Saint Alphonsus Liguori Staff
Rev. Father Dennis J. O'Keeffe, D. Min.
Pastor
873-2885, ext. 104
frokeeffe@zionsvillecatholic.com
Father O'Keeffe is the first son and oldest sibling of nine brothers and sisters all very close in age; each marches to the beat of a different drummer and still enjoys the company of the others. The only one choosing celibacy, the others are all married and have children. There are nineteen nieces and nephews to spoil, give sugar, get excited and send home. Fr. O'Keeffe, after high school graduation in 1975, received the Bachelor of Arts in Scholastic Philosophy from the Seminary of Saint Pius X in 1980 and the Master of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of Theology in 1984. In the spring of 1984 Father was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Raymond Gallagher, of happy memory. The years of seminary were excellent preparation for the work of a young parish priest in youth ministry and religious education. The first assignment as a religion teacher at Central Catholic High School in Lafayette, Indiana was an excellent introduction into priestly ministry. The Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Dayton in 1990 was of tremendous benefit in the ministry of high school education and chaplaincy. Combined, the background is wonderful training to be of assistance to the people of God. In 1992 Bishop William Higi assigned Father O'Keeffe to Saint Mary Parish in Muncie. Two years under Fr. Wm. Grady were especially formative. Saint Mary Parish in Union City was the first pastorate and will always have a place of fondness as any priest's first pastorate does. 1996 was the year of transfer to Saint Lawrence Parish in Muncie, an inner city parish of 650 families and a beautiful church. In 1998 Father O'Keeffe became pastor of Saint Joan of Arc Parish in Kokomo. A parish ready for growth and transition. A Doctor of Ministry degree was awarded in 2000, the concentration is in Pastoral Counseling. The privileged opportunity of 2006 was to become the Pastor of Saint Alphonsus Liguori Parish in Zionsville. Father Dennis O'Keeffe finds an answer to God's call in the life of a parish priest and as pastor at Saint Alphonsus Liguori Parish in Zionsville, Indiana. Time with family is rare, but always anticipated. When not in the pastoral mode, hobbies occupy his time. He enjoys novels that are too big, traveling too far away, sleeping too late, and pretending to be organized.
Rev. Fr. Joshua M. Janko
Associate Pastor
873-2885, ext. 103
frjoshua@zionsvillecatholic.com
Father Joshua was ordained in 2006. He has an enthusiasm for ministry and for the people he serves that is easily recognized by the parishioners he is with. As the Associate Pastor, he has the same requirements of ministry as the Pastor and shares in the administration of the Parish. He is educated in elementary education with a B.A. from Anderson University and the Master in Divinity is from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Father is a teacher at heart and is bringing that gift to the Parish with his instruction in the F.I.R.E. program for adult religious education.
Miss Kimberly Overmyer
Director of Faith Formation
873-2885, ext. 102
faithformation@zionsvillecatholic.com
crhphelp@zionsvillecatholic.com
Kimberly Overmyer is the Director of Faith Formation. She has been a Catholic school principal in Muncie and Lafayette and a Director of Religious Education in Kokomo prior to working at St. Alphonsus. Kimberly was here for a short time in 2007 working as Director of Adult Ministries and was happy to return to St. Alphonsus the Summer of 2008. Kimberly has her Indiana Principal’s license, and a M.A. in Educational Administration & Supervision from Ball State University. Her B.S. degree is in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education focusing on children with mild disabilities. Kimberly is certified as a Professional Catechetical leader and continues to work toward the completion of the Ecclesial Lay Ministry certification. Kimberly’s position will oversee our ministries for children, families, adult faith formation (including R.C.I.A., C.R.H.P. and Parish Friends), and stewardship as well as the volunteers connected with these faith formation ministries.
Miss Sandra Thompson Santucci
Director of Worship and Sacred Music
873-2885, ext. 109
worshipdirector@zionsvillecatholic.com
Sandra Thompson Santucci is the Director of Worship. Sandra has a Bachelor of Music, Magna Cum Laude, from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. The focus of her course of studies was vocal performance and Church music, the minor in religious studies from a Catholic university made her a lock for the position in the Parish. Sandra began a Masters in Music at Belmont University, Nashville, Tennessee, but we hired her before the completion. The E.L.M. certificate of the Diocese is a part of the continuing education she will participate in. Sandra will care for the liturgical ministries that we see week after week in the church.
Mrs. Terrie Catellier
Bookkeeper
873-2885, ext. 114
bookkeeper@zionsvillecatholic.com
Terrie joined the staff on Oct. 2009. We will have a bio posted of Terrie very soon!
Mrs. Sonya Derocher
Administrative Assistant
873-2885, ext. 101
officemanager@zionsvillecatholic.com
Sonya Derocher is the longest serving member of the professional Staff of the Parish and is familiar with the way things have been done. Her education is in business administration and her work experience is in banking and the corporate world. In her capacity as Administrative Assistant she will work with human resources, financial controls, project management and marriage preparation. Keeping the Pastor efficient and focused is not the easy task it ought to be. She came into the Church through our own RCIA program and fell in love with the liturgy and traditions of the Church. A wife and mother of four, she balances the requirements of full time ministry with the obligations of home.
Mr. Dan Selear
Maintenance Director
345-5059
Coming into the area from Wisconsin to be with family, Mr. Dan Selear is the Maintenance Director caring for the buildings and the grounds of our Parish home. He has a wide 30 years of experience in the skilled trades and has his ‘Journeyman’s card in carpentry. He has been here almost a year. A car enthusiast, the skills he has have translated into hobbies, having built several ‘street rods’ in the past. He loves sports and follows Indiana teams, but he is honestly a Green Bay Packers fan and a Wisconsin Badgers fan.
Mrs. Nicki Baltz
Parish Secretary
873-2885, ext. 100
parishsecretary@zionsvillecatholic.com
A long time member of the Parish is the Parish Secretary, Mrs. Nicki Baltz. She has the unenviable position of keeping the office in order for the parish staff and volunteers; it is called ordinary administration. The Sunday Bulletin, Mass schedule, Sacramental records and the Master Calendar of the Parish are all her responsibility. These duties, as well as others she shares with other staff members, keep the days busy and her heart happy. Before taking this position with the church she enjoyed over 30 years of retail and business experience including owning The Gift Horse gift shop in downtown Zionsville for several years. Children, grandchildren and gardening take up her time while away from the office. Nicki also enjoys traveling, including some NFL football games her husband officiates.
Mrs. Carolyn Gehlbach
Ministry Secretary
873-2885, ext. 113
ministrysecretary@zionsvillecatholic.com
Mrs. Carolyn Gehlbach is the Ministry Secretary. She has a background in public and school libraries. She is experienced in the technical aspects of office equipment. Reading is her main hobby. Carolyn says she is truly certain God has put her here and is very thankful to Him for this opportunity to work with the parish. Her primary responsibilities are maintaining the parish databas, LOGOS, and helping the ministry directors fulfill their responsibilities.
Mr. Paul Sifuentes
Youth Ministry
873-2885, ext. 106
youngadult@zionsvillecatholic.com
Paul joined the staff on July 1, 2009. We will have a bio posted for Paul very soon!
Mrs. Terie Thompson
873-2885, ext. 115
youthcoordinator@zionsvillecatholic.com
Brenda Knecht
Religious Education Coordinator
873-2885, ext. 107
recoordinator@zionsvillecatholic.com
Brenda Knecht is the Religious Education Coordinator for St. Alphonsus Parish. She is responsible for registering children for classes, recruiting catechists, correspondence with families, making sure that classes run smoothly and that the teachers have all the materials they need to teach their class. She will also be responsible in making sure all arrangements are made for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Brenda has just recently started back to work after taking time off to raise her five children. The Knecht family have been members of St. Alphonsus since 1999.
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