Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, today formally announced his appointees to the Blue Ribbon Commission, a strategic advisory group he established to chart the future course of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Cardinal Rigali said, "Since its founding, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has educated more than fifteen million students, providing academic and faith formation rooted in Gospel values. That is a staggering figure and one that tells you how important the subject of Catholic education is in the Archdiocese."

Cardinal Rigali, in a news conference at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office Center in Philadelphia that was streamed live via the Archdiocesan website, was joined in making the announcement by Mr. Jack Quindlen, Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Commission. Mr. Quindlen is a retired Senior Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Dupont, as well as a former Chairman of the Archdiocesan Board of Education. He chaired the Building Committees of Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown and the newest high school in the Archdiocese, Pope John Paul II High School, which opened in Royersford, Montgomery County in September 2010.

In announcing the members of the Blue Ribbon Commission, Mr. Quindlen said, "Each of these members is a dynamic and experienced leader - and I am very much looking forward to working with them to strengthen the future of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. " Mr. Quindlen introduced the other 16 members of the Blue Ribbon Commission, eleven of whom were in attendance. The Commission includes talented individuals from diverse backgrounds - from corporate leaders to educational experts - all of whom are dedicated to Catholic education.

As Cardinal Rigali announced in his October 2010 Pastoral Letter Called to Conversion and Holiness, he has asked the Office of Catholic Education to undertake a comprehensive study of Archdiocesan elementary and secondary schools, as well as the schools of special education and religious education programs. In making the announcement at the news conference, Cardinal Rigali said, "Archdiocesan schools face challenges -- changing demographics, lower enrollments in some schools and the continued struggle to keep Catholic education affordable for the many families who wish to make this investment for their children's futures. We are not alone in this struggle - in fact; it is very much a national trend. Across the country, many dioceses are finding themselves at a crossroads, carefully seeking what path is best for the future of Catholic education."

Also participating in the news conference were Bishop Michael Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education on behalf of Cardinal Rigali; Dr. Richard McCarron, Secretary for Catholic Education, and Ms. Mary Rochford, Superintendent of Schools.

BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION MEMBERS

John J. Quindlen, Chairman
John (Jack) Quindlen is a former Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and member of the Office of the Chairman for DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware

An active member in Catholic affairs, Mr. Quindlen served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University for 10 years and was honored with a doctorate degree in 1993. He served on the finance councils of both the Diocese of Wilmington and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He was Chair of the School Board of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and served as Chairman of the Building Committees of Bishop Shanahan High School, which was completed in 1998, and Pope John Paul II High School, completed in 2010. Currently, he serves as Chairman of The Support Trust of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova, which administers funds on behalf of elderly and infirmed Augustinians. He is a member of West Catholic High School's Hall of Fame, a recipient of the National Catholic Education Association's Elizabeth Anne Seton Award and of Immaculata University's Immaculata Medal. He is a member of the Stewards of Saint John Neumann and a Knight of Saint Gregory the Great.

He attended Most Blessed Sacrament Parish School and West Catholic High School. Mr. Quindlen received his Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University and his Master of Business Administration from Drexel University. He is also a former Supply Officer for the United States Navy and a graduate of the Navy's Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Thomas J. Colligan
Thomas J. Colligan currently serves as Vice-Dean and Director of the Aresty Institute of Executive Education of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the former U.S. Vice Chairman and Markets Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, where he worked for more than 35 years. He was also a Managing Partner of Philadelphia and Group Managing Partner for Pennsylvania for PwC during his tenure. At PwC, Mr. Colligan oversaw many high profile transactions including the merger between Bell Atlantic and NYNEX that formed Verizon.

Today, he is a member of the Board of Directors for Schering-Plough where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. He is a consultant to the board of Sharp Electronics, is a member of the Business School Advisory Board of Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a former Chair of the Board of Newark Boys Chorus School.

He is a graduate of Barringer High School in Newark, New Jersey and spent several years in France as a member of the United States Air Force. Colligan graduated Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickenson University.

Charles P. Connolly, Jr.
Charles P. Connolly, Jr. is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of First Union Bank for Pennsylvania and Delaware. He also previously served as the Vice Chairman for CoreStates Bank of North America.

Mr. Connolly currently serves on the Board of Directors for several corporations, including positions as Chair of the Audit Committee for Medifast, Inc., Chair of the Compensation Committee for Powell Electronics, Chair of the Finance Committee for Modern Group Ltd., and board member for the Roosevelt Paper Company and Penn Liberty Bank, where he is also a member of the Executive Committee. Connolly also serves as a Finance Committee Member for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is Chair of the Development Council for the Augustinian Friars.

A Malvern Preparatory School graduate, Connolly went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Villanova University and his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Chicago.

Gerald Davis
Gerald Davis retired as Director of Media and Public Relations for Sunoco, where he served as an internal consultant to senior management and as company spokesperson for the media and various stakeholders.

Mr. Davis is a member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Facilities Management Corporation (PFMC), which provides executive management and directs operations of the Philadelphia Gas Works. He has served on the PFMC Board since July 2003 and was reappointed by Mayor Michael Nutter in February 2008. He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of Neumann University, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Board of Education and the Board of Project H.O.M.E. He is also a past Chairman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.

Mr. Davis graduated from La Salle University and served in the United States Marine Corps as a Captain.

Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Deliman
Monsignor Edward Deliman is the Pastor of Saint Martin of Tours Parish in the Oxford Circle section of Northeast Philadelphia. Prior to serving at Saint Martin of Tours, Monsignor Deliman served as Pastor at Saint Agnes Parish in West Chester, Visitation B.V.M. Parish in West Kensington and Saint Bonaventure Parish in North Philadelphia.

Monsignor Deliman also served as an assistant in the following parishes: Saint Joseph in Cheltenham, Montgomery County, Saint Clement in Southwest Philadelphia, Saint John Bosco in Hatboro, Saint Agnes in West Chester and La

Milagrosa Spanish Chapel of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Center City Philadelphia.

Monsignor Deliman has been ministering to the Hispanic community since 1978, and attended language school at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Douglaston, New York.

Eleanor M. Dezzi
Eleanor M. Dezzi is President of The Dezzi Group, Ltd., a full service political and business consulting firm located in Philadelphia that serves for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Mrs. Dezzi was recently re-appointed by Cardinal Rigali to another term on the Philadelphia Archdiocesan School Board after having served from 2000 to 2008.

Mrs. Dezzi serves on many other boards in the region and holds the positions of Chairwoman Emeritus of The Sleighton School in Lima, Pennsylvania, Chair of the Friends of West Catholic High School, Journal Co-Chair of the City of Hope Cancer Center, and is a member of the Board of Directors of Cathedral Village Continuing Care Facility. She hosts "Voices of the Village," a community and political radio talk show on WURD - 900AM and is a political commentator for WTXF - FOX 29 television in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Dezzi attended West Catholic High School and was inducted into its Hall of Fame for Government and Public Service in 1995. She is also a graduate of Gwynedd Mercy College. Together with her husband she is a joint recipient of the Saint Jeanne Jugan Award for their service to the Little Sisters of the Poor and the elderly poor of Philadelphia.

Sister John Evelyn DiTrolio, IHM
Sister John Evelyn DiTrolio, IHM, is the Congregational Liaison for the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Elementary Schools and has been a member of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary since 1968.

Sister John Evelyn serves on the Leadership Team for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Immaculata, Pennsylvania. Prior to that, she was the Directress of Novices for the IHM Congregation of the Sisters for more than 10 years. Sister John Evelyn also served as an educator, catechist, Vice Principal and Principal in elementary schools in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Nebraska.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Musical Education from Immaculata University and her Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University.


Sister Patricia Fadden, IHM
Sister Patricia Fadden, IHM, currently serves as President of Immaculata University and as the Chair of the Board of Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Sister Patricia has served as a teacher and administrator from the elementary through university levels. Prior to assuming the presidency of Immaculata, Sister Patricia served as Director of Studies at Cardinal Dougherty High School, Principal of Archbishop Prendergast High School, Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and Principal of Villa Maria Academy.

Additionally, she currently holds leadership positions with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, the NCAA Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education Presidents' Council.

Frank A. Farnesi
Frank A. Farnesi is a retired partner of the international accounting firm, KPMG, LLP, where he was the Pennsylvania Business Unit Partner in charge of Tax. Prior to this position, he was the National Partner in charge of Tax Compliance Services. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc., a publicly held $4.7 billion bank headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as Chair of both the Audit and Compensation Committees.

He also serves on the Audit Committee and Board of RAIT Financial Trust, a publicly held real estate investment trust, and the Board of Trustees of Immaculata University where he chairs the Property and Finance Committee as well as the Audit Committee. Until recently, he served the Board of Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

Mr. Farnesi graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

H. Edward Hanway
H. Edward Hanway, Chairman Emeritus of CIGNA Corporation, served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CIGNA Corporation from 2000 to 2009. Prior to holding those positions, he served the company for a year as President and Chief Operating Officer. From 1996 to 1999, he served as president of CIGNA HealthCare, and from 1989 to 1996 as president of CIGNA International.
In addition to serving as an active member of America's Health Insurance Plans, Hanway served on the board of directors of the Alliance for Health Reform and is past chairman of the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare.
Through the years, Hanway has been active in a wide range of issues and initiatives associated with children's health, education and international business. He currently serves on the board of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. as well as on the board of advisors of the March of Dimes Foundation, and on the board of trustees of Loyola College of Baltimore and Drexel Neumann Academy. He also served on the board of directors of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and was a member of The Business Roundtable and the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships.
Hanway is also a member of the Pennsylvania and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola College of Baltimore and a Master of Business Administration degree from Widener University.

Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Kutys
Monsignor Daniel Kutys is currently the Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He has held the positions of Executive Director, Office for the Catechism and Deputy Secretary for Catechists for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. In 2008, Monsignor Kutys was named Executive Director of the USCCB Secretariat of Evangelization and Catechesis.
Monsignor Kutys has also served the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in numerous ways since his ordination to the Priesthood in 1980, including Parochial Vicar at Saint Gabriel Parish in Norwood and Parochial Vicar at Saint Cecelia Parish in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia. From 1987 to 1993, Monsignor Kutys served as a faculty member in the theology department at the former Saint James High School in Chester. Following this appointment, Monsignor became the Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education, where he held responsibility for administering and guiding religion curriculum for grades Pre-K through 12.
Monsignor currently serves as a member of the advisory board of Villa Maria Academy and a member of the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Board of Trustees. Monsignor Kutys holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.

Miguel A. León, Esqire
Miguel León, who served on the Archdiocesan Board of Education from 1991-1996, holds a Bachelor's degree from Temple University and a Doctorate of Law degree from Villanova University and has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. From 1978 to 1984 he served as Philadelphia Assistant District Counsel for the Small Business Administration. In that role, he litigated on behalf of the agency in Federal bankruptcy courts, conducted training sessions and provided legal advice for various departments within the agency.
Since 1984, he has operated his own general law practice and specializes in representing clients with employment issues. He has also litigated in the criminal and family courts of Philadelphia and Bucks counties and served as an Arbitrator in the Court of Common Pleas.

Reverend Joseph M. O'Keefe, S.J.
Reverend Joseph O'Keefe is a nationally-renowned expert in Catholic education and the Dean of the Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education at Boston College, where he has served in various capacities over the past 20 years. He has been an educator for more than 30 years.
Father O'Keefe began his career teaching French at the secondary school level. He joined the faculty of Boston College in 1991 as an Assistant Professor in the
Lynch School of Education, where he has taught more than two dozens courses. Father O'Keefe has taught at many prestigious schools around the world as a visiting professor, visiting scholar or fellow including Georgetown University, Catholic University of America, Australian Catholic University, University of San Francisco, Harvard University and Fordham University.
Father O'Keefe entered the New England Province of the Society of Jesus in 1976, and was ordained in 1986. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master of Arts degree in French from Fordham University, a Master of Divinity degree from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry as well as Master and Doctorate degrees in education from Harvard University.

Reverend Monsignor Joseph T. Marino
Reverend Monsignor Joseph T. Marino is Pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Strafford and Regional Vicar for Chester County. Monsignor is also a consultant for the Archdiocesan Board of Education, where he previously served as a member for nine years.

Monsignor entered Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in 1966, and was ordained a priest by John Cardinal Krol at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on May 17, 1975. Monsignor Marino served as assistant pastor at Saint Monica Parish in South Philadelphia and as a Regional Coordinator for the Cardinal's Commission on Human Relations. He then devoted eleven years of service to the secondary school system of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He was appointed as the first Director of the Office for the Renewal of Pastoral Life, where he coordinated the nine-year Spiritual Renewal efforts of Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua. He is a former Director of the Archdiocesan Family Life Office and Administrator of Saint Joseph Parish in Ambler. In 1997, Monsignor Marino was appointed as Pastor of Saint Denis Parish in Havertown. He was the first diocesan priest to replace the Augustinians who served Saint Denis Parish for 145 years.

Monsignor Marino is a member of the first graduating class of Cardinal O'Hara Catholic High School in Springfield, Delaware County. He has a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from Temple University.

Sister Theresa Maugle, SSJ
Sister Theresa Maugle, SSJ, has served as the principal of Saint Genevieve School in Flourtown since 1998 and is a 40 year veteran of Catholic education at the elementary level in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including 10 years of service as a Regional Director for the Office of Catholic Education.
Sister Theresa was named Archdiocesan Principal of the Year in 2007 and was recognized as a Distinguished Principal by the National Catholic Educational Association in 2008. She currently holds leadership positions with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Elementary Schools Administrators Association, and Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

Jerry Parsons
Jerry Parsons is the co-founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Communications Test Design, Inc., a premier service provider in the global communications service arena located in West Chester, Pa.

Mr. Parsons served for 10 years on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Board of Education - including six as Chairman - and continues to serve on numerous committees including the Finance Council and the Heritage of Faith ~ Vision of Hope Capital Campaign. He participated in the planning and development of the new, state-of-the-art high school, Pope John Paul II in Royersford, Montgomery County, which opened in September 2010. Currently, he serves on the Vicariate Advisory Board for Elementary Education in Southern Chester County. Mr. Parsons is also a member of the Penn State University Brandywine Campus Advisory Board and is a founding member of the Board of Directors at Stonebridge Bank.

Actively involved in the United Way of Chester County, he has been a member of the Board of Directors for 10 years.

Sister Helen L. Wiegmann, SSJ
Sister Helen Wiegmann, SSJ recently served on the Blue Ribbon Committee on Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and is a member of the Parish Staff at Sacred Heart of Glyndon Parish in Glyndon, Maryland. Employed by Community College of Baltimore County, Sister also works as a site coordinator of the English as a Second Language (ESOL) program held at the parish.

Born in Philadelphia, Sister Helen entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Chestnut Hill in 1959. Sister has educated children in Catholic elementary schools for 48 years. Her many years of teaching experience also includes work in Pennsylvania and New Jersey schools. Sister Helen served two years at Saint Bernard School in Philadelphia, seven years as Administrator of Norwood-Fontbonne Academy and twelve years at Saint Genevieve School in Flourtown, Pennsylvania.

Sister Helen received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chestnut Hill College, her Master of Education degree from Millersville University and her administrative certification from Saint Joseph University.


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Donna Farrell
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215-587-3747