New staff at Chancery

Archbishop Jason Gordon has appointed Community and Social Development consultant Gary Tagallie as head of the Office of Pastoral Planning and Development and Sr Lystra Long OP, a Sinsinawa Dominican Sister as Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

Tagallie officially assumed duties August 13 and Sr Lystra on September 10.

Tagallie told Catholic News that the new post was established to align with Archbishop Jason Gordon’s aim of developing an Archdiocesan strategic pastoral plan which eventually will be rolled out into parish pastoral plans and a framework for how parishes—priests and laity must function in the 21^st century.

“It is taking an integrated human development approach and making it work for us. It’s happening in other parts of the world and we here have not embraced it. The Archbishop believes in championing this approach and really, we all have to come on board or we will continue to witness the decline in Catholics participating in our parishes….”

Meanwhile, Sr Lystra, who replaces Fr Roger Paponette said that she experienced a bit of fear and excitement. Sr Lystra’s previous role was Vicariate Catechetical Coordinator for the Suburban Vicariate, which allowed her to work with the ten member parishes in catechetics and religious education.

She believed that the Archbishop and Fr Paponette felt she met all the necessary requirements as she possessed “all the inner workings of the Church and personality.”- KJ

Gary Tagallie

Sr Lystra Long OP