Franciscan Friars
and Staff
Meet the Staff
The Church of St Mary on Broadway Staff
in alphabetical order
Shaylin Arthur, Administrative Assistant
As an enrolled member of the Diné, Navajo tribe from northern Arizona, Shaylin extends a warm welcome in introducing herself:
Yá’át’ééh! Hello, my name is Shaylin Arthur. I am of the Red Bottom People Clan, born for the Salt People Clan. My maternal grandfather is from the Towering House People Clan and my paternal grandfather is from the Edge of Water People Clan. My parents reside in Kayenta, AZ.
Shaylin was born and raised on the Navajo nation reservation. She moved to the greater metropolitan area of Phoenix, AZ nearly ten (10) years before coming to Providence in 2007. She maintains the ability to exist in two worlds: today’s modern technological world of higher education and the cultural lifestyle of the Diné people who teach and instill strong family values.
As an Administrative Assistant at the Church of St. Mary, Shaylin provides clerical support, acts as receptionist, and assists program directors and friars in their project-based work. She assists people searching and/or requesting sacramental records from the Church of St. Mary and St. John’s Church. Shaylin also schedules baptismal preparation classes and baptisms, books dated Masses and sanctuary candles, sells and inventories Mass cards, and registers new parishioners.
Rafael Buscaglia, Development Staff
Rafael has worked for St. Francis Chapel since December of 2000 as a part-time data entry clerk. His main duties include processing and entering donations for The National Shrine of St. Anthony and St. Jude. He also works at the Hospitality Desk at St. Francis Chapel when needed.
Rafael was born in Puerto Rico and moved here in 1979. He has lived in Spain and Massachusetts. His wide range of interests includes reading, playing chess and local, national and international politics.
Alex Chapman, Percussionist
Alex Chapman is a freelance drummer and private instructor who performs regularly throughout the northeast in a wide variety of genres.
Kathryn Chester, Director of Music Ministry
Kathryn Chester holds a Master in Music degree in piano performance and a Bachelor of Music degree in performance and choral/instrumental music education. She is a certified Suzuki piano instructor and is also a RI certified music teacher who has taught for the RI Philharmonic, University of RI (URI), and several RI public schools. Ms. Chester spent most of her career at the URI as a collaborative pianist, adjunct professor, assistant conductor of the URI Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and director of the URI Youth Chorus. For over twenty (20) years she served as rehearsal assistant with the Chorus of Westerly and has performed in such places as Westminster Abbey, Kings College Chapel in Cambridge, the Basilica of San Marco, as well as High Mass at the Duomo of Milan and the Basilica of St. Peter. She is the arranger of Rhode Island’s new state song, “Rhode Island It’s for Me!” adopted in 1996. Ms. Chester has been with St. Francis Chapel and the Church of St. Mary since May of 2005.
Diane DiSanto, Ed.D., Director of Faith Formation
Diane has been with St. Francis Chapel and the Church of St. Mary since 2004. She has an extensive background in education and administration, having worked for thirty-two (32) years in public education. With a doctorate in educational administration from Boston University, she was formerly Superintendent of Schools in Smithfield, RI and Director of the Graduate Administration Program at Providence College.
Diane holds the position of Director of Faith Formation, which includes responsibilities for Religious Education for children, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), pastoral programs such as Women of Service & Spirit, the St. Francis Knitters, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, and the Coffee Klatch Ministry. She is also the Assistant Director of Worship and provides support in arranging and serving at funerals as necessary. Diane is active in fundraising and special projects such as co-chairing the Bazaar on Broadway and leading the annual Pack-a-Backpack campaign for Sophia Academy and the Poverello Center.
Angela Garcia, Cantor
Angela Garcia received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Rhode Island College (RIC). During her time at RIC, she studied private voice with Dr. Teresa Coffman. She also participated in the opera workshop as well as performed in over thirty (30) performances and recitals. Angela participated in the Crittenden Opera Workshop in Boston where she performed in several different opera scenes from operas like The Marriage of Figaro, Hansel and Gretel, and The Magic Flute. After graduating from RIC, Angela studied privately with Maria Spacagna. From there, she went on to attend the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in order to receive her Performance Certificate in music. While at UCONN she studied privately with Dr. Constance Rock. She performed with the opera theatre and in her own recital.
Stacey Geer, Cantor
Stacey Geer received a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts from Rhode Island College (RIC) in 1991, an Associate in Fine Arts degree in music from the Community College of RI (CCRI) in 2006, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from RIC. Stacey has been active in musical theatre for over twenty (20) years, performing in regional theatres such as New Bedford Festival Theatre and Matunuck’s Theatre-by-the-Sea. As a classical musician, she has served as soprano soloist for the West Bay Chorale and Fall River Symphony Orchestra. When not singing or acting, Stacey is happy to be a full-time wife and mother.
Salvador Jacobo, Housekeeping
Sal was born in Guatemala and moved to the United States in 1993. He began work at St. Francis Chapel in February of 2002 as a custodian. What began as a part-time position moved into full-time in July 2007. He now covers the custodial duties of the Church of St. Mary, The Poverello Center and the Parish Ministry Offices.
Although he loves his job, when he is not working Sal really enjoys cooking and traveling to Guatemala as often as possible to visit his family.
Jose Lopez, Housekeeping
Jose is the main grounds keeper of the Church of St. Mary and custodian for the Friars at their residence. He has worked here part-time since February of 2003. Originally from Mexico, Jose came to Rhode Island in 1998 and first worked for the Sisters of Mercy at Bay View.
Jose’s mother and one of his sisters live in Florida. His other sister lives in Texas and his brother in Rhode Island. He loves to read about religion and history. He has always had a deep devotion to Mary and has belonged to the Legion of Mary for many years. He does not think that being here at St. Mary’s is a coincidence, but that he was put here by the care of Mary for him.
Michael A. Medeiros, Director of Finance
Michael, a graduate of Bryant University, has been with the Church of St. Mary, St Francis Chapel, and the Poverello Center since 2005 where he has been managing the accounting and finance needs of our organization.
Prior to joining St. Mary’s, Michael had been Finance Director for ServiceMaster of Worcester, owner of a small service business and spent many years preparing personal tax returns for H&R Block.
Dale Palka, Administrative Assistant
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Rene Perreault, Jr., SFO, CSD
Director of Justice, Peace & the Integrity of Creation
Rene has certification in Spiritual Direction from Sacred Heart University, CT and Cardinal Stritch University, WI. He is on the Spiritual Direction Staff of the Church of St. Mary and St. Francis Chapel in Providence and St. Anthony Shrine in Boston. Rene is a member of Spiritual Directors International and is a board member of its regional southern New England group.
At St. Mary/St. Francis, he coordinates the ministries of Spiritual Direction and Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) and facilitates “Engage,” the Franciscan Non-Violent Peacemaking Program. Rene is a member of the Franciscan Action Network (FNA), the International Thomas Merton Society, and the Contemplative Outreach Society. He serves at Miriam Hospital in the Spiritual Care Department, providing Spiritual Companioning with men and women who are HIV or AIDS positive.
Lucky Rattan, Cantor
Lucky has been cantering for the Church of St. Mary since November of 2008. Classically trained at Rhode Island College (RIC), he has enjoyed an active career in the performing arts both locally and regionally. His favorite concert engagements include performing the baritone solos in Faure's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass and a once in a lifetime appearance with Michael Buble at Boston's Wang Center. Equally at home in the theatre, favorite credits include "Brigadoon" (Tommy), "The King and I" (Lun Tha), Gian-Carlo Menotti's "The Telephone" (Ben). When not singing, Lucky can be seen working in a cubicle from 8 to 5 as a customer service representative at a commercial printing company. For more information, visit www.luckyrattan.com.
Elana Vasi, Cantor
A Branford, CT native, Elana Vasi completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Providence College (PC). She now actively performs in the Boston area having sung with the Symphony Choir at Boston University and as soloist in the "Messiah" by Handel. She is currently studying voice with Maria Spicagna and undergoes coaching with Mathew Larson. Ms. Vasi is also a cantor at St. Timothy in Norwood, MA.
Dave Zinno, Bass
Dave Zinno, a native of Rhode Island, studied at Berklee College of Music. After college Dave toured with Grammy winning vocalist Dianne Schuur and lived in Seattle where he studied bass with Gary Peacock. He then moved to New York City where he lived for ten (10) years playing with people like Junior Cook, Jimmy Cobb, John Hicks, John Medeski and many others. Dave played in major clubs, Broadway shows, and wrote music for national television and radio ads. He now resides in Portsmouth, teaches music at Brown University and University of RI, and remains a busy performing jazz bassist. Recent performances include the Newport Folk Festival 2009 with Elvis Perkins in Dearland and the finale with Pete Seeger and Joan Baez , opening night of the Newport Jazz Festival 2009 with Mike Renzi , and the Jazz a Toulon Festival and two other festivals in southern France in the summer of 2009.
The St. Francis Chapel Staff
in alphabetical order
Phyllis Cicchetti, Director of Hospitality
Phyllis joined St. Francis Chapel in 2000, after owning her own restaurant, "Mama Julia's.” Hired as Director of Food Services for the Franciscan Friars, she enjoyed seven (7) years of cooking for them in the friary.
In 2008, she transferred to St. Francis Chapel as Director of Hospitality. This position allows her to meet and serve all types of people. Phyllis is also a Secular Franciscan and a Minister of Care for the Church of St. Mary, which enables her to continue her ministry in a variety of rewarding ways.
Veronica Thomas, Assistant Executive Director
Ronnie has worked at St. Francis Chapel for fourteen (14) years. After working in a secretarial position for a year, she was promoted to the position of Assistant Executive Director. She is responsible for the overall administration and management of St. Francis Chapel and The National Shrine of St. Anthony and St. Jude. As co-director of development, Ronnie’s duties also include fundraising and all Human Resource matters.
Ronnie was raised in Barrington and now resides in East Providence. She likes to spend her leisure time with her large family, especially her grandchildren who are 20, 18 and 1 ½ .
The Poverello Center Staff
in alphabetical order
Elizabeth O’Dea, Director of the Poverello Center
Her extensive human services experience and background make her a perfect fit for this position, which she has held since 2002. After an extensive fund-raising effort, a new building was purchased and the Poverello Center was established in 2005. Food and wellness programs merged so both programs could be conveniently housed under one roof. Elizabeth was instrumental in this smooth transition. As the Director of the Poverello Center, she enjoys an active and challenging ministry located in Providence. She is married, the mother of two sons and the grandmother of four fantastic grandchildren.
The word Poverello means “little poor one,” a term of endearment used to refer to St. Francis of Assisi by his friends.
Fr. Brice Leavins, OFM
Coordinator of Bread & Blessings Sandwich Program
Fr. Brice Leavins, OFM, has been a Franciscan for forty-five (45) years. He is presently coordinator of over sixty (60) volunteers for the Bread & Blessings Sandwich Program. He is also a judge on the marriage tribunals of the Dioceses of Providence and Worcester and is currently the administrator of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Providence.