Staff – Board Members

Anna Graham: Chair Person
Anna has years of experience in the non-profit world. She has shared her gifts in many diverse areas. While overseeing good governance at Catholic Action Montreal, Anna is also (FCCS/Kinkora) – Development and Community Outreach, Coordinator for the Diocesan Camping Association, and is the Choir Director and an important part of the music ministry at St. Luke’s Parish. Her guidance has contributed to the growth of Catholic Action in the last few years.

Cathie Macaulay: Secretary
For over 10 years Cathie has been Coordinator, SASMAD/Pastoral Home Care at Archdiocese of Montreal. Cathie is a spiritual director and part of the formation team at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre. She is an expert at listening, interpreting and sharing relevant, thoughtful solutions. Her participation on the Catholic Action board is key to the success we have achieved in such a short time.

Patrick Gillespie: Treasurer
Patrick is a recognized CA, CPA. And CRM. In other words, he knows how to handle funds. An entrepreneur by profession, when Patrick is not representing Catholic Action at meetings and functions, he uses his gifts as Chair of the Father Dowd Foundation. Catholic Action and Father Dowd have collaborated with ESCC on many projects that assist the English Speaking Senior citizens of Montreal. Patricks’ skill and compassion are a perfect combination for this important role on the Catholic Action Board.

Paul Donavan: Executive Board Member
Paul is the recently retired president of Loyola High School in Montreal following 17 years in a leadership position and 38 if we include volunteer coaching and student life.. He was instrumental when the school was successful in seeking an exemption from Quebec’s wider curriculum on ethics and religious culture. Paul’s commitment to teach students to recognize the value of others and the pursuit of the common good, makes him an excellent member of the leadership team of Catholic Action.

Bishop Thomas Dowd: Spiritual Director
Bishop “Tom” Thomas Dowd, is a Canadian Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church. Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI he is currently serving as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montréal. Catholic Action was born from the work of key lay leaders of the English-speaking sector to give people an opportunity to serve the Lord in their neighbours (Matthew 25), with Bishop Tom articulating the spiritual vision. His academic business background is also a welcomed gift as Catholic Action grows as a non-profit organization. Bishop Tom initiated the Late Sunday Mass which is celebrated Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, St. Laurent.

Judy Wong: Executive Director
Judy’s professional career was in the corporate world, however her free time was often spent serving her local parish as well as her childhood parish. Her communicating and marketing gifts are welcomed in this environment as it helps her to help those in need and is the call of Catholic Action.

Father Robert Assaly: Board Member
After a decade as a stockbroker, Fr. Assaly became an Anglican priest in 1991. He is married to Nancy and they have six adult children. Robert applied to ministry within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal and after work as a stagière at both St. Monica and St Thomas a Becket parishes, was ordained to the priesthood in 2019. He is currently the pastor of St. Thomas More parish in Verdun. Fr. Robert has been involved as a volunteer over many years in issues involving Palestine and Middle East relations. The initiative he took at St. Thomas More to organize a food drive in Verdun at the beginning of the pandemic is a a great example of gathering talents to serve a real need in the community. See here for more details: https://www.stthomasmoremtl.ca/

Jessica Jalea: Board Member
Jessica is a strong business development professional with a passion for Pastoral Ministry and Social Justice work. She was academically rooted in Theological Studies at Concordia University and practiced through philanthropic endeavours globally. She worked for years as Special Project Coordinator for Mission Jeunesse of the Archdiocese of Montreal. She brings a contemporary and fresh perspective to our board.

Vincenza Timpano: Board Member
Throughout her professional career as a Chartered Professional Accountant, she have developed an affinity for contract compliance, money laundering, and project implementation.
Serving as a member of the Board of Directors of her children’s elementary school and as a catechist at my parish, she has been provided with first-hand knowledge of the issues and struggles that children and seniors, in particular, face each day. She humbly and gladly accepts this mandate to be a vessel to do God’s will and serve, protect, and ameliorate our community.

Arnel Javier: Board Member
Curating spaces and experiences that invite peace and joy is what brings Arnel to the board. Traveller, Educator, Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Photographer are some of the talents he shares with the world. One can follow his 2019 Camino de Santiago journey on Instagram @ajaviercam