The Rev. Michael J. Horvath, Rector
Fr. Michael’s, or simply “Michael” if you prefer, ministry is grounded in the guiding principle of creating and nurturing faith communities grounded in the Gospel values of Jesus Christ. He is excited to engage in that work with St. Mary’s. Fr. Michael was ordained in 2017 and served his curacy at St. Thomas Fifth Avenue, New York City, and St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin, TX. His most recent parish was St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Bristol, RI, where he was rector from 2019 to 2024. He attended The General Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School. Fr. Michael is actively involved in the Anglican Network for Peace and Justice, the Episcopal Church Gathering of Leaders, and the Order of St. John. He and his husband Charles are thrilled to call Barnstable their home.
The Rev. Dr. Russ Norris, Associate Priest
Pastor Russ Norris has over 20 years of parish ministry experience. He served for four years as Executive Minister of the South Carolina Christian Action Council, coordinating interchurch cooperation for 19 different denominations. For six years he was a professor at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, where he was responsible for internship, field education and clinical pastoral education. In 1998 he was called as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, where he directed services for more than 500 children in foster care and group homes. After leaving LSS, he worked for the Salvation Army, directing services for homeless American veterans; and for the Bay Ridge Center in Brooklyn, New York, coordinating Meals on Wheels and other programs for senior citizens. Following retirement in 2006, he has served as interim pastor for congregations in southeast Massachusetts. Russ and his wife, Dixie, live in West Hyannisport. He is an avid model railroader and is active in various community organizations.
Dr. Mark Lawlor, Minister of Music
Dr. Mark Lawlor is teacher, conductor, organist and musician. Professor Lawlor has held teaching positions, including Department head at Marist College, Assistant Professor of Music Education – Arizona State University, Director of Choral Activities – Idaho State University and Oklahoma State University. Dr. Lawlor’s Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2006 was the first of several invitations to conduct at this prestigious venue. Maestro Lawlor has conducted both orchestras and choirs internationally including Great Britain, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Egypt, Israel, Canada and Australia. Dr. Lawlor began organ study at the age of 14. He has held church positions in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Massachusetts. After graduating from Westminster Choir College, he was as one of 3 full-time organists at The United States Military Academy at West Point often playing the Cadet Chapel Organ, the third largest organ in the world now enlarged to 231 ranks of pipes. Dr. Lawlor, now semi-retired in Barnstable, Massachusetts, is currently Minister of Music at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Barnstable Village.
Julie Remie, Parish Administrator
Julie joined the staff November of 2018 after having served as parish administrator in Harwich Port and recently retired as Technical Services Librarian for a local Cape library. Julie is excited to join St. Mary’s and brings a broad range of administrative, technical and financial experience with her, as well as her friendly and calm demeanor. Raised on Cape Cod, she is a nature-lover and has great passion for the conservation of this fragile coastal environment, its wildlife and natural habitat. When she is not diligently working at St. Mary’s, you will find her hiking or out exploring nature here and in the North East. She enjoys cooking, sewing, and crocheting as well. Julie also is a master reiki practitioner and professional photographer. She lives locally and has 3 lovely daughters nearby, as well as 3 grandchildren, and her persnickety cat – Sally.
Allison Schiffmann Bresette, Director of Communications
Allison has been with Saint Mary’s for many years, serving first as the Co-Chair of the Rector Search Committee and then part-time as the Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministries. After a brief time away from Saint Mary’s working in Education Administration, Allison returned to full-time employment at Saint Mary’s, initially in the role of Community Engagement Coordinator. Allison has been is currently employed full-time as our Director of Communications. Allison is very active in the community and has served on many local boards; the Barnstable Village Association, the Barnstable Yacht Club and the Cape Cod Community Rowing Board. Allison was raised in Washington D.C. and Cape Cod. After attending college at Princeton University where she studied English Literature and Environmental studies; she chose to settle in Barnstable to raise her family in the community she treasures. Allison is a proud mother to her 3 children, Isabelle, Thomas and John who are all currently attending University. She is also a shameless promoter of their up and coming Indie Rock Band, Niki and The Barn Boys. Allison is proud to work on behalf of the vibrant and welcoming community that is St. Mary’s.
Ann Kaprielian, Finance Coordinator
Ann was born and raised in Natick, Massachusetts, at a time when everyone knew your name (1970’s and 1980’s). She lived in Natick for 35 years. She was married in 2004 and moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she resided for 8 years.
Ann and her husband bought a house on Cape Cod, as a “vacation” home but, life changed and it became a permanent residence in 2012. As Ann says, “Living by the ocean, hearing the birds sing and smelling the salt air is bliss and inspires a lot of my creations. Ann is an avid knitter and crocheter, and loves to sew. She is also an animal lover and she and her husband reside with three dogs and two cats.
If you need to reach Ann her email is finance@stmarys-church.org