Parish, Faculty & Staff

Fr. Bernard A. Healey – Pastor

Father Bernard A. Healey was born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in the Edgewood section of Cranston, where he attended public schools and attended Mass at St. Paul’s Church. He is the youngest of nine children of the late Judge Edward V. Healey, Jr and the late Lillian E. Healey. A 1987 graduate of The Catholic University of America with a Bachelors of Arts in Politics, Fr. Healey completed his seminary and theological studies at the American College, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium where he earned a Masters of Arts in Religious Studies and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology magna cum laude specializing in the area of Moral Theology from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He also earned a Licentiate in Canon Law cum laude specializing in the area of church-state relations from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. Fr. Healey was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island by The Most Rev. Louis E. Gelineau on June 24, 1995.  He has served as the Associate Pastor at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Narragansett and St. Augustine Church in Providence.  He served as Pastor of St. Ambrose Church in Albion from 2003 until 2012. He was appointed the seventeenth Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in East Greenwich in June 2012 by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin. Father also serves as Director of the Rhode Island Catholic Conference and Chaplain to the Rhode Island Capitol Police and the East Greenwich Police Departments.  In September 2014, Father Healey was appointed by Bishop Tobin to serve as the Dean (Vicar Forane) of the South County Deanery (VII).

Email address: pastor@olmparish.org

Pastor’s Blog: www.olmparish.org

Twitter Account: twitter.com/FatherHealey

Fr. Joseph M. Brodeur – Associate Pastor/Spiritual Director

Father Joseph M. Brodeur is Associate Pastor of OLM Parish, but also the Spiritual Director for OLM School. Born and raised in Westerly, Fr. Brodeur is the youngest of four children. He is a native son of Saint Pius X Church, where Father Mahoney currently serves as Pastor. Fr. Brodeur attended the parish school from kindergarten to eighth grade before graduating from Westerly High School in 2016. He then entered the Our Lady of Providence Seminary for his priestly formation during his college years. He is an alumnus of Providence College, where he earned his B.A. in Philosophy and Classics in 2020. Following college, Father undertook his priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where he earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (‘Angelicum’). He was ordained a priest on June 29, 2024, by then Bishop Henning. He served as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Mary Parishes in Bristol before returning to Rome to complete a Licentiate in Liturgical Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (‘Santa Croce’).

Email address: assocpastor@olmparish.org

Mr. David Cote – Business Manager

Mr. David Cote has been associated with Our Lady of Mercy since 1997. He began as a CPA consultant and continued in that capacity for many years. In January 2013, he was named the Parish Business Manager. He continues to provide accounting services and support for several parishes in the Diocese of Providence and he currently serves as the Parish Auditor for St. Augustine’s Church. He is a graduate of Bryant University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with a Concentration in Accounting. He and his family started the Smithfield High School swim team in 2010 and he coached the boy’s team to a RIIL State Championship in 2014. In recognition of this accomplishment, Mr. Cote was named the 2014 Words Unlimited Larry Gallogly Memorial Award Schoolboy Sports Coach of the Year. Mr. Cote is an avid Boston sports fan and enjoys an occasional round of golf. As of July 2020, he has assumed the accounting functions for the School. He and his wife are the parents of two sons and reside in Greenville, RI.

Email address: business@olmschool.org

Mrs. Jennifer Ellis – Vice-Principal

Mrs. Jennifer Ellis is the Vice Principal at Our Lady of Mercy School. Mrs. Ellis holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Stonehill College, a Master of Arts in Foundations of Education from Hofstra University, and a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College, where she also worked in higher education administration before pursuing her passion of working with children in the classroom. She has taught first, fifth, and third grades, with her last position spent as the third-grade teacher at St. Mary School in Cranston, where she also took on leadership roles among the faculty and served as the building administrator in her principal’s absence. Mrs. Ellis is a life-long Catholic who attended Catholic schools from kindergarten all the way through college. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Mrs. Ellis will be working primarily with our teachers, students, and families in the elementary grades of PK-5.

Email address: jellis@olmschool.org

Ms. Maria DeLuca – Front Office Manager

Ms. Maria DeLuca is the Front Office Manager at Our Lady of Mercy School. Prior to her time at OLM, Ms. DeLuca spent thirty years with the Providence School Department, for the majority of which she served as Administrative Assistant to building principals, where she was responsible for nearly all the administrative tasks that go into running a busy school.

Email address: mdeluca@olmschool.org

Mrs. Maura Legare – Director of Admissions & Marketing

Maura Legare has been a part of the OLM Parish and School community for over 25 years as parishioner, school parent and volunteer. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mrs. Legare has a background in public relations, marketing, and development. She gained her professional experience while working in media relations at the Big East Conference headquarters in Providence in the 1990’s. While staying home to raise her three children she volunteered in various roles at OLM School, serving as room parent, PTG President, Art Masters teacher, Spring Fling Chair, and more. She continued to hone her journalistic skills and passion for sharing all good news about OLM with the local and statewide media, leading the school’s public relations and marketing efforts for over a decade. She has also lent her communications skills while volunteering on various committees and boards, at Bishop Hendricken and LaSalle Academy, as well as the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation. She has done freelance writing for local companies as well as East Greenwich News and is currently serving as a trustee and chair of the communications and development committee for McAuley Ministries. In her spare time, Maura enjoys cooking, exercise, golf and tennis, time at the beach, and most importantly spending time with her family and dear friends.

Email address: mlegare@olmschool.org

Mrs. Irene Buonaccorsi – Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Irene Buonaccorsi was promoted during the summer of 2015 as the school administrative assistant.  She started at OLM in September 2001 as the teacher’s assistant in the Pre-School program and moved to the office in March of 2010 as the school secretary/administrative assistant.  Mrs. Buonaccorsi completed an Executive Secretary program at Bermuda College before transferring to Johnson and Wales University where she graduated with Bachelor’s Degrees in Finance/Investments and Business Management. She was a Senior Supervisor in the Management Training Program at Bermuda Commercial Bank, Ltd. for 3 years before moving to the U.S.A.  Mrs. Buonaccorsi worked as a supervisor at Fleet National Bank in the Bankcard Accounting, Settlement and General Ledger Accounting departments for 3 years before taking time out of work to enjoy her two children. Outside of work, she enjoys baking and decorating cakes, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Email address: ibuonaccorsi@olmschool.org

Mrs. Helen Fleury – School Nurse

Mrs. Helen Fleury has served as a Registered Nurse since 2012. She obtained her Associates Degree in Nursing from the Community College of Rhode Island in 2012 and completed her Bachelors in Nursing at Rhode Island College in 2015. Mrs. Fleury has a wide range of nursing experience including medical, surgical, and urgent care. More recently, she has cared for postpartum mothers and babies. Prior to becoming a nurse, Mrs. Fleury earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from Bryant University and worked for several years in the business sector before discovering her passion for healthcare. Mrs. Fleury and her family are parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy Church. She married her husband Mark here at OLM in 2011, and they are parents to three boys.

Email address: nurse@olmschool.org

Mrs. Clare Nelson – School Nurse

Mrs. Nelson has been a Registered Nurse for more than 40 years. She received her RN from the Community College of RI and earned a BSN from Salve Regina University in 2005. Mrs. Nelson has experience with general medical, surgical and pediatric hospital and home care patients with a considerable amount of her career focused in pediatric hematology oncology and adult and pediatric hemophilia care. Mrs. Nelson and her husband raised their two daughters and three sons and now enjoy the frequent visits of their two grandsons.

Email address: nurse@olmschool.org

Mrs. Melinda Almonte – Pre-K3 Teacher

Mrs. Melinda Almonte is the Pre-K3 teacher at Our Lady of Mercy School. Mrs. Almonte is a veteran Catholic school teacher, bringing over 26 years of experience as an early childhood educator specializing in Pre-K and kindergarten. Mrs. Almonte graduated with honors from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. Since 2012, she has worked as a devoted kindergarten teacher at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School. She is passionate about providing a faith-filled, nurturing environment to promote and support all students’ educational, social, and emotional development. Outside of school, Mrs. Almonte enjoys spending time with her husband and their two grown children.

Email address: malmonte@olmschool.org

Mrs. Kerri Voccio – Pre-K3 Assistant

Mrs. Kerri Voccio is the Pre-K3 Assistant at Our Lady of Mercy School. Mrs. Voccio graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Rhode Island College, and she has devoted the past 24 years to teaching children from Pre-K through second grade. Most recently, she served for the past eight years at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School, teaching kindergarten and first grade as well as providing small-group academic support. Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, enjoys the beach, reading, and traveling with her husband and two children.

Email address: kvoccio@olmschool.org

Ms. Sarah Hardiman – Pre-K4 Teacher

Ms. Sarah Hardiman is the Pre-K3 teacher at Our Lady of Mercy School. Ms. Hardiman graduated summa cum laude from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in Visual Arts.  Ms. Hardiman comes to OLM from St. Phillip School, where she taught middle school English. She has planned and led both Bible Camp and youth retreats, and mentors and supports students through faith-based activities and community involvement. In her free time, she enjoys reading, creating art, and spending time with her family.

Email address: shardiman@olmschool.org

Mrs. Theresa Siani – Pre-K4 Assistant

Mrs. Theresa Siani is the teacher assistant in the Pre-K4 classroom. Prior to joining our team, she worked in established childcare centers/schools. When she is not at work she enjoys going to Bible classes and growing her Catholic faith.  She also loves walking outdoors, cooking and hunting for antiques; but her favorite pastime is being with her family and spending time with her amazing granddaughter.

Email address: tsiani@olmschool.org

Mrs. Karen Maguire – Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Karen Maguire is the Kindergarten Teacher.   She has been teaching at Our Lady of Mercy for 11 years. She also helps out in Robotics and with the Student Council. Mrs. Maguire graduated from Wheelock College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood. Outside of school she is busy with her three children. You will probably find her attending one of her children’s basketball or soccer games here at OLM.

Email address: kmaguire@olmschool.org

Web page: Mrs. Maguire – Kindergarten

Mrs. Anne Coleman – Kindergarten Assistant

Mrs. Anne Coleman is the teacher assistant in the Kindergarten classroom.

Mrs. Coleman holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science from Presbyterian College as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Emory University. Mrs. Coleman has diverse experience in the educational world, including as a middle school history teacher, as a tutor for both children and adults, and most recently as a kindergarten teacher’s assistant for three years in South Carolina.

Email address: acoleman@olmschool.org

Mrs. Denise Palizza – First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Denise Palizza is the First Grade teacher.  She began teaching at O.L.M. in 2003.  She chaired our school’s NEASC Self-Study Committee.  Mrs. Palizza graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Mathematics.  She received her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College.  Prior to teaching, she worked in the automobile insurance industry as a data analyst, manager and director. She enjoyed the opportunities and experience her insurance career provided, but left to pursue her passion to teach children.  Outside of school, she enjoys sailing, doing crossword and Sudoko puzzles, and spending time with family and friends.

Email address: dpalizza@olmschool.org

Ms. Jean Perretta – Second Grade Teacher

Jean Perretta is the 2nd grade teacher and has been a member of the faculty at Our Lady of Mercy for over twenty years.  She is a graduate of Rhode Island College, having received both a Bachelor degree in Elementary Education/Special Education and a Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities.  She has served at Our Lady of Mercy as Resource, First Grade, Third Grade, Fifth Grade and Kindergarten teacher.  She also worked in an administrative role for two years.

Email address: jperretta@olmschool.org

Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Simms – 1st and 2nd Grade Assistant

Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Simms is the part-time 1st and 2nd Grade Assistant. Mrs. Simms holds a BA in Child Development and Special Education from University of St. Joseph’s and a Master’s degree in Education from RI College. She taught at OLM School and was the Director of Religious Education from 1974 to 1992 before becoming the Director of Religious Education at Holy Apostles Parish in Cranston, a role that she held from 1992 to 2022. In 2016, she was presented with the Lumen Gentium Award by the Diocese of Providence for her contributions to Catholic education. Mrs. Simms recently returned to OLM as a substitute teacher and as a volunteer in our first grade room. Her husband, sons, and grandson are all OLM alumni, and the family have been parishioners of OLM for over 50 years.

Email address: psimms@olmschool.org

Mrs. Sara Aldridge – Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Sara Aldridge is the third grade teacher at Our Lady of Mercy School. Mrs. Aldridge holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary and Special Education from Rhode Island College and boasts ten years of experience as a classroom teacher, with the last eight of those in the third grade at Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School in Cranston, where she also served as the Coordinator for the National Junior Honor Society as well as the Extended Care Program.

Email address: saldridge@olmschool.org

Ms. Trinity Reilly – Fourth Grade Teacher

Ms. Trinity Reilly is the fourth grade teacher at Our Lady of Mercy School. Ms. Reilly has led the youth ministry program at Sts. Rose and Clement Church for three years . She is a graduate of Rhode Island College, holding a dual degree in elementary education and special education, as well as Rhode Island certifications in elementary general education and elementary special education with an endorsement for reading intervention. Passionate about her faith and about the craft of teaching, Ms. Reilly has an array of experience across different grade levels and communities, and her past work has earned her the St. Michael Award from St. William’s Parish as well as the St. Timothy Award from the Diocese of Providence.

Email address: treilly@olmschool.org

Mrs. Jennifer Nygren – Fifth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Jennifer Nygren began teaching fifth grade at Our Lady of Mercy School in 2010.

She received her undergraduate degree from Fairfield University, and her Master of Arts and Teaching in Elementary Education from Roger Williams University.  She is an active member of Saint Gregory the Great Church where she has served as a Eucharistic Minister and religious education teacher.

She enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons.

Email address: jnygren@olmschool.org

Web page: Mrs. Nygren – 5th Grade

Mrs. Kathleen Kerin – Middle School English Teacher

Mrs. Kathleen Kerin is a part of the OLM middle school team as the English teacher.  Mrs. Kerin has taught in Catholic grade schools and public secondary schools.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Christendom College and has done graduate work at the Notre Dame Catechetical Institute and Providence College.  She has been a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church since 1995 and has regularly volunteered as a teacher in the Religious Education Program.  She co-chairs our diocesan Days of Evangelization.  Mrs. Kerin and her husband Mark are parents of three grown children.  Mrs. Kerin enjoys reading, swimming, biking and being with her family.

Email address: kkerin@olmschool.org

Mr. Patrick O’Neill – Middle School History Teacher

Mr. Patrick (P.J.) O’Neill is part of the OLM middle school team as the History teacher. Mr. O’Neill comes to Our Lady of Mercy from Baltimore, Maryland after he and his wife decided to raise their children closer to her family in Rhode Island. Mr. O’Neill has been a secondary school educator for the past fifteen years, most recently teaching grades 9-12 for eleven years at Meade High School on Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County, MD. He was a double major in History and French, graduating cum laude from Mount Saint Mary’s University before returning there to pursue his Master of Arts in Teaching. He is married with two young children and is a parishioner of St. Bernard’s Parish in Wickford. Outside of teaching, Mr. O’Neill has been involved in the Knights of Columbus for 19 years and has served in the U.S. Coast Guard aboard the cutters TAMPA, LEGARE, and RANKIN.

Email address: poneill@olmschool.org

Dr. Simon Campion – Middle School Math Teacher

Dr. Simon Campion is part of the OLM middle school team as the interim Math teacher. Dr. Campion holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick and is recently retired from a lengthy and distinguished career in industry, most recently as the President and Chief Executive Officer. In his retirement, he has begun pursing an additional Bachelor’s degree specifically in mathematics.

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Email address:  scampion@olmschool.org

Ms. Ekaterina Rau – Middle School Science Teacher

Ms. Ekaterina Rau is a part of the OLM middle school team as the Science teacher. Ms. Rau holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Providence College, where in addition to excelling academically, she was also the recipient of the Sr. Annette Desmarais, O.P. Award for Extraordinary Volunteer and Charitable Work and held multiple leadership positions. Previously, she has served at St. Pius V School in Providence and in a variety of student-facing roles.

Email address:  erau@olmschool.org

Mr. Jeremy Long – Middle School Theology Teacher

Mr. Jeremy Long Is part of the OLM middle school team as the Theology teacher. He comes to Our Lady of Mercy School from New London, Connecticut. His education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Philosophy and English, and a Master of Arts degree in Systematic Philosophy; both of which were awarded summa cum laude by Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He is currently pursuing an additional Master of Arts degree in Theology with a concentration in Bioethics. He and his wife Heather are parishioners of Saint Joseph’s Parish in New London, and enjoy reading and spending time with their family and two dogs, Winston and Auden.

Email address:  jlong@olmschool.org

Mrs. Beth Brugnoli – Art Teacher

Mrs. Brugnoli has served as a Pre-K to 12 art teacher for seventeen years, including time with Overbrook Academy, Newport Public Schools, and Cranston Public Schools. During that time, she has hosted art shows at the Elms and Marble House Mansions in Newport, RI, and she has also chaired the Art Masters Program here at OLM School. Mrs. Brugnoli holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from Rhode Island College. When she is not forming great artists, she enjoys reading, baking, heading to the beach and spending time with her family.

Email address: bbrugnoli@olmschool.org

Mrs. Michele Laurent – Librarian

Mrs. Michele Laurent is the school librarian. Mrs. Laurent holds a Bachelor of Science Degree cum laude in Elementary and Special Education from Rhode Island College, and comes to OLM following a distinguished thirty-year career in public education, primarily in the South Kingstown School District, where she taught across both the elementary and middle school grades. Mrs. Laurent has extensive training and experience in literacy development and intervention, was the 2016 recipient of the South Kingstown Superintendent’s Key is Me Award, and was a nominee for South Kingstown Teacher of the Year as well as the Horace Mann Crystal Apple Award.

Email address: mlaurent@olmschool.org

Mrs. Shirley Medici – Music Teacher

Mrs. Shirley Medici is the OLM school Music teacher. She has over 35 years experience dedicated to teaching music in all grades PreK-12. She began her career in Catholic Schools, spent 32 years in Providence Public Schools. Mrs. Medici has written music curricula for all levels from PreK through Grade 12 and has developed and implemented All City Choruses, Select Choirs and in 2019-2020 was Our Lady of Mercy’s Children’s Choir Director. Mrs. Medici is a graduate of Rhode Island College with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and holds a Master of Music, Summa Cum Laude, from The University of Rhode Island again in Piano. Mrs. Medici has been a parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church since 2015. She enjoys her time cooking for her family and gardening.

Email address: smedici@olmschool.org

Mr. David T. Stefanik- Physical Education Teacher

Mr. David T. Stefanik is the Health and Physical Education teacher. He has been teaching at OLM School since 2010. Mr. Stefanik graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. He has completed his Master’s Degree in Guidance from Providence College. He has served on the board of directors for the Woonsocket North Stars Hockey Program, East Woonsocket Little League Program, and the Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Program. He has a playfield that he helped create, named in his honor, at the Leo A. Savoie Elementary School in Woonsocket.

Email address: dstefanik@olmschool.org

Web page: Mr. Stefanik – Physical Education

Mrs. Katherine Franklin – Spanish Teacher

Mrs. Katherine Franklin joins the OLM Faculty as the Spanish teacher for grades PreK – 8.  Mrs. Franklin graduated from Brandeis University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French, and is certified in the state of RI to teach Spanish and French.  She has studied at the Centro de Lengua y Comunicacion Social in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and at the Institute for American Universities in Aix-en-Provence, France.  Mrs. Franklin has taught Spanish at all grade levels in both parochial and public schools in RI.  In her spare time she loves reading mystery novels, watching movies, eating Mexican food, and bicycling with her husband and daughter along the state’s many beautiful bike paths.

Email address: kfranklin@olmschool.org

Web page: Mrs. Franklin – Spanish

Mr. Jerry O’Connell – Athletic Director

Mr. Jerry O’Connell is a lifelong parishioner of Our Lady of Mercy Church and a 1980 graduate of Our Lady of Mercy School. He has served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for several years in our parish. Mr. O’Connell coached the OLM middle school soccer team for two seasons, and he is now starting his fourth season as head coach of the varsity soccer team at St. Mary Academy Bay View. Mr. O’Connell retired from Fidelity Investments last July after 23 years in service operations with the firm. He and his wife, Kim, live in North Kingstown. They have a daughter, Katie, who is a 2017 graduate of OLM School.

Email address: joconnell@olmschool.org

Ms. Rayna Ciano – Academic Support Coordinator – Elementary Level

Email address: rciano@olmschool.org

Mrs. Jacqueline DeNuccio – Academic Support Coordinator – Middle School Level

Sister Lourdes de Leon, FAS

Sister Lourdes de Leon, FAS was born in the Philippines. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1987 from St. Anthony’s College in the Philippines. She has been in mission at the Diocese of Providence since 1989. She became a perpetually professed member of the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters on May 18, 1998.   Sr. Lourdes will always be happy and willing to be at the service of every person in the Parish community as God’s humble servant.

Sister Jane Molitas, FAS

Sr. Jane Molitas, FAS was born in the Northern Island of Luzon in the Philippines.  She is the 8th of ten children.  She graduated college with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education in 1991.  Sister Jane worked for four years before entering the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters Congregation on July 30, 1995.  After several years of religious formation from Postulancy to Juniorate, she finally made her Perpetual Profession on May 18, 2006. Prior to her coming to our Lady of Mercy, she was at St. Gregory the Great Seminary. Being a friendly person, she’s happy to be of service to others with the grace of God wherever she is assigned.

Sister Flora Tanarte, FAS

Sr. Flora Tanarte, FAS joined the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters on June 13, 1977 and professed her first vows in 1981. In 1984, she graduated from Saint Anthony’s College with a degree in Liberal Arts. She worked in the Philippines as Catechist and Pastoral worker in various parishes before coming to the USA in 2001 to serve in various ministries where FAS presence and service was needed, including Scalabrini Villa Health Care Center, RI; Pastoral Care – Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Providence and at OSF – Peoria, Illinois Pastoral Care Department. Sr. Flora will be assisting in our school with lunch and Extended Day in addition to supporting the work of the parish, and supporting all of us in her daily prayer.