My name is Lori Ryan, and I will be coordinating Religious Education for grades 7-8. I grew up in Waterford, where I attended St. Paul in Chains Church and I received my Sacraments, including the Sacrament of Matrimony to Jeff Ryan almost 34 years ago. Jeff and I met while attending UCONN. After marrying and moving to Simsbury, I worked at CIGNA as a pension administrator and eventually led a team. I enjoyed my work at Cigna, however, God had different plans for me. I left after my second child was born to be home with my children. Jeff and I have four children: Megan, Matthew, Michael and Grace.

We attended St. Bernard’s Church in Tariffville. One Sunday, our Deacon made a plea for help with CCD. He asked us to pray about it, and if we felt peace, to sign up. That is just what I did. I taught eighth graders at St. Bernard’s for 24 years. After a couple of years of teaching, the Religious Ed Coordinator asked if I would take over the CCD program. I went home and prayed on it, and I ran the program for 22 years.

In between coordinating St. Bernard’s CCD program and raising four children, I started a small home business called First Impressions Home Staging, which I ran for about a decade. I helped homeowners prepare their homes for resale, and I did some interior design. I am honored to serve as St. Bernard’s liaison to the Parish Council and excited about the role I will be playing in forming 7th and 8th graders at St. Mary’s Church.