| Staff
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Maureen Evers
Pastoral Associate
Marion Hornung
Director of Religious Ed
Jim Welch
Youth Minister
Michelle Farmer,
Director of Music Ministry
Susan Gray
Business Manager
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| Maureen Evers, Pastoral Associate
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Maureen Evers began her career as a high school English teacher upon graduating from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. While in college, she landed a work/study position position in the campus ministry department, proved to be formative in her discernment of a vocation to lay ecclesial ministry.
During her seven years of teaching, Maureen began to listen more closely to the voice of God and found her way to Loyola University, where she completed a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies in 2005. While working on her Masters degree, Maureen became a member of Old St. Patrick’s Church, sang in the choir, volunteered with the Young Adult Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and was eventually offered the position of Associate Director of Faith Formation at Old St. Pat’s, where she worked for five years with young adults, the RCIA, and the Beloved Retreat program.
Most recently, Maureen has spent the last three years at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC, serving as the Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation. Her main responsibilities included the RCIA, Adult Confirmation, Young Adult Ministry, and various retreats, courses, and programs for adults.
Maureen is delighted to be back in the Chicago area and looking forward to coming to know Christ more deeply through the parishioners of St Mary of Vernon, as well as the many and varied ministries that are involved with her new position.
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| Marion Hornung, Director of Religious Education
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Marion Hornung, the new Director of Religious Education, worked for 15 years as a professional lay minister in the area of Youth Ministry at St. Paul the Apostle in Gurnee and St. Alphonsus Liguori, in Prospect Heights. In both parishes her duties also included the religious education and Confirmation preparation of students in middle school.
At her most recent position at St. Alphonsus Liguori, she was asked to serve as Director of Religious Education and Youth Ministry. It was a wonderful learning experience for her both professionally and personally! The position provided me with the opportunity to work with the younger children and it was something that she thoroughly enjoyed.
Marion has worked with St. Mary of Vernon many times over the years with the high school retreats. Jim Welch, Deacon Phil Pagnotta and I often joined forces for our annual Winter Retreat. She have also been blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with Fr. Eduardo and a number of the adult youth ministry team as well. So, while she is the new person to many of you, she has some dear and wonderful friends at the parish too.
I grew up on the north side of Chicago around the Wrigley Field area and I am a huge Chicago sports fan. But of course, this helps, being the mother of three sons! I am a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago with a degree in Psychology. I plan on returning to graduate school next year to complete my master’s degree in Religious Education.
I am happily married to my college sweetheart John for 28 years now. We have three terrific sons who are now in their early to mid twenties and we have lived in Grayslake for the last 16 years. I have a sweet German Shepherd named Shea and she is two years old.
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| Jim Welch, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
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Jim Welch joined St. Mary of Vernon in July 2001. He has been a Youth Minister since 1994. Alpha Omega Office: 847-362-1021
Jim graduated from Niles College of Loyola University (now St. Joseph Seminary) with a degree in English and minors in Philosophy and Communications, with lots and lots of Theology classes.
Jim then attended the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein for just over three years, where he studied for the priesthood. At that time he left to volunteer with R.O.C.K., a group of young adults who spent a year living in Christian Community and running retreats for junior high and high school teenagers.
Jim and his wife, Cathy, have four young children. He is extremely excited to be a part of our parish community and to continue developing the Youth Ministry Program here at St. Mary of Vernon.
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| Michele Farmer, Director of Music
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Our Director of Music, Michele P. Farmer, has been a member of our parish since 1992, when her husband Randy came into the Church through our RCIA program. Michele and her husband, Randy, live in Mundelein and have five children.
Mrs. Farmer is a lifelong member of the Archdiocese of Chicago, having attended St. John Brebeuf Grammar School in Niles and St. Louise de Marillac High School in Northfield. She was a Piano Performance major while studying at Northwestern University. Michele began her career as a church organist in the fourth grade, and has never looked back. She has served as pianist, choir member, cantor, guitarist, violinist, choir director and even tubular and handbell ringer over the ensuing years. Her professional positions have included Director of Music Ministry at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Evanston, D.M.M. at Our Lady of Ransom Parish in Park Ridge, and most recently Choir Director and Organist at Addolorata Villa Catholic Retirement Community in Wheeling.
She is also a familiar presence as organist, pianist, cantor and guest artist at many area churches. Among them are St. Juliana’s in Chicago, St. John Brebeuf in Niles, St. James in Highwood, Community Presbyterian in Mount Prospect and St. John Lutheran in LaGrange.
The joyous song of our entire assembly is the first priority,” says Ms. Farmer. "And we are blessed with many talented singers and musicians to support that song. I hope to welcome even more of our gifted people to join music ministry at St. Mary of Vernon, especially our children and teens.” Please contact Michele Farmer by email or at 847-362-1005 to volunteer, or if you would like more information. Be a part of that heavenly host singing ‘round the table of the Lord.
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| Frank Ruder, Director of Sharing Hands Ministry
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Frank Ruder is the new Director of our Sharing Hands Ministry. For the past five years, Frank served as a Sharing Hands volunteer whose main involvement focused on keeping the pantry stocked and distributing food to the clients. As director, he now oversees the entire program, coordinates the volunteers and scheduling for the food pantry. Frank represents Sharing Hands at various Lake County organizations, Catholic Charities and our local township. He coordinates the Christmas Food Program and participates in many County-wide Food Drives.
Through this social outreach ministry, Frank's goal is to encourage our parish community to join in the important fight against hunger and to extend our services to those less fortunate. Frank and his wife Kathy are long-time parishioners who are recently retired. Kathy has also joined Sharing Hands as a new caseworker.
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| Director of Bereavement
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This position is currently vacant.
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| Susan Gray, Parish Business Manager
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As Parish Business Manager, Susan Gray is responsible for the administrative and financial aspects of the parish. Her role encompasses all financial operations of the parish, the parish database, scheduling calendar, human resources, and maintenance of the facilities and grounds our parish campus. Susan is also a founding member of our Sharing Hands Ministry and the staff liaison with the Human Concerns Commission of the Parish Pastoral Council.
Susan holds a Bachelor's Degree from C.W. Post College of Long Island University. Her family is one of the original St. Mary of Vernon families.
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| Support Staff
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Manny Colasuono, Evening Reception
Mike Gray, Maintenance Staff
John Cavalier, Maintenance Staff
Juanita Puchalski, Parish Administrative Assistant
Stella Smith, Bookkeeper
Suzanne Wogan, Bulletin Editor
Mary Winegard, PREP Office
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| Staff Announcements
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