Parish Staff

Rev. Michael Reding

Pastor

Fr. Michael provides pastoral leadership for all areas of the parish’s mission. He was ordained in May 1997. He served as Associate Pastor at Transfiguration Church in Oakdale and Pastor at St. Bartholomew in Wayzata before coming to St. Thomas the Apostle. Fr. Michael has been the pastor at St. Thomas since July 2013.
email Fr Michael

Barbara Staats

Pastoral Administrator

Barbara directs the overall business operations of the parish. Along with the pastor, she works with both the Pastoral Council and the Finance Council. Barbara also provides leadership in all areas of pastoral care, ensuring that the needs of parishioners are met. Barbara began working at St. Thomas in 2018.
email Barbara

Bill Nolan

Pastoral Associate – Faith Formation / Social Outreach

Bill oversees the faith formation, sacramental preparation and social outreach ministries for the parish. He is directly involved in leading adult faith formation and spiritual enrichment ministries. Bill joined St. Thomas the Apostle in 2005.

email Bill

Betsy Vanselow

Interim Music Director

Betsy directs the parish choirs and coordinates the music. She is the interim Music Director for St Thomas the Apostle. Betsy began working at St. Thomas the Apostle in February 2022.

email Betsy

Pat Adkins

Community Life Coordinator

Pat coordinates events at St Thomas the Apostle like Coffee and Donuts, New Member Welcome, and the Great Gathering. She is also coordinating our weekly live-streaming of the Sunday Mass. Pat began working at St. Thomas the Apostle in 2020.

email Pat

Doug Cleary

Youth Minister

Doug leads the Core Team (volunteer group of involved parents and adult parish members) in providing opportunity and coordination for the young people of our church home to get out while growing ties with other like minded students. 

Youth Ministry is a church-wide ministry which strives to provide a variety of opportunities and experiences to draw teens into active, responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the faith community and the greater church. 

Students from 6th thru 12 grade are invited to let the Core Team (adult leaders of the youth group)  know of their interest by sending an email to Doug.

email Doug

Dottie Dolezal

Liturgical Accompanist

Dottie leads the assembly to full and active participation in the sung prayer of the liturgy. She also accompanies the choir and plans instrumental music for weddings and other liturgical events. Dottie has worked at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2004.

Tina Erazmus

Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation with Children

Tina organizes the parish sacramental preparation ministries for children, including First Reconciliation and First Eucharist for second grade and Confirmation for grades 9 and 10. She began working at St. Thomas the Apostle in 2021.

email Tina

Esteban Cruz

Maintenance

Estaban is responsible for the weekday maintenance needs at St. Thomas the Apostle. He assists José Ortega to keep our grounds clean and safe. Estaban has worked at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2021.

email Esteban

José Ortega

Maintenance

José is responsible for the afternoon and evening weekday maintenance needs at St. Thomas the Apostle. He assists Estaban Cruz to keep our grounds clean and safe. Jose has worked at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2015.

Casey Piersma

Nursery

Casey supervises the nursery on Sunday mornings during Masses, along with the help of parents and youth volunteers. She joined the St. Thomas the Apostle staff in 2014.

Cheryl Taylor

Coordinator of Faith Formation with Children
and Safe Environment Coordinator

Cheryl coordinates all aspects of our children’s faith formation ministries, which comprise Seeds (ages 3-5) and Liturgy of the Word with Children (ages 6 and older) on Sunday mornings and Faith Formation for All (grades K-8) on Wednesday evenings. She also manages the safe environment requirements for the parish as directed by the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Cheryl has been on staff at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2006.

email Cheryl

Julie Wickland

Office Administrator

Julie works with the pastoral administrator to ensure that the daily business operations of the parish function smoothly. She supervises parish center volunteers and maintains parish and financial records. Julie also is involved with all parish communications. She creates the weekly bulletin, maintains the website and publishes periodic e-blasts and brochures for parish campaigns. Julie has been with St. Thomas the Apostle since 2008.
email Julie

Barbara Meloche

Administrative Assistant

Barbara works with the pastoral administrator and office manager to ensure that the daily business operations of the parish function smoothly. She welcomes visitors to the Parish Center in the afternoons. Barbara has been with St. Thomas the Apostle since 2022.

email Barbara