Dear Parishioners,

At this point you must be wondering a little about what the future holds for Calvary. You will have heard that the Vestry has selected an Irish priest and a woman at that, to be your next rector! Let me tell you about myself - that female Irish priest.

I was born in Belfast in Northern Ireland some time after the World War II , part of the last generation of children to live a fairly quiet childhood in that city before "The Troubles' broke out again in 1968. Having attended a Methodist high school, I went to Queen's University in Belfast and then began teaching. I quickly became intrigued with how people learn and completed a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and went on to become head-teacher of a large school and support service in metropolitan Manchester (northern England), during which time I also taught the Masters in Education in Special Educational Needs at The Victoria University of Manchester. Following my time as school principal, I became advisor/ inspector of schools in Salford, another urban environment where I had particular responsibility for the oversight of the education of gifted and special children. Whilst doing that job, I continued to write and teach.

All through my life I had been intrigued by religion, active in church and in active relationship with God, but eventual gave in to the call to ordination whilst it was still impossible for a woman to be a priest in Ireland or Great Britain. In spite of this, I was accepted for ordination training in the Church of Ireland just as the measure to ordain woman was passed in Synod. After serving a curacy in the West of Ireland, I became the first woman rector in Ferns Diocese.

I loved my life as a priest. A move to the American Church followed and I have served St. Andrew's in the Diocese of Washington for 8 years. During that time the Parish and I have ministered hard together, both to each other and to the community around us; this community is predominately associated with the Naval Air Base just a few miles down the road. As a Parish, we have grown in numbers and spirit and learnt much together. I joked when they appointed me that I would know that I was successful as their rector if it took them six months to know that I was gone. I believe it will be at least that! They are good people and the 'angel' of St. Andrew's Parish is firmly turned to God and from God to God's people. I am Chaplain to The Hospice of St. Mary's, vice President to Patuxent Habitat for Humanity and until very recently a nave chaplain at The National Cathedral.

I am mother to Jonathan - after 35 years of marriage to a priest I divorced in 2004- who is a barrister, grandmother to 2 beautiful grand-cats (Turpitz who is a Russian Blue and Tank who is a Bengal) and share a home with Tuppence and Talitha who are (not very good) Siamese - but don't tell them about 'the not very good' part.

I love to read, tell stories, discuss, learn, write, make and dance. I love life and people and look forward to meeting you all.

God bless!
Paula

P.S. I will be easily recognized when I arrive in town -by my hair which is white and by my accent. My hair started changing color in my early twenties and the accent has been with me forever although my family believes I now have an American twang!