Our Team

Dawn Cousineau

Dawn is the President and Founder of Divine Mercy Ministries International. Since a young age she has had a passion for mission work and for helping those less fortunate. As a Rhode Island resident since 1990, Dawn has been active in many RI organizations which have served the homeless and elderly of her state. She has raised five beloved children during this time. Dawn’s maxim that she lives by is: “Mercy is the flower of love. God is love and mercy is His deed”  (from the Diary of St. Faustina).

Rev. Bartholomew Chidiebele Ogumelu

Fondly known as Father Barth, Rev. Bartholomew Chidiebele Ogumelu, is the current spiritual advisor of Divine Mercy Ministries International.

Fr Barth was ordained to the Priesthood on July 15, 1995, in the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria. He was assigned to the USA in 2011 for studies and mission.  He has dual Masters’ Degrees in Theology (Nigeria) and Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Franciscan University Steubenville, Ohio, USA).

Father is currently the Priest Chaplain at the prestigious Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester, NH. While this is his full-time assignment, he is also very busy assisting understaffed parishes offering Mass and other necessary priestly duties in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, New Hampshire.

His zeal for the Priestly Ministry of preaching, teaching and healing is outstanding and he is very passionate about saving souls and touching people’s lives positively.

In his own words “I enjoy my Priestly ministry,” and “I love working for the people” and “serving the people of God” from all walks of life.

Matthew Toenjes

Matthew is a founding member Of Divine Mercy Ministries International, and currently serves as Interim Treasurer and Secretary.  He has worked for and served on several non-profit organizations boards throughout the years.

He holds a degree in Accounting and Business and over the last 12 years he has successfully run his own business, Matthew’s Accounting Services.

Originally from Maryland, he loves to travel and has lived in many different places within the U.S as well as abroad for several years in Brazil. During this time Matthew and his wife have had eight children and are currently settled in Topeka, Kansas.

Fredrick Stachura

Frederick Stachura is a founding board member of DMMI and currently serves as Legal Counsel.

He is parishioner at St. Mary Mother of God Church in downtown Washington D.C. and Holy Ghost Church in Tiverton, Rhode Island. He is an attorney and planning supervisor at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission focusing on neighborhood revitalization and historic preservation. Mr. Stachura is a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus, Saint Maximillian Kolbe Council affiliated with Our Lady Queen of Poland Parish, which serves the Polish community of Washington, DC. He took his law degree at Saint Louis University School of Law, an M.A. degree at Boston University, and his B.A degree at Boston College.

Mr. Stachura is an educator and presently teaches Preservation Law and Public Policy at the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Historic Preservation. He has spent many years of service supporting religious communities and activities. Mr. Stachura has a keen interest in liturgy and is devoted to the advancement of the Traditional Latin Mass. He enjoys family time with his wife and three children and quiet time tending to his gardens in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

Kevin McDevitt

Kevin joined the DMMI board in 2022 and has always had a passion for assisting the poorest of the poor. 

He is a native of Rhode Island and is a former board chair of Amos House (which provides housing, meals etc. to low income individuals) and Bishop McVinney School (inner city Catholic grammar school).

He has been a long time supporter of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and embraces their saying “we don’t help people because they are Catholic or not, we help them because we are Catholic”.

Kevin has organized fundraisers for the tsunami victims in Southeast Asia and for the hurricane victims in Haiti. He has traveled on three mission trips with CRS and on one trip he was accompanied by his wife and three children to Kenya and Rwanda.

Kevin is an advisor to Mother Olga of the Sacred Heart who founded a new religious community of sisters in Boston, MA in 2012 called the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth.

He is an active member of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in East Greenwich.  He has been married for over 40 years and has been blessed with 3 children and 8 grandchildren.  

James Hagerty

Throughout Jim’s career, he has volunteered for organizations which help people help themselves. This includes addressing basic needs such as food security, education, childcare and housing. Joining the DMMI board continues his commitment to help improve the lives of the disadvantaged.

He currently serves on the board of Meeting Street and on the advisory boards of Saint Patrick Academy, the Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island and the Providence College President’s Council.

Jim is a member of Saints Rose & Clement Parish in Warwick, RI. Married for 40 years to his wife Nancy, they have three children and three grandchildren.

Dr. Mary Onyejose

Dr. Mary Onyejose is a seasoned executive leader with over three decades of experience in human and social services, specializing in the support and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As the President and CEO of Community Living of Rhode Island, Inc., Dr. Onyejose has demonstrated exceptional skill in program development, strategic planning, and quality control, leading transformational change within the organization. Her work is marked by a deep commitment to the people she serves, bringing a blend of business acumen and compassionate leadership to drive positive outcomes for clients, families, and the broader community.

In addition to their extensive professional experience, Dr. Mary Onyejose holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Walden University, with a strong academic background in psychology and sociology. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the Society for Human Resource Management. Dr. Onyejose is also a certified instructor in CPR, First Aid, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, underscoring her dedication to safety and well-being. Her leadership and commitment to excellence makes her an invaluable asset to the board of Divine Mercy Ministries International.

Tomás McLaughlin

Tomás became an advisor to the DMMI board in 2024. He has dedicated his personal and professional life to serving and empowering others. After graduating from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA, he worked with and advocated for youth, the underemployed, teachers, seniors and communities in Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington, DC. He is a parishioner at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, RI.

Ann Duchense

Ann has been involved with the DMMI ministry since 2020 and is currently a member of the advisory board. 

She is a retired physical therapist who previously lived in Rhode Island for 48 years where she was involved in several pro-life organizations and groups that serve the poor in the community as well as third world countries.  

She has been living in New Hampshire since 2022 where she continues to be involved with pro-life organizations and groups that serve the poor. She is an active member and volunteer of Sainte Marie’s Parish in Manchester New Hampshire. 

She has been married to Steve for 44 years and is the mother of three daughters and nine grandchildren. 

Michael Aoyama

Michael is currently our web developer, helping us to maintain our website and aiding us in our technology needs. He previously worked in Evangelization with the Office of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Providence. Prior to that he also spent time as a religious brother discerning a vocation to the Priesthood and Religious life with the Legionaries of Christ.

He currently runs his own Web Development and Consulting business, Aoyama Consulting.

Michael is a member of St. Agatha Parish in Woonsocket, RI. Married for 6 years to his wife Jenna, they have three beautiful children.