3/30/2024 Email

Often, when the term “Changing of the Guard” is used, it is in reference to those who stand
watch over Buckingham Palace, headquarters of the British royal family in London. On my
recent vacation to that great city, my family joined the throngs of people on a dreary Monday
morning to witness the event. The pageantry of the guards, wearing their red tunics and
Canadian black bear fur hats are iconic and worth the effort to see.

This past week at the McMahon Parater Scholarship Foundation, we had our own version of a
changing of the guard.

Joyce Schreiber began working at the Diocese as Director of the MPSF in December of 2012. For
over 11 years, Joyce has been the one “in the weeds” of the Education Improvement
Scholarships Tax Credit program, creating from scratch how we administer the program. She is
regarded among the organizations that participate with EISTC and even the Virginia Department
of Education as the one who knows the answers. Joyce is whip-smart and has a passion for our
schools that has been obvious to anyone interacting with her. She will be missed.
But I did say the guard changed, which means we have a new Director of the MPSF. On Monday,
Kathryn McElheny began her tenure in that role. We are all thrilled, and that includes Joyce,
who knows the Foundation will be in good hands. Kathryn is coming back to the Diocese, where
she worked several years ago as the Director of Admissions and Development at St. Joseph
Catholic School in Petersburg. After a successful stint there, she moved to Philadelphia to
complete her master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania and work at a private school
nearby.
Thank goodness, she was open to my invitation to explore and then accept the offer to return to
our diocese and take on this important role. As a new chapter opens for both Joyce and
Kathryn, I ask that you pray for them both!
As you receive this message during the Triduum, I hope you and your family had a wonderful
Holy Week and will have a blessed Easter.
God Bless,
Margaret