Parish Staff

My family and I have been a part of the St. Mary Magdalen faith community since we moved to the Kentwood area thirteen years ago. I have volunteered as a catechist for both the elementary and preschool programs and have served as a Pastoral Council member.

In 2004 I began working for the parish as the Coordinator for the Spirituality Ministries. That part time position has evolved into a full time passion for ministry and I am now the Coordinator of Faith Formation.

I am involved in the preschool programs, the elementary, middle school and adult Faith Formation programs, RCIA, (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults), Mother’s Group, Sacramental Preparation and miscellaneous parish retreats. These ministries have allowed me to interact with the parishioners on both a professional and personal level and I have grown spiritually from that experience. I am blessed to serve such a vibrant, supportive and loving faith community.

For nearly 26 years I have enjoyed being a member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish. For the last seven of these years, I have had the privilege of serving the parish as a full time staff member. I began this ministry in 2004 as the Director of Pastoral Care and was deeply humbled by the opportunity to offer the support of the parish and prayerful presence to individuals and families during times of difficulty, illness and loss.

In 2008 it was decided that our parish would devote a full time position to serving the youth of our parish and I was invited to serve as the Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministries. This has been a true gift allowing me to help facilitate the growth and development of our young church. It is with hope-filled joy that I witness their enthusiasm, sincere desire for God and ever-deepening faith.

It is evident that God is working great things in them and through them!I am thankful to God for bringing me to this place and allowing me to serve. At Mass I often look at all of us gathered realizing that I have come to know many of you and your stories. Know that I hold you in my heart and in my prayer. If I haven’t yet had the opportunity to meet you in person, please stop me and introduce yourself, I would love to meet you!

I have been the music director at St. Mary Magdalen Parish since September 2010. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Piano as my primary instrument, vocal and organ as secondary) with a Minor in Psychology in 2009 at Western Michigan University.

I was actively involved with liturgical music at my home-town Parish of Our Lady of Consolation in Rockford from 2002 to 2010 and was the music director for a year at St. Charles in Greenville. At St. Mary Magdalen, I am the director of the Children's Choir, Adult Choir, Resurrection Choir, Hand Bell Ensemble, and the recently added ensemble, the Woman's Choir. I also co-direct a Folk Ensemble that includes all varieties of instrumentation (drums, guitar, bass, flute, etc.) and contemporary repertoire.

In addition to directing and supplying music for worship, I am also a private piano instructor, a member of NPM (National Association of Pastoral Musicians), and an enthusiast for live music.

My family has called St. Mary Magdalen our faith home for the past 30 years. I volunteered in several ministries where I really did not have to be Catholic until 1996 when I went through RCIA and received my first Holy Communion and Confirmation at Easter Vigil. My family is a ‘regular’ at the 5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturday.

In 2003 I had the privilege of becoming a staff member where I have worn many hats and have gotten to know many of you personally. My current position is Coordinator of Christian Services where I help the parish with opportunities of living their faith by seeing the face of God in others around them. I am grateful to be part of a Parish that gives of their time, talent, and treasure so freely.

I have been the Business Manager here at St. Mary Magdalen Parish since November, 2009. I have 12 years of experience with a regional public accounting firm. I graduated from Aquinas College in 1989 with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. I also have a degree in Marketing from Michigan State University.

My wife Terri and I have been married 33 years. We are parishioners at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. We have three adult children (all daughters), who have given us five grandchildren. I enjoy golf, reading, travel, and spending time with my wonderful family.

I have worked for the Parish of St. Mary Magdalen as Parish Secretary for 18 years. My husband and I were parishioners when we lived in Kentwood and have returned to this community of faith now that we have moved back.

I enjoy greatly the people of St. Mary Magdalen and have considered this parish home for 25 years (even while attending church in Three Rivers). I grew up in Franklin, PA, we’ve raised 4 daughters and enjoy 14 beautiful grandchildren. I am always happy to talk to you on the phone or in person and to serving in whatever capacity I can.

I am the new addition to the office staff of St. Mary Magdalen for the position of Administrative Assistant. I was born and brought up in Mangalore, a beautiful city on the coast of the Arabian Sea in the Southern part of India. I graduated with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Bangalore, India before moving to Grand Rapids after getting married. My husband and I have been a part of St. Mary Magdalen community for the past six years.

Singing has always been one of my passions and I became a member of the Church Choir in 2010. It has been a wonderful experience to be a part of such talented people in the music ministry. I enjoy interacting with and meeting new people.