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. Daniel M. Mahoney – Associate Pastor and School Spiritual Director

Fr. Daniel M. Mahoney has lived most of his life in Rhode Island, moving to Wakefield in 1999. He graduated from South Kingstown High School in 2004. He grew up in St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Before entering the seminary, he spent several years working in the restaurant industry. He also spent the 2007-2008 school year serving with N.E.T Ministries, a Catholic missionary organization that shares the gospel with junior high and high school students through retreats. In the fall of 2013, Fr. Mahoney entered the seminary and began his studies at Our Lady of Providence Seminary where he would study for the next 4 years before graduating from Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 2017. Bishop Tobin then assigned Fr. Mahoney to theological studies at Saint John’s Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts where he earned a Master of Divinity and a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B). Ordained June 5, 2021 by Bishop Tobin, Fr. Mahoney has been assigned to OLM for his first priestly assignment.

Email address: associatepastor@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

Ms. Patricia McMahon – Office Manager & Admissions Coordinator

Ms. McMahon has enjoyed a distinguished career in Rhode Island state government, which included nine years as the Training Director for the Office of the Auditor General and twelve years as the Executive Assistant to the Speaker of the House. Ms. McMahon holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University, and she is an active volunteer with the MAE Organization for the Homeless in Cranston and Caroline Caprio Brainstorming for a Cure.

Email address: pmcmahon@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 PreSchool 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. Cathy Baker – Pre-K Teacher

Mrs. Cathy Baker is our Pre-K teacher. Mrs. Baker graduated with highest distinction from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Arts in both Elementary Education and History and a minor in Psychology. She has also done the course requirements to extend her teaching certification to include Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Baker has taught in Warwick Public Schools in the elementary grade levels, at St. Francis of Assisi School in Warwick as a second-grade teacher, and most recently as the pre-school teacher at St. Rose of Lima School in Warwick. Mrs. Baker and her family have been active members of OLM parish since 2009, and her three daughters have all attended Our Lady of Mercy School. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Email address: cbaker@olmschool.org

Mrs. Theresa Siani – Pre-K Assistant

Mrs. Theresa Siani is a familiar face at OLM who takes on a new role this year. Since 2019, she has served our school as an aide in the lunchroom and extended day program. She now moves full time into our Pre-K classroom as the assistant teacher. Mrs. Siani loves spending time with children of all ages. Prior to joining our team, she worked in established childcare centers and also did private childcare while raising her four children. Mrs. Siani is a Eucharistic Minister at St. Rose and Clement Parish.  When she is not at work she enjoys the outdoors, reading, 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. Dana Martinez – Kindergarten Assistant

Mrs. Martinez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University and comes to OLM with over ten years of experience as a lead teacher in early childhood settings in Alabama and her native Louisiana.

Email address: dmartinez@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. Emily Thompson – Third Grade Teacher

Mrs. Emily Thompson is our third grade teacher. A native of New York, Mrs. Thompson graduated from Providence College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and a minor in Theology. She received a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University. After graduating, she served a volunteer year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Sacramento, California. For the past eight years, she has been teaching in the intermediate grades. Mrs. Thompson taught 4th grade at Atlantis Charter School in Fall River, Massachusetts, and most recently taught 5th grade at St. Pius V School in Providence. She and her husband, Scott, are parents to three young children, and they are parishioners of St. Pius V Church in Providence.

Email address: ethompson@olmschool.org

Web page: Mrs. Thompson – 3rd Grade

Mrs. Cathy Turchetta – Fourth Grade Teacher

Mrs. Cathy Turchetta teaches 4th grade at Our Lady of Mercy. She graduated from Augustana College with a Bachelor’s Degree in both Elementary Education and Psychology. She received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from National-Louis University. She is a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Mortar Board Honor Societies. The Turchettas are parishioners at OLM where Mrs. Turchetta serves as a Eucharistic Minister. In her free time, Mrs. Turchetta enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 grown children. Her past times include reading, skiing, and playing tennis.

Email address: cturchetta@olmschool.org

Web page: Mrs. Turchetta – 4th Grade

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. Laura Murphy – Middle School Math Teacher

Dr. Laura Murphy is part of the OLM middle school team as the Math teacher. Dr. Murphy, originally from New York, moved to Rhode Island with her husband Donald in 1991. She graduated from Fairfield University with a B.S. in Mathematics and then worked as a software design engineer for Grumman Aerospace.  She later attended New York Chiropractic College, earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She saw patients in private practice with her husband, who is also a chiropractic physician, until the birth of their third daughter at which time she transitioned to running the business side of their practice. Through the years she volunteered at church and school as well as in the community and began tutoring Mathematics for grades 5-12. Enjoying her math tutoring, she returned to school at Providence College and earned her teaching certificate in secondary Math. She is currently completing her Masters in Secondary Math education. Most recently, Dr. Murphy has been the middle school math teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Providence, RI, where she has also served as technology teacher and math enrichment teacher. In addition, she has worked as a tutor for the City of Providence for the last 4 years. She loves spending time with her family, biking, playing the piano, and enjoying the ocean.

Email address:  lmurphy@olmschool.org

Dr. Deborah Husak – Middle School Science Teacher

Dr. Deborah Husak is a part of the OLM middle school team as the Science teacher. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at Michigan State University and her Medical Doctorate at Wayne State University. After completing her residency in family practice she served for four years as a medical officer in the U.S. Coast Guard where she met her husband, a career officer. After leaving the Coast Guard, Dr. Husak began volunteering and substitute teaching in every school her two children attended and discovered that she sincerely enjoyed and had a talent for teaching. When her husband was assigned to Rhode Island in 2007, they decided to stay and Dr. Husak was able to pursue her love of teaching by attending the University of Rhode Island where she completed her Masters in Secondary Science Education. Dr. Husak sings in her church choir and enjoys reading, hiking and having fun with her family.

Email address:  dhusak@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. Gabrielle McVicker – Librarian

Mrs. Gabrielle McVicker is a native to Rhode Island. She grew up in Warwick and graduated from St. Mary Academy BayView. Upon graduation, Mrs. McVicker attended Colgate University where she studied Biology and Economics and then later went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Library Science at Simmons College. She most recently worked as a reference librarian at New England Institute of Technology and before that worked in the library at The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts. When not at school, Mrs. McVicker can be found running around after her three children, going to the beach, hiking, or reading.

Email address: gmcvicker@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

Mrs. Monica McMahon – Technology Teacher

Mrs. Monica McMahon is the OLM school Technology teacher. She grew up in Connecticut and then Minnesota. She and her family moved to Rhode Island after living in Sonoma County, California for 20 years. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a BA in English and received a Master’s in Elementary in Education from Lesley University. With various instructional experiences, including lead 3rd and 5th grade teacher and special education provider, she has found her passion in teaching technology. She enjoys integrating computers into the educational curriculum and introducing students to the exciting world of coding, robotics, and 3D printing. Beyond the classroom she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, reading, exploring East coast beaches and spending time volunteering with Girl Scouts.

Email address: mmcmahon@olmschool.org

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

Mr. Eric Christopher – Extended Day Director

Mr. Eric Christopher has had a distinguished career of public service in both military and civilian leadership, during which time he was responsible for training new officers in the United States Army, as well as serving as a liaison from the Army to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Email address: echristopher@olmschool.org

Mrs. Patricia DiPrete – OLM School/Little Saints & Scholars Extended Care Aide

Mrs. Patricia DiPrete is a part of our Little Saints & Scholars Extended Care team. She has been a Kindergarten and Extended Day Aide at Our Lady of Mercy School since 2010. Mrs. DiPrete graduated from East Greenwich High School and studied Early Childhood Education at the Community College of Rhode Island. She owned her own daycare, providing child care for working families while her children were young. Prior to arriving at OLM, Mrs. DiPrete worked with Pre-K and Kindergarten children at Joyful Noise Inc. for nineteen years. She has been a dedicated child care professional for over thirty six years. Mrs. DiPrete enjoys spending time with all the students at OLM and adds that “school time is the best part of her day”.

Email address: pdiprete@olmschool.org

Ms. Sofia Faria – Little Saints & Scholars Extended Care Aide

Ms. Faria is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology as a remote student at Pennsylvania State University. Previously, she has served as a parish catechist, dance instructor, and early childhood instructor.

Email address: sfaria@olmschool.org

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 Emma R. Salvador, FAS

Sr. Emma R. Salvador, FAS was born in Cagayan Valley in the Philippines in 1971.  She grew up in St. Joseph the Worker Parish.  She was educated at St. Paul University Tuguegarao, Cagayan in Dietetic Technology (1990) and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from St. Anthony’s College Cagayan Valley.  Sr. Emma joined the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters in November 1991 and became a Perpetually Professed member of the FAS on May 18, 2003.  She came to serve in the USA in 1994 -1995.  She went back to the Philippines to finish her formation.  From 1996 through 2014 she served in different missions and places responding to the call to be all, to all, for every need, for the greater glory of God.  In 2014 Sr. Emma was assigned to Precious Blood Parish in Woonsocket until September 2015 when she joined the Our Lady of Mercy family where she enjoys spending time with the children at lunch and during the Little Saints and Scholars after school program.