The
Reverend Sydney Caitlin Howell accepted the Vestry's call
to serve St. Francis as Interim Rector and began her work
here on February 15. Cate is graciously serving all our
parish needs in a full-time position and will be our priest
until we complete the search process and call our next permanent
rector.
Cate came to us from Monticello, Florida, where she was
living near her daughter and granddaughter. A native of
Blakley, Georgia, Cate's ministry has taken her to Virginia,
Maine, Colorado and Florida . Her professional training
includes Interim Certification Training, Conflict Management
in Churches, and Appreciative Inquiry, as well as Yoga and
Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Emory University. She has served
as a vicar, a rector and a hospice chaplain. She served
parishes in interim capacities in both Maine and Virginia.
She retired in 2006 as the Rector of St. Paul's, Miller's
Tavern, Virginia. She is re-entering the active priesthood
to serve St. Francis.
The Vestry fell in love with Cate during her interview,
and St. Francis parishioners have enjoyed receiving her
as well. Cate understands that St. Francis does not want
a “placeholder priest” during this interim period, and already,
she is leading us to new areas of mission and ministry as
she helps us prepare for the search and arrival of a new
permanent rector.
