Parish Staff

parish staff

Meet Our Team

Fr. Dan O'Connell

pastor

Father Dan O'Connell has always had an avid interest in the strength and presence of God's Word and its power to build up the human person and transform their lives. It is true that in God's Word we live, move and have our being. Father Dan is a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston He was ordained in 1983 and has served in parishes in Lowell, Quincy, West Newton, Cambridge and Downtown Boston. In 2012 he returned as Pastor to Corpus Christi-St Bernard parish now serving the people of Auburndale, West Newton and beyond!

In addition to pastoral duties he has worked as Associate Director of the Office Spiritual Life located in the Archdiocese's Pastoral Center. His duties have included Retreats in parishes, schools and colleges as well as parish renewal and catichetical workshops.

He teaches homiletics through the office of Permanent Diaconate of the Archdiocese.


In 1988, he studied the art of homiletics at the Institute for Preaching at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. He is a member of CATH and attends yearly meetings for those who teach Homiletics at the University of Notre dame.

In 1989, Father Dan shot the pilot episode of Catholic TV's award-winning show We've Got To Talk. It is currently the longest-running studio series in the history of the CatholicTV Network. Father Dan is the recipient of the 1997 Proclaim Award from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for Excellence in Catholic Television Broadcasting and the 2012 Telly/People’s Choice Award through the You Tube Channel.

Sr. Suzanne Fondini, MFIC

pastoral associate

For many years, Sr. Suzanne was the principal of Mt. Alvernia High School here in Newton and St. Monica School in Methuen.

Sr. Suzanne was born in East Boston. She has been a sister with the Franciscan order for over 40 years, inspired by the same order of nuns who taught her at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grammar school in East Boston. She has a Bachelor's Degree in history from Newton College of the Sacred Heart and a Master's Degree in Theology from St. Bonaventure University
in Western, N.Y. She also took courses in administration at Boston College.

In her years of ministry, she has taught and guided many people in many ways. While on sabbatical, she spent six months in a renewal program in Assisi, Italy, and the other half at the Mexican American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas, learning Spanish.

She has served as Provincial of her Franciscan Order for eight years, and more recently, she has just completed four years on the provincial team working with the sisters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Papua Guinea, Bolivia, and Peru.

The Bible passage she lives by comes from John 14:1, which reads, "Don't let your heart be troubled." What you are meant to carry in your heart, at its center is love, the love of God and the people," she said. Sister Suzanne incorporates her Franciscan values each day by living the peace prayer of St.
Francis, "He wants us to be a symbol of peace and a sign as to how the world can come together," she has said. 'I desire only to walk with God's people.'

Tim DeRosa

director of faith formation and Youth ministry

Tim originally joined Corpus Christi - St. Bernard Parish in July of 2022 as the Communications Director. After a year away from the parish, Tim is excited to be back as the Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry.

In 2022, Tim graduated from Mount St. Mary's with a degree in theology with a focus on Liturgy. His favorite part of college was meeting and accompanying people on their faith journeys through faith sharing, Bible studies, and the Knights of Columbus.

Part of his vision as Director of Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is to accompany and empower families to integrate the  Faith into everyday life.

Tim's favorite Scripture passage is from the 21st chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke in which Jesus says to His disciples "I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking." It serves as a good reminder that it is Christ that speaks through us.

Anthony Caruso

PASTORAL ASSOCIATE & DIRECTOR OF FINANCE / OPERATIONS

Tony retired from a 40-year career in community banking, last serving as Senior Vice President at Bank of Canton. Upon retirement, Tony joined Ascension Parish in Sudbury and Maynard as Director of Finance & Operations. Tony earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education at Boston University, and a Master of Arts degree in Ministry through the Institute for the New Evangelization at Saint John's Seminary.

Born and raised here in West Newton, Tony is a long-time parishioner at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish, and save for ten years while he and his family lived away, he has worshiped right here at our parish. He has served in a board capacity at a number of organizations including Rotary Club, Chambers of Commerce, and The Bay State Charitable Foundation. Tony and his wife Clara have three grown children and six grandchildren, with whom they spend most of their free time!

Because it speaks so well to the theme of evangelization, Tony's favorite scripture passage is Matthew 4:18-20 --- As He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed Him.

Paige Carroll

COORDINATOR OF PARISH SERVICES

Paige joined Corpus Christi-Saint Bernard Parish five years ago as the 8 am Sunday Mass cantor.

She is now additionally joining the staff as Coordinator of Parish Services. Paige grew up attending Saint Theresa Parish in Sherborn and has been an elementary school teacher for the last four years.

In her new role, Paige will manage the day to day operations of the office, assist parishioners with sacramental records and Mass intentions as well as manage the weekly bulletin and website. She will also lend support to other areas of the parish as needed.

Paige hopes to serve in this role keeping in mind the words of one of her favorite hymns, “I will weep when you are weeping. When you laugh I’ll laugh with you. I will share your joys and sorrows, ‘til we’ve seen this journey through.” 

Paula Chesbrough

Director of Liturgy

Paula retired from a 50-year career in the Banking industry, having last served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer. Shortly after her retirement, Paula enrolled in the Master of Arts in Ministry program at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Ma. from which she graduated from the Theological Institute in May 2024. Paula also earned an MBA degree from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Simmons College.

Paula grew up in East Boston and apart from living overseas for two years, has resided in the Boston area all her life. She took up residence in Newton over twenty-five years ago and joined Corpus Christi parish in Auburndale which later became Corpus Christi – St. Bernard parish. Paula lived her Cursillo for the first time in 2008 and later served as both a Team Member and Vice Rector.

Over the years, Paula has served on Pastoral and Finance Councils, chaired the Liturgy Committee, sung in the choir, served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Usher, and a member of the Funeral Team. As Director of Liturgy, Paula is responsible for overall coordination of parish liturgy and oversight of lay ministry.

Paula lives with her son Cyrus and enjoys spending time with family as well as her two dogs, Doxie and Liesl.

One of Paula’s favorite scripture passages from Matthew 7:7 provides guidance to us all, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Brendan & Lauren Belschner

confirmation coordinators

Brendan and Lauren are in their third year leading our Confirmation Program. Brendan is a native to Newton and grew up in this parish! Lauren grew up in central Massachusetts and recently passed her Boards.

With the changes to Confirmation announced in January 2024, Brendan and Lauren are spearheading the Program's transition from 9th and 10th grade to 7th and 8th grade.

Jay Porter

facilities CONSULTANT

In the fall of 2022, Jay transitioned away from the role of Business Manager to the role of Facilities Consultant. He currently is assisting the parish with upcoming projects that will improve our parish campus.

Mary Nolan

music director

Mary Nolan has been the Music Director at Corpus Christi-St. Bernard Parish for the past 8 years. Mary plays both the organ and keyboard and leads our Adult and Children Choirs. Mary takes an active role in our liturgical celebrations and rehearses with members of the choir throughout the year. She also assists the parish during Funeral Liturgies and other events that take place. If you are interested in joining one of our choirs, please see Mary after one of the weekend Masses.