Oct. 3, 2007


Bishop Matthew Clark assembles task force to
examine ways of preserving Catholic education

Bishop of Rochester Matthew Clark has assembled a special task force of 23 community
leaders from a wide-range of professions to examine ways of strengthening Catholic
education in the 12-county Diocese of Rochester.

The task force, which includes school and college educators and administrators, clergy,
attorneys, business executives, lay parish leaders and diocesan officials, met for the first
time on Sept. 5 and will continue to meet this fall. The work of the group is being
facilitated by the Center for Governmental Research, one of the leading policy analysis
and research organizations in the Northeast.

“I remain committed to Catholic education and wish to do all that is reasonably possible
to ensure that healthy system of Catholic schools be preserved and adequately
supported,” Bishop Clark said. “We have brought together this group of caring, creative
people from many perspectives and many backgrounds to look at all possible ways we
can broaden support for our schools, stabilize and enhance enrollment and continue a
tradition that dates back more than 150 years.”

After study and discussion of key issues affecting all aspects of Catholic education, the
task force is expected to make recommendations to Bishop Clark.

“It is no secret that Catholic Schools face many challenges unheard of a generation ago,”
Bishop Clark said. “At the same time, we also need to brainstorm as-yet unexplored
opportunities and new avenues so that our schools can continue to be a vital force in our
community and in the formation of tomorrow’s leaders. I am grateful that this task force
will not only tackle all the issues in a thoughtful and honest way, but offer advice on how
we can both celebrate the past and embrace the future.”

The Diocese of Rochester operates 39 Catholic Schools. More information can be found
on the Internet at http://schools.dor.org

DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER CATHOLIC SCHOOL TASKFORCE MEMBER LIST

Dr. Gerald Benjamin
Principal, St. Agnes School, Avon

Ms. Elizabeth Berliner
Principal, Holy Family Junior High Elmira

Mr. William Carpenter
Managing Director
UniCorp Ventures

Mr. John Crowe, Esq.
Partner, Underberg & Kessler

Sr. Diane Dennie, S.S.J.
Pastoral Administrator
Lyons, NY

Dr. J. Raymond Diehl II
VP Emeritus, Unity Health Systems

Deacon Laurence Feasel
Professor,
Monroe Community College

Rev. Joseph Hart, V.G.
Moderator of the Pastoral Center

Ms. Dawn Lannon
Comptroller
Farash Corporation

Mr. Wayne LeChase
Chairman
LeChase Construction

Deacon John McDermott
St. Rita’s Church, Webster

Sr. Janice Morgan, S.S.J.
President Emeritus
Sisters of St. Joseph

Rev. Thomas Mull
Pastor, St. Mary Church, Canandaigua

Betty Mullin-DiProsa, CEO
St. Ann’s Community

Rev. Kevin Murphy
Pastor, St. Louis Church
Pittsford

Lisa Passero
CFO, Diocese of Rochester

Sr. Elaine Poitras, C.S.C.
Superintendent of Schools

Dr. William Pickett
Consultant

Ms. Darlene Ryan
Manager, Carestream Health

Mr. Frank Staropoli
Consultant

Fr. Paul Tomasso
Pastor, City West Parishes

Sr. Edwardine Weaver, R.S.M.
Co-Director, Mercy Bridges

Ms. Gaynelle Wethers
Director, MulticulturalAffairs
Nazareth College

___________________________
Facilitators

Center for Governmental Research
Rochester, NY
- Sarah Boyce
- Kent Gardner
- Rebecca Sumner

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