4/28/06
year:
2006
Aston, PA—Sister Lynn Patrice Lavin, Congregational Minister for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, was one of five individuals who received a “Leaders of Distinction Award” from the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented by Michael Ciavarelli of Wachovia Bank, former Chamber board chair and current chair of the Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber. The event celebrated leadership both in business and in the community.
In her position as Congregational Minister, Sister Lynn serves as president of the Corporation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the Franciscan Ministries Foundation, and the corporations of the congregation’s sponsored ministries, including Neumann College in Aston, Pennsylvania. She also chairs the Board of Members of TRANSITIONS in Spokane, Washington, and serves on the boards of the Franciscan Ministries Foundation and Catholic Health Initiatives. Mr. Ciavarelli noted that throughout her leadership experience, Sister Lynn has worked to improve the lives of others, especially women and children. “Her decisions and positions,” he said, “are consistently guided by her values.”
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Sister Lynn entered the congregation in 1967. She holds a B.A. in English from Neumann College, an M.S. and a Ph.D. in pastoral counseling from Loyola College of Maryland in Baltimore, and an M.A. in formative spirituality from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2005 she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Neumann College.
Prior to her election as Congregational Minister, Sister Lynn served as Director of St. Joseph Family Counseling Center in Spokane, Washington. From 1985-1993 she served in provincial leadership for the congregation’s southern province (Delaware; Maryland; Washington, DC; North Carolina; South Carolina; Florida; and Alabama) first as a provincial council member and later as Provincial Minister. She also served in vocation ministry both on the provincial and congregational levels and taught at Padua Academy in Wilmington, Delaware, and Holy Spirit School in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
