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.
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.
Bill Nolan
Pastoral Associate – Faith Formation / Social Outreach
Bill oversees the faith formation, sacramental preparation and social outreach programs for the parish. He is directly involved in leading adult faith formation and spiritual enrichment programs. Bill joined St. Thomas the Apostle in 2005.
Mary Werner
Liturgist
Mary directs the parish choirs and coordinates the music, ministers and ritual for all liturgical events. She collaborates with all ministry areas to provide quality worship that forms and supports our parish mission. Mary began working at St. Thomas the Apostle in 1989.
Dottie Dolezal
Liturgical Accompanist and Administrative Assistant
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. In the parish office, Dottie welcomes and assists visitors and callers, provides staff support and maintains the parish calendar. Dottie has worked at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2004.
Keith Engel
Maintenance
Keith and his family have been parishioners at Saint Thomas the Apostle for many years. In 2017, he joined our maintenance team, working to ensure that our buildings look their best on the weekend days when they’re used the most.
Martina Hernandez
Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation with Children
Martina organizes the parish sacramental preparation programs 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 2010.
Mylene Kocourek
Community Life Coordinator
Mylene works to strengthen the bonds of community at St. Thomas the Apostle by welcoming visitors and new parishioners, helping them to connect deeply with the life of the parish, and serve in a variety volunteer ministries. She also coordinates many of our ministries that build community through social events. She and her family have been parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle since 2000, and she joined the parish staff in 2017.
Holly Kragthorpe Shirley
Youth Minister
Holly coordinates youth ministry activities for the members of St. Thomas the Apostle who are currently in grades 6-12. A combination of faith formation, service and social activities are offered throughout the year. Youth ministry events are open to non-parishioners as well. Holly has been a parishioner since 2006 and on staff since 2017.
Steve Olson
Facilities Manager
Steve oversees the parish and school facilities and keeps our buildings safe and our grounds clean. He works during the weekdays to assist staff and parishioners. Steve has worked at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2016.
José Ortega
Maintenance
José is responsible for the afternoon and evening weekday maintenance needs at St. Thomas the Apostle. He assists Steve Olson 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
Cheryl coordinates all aspects of our children’s faith formation programs, 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. Cheryl has been on staff at St. Thomas the Apostle since 2006.
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.
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