It is with great pleasure that we introduce our new Director of Family Faith Formation, Rachel Sexton. Rachel studied Cognitive Science at Vanderbilt University while participating in the Army ROTC program throughout her four years there. Upon graduating, she commissioned as an officer and Chaplain Candidate in the U.S. Army Reserve and has served with her unit at Fort Devens, MA, for the past three years. Rachel recently completed her Master of Divinity at Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, an experience she describes as transformative.
Rachel’s ministry experience has included teaching Confirmation at St. Peter’s Parish in Cambridge; interning with the Office of Ignatian Spirituality for the USA East Province of the Society of Jesus; completing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, TN; serving as a Regimental Chaplain for U.S. Army Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky; and participating in Prison Ministry at MCI Concord.
Outside of ministry, Rachel enjoys fitness, particularly CrossFit, and earned her CrossFit Level 2 Coaching Certification this past July. She is especially interested in exploring the ways faith, fitness, and community can intersect, and has been working with CrossFit and MCI Norfolk to help incarcerated individuals earn their CrossFit Level 1 Certifications. Rachel loves deep and meaningful conversations and is currently in formation to become a spiritual director. She also enjoys baking, singing – especially jazz standards – and playing sports, including sweep rowing and tennis.
Rachel is particularly drawn to the Church’s call to synodality and to the beauty of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of individuals and communities. She hopes to encourage and uplift the vocation of the laity, while helping families recognize the beauty and importance of marriage and the profound role parents have as the first and primary teachers of their children in the faith. Rachel is excited to begin this new role and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the families of our parishes and to collaborate with the entire ministry team.
Rachel received orders to report to South Carolina for 10 weeks of training this fall as an Army Reserve Chaplain Candidate, and during her absence our Pastoral Team will be leading our Family Faith Formation programs. We look forward to welcoming her back in December!