Meet Our Staff
Pastor
Fr. Tom Cavera
Having grown up in nearby Rockford, Fr. Tom is delighted to be assigned to this beautiful parish community. He has been serving here at St. Patrick since 2017 and hopes to continue to bring the gospel message to the people of Parnell for many years to come. Fr. Tom loves hiking and climbing mountains.
frtcavera@spparnell.org | Tel: Ext 11
Parish Office Manager & Secretary
Darci Mierendorf
Darci graduated from St Patrick’s school in 1981. She later joined St Jude Parish, she’s been back to St Patrick’s for over 20 years. She joined the staff in July of 2016. Her responsibilities include administrative assistance to the parish staff, the editor of the parish bulletin, and much more. She enjoys walking, traveling and spending time with her family.
dmierendorf@spparnell.org | Tel: Ext 10
Parish Office Assistant
Michelle David
Michelle joined the staff at St Patrick's in August, 2021. She is excited to continue getting to know the Parnell community as she will be in the parish office part-time answering phone calls and assisting Darci in her duties. Michelle enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as traveling. She loves to see God's beauty through a sunset or His majesty in mountains.
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Director of Religious Education
Lindsey Wilbur
Lindsey joined the St. Patrick Parnell staff in 2018. She coordinates religious education for St. Patrick’s parish children and leads Christian Initiation for Adults. She studied theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and is now pursuing a Master’s from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
lwilbur@spparnell.org | Tel: Ext 41
Director or Youth Ministry & Communication Coordinator
Cassie Herrington
Cassie attended St. Patrick School from 2003-2008 and is excited to be back as a part of the St. Patrick Parnell staff. She graduated from Aquinas College where she studied Theology and Communication. She seeks to walk with young people on their journey toward Christ through a Eucharist-centered ministry.
cherrington@spparnell.org | Tel: Ext 10
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Director of Music
Chris Jensen
Chris happily joined the St. Patrick Parnell community in 2021. He got his Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance from Aquinas College and has worked as a church musician and pianist since 2012. He hopes to cultivate prayerful music that assists the people of St. Patrick's in the opening of their hearts to Christ. He loves to listen to Beethoven and read.
cjensen@spparnell.org | Tel: Ext 13
Gene McMurray
Gene is the head of maintenance and custodial work at St. Patrick Parnell. He joined the parish in 2014 and has been in his current position since July 2019. Gene also serves as a member of the Buildings and Ground Committee. He is eager to work wherever his services are needed around the parish as we are all called to serve.
Maintenance
Maintenance
Dan Huston
Dan has been a member at Saint Patrick Parish for over 25 years.
He has been working at the parish since November 2011 and greatly enjoys his time here. Throughout his many years here, Dan has come to appreciate the faith of the Parnell community. In his free time, Dan enjoys observing nature and watching birds.
Bookkeeper
Brian Happie
Brian has been a member here since 1981. He joined the staff as bookkeeper in 2013. He is responsible for all of the parish and school accounting. All four of his children attended and graduated from St. Patrick School and he currently has several grandchildren enrolled here. He enjoys boating with his wife Deb, children and grandchildren.
Business Manager
Jay Walsh
Jay has been a parishioner at St. Patrick Parish since 2005. He acts as a financial advisor to Fr Tom and the parish Finance Council. He also works with Brian Happie who prepares the parish financial statements. He coordinates the annual budgeting process with staff and the Finance Council