Nominees for election to the Parish Pastoral Council
The following twelve parishioners have been nominated to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council. There are six open slots on the Council, and parishioners may vote for UP TO SIX of these candidates to fill those slots.
The election takes place over several weekends starting July 29–30 and continuing through August 19–20, 2023. These pictures and bios will be displayed in the Narthex and available to read here during the entire time, but ballots will only be available on the weekends. Only registered parishioners may cast a vote for the parish pastoral council.
Bob Brinkerhoff
I have been a parishioner of Christ the King since moving to Old Lyme almost 25 years ago. I raised my daughter, Ava, in the church where she has received all her sacraments and recently the Graves scholarship. For the past 15 years I’ve been a chairperson at the Harvest Festival, where I’ve built most of the kid’s games, have overseen the kids’ activities, as well as organized the lunch service and manned the grills. I am an active Men’s Club member with 14 years of service and have been the club president for the past 12 years. Through the club I work on numerous building and grounds maintenance projects, many church social events, and I chair our monthly meetings. I am often seen in the kitchen cooking and cleaning at many of our parish dinners and I typically emcee the club’s annual steak night dinner and St Patrick’s Day dinner. For the past five years I’ve had the privilege of singing bass in our incredible adult choir.
Outside of church I’ve worked for many years in various manufacturing management positions from engineer through general manager. I also own a small business with four employees. I have two engineering degrees and numerous trade skills. With this diverse background, some business savvy, people skills, and technical know-how, I would like to help the Parish Council make good decisions and enact beneficial programs to help our parish remain healthy and robust.
I believe in servant leadership, getting involved, and in giving back to the church that has given me more than I could ever have imagined.
Bob Donohue
I retired from career in commercial and investment banking in 2003. Since then I have been involved in the following activities and organizations:
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Member of board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County, New Jersey for four years.
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Member of board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut for six years.
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Member of trustee advisory group and alumni board at Fairfield University
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Volunteer at Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantry for four years
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Volunteer at Essex Land Trust
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Volunteer at High Hopes and member of finance and investment committees for total of six years
Prior to retirement I organized an usher group at one previous parish and headed a committee at another parish that received and reviewed parishioners' suggestions for donations from the church's weekly collection.
Marty Guyer
A devout Catholic, Marty has been a communicant of Christ the King Church of Old Lyme for over 45 years. He has also been a highly successful businessman, community leader, husband, father, and grandfather. After graduation from Wentworth University, Marty joined the US Marine Corps, earning a designation of naval aviator. As a 2nd lieutenant he was deployed to Vietnam where he flew over 800 missions in support of combat operations. In 1971 Marty transferred to the Marine Reserves, retiring in 1991 as a lieutenant colonel.
Marty is the founder of MDG Associates Inc., a nationally respected firm that specialized in the marketing and administration of employee benefits. The firm had offices in New York City, Guilford, and Hartford, Connecticut, and conducted business in over 25 states. Marty has served on numerous business boards and advising councils, and has been involved in extensive charitable work.
As a member of Christ the King’s Men’s Club, Marty formed an ad hoc communications committee whose mission was to recommend changes to improve parish outreach and interactions with transparency. The committee presented its recommendations to the council which considered them for its revised 2021 by-laws.
Marty, as president of the Point O’ Woods Association Inc., after ten years of difficult studies/negotiations, signed the consent order with the state of Connecticut to install a year-round sewer/water system. The total project came in under budget at $1.2 million and on schedule. This program stopped over 425 residencies from polluting Long Island Sound and received national recognition.
Marty was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his superior performance of duties and outstanding service to the US Marine Corps. He received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary International Club for his humanitarian services. And he was granted an honorary doctorate in engineering technology from his alma mater, Wentworth University.
Marty is a proven leader with extensive experience and is looking forward to joining the Pastoral Council of Christ the King Church.
Sharon Jackson
Originally from Ashaway, Rhode Island, I reside with my husband in East Lyme. A lifelong practicing Catholic, I married Stephen Jackson in 1983 at Our Lady of Victory Church in Ashaway. I am the proud mother of three children and grandmother of two.
I hold a bachelor of arts in psychology from Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a master of arts in teaching from Connecticut College. Retired now, I was an educator for most of my working life. My teaching career began in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, teaching elementary school students. After my marriage, I taught at St. Dennis Catholic Elementary School in Lockport, Illinois, during the two years my husband and I spent in the Midwest for Steve’s work. Returning to Connecticut in 1985, I was hired by the East Lyme Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher at Niantic Center School. Over the next 15 years I taught in a wide variety of positions in the East Lyme Schools. Always a priority, I took several breaks from my teaching career to raise my growing family.
In 2012 I began teaching at Mitchell College as an adjunct professor of psychology and child development, however, my primary focus during my eight years teaching at Mitchell was as a writing and learning specialist, supporting college students with learning differences.
As contributing to my community is of great importance to me, I served as a troop leader with Girl Scout Troop 3409 in East Lyme. More recently, I served on the Safe Futures board of directors, and for many years was a member of the board of trustees of the Niantic Children’s Museum.
Currently, I am president and a director of a charitable foundation. I am also on the executive board of the Anna Warner Bailey chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Groton, Connecticut. I spend leisure time reading, gardening, and learning, albeit slowly, to play the piano.
Thank you so much for considering me to serve on your Pastoral Council.
Elizabeth McCarthy
I am probably most well known for being the owner of our local candy shop, the Chocolate Shell, but I can guarantee you that there is nothing sweeter than God’s love. I am the event coordinator for our pro-life group here at Christ the King. I love to be involved in helping our church in any way I can. My parents and grandparents are all dedicated members of this parish. Whenever you are here at Christ the King for mass, it is very likely you will see one of us. I may be young but I know what’s important. I hope to add a younger perspective to the Parish Council and encourage more youth and young adult involvement in our parish and parish ministries.
Carol Moore
Carol is from Soundview Beach in Old Lyme. She is a retired LPN, and is currently employed as a part-time elder care worker. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters, and is the proud grandmother of five grandchildren.
Her faith-based activities include being a daily communicant, and she was commissioned as a eucharistic minister in 1988 at St Francis of Assisi Church in South Windsor, Connecticut. She is an active member of Mary’s Ministry at St. Agnes church, a team member of the ACTS retreat program, and is a member of the God Squad at CTK.
Russell Pagliughi
My love of the Church and Catholic faith started when I became an altar boy in fourth grade. From that time I wanted to know more and more about the Church, its foundation, and its history. Over the course of my life I have read countless books on the Church, and on the life of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints, which has made my faith stronger.
I see the Church at a crossroad in history: where will it go, what will it do, will it be able to sustain itself as we see so many people leaving, and more young people not wanting to be members? Yet I believe it will survive — but only if we step in and make it so church by church, parish by parish.
This is where I am very passionate about looking to the younger generation and giving them a reason to come, or to come back. We need to reach out to them in ways that will make them excited to be a Catholic. How do we do that? By creating groups for them to feel a part of, for example, how about a CTK young adult ministry for people in their 20s and 30s? A CTK teen group — speak at high schools in the area. Out at CTK — open the doors to everyone of any orientation. Jesus preached inclusion, not exclusion — let CTK show that we want and love everyone, no matter who or what you are. Hold ecumenical events with other religions in the area. I did one in Essex a few years back and over 150 people came to the town green for a Sunday service. Catholic, Episcopalian, Lutheran, and congregational religions all took part. Many people I know personally left the Catholic church and have moved to other religions. We need to show them we are here, present, and open to inviting them back.
I believe in the Catholic faith and Church with all my heart. But we need to make it stronger, more inviting, more inclusive, more empathetic. Hopefully, if we make a difference, other parishes will stand up and follow, and one by one it will grow into a movement.
Cheryl Parsons
In 1981, I moved to Lyme, Connecticut after graduating from UConn and getting married. I joined Christ the King Parish when I moved to Lyme and have been a parishioner ever since then. I am married to Kelly Parsons and we have been blessed with two amazing daughters, Stephanie and Elizabeth.
I am retired as a manager from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services, after 37 years with the agency. For DSS I managed offices and staff in the Middletown, Norwich, and Willimantic areas, overseeing the administration and delivery of social service programs to the public and supervising 80–120 professional staff. I had direct responsibility for building issues and maintenance. After retiring from the state, I worked for the Town of Old Lyme as an assistant to the director of the Lymes’ Senior Center for four years.
I am currently a member of the Christ the King Choir and a Eucharistic minister. I also was a sacristan for many years and I volunteer for the Meal Center and the annual Harvest Festival.
In 1984, I was a founding director and treasurer of the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center, formerly known as Old Lyme Daycare. I served in this position for five years. I was also a director of the Lyme Public Library for almost ten years and served as treasurer for this organization as well. After being a director I co-chaired and volunteered with their annual book sale through the Friends of the Lyme Public Library.
I have also volunteered with NEADS, an organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities in conjunction with York Correctional Institution. My family and I trained four dogs over a five-year period. I have also been a foster dog parent for Labs4Recue. My family and I were involved with the Angel Ride for 15 years. This is a bicycle ride across Connecticut that raised funding for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp’s Hospital Outreach Program. This program brings the spirit and healing of camp to children in their homes or hospital rooms because they are too sick to go to camp.
Currently, I am enjoying retirement with my husband and our own dog, Piper. I love to hike, bicycle, travel, and spend time with my family. I would be truly honored to be part of the Christ the King Parish Council.
Linda Petitpas
I have been a member of Christ the King Church since 1984, except for an 11-year span when my job took me out of state. I have a BS degree in oceanography and an MS degree in engineering. I am retired after serving 33 years as a civil servant for the US Navy. I retired from the Pentagon in 2011 and returned to Connecticut where I was diagnosed with a crippling autoimmune disease that radically changed my life. It brought me to my knees before Jesus Christ. In 2012 the Lord led me to a spiritual mentor, a Messianic Jew. He instilled in me a love of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and a peace and acceptance that can be found within it; as well as reinforcing the teaching of humility. I read a couple pages of the Bible daily and have read it cover to cover five times, beginning from Genesis, ending with Revelation, then going back to Genesis. It is this love of the Bible that led me to become a lector at the Saturday night mass in 2018. I am an introvert, single with no children, and have a severe limitation on foods and drink — which is why you probably haven’t seen me at any social functions. If it is the Lord’s will that I be elected to the Parish Council I will do my best, with His help.
Cindy Scarpati
I am a resident of Old Lyme, I'm married, and I have three boys and six grandchildren. I retired a few years ago as an executive administrator and I also worked as a bookkeeper for my husband's electrical business.
Before moving to Old Lyme, I was very active at St. Anthony's Church in Prospect as well as St. Anthony's Church in Bristol. I had the pleasure of working on the Harvest Festival committee last year, which I really enjoyed. Christ the King is very important to me, and I would be happy to serve on the council.
Maureen Swarts
I am married to my husband John and we reside in Old Lyme. We have five grown children and seven grandchildren. I was in real estate for over 35 years, over 20 of those years in management. Prior to my career in real estate, I was the office manager for a pediatric practice. I retired in April of 2022 from my full-time job and I currently work part-time as a bookkeeper for two of my children. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, and I make a futile attempt to play golf. I love Christ the King Church and the parishioners that I have had the pleasure to work with at the Harvest Festival. It is a wonderful community, and I would be honored to be on the parish pastoral council.
Al Taday
I am a retired Naval officer who served 21 years in the Submarine Force, retiring as a commander (OS). I have a master’s degree in operations research / systems analysis. While in the Navy, I served as a division officer and department head with varying levels of responsibility and accountability, including executive officer of a submarine tender and chief staff officer of a submarine squadron.
We moved to East Lyme in 1983 and were members of St. Matthias until 2018 when we became members of Christ the King. While at St. Matthias, I served on the Pastoral Council as a member and as president. I was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a lector. I was also responsible for the training and scheduling of the EMs, lectors, and altar servers. I was on the building committee from the planning phase through dedication of the new St. Matthias Church building. I started a new ministry at St. Matthias that supported the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen in Norwich. After joining Christ the King, I became an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a lector. Presently, I am a member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council.