Our people

Meet the Sisters of Mary

The Sisters of Mary will operate the Bishop Joel M. Konzen S.M. Catholic School & Health Centre.

The Congregation of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church (SMMC) was founded in 1971 by Bishop Anthony Kongings (from Holland), the then Bishop of Keta-Ho Diocese. It is a Diocesan Congregation with a Regional character. The Congregation services the three Dioceses (Jasikan, Ho, and Keta-Akatsi) in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. Their postulant formation house in the Jasikan Diocese, and Novitiate formation center in the Ho Diocese, and the mother house in the Keta-Akatsi Diocese. Throughout the entire Region their impact is felt among Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Our Local Staff in Ghana

Rev. Sister Justine Ayivor, SMMC

Rev. Sister Justine Ayivor, SMMC

Community Health Nurse

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Reverend Sister Justine Ayivor was born in the Volta Region of Ghana. Her education originated here as well. Sister Justine served as a Ward Assistant before she enrolled in Nursing in 1984 where she worked as a nurse for a year and half. After she found her vocation and entered the convent. Years later, she went to school and became a state registered nurse and worked for seven years. She proceeded to Korle Bu Teach Hisptial to learn Public Health Nursing. She completed her training there in 2002. Her specialty is in HIV/AIDs and malnourished children. She has served countless children and is passionate about caring for the sick.

Sammy Kwame

Sammy Kwame

Site Manager

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Samuel Kwame is the PFSHC Community Affairs Director. He is a native to the Volta Region and was born in Ho, Ghana. He graduated from Mastella Technical School and is a small business owner and has operated an automotive repair shop for over 10 years. Sammy is married to Adelaide Kwame and they are the proud parents of Giovanni. Mr. Kwame has been a dedicated and invaluable member of PFSHC since its founding.

Eli Newton

Eli Newton

Interim Operations Director

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Eli Newton, PFSHC’s Interim Operations Director, is a young digital media, technology, and social worker enthusiast. Born on April 14, 1995, he was raised in Akome, in Ghana’s Volta Region. He had his secondary education in a Catholic environment (Bishop Herman College)

Eli has a Master of Management in Public Management, which has given him a solid understanding of leadership, strategic planning, and organizational behavior. He has studied abroad in China. He holds a Bachelor’s in Integrated Community Development as well.

Eli Newton has experience working in both the public and private sector..

He began working with PFSHC in January 2022 as the assistant to the Operations Director and has excelled in all aspects of his duties.

New management trends and technologies pique his curiosity.

Our Local Staff in Ghana

Dr. Richard Jesus Garibay Ed.D

Dr. Richard Jesus Garibay Ed.D

Operations Director

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Dr. Richard Jesus Garibay is the Operations Director of Pope Francis School and Health Centre. He is originally from Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. He started his journey in the United States Army in response to 9/11, honorably serving 3 years, which included a tour in Iraq in 2003. He received his undergraduate in Psychology from Long Island University Brooklyn, a Masters Degree in International Relations from Webster University, and received his Doctorate in International School Leadership from Wilkes University in 2021. His professional experiences include therapeutic staff support in behavioral modification, family coach councilor (Agora online charter school), primary school teacher, and Principal of Glasgow Academy located in Accra, Ghana. He has worked in Ghana as a missionary for the last several years and has been apart of the PFSHC team since its inception. He is dedicated to serving the PFSHC children with the values and Love of Christ.

Rev. Sister Justine Ayivor, SMMC

Rev. Sister Justine Ayivor, SMMC

Community Health Nurse

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Reverend Sister Justine Ayivor was born in the Volta Region of Ghana. Her education originated here as well. Sister Justine served as a Ward Assistant before she enrolled in Nursing in 1984 where she worked as a nurse for a year and half. After she found her vocation and entered the convent. Years later, she went to school and became a state registered nurse and worked for seven years. She proceeded to Korle Bu Teach Hisptial to learn Public Health Nursing. She completed her training there in 2002. Her specialty is in HIV/AIDs and malnourished children. She has served countless children and is passionate about caring for the sick.

Sammy Kwame

Sammy Kwame

Site Manager

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Samuel Kwame is the PFSHC Community Affairs Director. He is a native to the Volta Region and was born in Ho, Ghana. He graduated from Mastella Technical School and is a small business owner and has operated an automotive repair shop for over 10 years. Sammy is married to Adelaide Kwame and they are the proud parents of Giovanni. Mr. Kwame has been a dedicated and invaluable member of PFSHC since its founding.

Our Advisory Board

Michael Barry, Founder of PFSHC

Michael Barry, Founder of PFSHC

Board Member

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Michael Barry, Founder of Pope Francis School and Health Centre, Previously Active in his parish as a member of St. Vincent DePaul at St. Philip Benzi Catholic Church in Jonesboro Ga, Parent Committees at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School , Hapeville Ga. Currently a member of Knights of Columbus, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, Green Valley Az. YMCA Board Member , Jonesboro Ga. Missionary 2010 Helping Hands Medical Missions , Ghana. Volunteer 2014, United Planet, Ghana. Small business owner since 1984.

The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.

The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM, Conv.

Archbishop of Atlanta

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Archbishop Hartmayer, son of the late John and Sally Hartmayer, was born on Nov. 21, 1951, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised in Tonawanda, New York, a northern suburb of Buffalo, and was a member of St. Amelia Catholic Church, where he attended elementary school. Archbishop Hartmayer has an older brother, C. Douglas, and a younger brother, John, both of whom continue to live in Western New York with their families; and a sister, Mary Jo Kotacka, who lives with her husband, Rolf, in Bluffton, South Carolina.

After graduating from St. Amelia Elementary School, Archbishop Hartmayer attended Cardinal O’Hara High School, conducted by the Conventual Franciscan Friars, and graduated in 1969. Upon graduation, he joined the Conventual Franciscan Friars at their Novitiate of St. Joseph Cupertino in Ellicott City, Maryland. He professed his simple vows there on Aug. 15, 1970. Archbishop Hartmayer then pursued studies at St. Hyacinth College and Seminary in Granby, Massachusetts, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy in 1974. Meanwhile, he professed his solemn vows as a Conventual Franciscan Friar on Aug. 15, 1973.

The Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, SM

The Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen, SM

Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta

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Bishop Konzen was born November 6, 1950 in Toledo, Ohio and grew up in Oak Harbor, Ohio.  He took his first vows as a Marist in 1975.  He took perpetual vows in the Society of Mary and was ordained a deacon in 1978 and ordained priest in 1979.

Bishop Konzen has a bachelor of arts in English from St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind., a master of divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, a master of arts in systematic theology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and a master of arts in educational administration from The Catholic University of America.

Sr. Mary Ann Afiakwah, Sisters of Mary

Sr. Mary Ann Afiakwah, Sisters of Mary

Mother of the Church

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Sr. Mary-Ann Afiakwah, SMMC, is a member of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church (SMMC), in the diocese of Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa. She is a native of Agona Kwanyarko in the Central Region of Ghana. Sister Afiakwah been a nun in the above Community for 28 years now. She fained her ‘O’ Level certificate in 1994, at O.L.A. Secondary School after which she worked at St. Anthony’s Hospital at Dzodze for 3 years as a store-keeper/purchasing officer. Sr. Afiakwah went to O.L.A. Teacher Training College and gained her Teacher’s Certificate ‘A’ (Diploma in Education) in 2000.

Mary Gorni

Mary Gorni

Educator

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Mary Gorni was born and raised a Catholic in Ghana West Africa but now is a resident in Sahuarita, AZ. She is currently enrolled as a Communication MA student at Arizona State University. She graduated from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Foundations of Education with an English major and Early Childhood Education.

Professionally, she is a teacher with over 10 years of teaching experience both in Ghana and USA. In Ghana, she has served as a Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Disciplinary Committee Member, Curriculum Development Committee Member, and School Health Coordinator in her school’s Circuit and District. In her hometown, she is a Chaperone and a planning committee member of her community’s annual festival celebration.

Tim Doyle

Tim Doyle

Board Member

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Mr. Tim Doyle began his career as a credit analyst for Huntington National Bank, in Ohio where he worked until August 1984. After completing his MBA at the University of Texas, he joined The Coca-Cola Company in June 1986 as a financial analyst with the Minute Maid Company.

In February 1990, he moved to the Company’s Atlanta headquarters where he worked in Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions. In February 1995, he moved to Belgium as Financial Planning Manager for the Northwest Europe Division.

In September 1996, he was appointed Division Finance Manager, Coca-Cola Southern Africa, with oversight for 10 countries based in Johannesburg. In September 1998, he was promoted to Vice President and Finance Director.

Deacon Joseph S. Roinick

Deacon Joseph S. Roinick

Board Member

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Joe was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. He attended 12 years of Catholic school and graduated from St. Gabriel High School in 1967. Joe earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bloomsburg State College (now Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania) in 1971. His teaching career in the Sullivan County School district spanned 34 years including 3rd grade, kindergarten, remedial math, enrichments students and adult computer education for the community through the school district. Joe, taught in the Religious Education program and RCIA program in his parish. 

Joe met his future wife at college and in August of 1971 they celebrated Holy Matrimony. In August 2021 they observed their 50th wedding Anniversary. After a five-year formation program, Joe was ordained a Permanent Deacon in the Diocese of Scranton on November 27, 2004. Over the years, he was a member of 2 Diocesan Commissions to Plan and Implement consolidations of parishes in the Diocese. He also, conducted formation classes for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in the Diocese and was a Facilitator for Protecting God’s Children (a safe-environment program). Discovering the warmth of Southern Arizona, he and Carol relocated to the Diocese of Tucson at the end of 2012. Joe served as Deacon at Our Lady of the Valley Parish. In 2016, he was appointed Pastoral Associate of the parish and has served in that capacity since then.