MERCY BY THE SEA - Key Persons
Annie moved to Madison over 25 years ago from Larchmont, NY and raised 3 children on the shoreline, where they had a magical childhood. Crabbing, sailing, riding bikes, tennis, and kayaking are just a few gifts received because of moving to Madison. She enjoys gardening, walking on the beach and collecting sea glass and jingle shells. Her children are full grown now. Annie's background for many years was in retail. Most recently, she worked as Concierge and Spa Specialist at Madison Beach Hotel.
Job Titles:
- Hospitality - Front Desk Receptionist
- Pediatric Social Worker
Bernadette is a retired Pediatric Social Worker, having worked at Yale New Haven Hospital for 10 years. She started as a volunteer at Mercy by the Sea before being hired as the front desk coordinator.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Brett has worked in the Financial Services Industry for more than 20 years. Currently, he is a Partner at Clearview Wealth Management in Guilford, Connecticut.
Brian grew up in Stratford and enjoyed summers in Old Saybrook with his family. He has been a chef for more than ten years, and has worked in restaurants, country clubs and on food trucks throughout Fairfield County. He also enjoys playing guitar, bowling and gaming. Brian is excited to be a part of the Mercy by the Sea team.
Carol Lyons joined the Mercy by the Sea (MBTS) Board on July 1, 2023. Carol has been involved with MBTS for many years and has attended many day and overnight programs. She is a proud graduate of the School for the Second Half of Life. Carol believes "MBTS is a sacred space that not enough people know about. It has provided a safe and nurturing place to grow in my spiritual life and I want others to enjoy the same care and love that is Mercy and I look forward to helping to guide MBTS going forward." Carol is a retired Yale epidemiologist and a racial justice facilitator. She resides in Guilford with her husband of 48 years and has four children and five grandchildren, all of whom are her "treasured joys."
Job Titles:
- Hospitality - Front Desk Receptionist
Christine began working with Mercy by the Sea in June of 2021. She was born and raised in California, but has lived in Connecticut now for over 36 years. She enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters by taking them to visit Sturbridge Village as well as trips to Amish Country in Lancaster, PA. An interesting detail about Christine is that she worked at Mercy 25 years ago, and she tells us that she is very happy to be back!
Denise joined the Mercy by the Sea (MBTS) Board on July 1, 2023. Denise has been involved with MBTS for many years and has attended many programs. She has also hosted and facilitated retreats and workshops at MBTS throughout her career. Denise brings her experience as a coach in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and recently founded UBUNTU ("I am because we are"), to further that work through story artists who, through the art of oral story, share the personal narrative of walking in their brown and/or black skin. Denise states, "Mercy by the Sea has served a vital role in my life. I believe the spirit of the intent of founding MBTS prevails- healing growth and discernment. I would simply like to give back in service to a tradition that has been so important to renewal in my life."
Faithe is an Arizona native who now happily calls Connecticut home. She has worked in communications and web design/development for over ten years. When she's not working, you can find Faithe with her family and two cats. Occasionally, she'll pull out her Bach Stradivarius trumpet and enjoy using the skills she learned while earning a degree in Trumpet Performance.
Fran M. Rabinowitz is a lifelong resident of Connecticut. She was born and raised in Bridgeport and is still enjoying a long and rewarding career in education. Presently, she serves as the Executive Director for the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS). Fran was a former superintendent in Hamden and Bridgeport and Associate Commissioner for the State of Connecticut. Fran spent most of her career in her favorite city, Bridgeport, in a number of positions. Mercy Center has been part of Fran's life for many years and she is thrilled and humbled to be a member of The Board of Trustees. Fran lives in Branford with her husband Mark. They have been married for 40 years and have three children and five grandchildren.
Gail Wyman has had a varied professional career, from teaching to owning a daycare center to serving as office manager for a physician, to name just a few. Mercy by the Sea has also afforded her variety. In her 10 years here, she handled numerous tasks including painting and making repairs as well as running the kitchen for a time before moving on to managing housekeeping. She lives in Westbrook with Katie, a nine-year-old rescue cat.
Gayle Amodio is a 40 year veteran of the hospitality industry and came to the Mercy by the Sea in 2016. She works tirelessly to prepare and provide great food for our guests. Every beautiful salad bar has Gayle's stamp of approval. She has four grandchildren and lives with her husband Rob of 43 years, in East Haven. Gayle loves being in the kitchen and enjoys her one month each year in sunny Aruba.
George Goulet, our Security Manager, came to Mercy by the Sea in 2012 bringing with him over 20 years of experience in the security field. George's number one priority is to make sure that all the guests, who come to visit or stay on these sacred grounds, feel they are in a safe and peaceful community. A resident of Guilford, Connecticut, George is a proud uncle and is very active in his church and community.
A close neighbor of Mercy by the Sea, Hank and his wife Gayle moved into the Moran home six years ago. The Moran's had been devoted Mercy by the Sea groundskeepers and Hank immediately continued the tradition by working with the master gardeners to plant and maintain the vegetable garden! Before moving to Madison, Hank taught history for 32 years in public schools in both Hartford, Connecticut and San Diego, California. His life reflects a desire to improve the condition of others- children, neighbors, veterans, and all who are associated with Mercy by the Sea. Hank says: "I need to look no further than to the simple aspiration that is embedded in the Mercy by the Sea Vision Statement, that is: "to nurture a relationship with the Sacred in self, others, and creation that seeks to foster a just and compassionate world," in order to find my interest in becoming a board member of this organization. It would be an honor for me to be able to bring my value, commitment, and skills to add to the collective effort to help Mercy by the Sea continue to thrive."
Jean Golicz is currently a UConn Master Gardener, lay minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church and retired teacher, who taught in Glastonbury, Connecticut, for many years. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology, a Master of Science degree in history and a post-graduate, sixth year in pastoral counseling. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, Jean volunteers her time working to make the vegetable garden and grounds thrive. She also contributes a Spirit and Soil monthly blog post for the Mercy by the Sea Soundings blog.
Chef Joe Berg is happy to be on the full-time staff of Mercy by the Sea. A graduate of the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park NY, Chef Joe is a forty-year veteran and professional chef, educator and culinary instructor. He has served as Executive Chef at Albertus Magnus College, Southern New England Telephone, ARC of Meriden-Wallingford and the University of New Haven. Joe is a Branford resident and a voracious tennis enthusiast.
Karin is a 2017 graduate of Mercy by the Sea's School for the Second Half of Life. As Program Director, she helps develop onsite and virtual programs that carefully blend experiential and contemplative practices to embody the Mercy Sisters' key Critical Concerns: Earth, Immigration, Nonviolence, Racism and Women. Karin also serves on Mercy by the Sea's Mission Integration Committee and facilitates Mercy's monthly Book Circle discussion group. From 2007 to 2018, Karin was the principal of an international consulting practice she founded that was based on social entrepreneurship values. Nobile Communications International, LLC helped diverse organizations with social responsibility planning; forged strategic community partnerships; and mobilized resources and creative solutions for some of society's most pressing issues, including homelessness, poverty, health care disparities, veterans' readjustment challenges, and environmental and social injustices. She has served many community boards and volunteer initiatives; most recently the Greater New Haven Chamber's Diversity and Inclusion taskforce. She is a graduate of Wesleyan University where she earned a Masters in Humanities and Social Studies.
Job Titles:
- Hospitality - Front Desk Receptionist
Originally from Minnesota, Lisa currently lives in Guilford, CT. She loves spending time with her husband, their two young adult children, and dogs Pippa and Topher. Lisa also enjoys traveling, hiking, nature, and pottery. She is so happy to be at Mercy by the Sea!
Lydia Forgetta-Sheffield was born in Hartford Connecticut and has spent the last 50 years living in Madison and Guilford. Lydia began her teaching career, here, on the property of Mercy by the Sea, at Our Lady of Mercy School. She remained there until her retirement after 45 years as an early childhood educator and Director of the school's early childhood program. She still is active at the sister school, East Shoreline Catholic Academy where she serves on the Liturgy Committee. Lydia has been a member of many Boards and has served as President of the Connecticut Kindergarten Association, Vice President and Treasurer of the Connecticut Early Childhood Council, President of the Guilford Community Fund, and Treasurer of the Guilford Performing Arts Festival. She has also served on the Sponsor's Council for the Sisters of Mercy of the Northeast. As a Mercy Associate, Lydia has been a friend of Mercy for over 57 years and teases that she is one of the "bricks" here at Mercy by the Sea. Lydia lives in Guilford and is an active member of St. George Church. She is honored to serve on the Mercy by the Sea board.
Maggie's gift for finances is exceeded only by her passionate faith. Motivated by a desire to connect with God, she strives to be the hands and mouthpiece of the Divine in all she says and does. Maggie has been married for 29 years and has raised to adulthood, twin sons and a daughter. She lives in Stratford where she has been a part of the St. James parish for over 24 years. She enjoys working out to stay healthy.
Mark's unassuming, quiet competence makes sure many of the day-to-day issues are taken care of around Mercy by the Sea. You might see him setting up chairs and tables in preparation for a gathering, trimming trees, or moving equipment. His efforts keep our facilities in good shape.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Mary Beth Federico was a member and Chair of the Board of Our Lady Mercy School, and served on the St. Margaret Church Parish Council. She was also involved in various community volunteer efforts. Although she and her husband currently reside in Clinton, they raised their family in Madison and enjoy this beautiful part of the Connecticut shoreline.
Patty's personal commitment to mission and values-based work that enhances the lives of others is what guides her every day. She served as the Executive Director at The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, Inc. for 14 years and joined Mercy by the Sea as Director of Development in 2017. After taking a sabbatical in 2022, Patty is back and helping make Mercy by the Sea's mission a continued reality.
Rabbi Stacy Offner is both the Rabbi Emerita of Temple Beth Tikvah in Madison, Connecticut and the Founding Rabbi Emerita of Shir Tikvah Congregation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A passionate community builder, Rabbi Offner has worked hard on the shoreline to strengthen the Interfaith Clergy Alliance and to create interfaith opportunities for religious and spiritual expression. Recognized as a pioneer in many ways since her ordination in 1984, Rabbi Offner is acknowledged for her many firsts, including: First female rabbi in the state of Minnesota (1984), First woman to serve on the Reform Pension Board (1986), First rabbi elected as chaplain to the MN State Senate (1998), First female Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism (2008), and First female rabbi of Temple Beth Tikvah (2012). Rabbi Offner currently serves on the Ethics Committee of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and on the Jewish Values Investing Committee of the Reform Pension Board. A Magna cum laude graduate of Kenyon College, Rabbi Offner earned both her M.A. and Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. Rabbi Offner brings a wealth of experience to the Board and will assist Mercy by the Sea to continue to expand interfaith alliances and programs to welcome all.
Robert Amodio joined Mercy by the Sea in 2012. Robert has been involved in building and grounds work since his part-time employment during high school at New Haven's Erector Square, where erector set toys were once manufactured. After graduation, he worked there full-time until coming to Mercy by the Sea. Robert, an avid fisherman, says he likes to make people comfortable, tend to their needs and see them smile. He lives with his wife and children in East Haven.
Rosemary handles reservations for private retreats and program registrations. She is also a graphic designer who uses her expertise to create our brochures and flyers. Rosemary lives in Guilford, Connecticut, with her Anatolian Shepherd, Andy.
Sister Anne, a native of Rochester, NY brings a lifetime of service in Mercy ministries. In addition to her most recent work in Mercy Ecology, Sister Anne brings many years of experience in leadership for the Sisters of Mercy Institute and served as a Lobbyist with Network, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby in Washington, DC. Sister also served in the Mission of the Sisters of Mercy in Chile for several years and holds degrees in both Psychology and Theology.
Job Titles:
- Mission, Hospitality and Volunteers
Originally from Rochester, NY where she lived for 62 years, raising her family, (daughter and three sons + six grandkids!) and working for 23 years as Vice President of a large not-for-profit Home Health and Hospice organization, and retiring in 2015, Sister Barbara entered the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas in 2018 following the death of her husband in 2009. After entering the Mercy community, she lived and ministered in Philadelphia, PA for 3 ½ years, arriving in Madison, CT in 2021 where she ministered as a Registered Nurse for a year in Hartford with the House of Malta mobile medical health clinic. Following the profession of her First Vows in 2022, she joined the staff at Mercy by the Sea and is Director of Mission Integration, Hospitality, and Volunteers. She is excited to be part of this dedicated team and important ministry and is thrilled to continue living on these very Holy grounds at Emmanuel House.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Sister Eileen Boffa has been connected to Mercy by the Sea (MBTS) for many years in many capacities. She was at MBTS in formation as a Sister of Mercy candidate. She was the Principal at Our Lady of Mercy Academy that was located on the Mercy campus. Her current ministry is with those who are experiencing homelessness in Bridgeport, and she often brings men and women from her ministry for retreats at MBTS. Sister Eileen states, "I will take seriously my commitment to the Board and keep before the Board our critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy." It is certain that Sister Eileen will continuously advocate with the Board and staff for MBTS programs that embody the critical concerns and core values of Mercy.
Hailing from the White Mountains of New Hampshire to living on the Connecticut shoreline, Terry enjoys many activities in the great outdoors including hiking, kayaking, gardening, and photographing nature. Terry brings to MBTS a life-long commitment to service, crediting her parents as the best of role models. She describes herself as a prayer warrior and gives thanks to God for this labor of love.