Parish Council
Meet our Parish Council.
Fr. Mike Moran
Pastor
Gary Alland
Chairperson
Gary and Debra built a house near Sussex and joined St. James in 1983. He and his wife both work in the medical laboratory field. Their son Brian completed his Masters and is working out East, while daughter Betsy is a UW student in Madison. Gary has been active on many committees and prior Parish Councils, serving as a catechist and a lector.
Paul Stevens
Vice Chairperson
Hello, and blessings to you all. My name is Paul Stevens, and I am the vice chair of the St. James Parish Council. Ruth Ann and I have been parish members since 2004. During the week you can find me at morning mass, working around the parish as needed. My other ministries are acolyting or greeting/ushering at funerals, serving as a catechist, and assisting the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Ellen Allen
Prayer & Worship Ministry Liaison
Ellen has been a member of St. James since May of 2012. She moved from the North Woods of Vilas County and found a church, St. James, shortly afterwards. She was completely taken with its vibrancy and spirituality immediately after attending Pentecost Sunday Mass. Father was asking for participants in the Church Council area. Right away she knew the Holy Spirit was telling her that would be a place for her. She will always be grateful to Daryl Olszewski for her welcome to the Prayer and Worship Committee. What a privilege and honor it is to represent the men and women of the area. She received the Superior Diocesan award for Pax Christi and was President of the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women in 1992.
Steve Choate
Stewardship Committee Liaison
Steve and his wife Jeanette have been members of St. James Parish since 2009. Steve and Jeanette have a daughter, Michelle – who is completing her final year in Pharmacy school at Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, PA. Jeanette is also involved at St. James as a Christian Formation teacher for the last three years. They both look forward to continuing to help at St. James.
Samantha Gusho
Youth
Barb Jackamonis
Activities Liaison
Jeff Kenkel
Human Concerns Liaison
Jeff and his wife, Lynn, have been members of St. James since 2003. They have three children, Kevin (22), Troy (18) and Anna (16). Jeff and Lynn have been involved with the Human Concerns committee since 2008, including the Giving Tree, Souper Bowl Sunday, and the Matthew 25 project. They have also served as FOCCUS facilitators for engaged couples. Jeff is currently a member of the Knights of Columbus and is a communion distributor. Jeff is in his third year on the Parish Council and is thankful for the many opportunities to serve here at St. James.
Diane LeFaivre
Activities Liaison
My husband, Vince and I have belonged to St. James for approximately 3 ½ years. I am on the St. Vincent de Paul and Activities Committees. I also help with the funerals and community dinner events. We are also greeters. We have two children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. We recently moved to Pewaukee from Sussex, but plan to continue as members of St. James church.
Jerry Ritchie
Human Concerns Liaison
Jerry and his wife Susan have been members of St. James Parish since November, 2008 after moving to Merton from St. Albert the Great Parish in Sun Prairie. Jerry is the Controller at Jensen Metal Products in Racine and Sue is an Accounting Assistant at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha. Jerry has enjoyed the past two years on Parish Council working with the Health Ministry and Activities committees and is looking forward to working with the Human Concerns committee.
Mike Schwartz
Christian Formation Liaison
Mike has been a member since 2002. He and his wife Heidi have two daughters – Noelle (12) and Alli (10). Mike has lived in Sussex since 1999, and has lived in this area his entire life.
Jeff Spence
Building & Grounds Liaison & Secretary
Jeff and his wife Karen have been members of St. James Parish since moving to the Town of Lisbon in 1999. They have three daughters – Niki, Nellie and Jenny who all attend Sussex area schools. Jeff has worked for Quad Graphics for the past 20 years, currently as Scheduling Manager for the Special Interest Publication division. Karen has been an Engineer/Project manager for Statz Restoration and Engineering since 1991.
John Swanson
Trustee
Esther Towne
Health Ministries
St. James has been my parish community since 1994. Since then I have served on a variety of ministries including a prior parish council, funeral choir, SOAL art teacher, greeter, and a few others. As the liaison for the Health Ministry, I hope you will feel welcome to chat with me about any needs or concerns. We are here to serve. As a retired senior, I know sometimes just a friendly call makes a blessed day! Irish Blessings.
Pam Welter
Christian Formation Liaison
Pam and her husband Matt have been members of St. James Parish since 2003. Pam and Matt have one son, Sam, who is a junior at Hamilton High School. Pam is a reading specialist at Woodside Elementary in Sussex, and her husband teaches fifth grade in West Bend. This is Pam’s first year on Parish Council.
Mike Wendelberger
Trustee
Mike has been a member at St. James for 13 years. He has helped with decorating the church for Easter, taught Christian Formation for a year, and is now on the Finance Committee. He likes to be involved in St. James and the activities here. He and his wife have three grown boys living in Sacramento, Boulder, Colorado, and Chicago. Visiting the boys keeps them quite busy.
