Our Leadership Team
The Community of St. Bridget
The Community of St. Bridget is a member-led community, and one of the ways our members lead is by serving as board officers. Board members meet regularly to make decisions about how our community shares its time, talent, and treasure. They also report on our ministries and discuss issues that affect the community.
There are four board officers. In addition, there may be up to eight other members at any time. Any member of the Community of St. Bridget is eligible to serve on the board, and our regular board meetings are open to all members of the community.
Ann Farah
Ann is team coordinator for the community. She is a native of Cleveland’s West Side where she continues to reside. Ann grew up in a very supportive and faith-filled family environment where education, justice, and truth were emphasized. She attended a progressive Catholic high school, St. Joseph Academy, where the nuns and teachers “walked the walk.” She then attended The Ohio State University for basic nursing education, which was highly progressive and continues in the forefront of nursing education. The Newman Center at Ohio State was her oasis where faith-in-action was both philosophy and practice. Since coming home to Cleveland over 45 years ago, Ann has had a most fulfilling career in neonatal nursing as a neonatal nurse practitioner. She has been active in sports and has had rewarding volunteer opportunities in school and community work. Her husband and children have been great blessings in her life! Email alfarah@yahoo.com
Pamela Carson
Pam documents the community board meetings. She is a city girl who grew up on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. As a cradle Catholic, she attended Catholic grade school, high school, and the first year of college. She went on to graduate from Kent State University with a degree in journalism and public relations. For several years Pam was Public Relations Director for the Ohio Division of the American Cancer Society. Later, she relocated to Chicago and worked for nonprofits in the health industry and, because of her great love of animals, the Lincoln Park Zoological Society. Family commitments called her back to Cleveland where she joined Case Western Reserve University and remained there until retirement. In midlife, Pam married Tom Sear, a man she has known since she and he were children. Pam and Tom have been members of the Community of St. Bridget since its inception. Email pamelaraycarson@gmail.com
Gary Meister
Gary is in the process of assuming the responsibilities of financial coordinator for the Community of St. Bridget. He lived in the Indianapolis area for more than 70 years before moving to Puyallup Washington (near Seattle). For 23 years Gary and his late wife were volunteers serving a marriage preparation program. Gary worked in data processing after high school and also while serving in Viet Nam. He was employed by the audit division of the State of Indiana while attending Indiana University / Purdue University at Indianapolis part time. Gary is a retired CPA and worked for Catholic Charities and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He has, and is currently, volunteering in the financial area of the nonprofit sector, including work with a neighborhood association and the ARCWP. Gary and his wife, Mary Weber, have attended online liturgies at CSB for about three years and feel blessed and at-home with this community. Email ggmeister@comcast.net
Tom Sear
Tom is financial coordinator for the community. He is a native of Akron, Ohio and a proud graduate of St. Vincent High school and the University of Akron. His first full-time employment was with Bellows Valve Air as a machinist, which paid for part-time college. Bellows was purchased by several larger companies and finally taken over by Parker Hannifin. Tom held many positions, including Division Manager of Human Resources, and ultimately directed a department that was responsible for the Health and Safety of 55,000 employees in 38 countries. Tom retired in 2009 after 43 years of work. He has spent much of his retirement volunteering in service to people in need. He has cooked hundreds of meals at churches and shelters and continues to reach out to help friends and family. Tom is married to Pam Carson. He is the father of three delightful adult children. Email tsear31846@aol.com
Nancy Tondy
Nancy is the team leader. She grew up near Youngstown, Ohio, where she attended Catholic schools for 12 years. Shortly after high school, she entered religious life and spent six years as a Sister of the Humility of Mary. There, she studied theology and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After leaving religious life, Nancy completed her master’s degree, became certified to teach gifted and talented students, and taught for 21 years. When two of her friends decided to start a publishing company, Nancy left the classroom to become a writer and Product Development Manager at Simple Solutions Learning. After a very long time away from the Catholic church, Nancy joined the Community of St. Bridget in 2019. Among her passions are liturgy planning, sacred conversations, and sharing life in community. Nancy lives with her wife Donna Mazzola and another couple who are their lifelong friends. Email ntondy@gmail.com