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| |  BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Fr. George Corrigan, OFM - President
Fr. George has been involved with FMS on multiple levels – first as a Lay Missioner, then as a teacher of “Scripture and Mission” classes, and now as a member of the Board of Directors. He has served on the Board since 2007, and in his current role of President since 2011. As an FMS Lay Missioner, he served for three years in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. That experience, particularly working with the Franciscans, helped him discern a vocation to religious life. He professed vows with the friars of Holy Name Province in 2002 and was ordained to priestly life in 2007. Currently he serves as the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Tampa, Florida. Fr. George is inspired daily by St. Francis of Assisi’s words, “Hold back nothing of yourself for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally."
Jack McHale - Vice President Jack has served on the FMS Board of Directors since Spring 2011 and through his involvement hopes to ensure the continued viability of the organization. He became introduced to FMS through two Returned Missioners, Don and Pat Clausen. Jack commented that the spirit of Casa San Salvador is contagious and brings vitality to every aspect of his life. Jack resides in Burke, Virginia, and is very active in the ministries of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Arlington.
Fr. Joseph Nangle, OFM - Secretary/Treasurer Fr. Joe served as the Co-Director of FMS for 7 years (retiring in 2006), at which point he joined the Board of Directors. He believes that FMS represents "a new day in Catholic mission - the rightful place lay women and men have alongside the more traditional sisters, brothers and priests overseas". As an OFM Franciscan friar of Holy Name Province, Fr. Joe spent 15 years as a missioner in Bolivia in Peru. He now applies that experience to his full-time ministry to the Hispanic community at Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Arlington, Virginia. Fr. Joe has previously worked for the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ Office for International Justice and Peace, Sojourners Magazine, and the Conference of Religious Men’s Superiors.
Directors
Deacon Tom Bello, SFO National Minister, SFOs in the United States
Sr. Cathy Cahill, OSF Sr. Cathy has been a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany (New York) for 50 years. Driven by Jesus’ command to love, she currently serves as the Director of the Franciscan Center in Tampa, Florida – leading retreats across the country for people in AA and other 12 Step programs. Sr. Cathy became connected to FMS through Fr. George Corrigan, President of the FMS Board of Directors, and has served on the Board since January 2011. She is inspired by the “goodness and the energy of the young people involved [at FMS]”, as it gives her hope for the continuation of the spreading of the Gospel.
Fr. Martin Day, OFMConv. Fr. Martin first became connected to FMS after having met three missioners in training through a class at Washington Theological Union. Since then he has gradually become more involved in FMS’ efforts through saying Masses at Casa San Salvador, and in 2009 joining the Board of Directors. He is excited to work with FMS because it allows him to work with people who are on fire with their faith and ready to invest themselves in very concrete ways to make changes in the world. A native of Indiana, Fr. Martin now lives in San Antonio, Texas, where he serves as a Formation Director for the Conventual Franciscans of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, for which he is also the Treasurer. Fr. Martin finds inspiration in the following quote from St. Francis: "Brothers, let us begin, for up to now we have done very little.”
Rebecca Lynes, CFP, CRPC
Rebecca Lynes learned about FMS through Fr. George Corrigan, an individual who she says has always opened her eyes to new endeavors. She joined the FMS Board of Directors in Spring 2011, and is inspired to be able to help “direct the organization on its path to being an important source of Christ’s peace, companionship, and acceptance to all people.” Rebecca lives in Leesburg, Virginia and is a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch.
Evelyn Mercantini Evelyn first became connected to FMS through her work on FMS’ 20th Anniversary event committee. With professional background as a corporate meeting planner, she was an invaluable asset in helping to plan and execute this event. She joined the FMS Board of Directors in Spring 2011 and genuinely enjoys being around the FMS team, board, and domestic volunteers, saying, "they are teaching me about social justice, sacrifice, and having fun in the Franciscan spirit.” Evelyn lives in Reston, Virginia and is a dedicated member of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Arlington.
Fr. John O’Connor, OFM Fr. John is an OFM friar of Holy Name Province, which is the largest group of friars in the United States. Serving as Minister Provincial of these friars, he currently resides in New York City, which also happens to be where he grew up. Fr. John has been on the FMS Board of Directors since 2009 and acts as the liaison between the English Speaking Conference of Provincials and FMS.
Patrick O'Neill FMS Returned Missioner
Br. Joe Rogenski, OFM Br. Joe has been a member of the FMS Board of Directors since 2008. He is originally from southern Illinois, but currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri. As a friar of the Province of Sacred Heart, Br. Joe serves as both the Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union and the Commissariat of the Holy Land. Br. Joe served as a missionary with the Interior Alaska Native Americans for 6 years, and has volunteered by visiting residents at the Veterans Home, teaching Religious Education classes, and serving with the Big Brothers program.
Kim Smolik - Ex Officio Kim is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has a 15-year history as an educator, administrator, and activist in a variety of social justice areas. She has served as the Executive Director of FMS since 2009. Previously, Kim worked as the Program Director of a full-time domestic lay service program for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. Kim received a doctorate in critical pedagogy in 2008 and has worked as an educator in Mexico, Minnesota, and Ecuador. She has also led cross-cultural immersion trips to a variety of locations in Central and South America, Cuba, and Europe.
Megeen White Testa
Megeen has been involved in FMS since its early years – wearing a variety of different hats. She served as a Lay Missioner in Zimbabwe and Zambia from 1991-1993 (as part of FMS’ inaugural missioner class). She was also the Co-Director of FMS for 8 years, and now is in her second term of serving on the Board of Directors. Megeen believes FMS’ lay ministry holds a unique responsibility in the Church, saying “it brings to life the fully empowered role of the laity in a collaborative, integral, and socially just manner…calling all of us to renewal, growth, and positive social change.” Megeen currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland, working as a Clinical Research Nurse in Oncology. Besides working at the hospital, she is actively involved in volunteerism in both her parish and community - by helping run community health fairs and advocating for undocumented communities.
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