ARTICLES

New director of OJP named

Jason “Jay” Brown, who most recently was program manager of the Parish Partners Program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, has been hired as new director of the diocesan Office of Justice and Peace.

Mr. Brown will assume the new position Feb. 8 and work in the office of Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Richmond.

In his most recent position in Washington Mr. Brown managed the daily operations of a regional program which responded to emergency needs of individuals and families seeking assistance from Catholic parishes. He supervised a staff of four human services professionals. He has been in that position since January 2008.

Previously he had been parish support coordinator of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Originally from Gorham, Maine, Mr. Brown has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Villanova University with a minor in peace and justice studies.

While at Villanova he participated in the School for International Training in Cape Town, South Africa. He was part of this multiculturalism and social change program from February to May 2005.

Mr. Brown is currently completing requirements for a Master of Theological Studies at Washington Theological Union.

“I’ve finished my course work, now I take the comps,” he told The Catholic Virginian.

In other work experience, Mr. Brown was an intern in Witness for Peace. Here he developed resources for the Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia.

He was also field manager of Maine People’s Alliance in the summer of 2004 when he managed a team of seven canvassers seeking to increase membership in Maine’s largest citizen action group and citizen lobby.

Mr. Brown is excited about his new position in Richmond.

“It’s a blessing to come here and work with some new folks to help along the social mission of the Church,” he said.

Search committee members who interviewed Mr. Brown and other candidates for the OJP position were Joanne Nattrass, executive director of Commonwealth Catholic Charities; Father David Cupps, a representative of the Diocesan Priests’ Council; Dr. Henri Barnwell, a representative of the Diocesan Pastoral Council; Richard Ciofani and Stuart Smith, CFO and HR manager of CCC, respectively.

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