!
I thank the many generous supporters of OLM School for their generous donations and their generous support of our mission. This event raises much needed and critical funds to keep that mission going for our parish, school and Church. Thanks for all those who make this event fun and also a great success!
Our Parish Deacon John Dowd is moving! He and his wife, Cathy, have sold their home in North Kingstown and are headed south to retired life in Wakefield. Unfortunately this means he is leaving OLM. Deacon Dowd has been a important part of our parish family and we thank him for his ministry here at OLM. He will be with us until the end of June and we will offer him our public thanks in the coming weeks.
This week another celebration is coming to OLM. One of our parish priests is turning the “Big Three O” and it’s not me! Thirty was a long time ago for me! Yes, Fr. Barrow turns 30 on Tuesday! So be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday! Join us on Monday for May Devotions! Be well. Do Good. Go Sox and Bruins! Happy Birthday Fr. Barrow!!!