Staff and Ministers

Father Ken Schmidt, the pastor of St. Tom's, celebrates the sacraments, as well as coordinates the strategic planning and financial aspects of our vibrant student parish. Fluent in Spanish, Ken works with our sister parish in El Salvador. He will be leading  the student delegation to El Salvador during spring break week. Ken works with the other Pastoral Team members in most aspects of the parish life. He works closely with the finance and facilities committees. Click to send Fr. Ken an email at kenneth.schmidt@wmich.edu

Sr. Sue McCrery, a Sister of St. Joseph, is a member of the Pastoral Team. Sue is writing her thesis to complete a Doctor of Ministry degree from Catholic Theological Union, and working full time at St. Tom's, leading the Music Ministry, caring for the church environment, working with students to plan student retreats, and co-leading a Bible Study with United Campus Ministry on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm at Kanley Chapel (WMU) You can email Sister Sue at sue.mccrery@sttomskazoo.org

Sr. Sue models a gift from friends
who know her well!

Msgr. William Fitzgerald -- Fitz  resides at the Diocesan Center for Discernment on South Street where he gathers people for prayer, community, and discernment as to where God may be calling people to serve. We are pleased to have him helping out at St. Tom's on occasion.
 

Ms. Marianne Lippi  is a part time helper managing the Raiser's Edge  Data-base making sure we have accurate information for all our parishioners - students and permanent residents as well as alumni. She handles the envelop list  and the KDSA list for the Diocese.  Every fall and spring she updates and enters census information from the census cards for students currently attending our local colleges and university. When you have any changes of address or phone, please send them to us, ATT: Marianne, so we can keep up to date.

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Mrs. Michele Cretsinger  is our parish secretary, who greets all who come into the office during the week. As the front desk person, Michele wears many hats. She writes the weekly bulletin, coordinates the parish calendar and room schedules, schedules the Mass intentions,  keeps the schedule of Student Suppers and other student activities, and works many parishioners who coordinate the various parish  groups and activities. Michele's email address is: michele@sttomskazoo.org


 

Marian Nelson, also a member of the Pastoral Team, coordinates the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the process for  people - students and others, interested in the Catholic faith and St. Tom’s parishioners who would like to sponsor them. She handles the orientation and scheduling of the Liturgical Ministers (Mass Coordinators, Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers) and the Welcoming Ministry which reaches out to our newly registered parishioners . Marian works closely with St. Tom’s/St. Joe’s Religious Education Program. If you would like more information about these ministries, you can email Marian at marian.nelson@sttomskazoo.org

Deacon Pat Hall, a member of the Pastoral Team, is very interested in outreach to students on all the area campuses. Pat works closely with students to help plan retreats. He mentors our Student Ministry Team, and provides guidance and assistance for our student programming like More at Midweek. Pat enjoys helping students as they ask the big questions, search for life’s meanings, and seek their dreams.  Pat also assists in our family ministries including administering baptism and witnessing marriages.  You may also find him assisting and preaching at one of our Masses.  You may call him at the office or click to send him email at: patrick.hall@sttomskazoo.org

Mrs. Sharon Froom
is a mental health professional. If you are looking for support, in an environment that shares your faith life, please feel free to contact her-- through a member of the pastoral team, or directly by calling the parish office.  
                                               
                                             
                                          

                                                            Sharon and her husband Jim

Pat Hall, Martha Rushmore, and Sharon Froom enjoying Martha's wonderful desserts at a staff lunch.

Ms. Martha Reid, our bookkeeper,  joined our staff in 2005. In addition to her ten key skills, she has 88 key skills - on the piano. On weekends you will find her singing and playing at her other home parish, St. Ann of Gull Lake. If you have any questions regarding accounting matters, feel free to call or email her at
Martha.Reid@sttomskazoo.org 

Mr. Lyle Smith, our maintenance and all round - who can do anything - man.
Lyle keeps the buildings, the boilers, the kitchen and the yards in good order, working properly and looking beautiful.