Dear Friends,
Terri Ashmore announced her retirement today to fellow colleagues, effective December 31, 2024. Please see her attached letter to The Basilica community. The news of Terri’s retirement is met with many emotions, as we are both deeply grateful for her more than 30 years of dedicated service to The Basilica of St. Mary and The Basilica Landmark, but also happy for Terri that she will experience well deserved rest from her labors. I would like to congratulate Terri on her retirement and for her remarkable career at The Basilica.
Terri has been an integral part of this parish and community since 1993, contributing not only her expertise, but also her unwavering commitment and passion for this community and its mission. Throughout the years, she has made a lasting impact on our staff, volunteers, parish governance and parishioners – helping us grow and leading through countless opportunities, challenges, and programs. I have said often since beginning as pastor two years ago that The Basilica has lived the reality of co-responsibility – laity and clergy working together for the good of the parish for decades – Terri has been instrumental to this positive reality.
From The Basilica Block Party to the establishment of The Basilica Landmark, Terri’s presence has made a positive impact, and her absence will be deeply felt. Terri is one of the hardest workers I have ever served with in parish ministry. While we will miss her wisdom and deep knowledge, we are also excited for Terri as she enjoys well-deserved time with family, friends, and personal pursuits. No doubt, Terri’s generous heart and passion for service will continue to manifest into retirement.
Please join us in celebrating Terri’s remarkable career and wishing her all the best in retirement. We will be hosting a farewell gathering in the coming months, and we encourage everyone to come share their stories, memories, and gratitude. Details are forthcoming.
Thank you, Terri for your decades of loyalty and excellence at The Basilica, and the support you have given to colleagues and parishioners, including to me and the other clergy who have served at The Basilica during your tenure. Your legacy will live on, and you will always remain an important part of The Basilica family. May God guide you as you prepare to begin this new chapter of your life.
Having considered the impact of Terri’s retirement on The Basilica, The Basilica Landmark and the staff, I am pleased to announce that Jill Ahern will join the staff on November 18 as she prepares to serve as Interim Managing Director of Mission Advancement. Jill will assume day to day accountability for the role as of that date, and the remainder of Terri’s responsibilities as of January 2. Jill will work closely with Terri through the remainder of 2024, to ensure a smooth transition during this period of change.
Jill brings to this role both a wealth of professional experience in organizational transformation and strategy and a deep connection to The Basilica. Most recently, Jill served as Chief Transformation Officer at HAVI and has decades of expertise helping organizations through growth and change.
Over the last 15 years, Jill has been involved in many efforts here at The Basilica including Parish Council, Strategic Planning, Landmark Spark, and is currently serving on the Restoration Executive Committee. Jill’s experience and leadership style will be crucial in helping us maintain our momentum in Mission Advancement, and her compassion and care for this community will support the change management needed by our staff and lay leaders. We anticipate Jill will remain in the interim role for 6-9 months, during which time we will conduct a search for a permanent successor. I am fully confident that Jill will provide the guidance and stability needed to support our team through this transition, and I am most grateful that she has accepted this important role.
Please join me in welcoming Jill in her new capacity. I ask for your support and prayers for Terri, Jill, The Basilica staff, and our Basilica community during this time of transition and change. May the Spirit of God and the prayers of Mary, the Mother of God, continue to accompany us now and in the future.
Sincerely,
Fr. Daniel Griffith
Pastor & Rector
Message from Terri Ashmore
Managing Director of Mission Advancement / Executive Director of The Basilica Landmark
Dear Friends,
Since joining The Basilica staff in April of 1993, I’ve served in 3 rewarding jobs. I’ve truly loved my time at The Basilica of Saint Mary – and am grateful for the incredible opportunities to meet so many wonderful people, grow in my faith, and participate in this vibrant faith community. It’s been a wonderful and exciting place for a career in fundraising.
Like many people who hit their 60s, I have been contemplating plans for retirement. This summer, I celebrated my 69th birthday and I know the time has come to make a change. I will retire at the end of this year.
I’m committed to helping The Basilica experience a smooth transition and happy to help in any way I can. I will be working closely with Fr. Daniel and others to transition out of my role by December 31.
As I take this step, I am confident The Basilica is poised for continued fundraising success with the energetic and dedicated leadership of Fr. Daniel Griffith and Fr. Joe Gillespie, supported by my wonderful longtime colleagues, Audra Johnson and Johan van Parys.
The Basilica is blessed to have an incredibly talented Mission Advancement team, fabulous ministry and operations staff and amazing parish and Landmark volunteer leaders. Their enthusiasm, creativity and passion inspire me.
On a personal note, my husband Paul has been retired for a number of years. Our plans are to move back to my home state of Iowa next spring to be closer to family and lifetime friends.
While we will miss the Twin Cities and all it has to offer, most especially our many Basilica friends and colleagues, and this wonderful faith community, I look forward to visiting to help celebrate the beautifully restored Basilica of Saint Mary.
Sincerely,
Terri Ashmore
Managing Director of Mission Advancement / Executive Director of The Basilica Landmark