Meet Our Staff
The Rev. Peter F. Walsh
The Rev. Peter F. Walsh, St. Mark’s 22nd Rector began his work with us on August 11, 2008. He comes to New Canaan from All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Day School in Phoenix, Arizona, where he served as rector for 5 years. 
Originally from Albany, New York, he is a graduate of Harvard College with a degree in history and received his Masters of Divinity from Berkley Divinity School at Yale and was ordained as a priest in 1994. Prior to his career in the priesthood, he was a financial analyst with Kidder Peabody and an advertising account executive with Geer DuBois, both in NYC. All Saints’ in Phoenix is a large church and school community with a combined staff of over 100 people providing much experience in a large church setting. Before heading west, Father Peter served as the Chaplain at Kent School and was the Associate Rector at St. Paul’s Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
He has a wealth of enthusiasm and program ideas to grow St. Mark’s while leading us on our collective and personal spiritual journeys. Peter is well known for his preaching and consensus-building style.
Father Peter and his wife, Jennifer have been married for over 21 years and have five children ages 6-19 years old: Sam, Ben, Olivia, Gus and Phineas. Email Father Peter
The Rev. Anne Richards
St. Mark’s welcomes the Rev. Anne Richards as the Senior Assistant starting in August 2008. She is a familiar presence at St. Mark's, as Anne began with us in September 2007 during our interim period. We are most blessed to have her now as a full-time staff member. She has expert experience, having served the church in parishes, schools, hospitals and at the diocesan level. Anne loves the Lord and has the deepest affection for all God’s people and a special spot in her heart for children. She exudes great warmth, inner strength, and clarity of spirit and is a gifted pastor, preacher, and teacher. Anne will be at the center of parish life – offering pastoral care, preaching, teaching, and celebrating. In addition, she will teach 8th grade Confirmation class, assist with church school, and coordinate the liturgy.
Anne Richards graduated from Smith College and earned an M.A. in English literature from NYU, and then later a Masters of Divinity from General Theological Seminary. She has worked as a parish priest, a hospital chaplain, served on the diocesan staff (as administrator of the ordination process in the Diocese of New York), and currently as Chaplain at Grace Church School in Manhattan, an Episcopal school for grades pre-K through 8.
She is married to the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Grein, 14th Bishop of New York (retired). She has two sons, Matthew, a graphics manager at Robert Stern Architects in Manhattan; and Jeffrey, an architect at Skidmore Owings and Merrill in Chicago.
Email Mother Anne.
The Right Reverend Richard F. Grein (retired)
Bishop Grein, 14th Bishop of New York (retired), is a unique asset to our parish as Bishop-in-Residence. He came to New Canaan with his wife the Rev. Anne Richards, and his presence is especially meaningful because he ordained Fr. Walsh a Deacon and Priest in 1994.
He assists with some Sunday services, teaches popular Bible study classes, leads retreats, and fully participates in parish life.
A Carleton College graduate, he was invited to the Redskins football training camp but instead chose the Theological Seminary at Nashotah (WI) House where he received a Master of Divinity and a Master of Sacred Theology. He has taught pastoral theology and led parishes in Minnesota and Kansas. In 1981 he was elected Bishop of Kansas, and in 1989 he was elected bishop a second time to lead the Episcopal Diocese of New York guiding about 65,000 Episcopalians, 207 congregations, and 600 priests.
As bishop, he also helped bring U. S. support to the Russian Orthodox Church to rebuild Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow and the Hospital of St. Alexis.
Bishop Grein was made an honorary Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Throne, and also holds honorary Doctorate of Divinity degrees from Nashotah House and The General Theological Seminary in New York.
In addition to parish work, he reads English mysteries, walks his 12-year-old black pug Bruno, loves museums, and travels to England nearly every year. He enjoys his son, 3 daughters, and 8 grandchildren who live on both coasts.
Joshua Ashton Hill
Joshua Ashton Hill began his lay ministry as Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries on July 1st, 2009. Josh is a recent graduate of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale where he earned the Master of Divinity degree and completed the Anglican Studies certificate. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Emory & Henry College, where he also minored in Church music. Josh brings a variety of ministry experience with youth and children in parish, school, and camp settings. At St. Mark’s, Josh will work to build safe, spiritually enriching programs for youth and children to promote a life of love for God, neighbor, and self.
Joshua and his wife, Hannah, share a great love for music, the outdoors, fresh food, and Will Ferrell movies. Hannah does not necessarily share his love for sports. They have a yellow dog, Chaya, and a yellow cat, Fulmer, both rescue animals from rural Virginia. Although Josh was born and raised in East Tennessee, he is eager to call New Canaan home. If you’d like more information on how to volunteer with the Youth or Children’s Ministries, or if you just want to say hi, to email Josh.
Brian-Paul Thomas
Brian-Paul Thomas, affectionately known to us as B-P, began his ministry at St. Mark’s in September 1998. As Choirmaster and organist, his responsibilities 
include conducting the six parish choirs, playing for services, administering the St. Mark’s Concert Series and bringing special musical events to our parish.
He is also Instructor of Choral Music at Norwalk Community Technical College. A certificate holder of the Royal School of Church Music, B-P holds the Professional Studies Diploma from Manhattan School of Music in New York City where he was a student of Alec Wyton. A consummate professional musician beloved by the young, old and in-betweens who are privileged to study with him at St. Mark’s. Email B-P Thomas
Rhonda Morrill
Rhonda Morrill, became a part of the St. Mark's team in June of 1999 as the Director of Christian Education at St. Mark’s. Since then, she has taken on much of the communications role in the parish as the Editor-in-Chief of our parish newsletter, The Lion's Roar and oversees the website. Before joining our staff, Rhonda chaired the Christian Education Committee at Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY. With her warm heart, great sense of humor, organizational skills and experience, our program is in great, caring hands.
Rhonda has a degree in Marketing from Fordham University and worked for years in the field of Marketing Research and Advertising. She and her husband, Tom, live in Pound Ridge, NY with their college age children, Evan and Brittany. Email Rhonda Morrill
Richard DePatie
A St. Mark’s parishioner for more than 20 years, Dick DePatie assumed the duties of Parish Administrator in May 1998, following a successful 40-year career in the insurance industry, where he served in sales and sales management at CIGNA and Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Prior to becoming Parish Administrator, Dick served on the vestry for three years and as Senior Warden of St. Mark’s for five years. He has been involved at St. Mark’s in a wide variety of activities, including the Search Committee, Outreach Commission, stewardship, long range planning and the Finance Committee. He is currently Chairman of Planned Giving. A graduate of Brown University, Mr. DePatie served with the United States Air Force as a pilot. His quiet demeanor belies a wit and wisdom that enriches us all. He lives with his wife Molly, also an indefatigably active parishioner, here in New Canaan. Email Richard DePatie
Helen S. Palmesi
Director Helen S. Palmesi has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut and did graduate work in education at the University of Maryland and Wheelock College. She has more than 30 years of experience and in early childhood education. Helen has been director of St. Mark’s Nursery School since its founding over 10 years ago. She makes a point keeping up with her past alumni/ae and takes great pleasure in watching them grow. She is a gift to the school and is appreciated by parents, teachers and children alike. Helen lives in Wilton and spends as much time as possible with her three daughters and new grandchildren.
Melanie Moyna
Melanie Moyna joined the staff in June 2006 as the manager of The Lion’s Den Book and Gift Store, an exciting new outreach
venture at St. Mark’s (opened in September 2006). Having worked in four bookstores, including The Drama Bookshop in Manhattan and the New Canaan BookShop, Melanie brings an abundance of experience and knowledge to this ministry. With a natural love of books, fine arts and travel combined with degrees in Education and Performing Arts, we are assured a unique selection of books and gifts in the Lion's Den. Melanie has a grown daughter Caroline and a grown son David. Email Melanie
Thea McGee
Thea McGee, our Parish and Rector’s secretary joined the staff March 2001. Before joining St. Mark’s, Thea was the Parish Secretary at St. Elizabeth Seton Roman Catholic Church in Ridgefield for 11 years. Thea’s can-do attitude and her upbeat personality, as well as her many years of church experience make her a valuable asset as support staff to St. Mark’s. Thea is an avid hiker and an Open Space Ranger for the Ridgefield Conservation Commission. She and her husband Tim live in Ridgefield and have two grown sons, Evan and Craig. Email Thea McGee
Nadia Cwiach
Nadia Cwiach, our Financial Secretary joined the staff June 2001. Prior to joining St. Mark’s, Nadia ran her own accounting business. Nadia has a degree in liberal arts from Queens College, NY and extensive non-profit financial experience. She is our resident Pysanky artist and leads a Lenten class teaching this ancient Ukrainian art.
Email Nadia Cwiach
