St. Mary Catholic Faith Community
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Parish Council

About Us
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The Parish Council is the policy forming body for the parish and the pastor’s primary advisory group. Among its areas of responsibility and accountability are the spiritual, financial, and educational concerns of St. Mary Parish.

The Council is responsible for guiding and determining the direction and decision-making of the parish. Members provide leadership and planning based on the mission of the church and parish. The council consists of 12 members elected from the parish at large and other ex-officio members. The latter includes the priests, pastoral associate, two trustees, and a youth representative.

Parishioners make a 3-year commitment and are discerned onto the Council.

This is your parish, and we, your parish council representatives. We hope that this directory helps put names to faces and also facilitates communication between you and the parish.

The Parish Council meets each month, and the minutes from each meeting can be found on the Agendas & Minutes page.

Ex Officio Members
Pastor Fr. Chuck Schramm
414-425-2174, ext 342
schrammc@stmaryhc.org
Associate Pastor Fr. Stephen Forrest
414-425-2174, ext 341
forrests@stmaryhc.org
Staff Advisor to the Council
Pastoral Associate Mary Matestic
414-425-2174, ext 338
matesticm@stmaryhc.org
Trustees
Clem Budney - cbudny@synap-sys.com
Bob Stollenwerk - abob@aol.com
Elected Members
Mary Campbell, Chairperson – mcampbell13@wi.rr.com
Julie Rafenstein–Schultz, Vice-Chairperson
Tim Welch, Secretary
Council Members
Chris Charapata – tcharapata1@wi.rr.com
Pam Lownik – Plownik@hotmail.com
Lorie Scheinkoenig – Shinyus@yahoo.com
Dan Roskopf – dan@carstensenconstruction.com
Joyce Roesler – Roesler2@wi.rr.com
Tim Teske - tjteske@hotmail.com
Bob Landowski - rlandowski1@wi.rr.com
Gregg Saksefski
Youth Representatives
Nathan Ceille - ceille_nathan@muhs.edu
Liza Pincsak


Father Charles Schramm

Father Chuck grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where his 88-year-old father still lives. He makes weekly trips to visit his father, who lives on his own, shovels his own snow and cuts his own lawn. He also has two sisters who live in the Fond du Lac area. Father Chuck graduated from Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac, and served in the U.S. Army. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, and Master of Theology degree from St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee. He subsequently earned his Master of Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He currently is serving as chair of the Archdiocesan Wellness Council for Priests.

Among his special interests in ministry are preaching and presiding (look for his trademark yellow legal pad containing his homily notes), counseling and adult formation. He also is devoted to promoting a parish climate conducive to maximizing individual potential and team work. His leadership style is to get to know people through informal opportunities as well as through official structures. "I like to help people to think. You may not always agree with my point of view but if we can have a thoughtful discussion, I feel we have been successful."

On a personal level, Father Chuck is an avid reader. He's dedicated to his regular exercise regimen, and also likes movies and relaxing with friends and family.

E-Mail: schrammc@stmaryhc.org

Father Stephen Forrest

Fr. Stephen was born in London, England, where his mother and three brothers and sister still reside. He is a member of the Missionary Community of St. Paul the Apostle, a missionary group that has a presence in Kenya and Ethiopia in Africa and in Bolivia, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. They also have a house in Racine where Fr. Stephen lives with the other members of this religious group. Fr. Stephen got his BA from UW-Parkside in 1999 and got his masters in divinity in 2004. He was ordained in 2004 and assigned to Prince of Peace/Principe de la Paz Church on Milwaukee's southside.

Fr. Stephen feels that a missionary spirit and trying to reaching out to all God's children are key to his ministry.

E-Mail: forrests@stmaryhc.org

Mary Matestic

Mary began her ministry at St. Mary Catholic Faith Community in July 1990 after she earned a Master of Theological Studies from St. Francis Seminary. She received her undergraduate degree from Alverno College, Milwaukee. Her ministry in pastoral care includes serving families who celebrate birth and Baptism; coordinating the visitation to the ill, elderly and homebound; and facilitating grief groups.

Mary directs a women's retreat and on occasion, leads an Autumn book study. She received her preaching certification for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in 1995. Pastoral counseling as well as presiding at certain liturgical events such as Communion services, vespers and funeral vigils are part of the way she journeys with the people of St. Mary. Mary is married to Fred. They have four children and four grandchildren.

Clem Budney
Trustee

Clem has been a member of the parish since 1975. He is married and the father of 3 children, all of whom attended and graduated from St. Mary's grade school. Clem is a Lector, member of the Finance Committee, participant in the Renew program, and, along with wife Joyce, has facilitated pre-marital reviews for engaged couples. With a background of being a corporate lawyer for 35 years, he now serves as a Trustee for the parish.

E-Mail: cbudny@synap-sys.com

Bob Stollenwerk
Trustee

Bob has been a member of St Mary's for 43 years. His four children attended St Mary School and presently one grandchild is attending our school. Bob is on the Finance Committee and a Renew Group member for over 15 years. During those 43 years he was active as Council Chair, Education and Planning Committees. More recently he co-chaired the 2001-04 fund drive and was Liaison between architects/contractors and parish on our new Church and school renovation. Bob's wife, Mary Ann, was similarly active in Altar Society and a teacher aide when the children were in school. Presently Bob's daughter Ann, his son Roy and their families are active members of the Parish.

Bob is a Certified Public Accountant, retired Executive Vice President of Ladish Malt, and a volunteer member of SCORE, counseling small businesses. Bob presently serves as Trustee-Treasurer for the Parish.

E-Mail: abob@aol.com

Mary Campbell

An active parish member since 1995, Mary's focus has included: Cub Scouts, the debt reduction committee, the Royal Affair, Christian Formation Advisory Committee as well as other many other volunteer activities. Her husband Tom coaches a St. Mary boys' basketball team. Mary and Tom have two sons who attend New Berlin public schools.

E-Mail: mcampbell13@wi.rr.com

Chris Charapata

Chris has been a member of St. Mary Parish with her husband, Tom, since 1991. They have three children; two currently at St. Mary's Parish school, and one a St. Mary graduate.

Chris has volunteered in the school library, and as a tutor. She volunteers at the parish festival, and helps prepare our famous fish fries. Chris is also a eucharistic minister and works with families preparing their infants for baptism. She has much to offer our council and parish.

E-Mail: tcharapata1@wi.rr.com

Bob Landowski

Bob has been a member of the parish since 2001. As a member of the St.Vincent de Paul Society; he has an active role in a number of outreach ministries that include raising awareness for material needs as well as monetary donations to provide for the poor, coordinates home visits to those needing emergency assistance, and serves the homeless at our SVDP south side meal site. Having an appreciation for spiritual music, Bob is a member of the men's choir.

As a Parish Councilor; Bob views our parish as strong and vibrant, but not without new challenges. He welcomes the opportunity to share his talents and work with fellow councilors to build a stronger faith community.

E-Mail: rlandowski1@wi.rr.com

Pam Lownik

Dave and I joined St Mary in August of 1981, three months before we were married. This community has been our home for over 25 years. We’ve raised two children and spent countless hours here. This community is the wind beneath our sails. Our faith has grown and been nurtured here.

My hope, as a parish council member, is that I can give back to this community a small measure of what we have found here. I pray that all couples, individuals, and families that walk through these doors will find the welcome that we have. More importantly, I hope that all find God in this place.

E-Mail: Plownik@hotmail.com
Phone: 414-427-9514

Liza Pincsak

Liza Pincsak is 16 years old and is a junior at Whitnall High School. She graduated from St. Mary Parish School in 2005. Throughout high school, Liza participates in numerous extra curriculars and volunteers her time to the community. In school, she is an member of the Student Council, mentors grade school floutists, and plays varsity soccer. In her community, she is a part of the Youth Group, altar serves during masses, and serves food at St. Ben's homeless shelter. Liza is excited to be representative for the youths on the parish council.

Joyce Roesler

Joyce has been an active parishioner at St. Mary's for many years. She has served on the parish council in the past and has served as the council's Chair. She was also the past chairperson on Jubilee and Human Concerns commission. Joyce currently is the President of St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Joyce is committed to her faith, family and friends, her Vincentian calling, being a knowledgeable and representative person and allotting time to read. When not at the parish for one committee or another, Joyce enjoys spending time with her husband and adult children. Some of Joyce's interests include people and how they answer God's call, personal and family total health, choral and instrumental music, theater productions, traveling and some sport events.

E-Mail: Roesler2@wi.rr.com

No Photo Available Julie Rafenstein-Schultz

Julie has been a member of St. Mary's community since the mid 1970's when her parents became members. She has received all sacraments at St. Mary from First Communion through marriage. Growing up, Julie was involved with helping out at the festival and with music during the summer religion Masses. As an adult in the parish, Julie has served twice as parish sponsor in the RCIA program and an additional year as a member of the planning team. She has also taught both in the high school confirmation program, as well as the elementary religious formation program.

Currently, Julie is a lector at the 9am and 11am liturgies and involved in planning the Healing Mass in October for couples struggling with infertility. Helping couples cope and bringing awareness of the issues surrounding infertility to the community is a passion of Julie's. Being actively involved in the parish is an important aspect of Julie's life. Time is a small gift to give back to a community who gives so much!

Outside of the parish, Julie has been an active member and support group leader for the Endometriosis Association. She enjoys NASCAR racing, Packers Football, movies and traveling.

Gregg Saksefski

Gregg and his wife Jeannine became members of St. Mary in 1997. They have been married for 20+ years and have 3 daughters; Elizabeth (17) graduated from St. Mary Parish School and is a Senior at Eisenhower High School, Megan (15), also a St. Mary graduate is a Freshman at Pius High School, and Caroline (10) is a 4th grader at Elmwood Elementary.

In addition to his work on the parish council, which includes Council Secretary, Gregg has been the Basketball Tournament Director for 2 years, works the festival annually, and is involved in various other important areas of the parish. He also happily provides "backup" at home for his wife who volunteers non-stop for St. Mary Parish, as well as the 3 schools their daughters attend. Gregg is "humbled on a regular basis by the dedicated members of St. Mary's Faith Community."

Lorie Scheinkoenig

Lori has been a member of St. Mary's for 7 years. She is a recently retired teacher, mother of 3 and grandmother of 1. Currently, Lorie helps prepare couples who are having their baby baptized by leading the Baptism conversation with them. She also is part of the "Just Faith" program. Previously, Lorie was a member of the Human Concerns Commission. She helped committee members in many projects that benefited the poor and homeless. She has also been a part of Renew groups, helps out at the parish festival and attends the women's weekend retreat annually.

Lorie says "St. Mary Parish is a vibrant, faith-filled community. I feel honored to be a member of our parish council and hope I can be of service to the members of this growing parish".

E-Mail: Shinyus@yahoo.com

Tim Teske

Tim, along with his wife Kim, have been members of St. Mary Parish since 1996. They have four children, two of whom are school age and attend St. Mary Parish School. Tim has volunteered at the parish festival and Kim regularly volunteers at the school.

E-Mail: tjteske@hotmail.com

Tim Welch

 
Last Updated: 2008-02-16
 
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