The Changing of the Guard

The prestigious ceremony for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is a focal point for the many thousands of tourists who visit London each year. Charged with the responsibility of guarding the royal residences since the reign of King Charles II, the soldiers are honored to protect and oversee the grounds of the royal family.

This intricate yet visually enjoyable ceremony involves the renewing of the “The Old Guard” at the end of their duty. They are relieved by a refreshed detachment referred to as “The New Guard”. The New Guard must pass an inspection before they are allowed the privilege of guarding the Palace. Once inspection is passed, the Old and New Guards must “Present Arms” before the Captain of the Guard who then majestically hands over the Palace Keys; a passing of the torch so to speak. This symbolic gesture represents the transfer of responsibility and authority over the safety and protection of the Palace from the Old to the New Guard.

A Changing of the Guard has taken place at the York Street Project. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, (CSJPs) sponsors of the York Street Project, conducted their General Chapter, an international gathering of their members, that is held every six years. During the week of January 26, 2009 they met to elect members for their Congregation Council. Sr. Kristin Funari, then Executive Director of the York Street Project, was among the five Sisters elected to the new leadership team.

With this new direction in her ministry before her, Sr. Kristin humbly opened her arms to embrace God’s will for her life. She announced her resignation as Executive Director in February. Although Sr. Kristin knew that the time had come for her to move forward in her ministry, she could not help but reflect on the last 35 years of her life where she served in a twelve block radius of downtown Jersey City; 24 of those years were intimately tied to the physical rehabilitation of the York Street properties and its program development. The week of May 18, 2009 was her last week of service as Executive Director of the York Street Project.

When asked about how she felt about leaving York Street, Sr. Kristin had this to say, “This is not the best time for a transition in leadership given the fact that we are in ‘white water’ times both internally and on a societal level. The Project is no different than many other places in our lives where change is challenging us on profound levels. I am confident that this change is a new day in the life of The Project; one that will be graced with blessings that we have not yet dreamed. Our ministries are vital; our ability to adapt to the many external threats faced by social service agencies is strong. Our program directors and staff remain passionate about shelter and education among the poor of our city.”

To properly prepare for Sr. Kristin’s successor, in February of 2009 a Search Committee was formed and the task to find a new Executive Director began. Recognizing that The Project was at a critical juncture in its history, the Committee was diligent in its search. Fortunately because of God’s grace, it did not take long for the right person to surface and answer the call. That person was found in the name of Susanne M. Byrne, a former employee who was no stranger to the York Street ministries.

Susanne M. Byrne, affectionally known as Sue, describes her original connection, and her calling back to York Street as fate and divine intervention, as it was fate that initially brought her in contact with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. It was the summer of 1998 and the children of The Nurturing Place (TNP) were making a short trip to Long Beach Island (LBI) thanks to the generosity of a friend and donor who believed all children should experience the beauty of the shore. Sue, who then was working in Long Beach Island at the Beachcomber (a local LBI newspaper) for the summer, happened to receive a phone call that unbeknownst to her would eventually change her life. It was through this call that she first learned of TNP and the work that was being done by the CSJPs in Jersey City. She then was given the opportunity to write a story about the children and the program when they came for their visit to LBI.

Not long after she met Sr. Barbara and the children, another act of fate transpired. Sr. Barbara asked her if she would be interested in working at The Nurturing Place after the summer because her Administrative Assistant had just resigned. Sue accepted the offer and this was the beginning of her York Street Project relationship. Sue worked for TNP for two years before taking the Caseworker/Advocate position at St. Joseph’s Home (SJH). Her experience at TNP gave her a strong introduction to administrative and financial responsibilities and her more than seven years at SJH provided a variety of opportunities for direct service work while developing her passion for advocacy and policy. Her brief employment with Hudson County in 2008 also seemed to be an instrumental part of her fate, one that would help prepare her for the calling on her life that soon was to take place. When asked what she acquired as a County employee, Sue shared the following, “I feel the skills I have developed there made me much more qualified for this position than I was before. I greatly strengthened my administrative abilities, did contract work, developed fiscal reports, reviewed budgets and monitored expenditures. It was also at this time that I was able to finish my master’s degree.”

Prior to being formally offered the Executive Director’s position from the CSJPs, Sue emphatically expressed to the Search Committee, “I believe that my intimate knowledge of York Street and all its programs makes me uniquely qualified for this position. It is one that if offered, I would accept without hesitation and with an understanding of how much faith you are placing in my hands. It is not a responsibility I will ever take lightly. And although I will be a different leader for York Street than Sr. Kristin (for her shoes can never be filled), please know that I will lead with deference to those who came before me and great consideration and excitement for those who will come after me.”

As Sister Kristin proudly and with the utmost confidence passed the torch to Sue, she imparted these words of support, “I believe Susanne’s 10 years previous service to the project, first through The Nurturing Place and then St. Joseph’s Home qualifies her in a unique way. She has demonstrated a deep passion for justice and a love for the poor. Her efforts toward advocacy, first on an individual case by case level and then on a more systemic/policy level were tireless and marked by a deep, objective and disciplined intellectual approach to social welfare policy issues affecting the lives of the poor in our city and country.

Understanding the culture of the ministry and those who are served through it is half the battle in assuming a position of leadership in any institution. Susanne possesses firsthand knowledge and experience on both levels.

Her educational pursuits while holding down a full time job and raising a young family was a proven measure of her ability at multi-tasking and tenacity, two qualities much needed in the position of Executive Director.”

The Program Directors of the York Street Project also have welcomed Sue in her new Position as Executive Director. When asked about Sue’s appointment Sr. Harriet Hamilton, Director of St. Mary’s Residence, said, “The Directors at York Street Project are very delighted to have Sue Byrne back with us. Her dedication and hard work on behalf of the women and children at York Street Project has greatly benefitted us in the past. We know Sue’s present commitment will continue to serve the women and children at YSP very well into the future”.

Sr. Rosemary Coffey, Director of St. Joseph’s Home, shared her thoughts, “Sue was a professional staff member with me at SJH with whom I worked closely. I have great confidence that Sue will continue to lead and guide us into the future servicing women and children who require our services”.

Sr. Joan Repka, Director of Kenmare High School, has this to say, “Sue is a kind and caring woman. People respond to her open, gracious warmth. She is making a positive impact here at the YSP.”

And Sr. Barbara Moran, Director of The Nurturing Place, responded by saying, “The depth and breadth of Sue Byrne’s past ministry experience at both The Nurturing Place and St. Joseph’s Home is extremely valuable to her new position at Executive Director. She continues to be a compassionate companion and advocate for our women on their journey toward self-sufficiency and applauds their effort as parents to enroll and become active participants in the Child Development Program offered at The Nurturing Place.”

Like the New Guards at Buckingham Palace the official “Palace Keys” of the York Street Project have been handed over to Sue with full authority and responsibility. With these keys come a myriad of challenges and undertakings. And like the New Guards at the Palace, Sue is honored to have this mantle placed upon her and has completely embraced this charge to oversee the operations of the York Street Project. The staff of The Project, as well as her family and friends, are behind her one hundred percent and have no doubt that she will do her best.

As most of you know, there is always room for laughter at York Street. Recent supporting words from Sr. Kristin, one who always finds a moment to laugh, summed up all sentiments with one comedic sentence, “As difficult as it is for me to say that I’ve been replaced by a young, attractive, blonde, I must admit that the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace feel blessed in having Sue as the first lay administrator of this most precious sponsored ministry.”

We invite you to visit The Project and meet Susanne soon!