For bios, pictures, and email: Click the staff name below.
| Nancy Becker | Communications | Tracey Neary | Nursery Director | |
| Fr. James Cassidy | Parochial Vicar | Pam Oleson-Kremer | Ministry Support Administrator | |
| Fr. Jim Debruycker | Pastor | Cristine Patlan | PreSchool Coord | |
| Cathy Doyle-Burris | Director of Youth Ministries | Therese Pendleton | PreSchool Asst. Coord. | |
| Steve Friedrichs | Facilities Director/Event Coordinator | Roseann S. Rogers | Pastoral Minister | |
| Becky Grover | Eve. Receptionist/Mass Coordinator | Tom Smith-Myott | Adult Formation Coordinator | |
| Mary Ann Kelly-Wright | Director of Faith Formation | Mark Scannell | Sunday Liturgy Coordinator | |
| Jean Jachman |
Receptionist(Part time) | Ross Spriggs | Maintenance | |
| Julie Madden | Director of Peace & Justice | Erwin Templin |
Parish Director |
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| George Maurer | Associate Music Director | Anna Vagle | Director of Music/Liturgy | |
| Mary McDonough | Receptionist and Baptism Coordinator | Kevin Weiser | Maintenance | |
| Nancy McPherson | Bookkeeper | Don Creighton | Technology |
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Nancy Becker, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , - a graduate of Regina High School and attended Bemidji State University. She is member of St. Joan's, and began her position as parish secretary in June 1999 and moving to Communications Coordinator in 2003. Communications is in charge of the bulletin, the Arc Angle and the calendar. She also acts as the liason to website.Nancy and her family returned to South Minneapolis after living in the St. Cloud area for 10 years. Her hobbies include skiing, camping, music and spending time with her 3 daughters and her large extended family. |
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Fr. Jim Cassidy is a member of the St. Joan's pastoral staff, having served since January 1994. Jim brings a passion for inclusiveness, encouraging and educating SJA and the larger church community to welcome and affirm all people. He has served over 25 years in hospice care ministry. Jim has journeyed to South Africa several times. In helping to create the Arm In Arm In Africa ministry, the door has been opened to many people in the fight against HIV-AIDS. To support local HIV-AIDS beneficiaries, Jim has maintained a leadership role with Team Oz (the SJA "biking team") for the annual Red Ribbon Ride. Being raised in a small Nebraska town, Jim brings an insightful sense of humor to homilies by occasionally sharing a "Post Card from Nebraska". |
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Fr. Jim Debruycker, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , joined the SJA family in December of 2005 after many years as the priest at neighboring St. Leonards and duty as chaplain at Hennepin County Medical Center. Jim worked for the telephone company immediately after college at St. Johns before becoming a priest in 1982. He is an avid reader who also enjoys working with his hands. Jim grew up in St. Paul but now makes his home in South Minneapolis. |
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Cathy Doyle-Burris, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , has been the Director of Youth Ministry since June 2007. She coordinates programs at SJA for students in grades 7-12 including recruiting and training volunteers for Religious Ed, Youth Group and Confirmation. She also guides the Peer Ministry program, plans service learning opportunities, camps and retreats. Originally from Owatonna, MN, Cathy earned a BS degree in Physical Education at Winona State University. She has held two other youth ministry positions and has worked in education as a driver ed instructor and substitute teacher. She and husband Ron have been parishioners since before they were married. Their children are Luke and Margaret. Cathy enjoys their large extended families, teen fiction, biking, volleyball, and above all, traveling with kids - her own and everyone else's! |
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Steven Friedrichs, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the Facilities Director and coordinates the Shared Ministry and Special Events programs. The maintenance work includes planning and care of the physical plant, and giving direction to several full-time and part-time workers. Shared Ministry includes surveying, compiling and communicating with thousands of parishioner volunteers for the plethora of ministries at SJA. Special Events includes the Parish Picnic, Seder, PrimeTimers events, and New Parishioner parties. Steven has been actively involved in youth development from coaching baseball, hockey and soccer to pre-school religious education teacher. His previous work includes Residential Real Estate sales and marketing, and as a Home Improvement small business owner. Steven and his wife, Amy, have been parishioners since 1985, and were married at SJA in 1990. They have two delightful children. |
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Becky Grover, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the Evening Receptionist, greeting callers and visitors, scheduling communion ministers and doing other tasks as needed. She is also SJA's Mass Coordinator. Becky grew up in Minneapolis, graduating from Marshall High School and the University of Minnesota with B.S. and MEd degrees in elementary education. Becky is an early retiree, after teaching 30 years in the Minneapolis. She spends time gardening at her SW Minneapolis home (22yrs), doing crossword puzzles, golfing, and traveling. |
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Jean Jachman is a part-time Receptionist. After serving as a volunteer receptionist for many years at SJA, in mid 2006 Jean agreed to work as a receptionist on Saturdays, evenings and as a substitute. Jean hails from Kittanning, PA, and has lived in four other states prior to settling in Minneapolis. Since serving in Thailand refugee camps, she has "provided a foster home for a bunch of refugee kids" and stays connected to the refugee community. These days she enjoys playing Scrabble, but especially enjoys "doing Grandmother stuff" with four beautiful grandchildren. |
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Pam Oleson-Kremer, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , a long time member of St. Joan of Arc, has served in many capacities since joining the SJA staff in 2004. These days she is the Sunday Morning Coordinator in the Parish Center, is support to the Youth Ministry Programs, helps prepare the Sunday gym slides, coordinates SJA Concert Series ticket sales, and works on the SJA website. She is married to Steve Kremer (SJA musician). They have two delightful daughters, Kristen and Leah. |
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Julie Madden, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , took over the Peace & Justice Ministries job in September 2000. She is the staff liaison for SJA WAMM/Peacemakers, the SJA Peace network, ISAIAH, the GLBT group, Sister Parish, International Ministries, the Housing Ministry, the PEACE Foundation partnership, Prayer Partners, SJA Women's Group and the SJA Communications Committee. Julie has a diverse background including work with Catholic Charities in the Office for Social Justice and in Volunteer Coordination. She is also a theatre and commercial actress with local theatres including Theatre Latte Da, Actor's Theatre and Hey City. Julie was a participant in the 1997-98 RCIA group and made her Profession of Faith at St. Joan of Arc on Easter, 1998. She continues to be an active member of St. Joan of Arc along with her husband, Michael, and son, Joshua. According to Julie, working in peace and justice ministries with the community of St. Joan of Arc is the best of all possible jobs! For more on Julie, see this feature. |
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George Maurer joined the St. Joan of Arc staff in January 2007 as an Associate Music Director. He is the primary Sunday keyboardist with other duties including music directing and arranging. Born in St. Louis Park, he found his way to SJA via Western Pennsylvania and Southern Wisconsin. At age 8, he sang in the Metropolitan Boys' Choir of the Twin Cities and started his piano studies. A graduate of St. John's University, Collegeville, MN, with a major in music composition and a minor in business, George has performed nationwide - from the Ordway Theater, for members of Congress, to the United Nations, and the White House. Apart from SJA, George performs locally with the George Maurer Jazz Group and Collective Unconscious. Learn more about George from his introductory feature article. |
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Mary McDonough, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the Receptionist and Baptism Coordinator. She loves being a resource person, providing a variety of services and connecting people with the staff and information they need. Minneapolis has always been her home. She grew up as a member of St. Stephen's parish and attended high school at the Academy of the Holy Angels. Mary graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Photojournalism and Mass Communication. After a long career as a photographer and video producer, life's journey led her to working as a Special Education Assistant for Minneapolis Public Schools and now SJA. Mary enjoys movies, theatre, music, traveling and her daughter Olivia continually fills her life with joy and wonder. |
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Nancy McPherson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has been SJA's bookkeeper since 1988. Amongst many tasks she coordinates and administers the parish membership and contribution database, and maintains the parish financial records. |
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Tracey Neary, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. has been the Nursery Director since September 2008. Her responsibilities include organizing the Nursery, managing many volunteers and helping wherever needed. Tracey is a U of Minnesota graduate and a retired NWA cabin attendant. With her husband, Greg, and two sons, Kendal and Liam, she resides in South Minneapolis near the "peace bridge." Originally from the Washington-Oregon area, Tracey has been a SJA member since 2001. In her job, she especially enjoys "the brand new babies" and meeting new parishioners "who are thrilled to be at SJA." Apart from many family activities, Tracey enjoys reading, a jewelry design hobby, and hiking. |
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Cristine Patlan,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, has been on staff working with the preschool/kindergarden faith formation program since August 2000. She organizes the Children's Christmas program, Camp St. Joan, Children's Sunday and various children's special events. She and her family have been parishioners for over 12 years; husband Michael Fearing, Sabrina, Gabriel, and Cecilia.
Previous to St. Joan, Cristine spent 15 years working in the youth development field at two local non-profit organizations. A native Californian ... it wasn't the winter that lured her to Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and after graduation didn't leave. When not working or trying to keep warm she homeschools her children, reads and runs. |
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Therese Pendleton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , has been Preschool Assistant Coordinator since November 2008. Her main responsibility is helping to organize and run the preschool program. At her job, Therese "really enjoys the welcoming nature of the SJA community, and of course, the kids." Therese is a Metropolitan State University graduate and lives in St. Paul. Apart from being a mom to Hannah, Therese especially enjoys playing the piano, cards with friends and horseshoes in a summer league. |
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Roseann Shaughnessy Rogers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is Director of Pastoral Ministries. This title includes Funerals and Memorials, Mental Illness Ministry (MIM), BeFrienders, Pastoral Visits, Marriage Preparation, Annulment Process, Grief Support Groups, Separated and Divorce Support and Caregivers. Rosie's husband is Bill Rogers, and they have 3 daughters and 7 delightful grandchildren. She and her family have been parishioners for 21 years. During the same 21 years she has enjoyed many other staff responsibilities. |
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Tom Smith-Myott, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the SJA Adult Formation Director. Tom provides staff support for the Life-Long Learning Board and its committees, the Small Christian Community Board, and the Adult Catechumenate. He also is responsible for hiring the Sunday speakers. Tom has MAs in Theology from St. John's University in Collegeville and the University of Notre Dame. Tom has thirty-five years of experience in religious education and ministry. He began by teaching religion at Derham Hall High School in the 1970's and has been working in Twin Cities parishes since. Tom is married and has three adult children. Tom has been at St. Joan of Arc since 1996. |
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Mark Scannell, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and his wife, Elaine, have been members of Joan of Arc Parish since 1999. Mark is a member of the Parish Retreat Team and Prayer Partners. He's a staff member on the SJA team that coordinates the Sunday morning liturgies. Originally from Oak Park, IL, Mark migrated to MN in 1977. Mark holds several degrees from several academic settings. Now he's retired and loves the freedom that comes with retirement. He especially enjoys being an adult softball umpire, involvement in neighborhood activities, and tutoring in a grammar school. |
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Ross Spriggs has been a full time maintenance worker since September 2008, having served part-time before. His tasks include set-up and clean-up for many events as well as general maintenance. Ross says, "What I like best about my job is the people are all in a good mood, smiling and always helpful. I really enjoy assisting people in whatever they need." Born in Milwaukee, Ross has 3 sons, Luke, Philip and Andrew, and lives in South Minneapolis with Luke. Ross enjoys many sports but especially coaching elementary school children basketball, soccer and baseball. |
| Erwin Templin, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the Parish Director. He holds a masters degree in Business from the University of Minnesota and a masters degree in Theology from the College of St. Catherine. He has been active in our community as the Chair of the Finance Committee, co-leader of our Confirmation program and a member of the Youth Ministry Board. | |
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Anna Mae Vagle, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , is the St. Joan of Arc Director of Ministry & Liturgy. She grew up in rural, central Minnesota with strong family and church community ties. She graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music, voice performance and education. Anna sang professionally for 15 years with her husband Fred concertising, recording and publishing their original music. As a member of the SJA music staff for over 25 years, Anna has acted as consultant on children's and adult liturgies and designed and coordinated special, creative services. She now directs the music program, coordinates liturgies and has a special responsibility for directing the "Family Mass", the adult choir and the yearly St. Joan of Arc Concert Series. Anna Mae and Fred live in South Minneapolis, have five children and seven grandchildren. For more about Fred and Anna, see this feature. |
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Kevin Weiser has been a maintenance worker since 1996. His job is basically to "watch over things" to be sure the buildings and grounds are "safe and clean". |
