Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After marking my 75th birthday and after sending “the letter of resignation” to the Holy Father, I have worked with our Chancery Directors and the various Clergy and Lay consultative bodies to think through how we might prepare our Diocese for the transition ahead. Our Diocese must prepare not only for the appointment of the next Bishop by the Holy Father and his Installation and/or Ordination/Installation as the Diocesan Bishop for West Tennessee but continue the good work of our Chancery.
Our Chief Financial Officer, David Zaleski, has informed me that he will be ready to step down as CFO and Chief Operating Officer, some months after the next Bishop is installed. As everyone should know, David and his Director of Finance, Patti Morris, along with their team and the Finance Councils of our Diocese and Parishes, have done magnificently in managing the treasure offered in the name of the Lord.
Today, as part of our Chancery transition, I am happy to announce the appointment of Steve Fracchia, Director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat & Event Center, as our Diocese’s Assistant Chief Financial Officer and to begin CFO training. Steve will be the CFO following David Zaleski stepping down from the position.
Steve is a life-long practicing Catholic. He and his wife, Kim, of 31 years are blessed with three children. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama and a Master of Arts in Catholic Studies from the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has been at Our Lady Queen of Peace for three years but his experience ranges from a Senior Audit Associate to CFO at Southeastern Asset Management.
To ensure continuity at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Steve will remain the Chairman of the Advisory Board. Our Diocese will seek to hire an Associate Director of Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat & Event Center to assume the day-to-day responsibilities.
Bishop David P. Talley