Staff

The Staff of SJTW witnesses to the presence of Christ
cultivating disciples for the Kingdom of God


Father Mike Sullivan
Pastor
763-400-7201
frmike@sjtw.net
Fr. Mike Sullivan was born in western Minnesota and raised in northwestern Minnesota.  He was ordained a priest in January of 1981 for the Crookston Diocese of Minnesota.  He received a Canon Law degree in 1991 and served as the Judicial Vicar for the Crookston Diocese until 2005.  He became pastor of St. Joseph the Worker in 2005.


Father Don Piche
In Residence
Father Don was born and raised in NE. Minneapolis.  He entered the seminary in 9th grade. He went to Nazareth Hall, St. John Vianney, and St. Paul seminaries.  He was ordained in 1977 and became co-pastor at St. Joseph the Worker in 2008. On March 10, 2014, Fr. Don retired from full time ministry because of his physical disabilities.  He will remain as active as his health permits including most sacraments on a regular basis.


Kevin O'Connor
Deacon, Haiti
763-425-6505 ext. 101
DeaconKevin04@gmail.com
Deacon Kevin grew up in Chicago, and came to Minneapolis with his bride Ann 37 years ago.  Kevin and Ann really enjoy visiting with their 4 adult children and 2 grandchildren. Kevin was ordained a deacon in 2004, and is delighted to serve at St Joseph the Worker (since Dec 2004).  Kevin says he has three dream jobs: deacon, financial adviser and grandpa.  He also enjoys watching baseball, reading and walking.


John Wallin
Deacon, Marriage Preparation
612-751-6284
deaconjohnwallin@gmail.com



Mike Lentz
Parish Business Administrator
763-400-7203
Mike@sjtw.net
Mike Lentz serves as SJTW’s Business Administrator. Mike previously served as Parish Administrator at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church in St. Paul. He and his wife Katy live in Elk River and have 5 children.



Marc Stockert
Director of Worship
763-400-7209
mstockert@sjtw.net
 Marc serves as Director of Worship.  Marc comes to us with over 20 years of Liturgy and Music experience in our Archdiocese, most recently at St. Katharine Drexel in Ramsey. 



Tarri Nelson
Associate Worship/Music
763-400-7205
tnelson@sjtw.net
Tarri Nelson is the Associate Director of Worship and also one of the accompanists here at St. Joe’s.   She grew up in Bemidji in northern Minnesota, graduated from the College of St. Catherine’s and along with her husband Mark, and children Matt and Andrea, have called St. Joe’s home since 1991. They live in Maple Grove where she also teaches piano.


Katie McCarty
Director of Faith Formation
763-400-7213
kmccarty@sjtw.net
Katie McCarty serves the community of St. Joseph the Worker in the realm of Faith Formation--striving to offer solid, creative and rich content and faith experiences to all ages--our youngest children to our adult community.  Katie has a B.A. Degree in Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas, and holds an MRE degree (Masters in Religious Education) from same university.  As well, she has an M.A. In Educational Leadership with Pastoral Ministry Emphasis from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.  Katie enjoys time with her husband; her 4 children keep her both grounded and challenged.  Katie enjoys reading, gardening & travel. 


Beth Heimer
Faith Formation Grades 1-6 & Children's Sacraments
763-400-7211
bethh@sjtw.net
Beth Heimer is the Grade 1-6 Faith Formation/Children’s Sacraments Coordinator. She has 14 years of teaching experience in a Catholic school, and this is her 8th year at St. Joseph the Worker. She has a BA in Elem. Ed from St. Benedict’s College and a Masters degree in Education/Catholic Leadership from St. Mary’s University. She lives in Albertville with her husband, Mike, and their 3 daughters.


Monica Liebl
Faith Formation Coordinator for SundaySchool and Grades 7-8
763-400-7156
Faith Formation Administrative Assistant
763-400-7210
monical@sjtw.net
Monica Liebl is the coordinator of Faith Formation for Sunday School, Junior High and supervises Vacation Bible School and also serves as our Faith Formation Administrative Assistant.  Monica earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota and is an active volunteer at St. Joseph the Worker.  Monica and her family joined as members of St. Joseph the Worker parish in 2006 upon relocating from California. She lives in Plymouth with her husband Jeff, their two children, Madison and Christopher and their golden retriever, Finn. 


Barry Shay
Grades 9-12 FF, Grades 7-12 Youth Ministry & Confirmation Coordinator
763-400-7212
bshay@sjtw.net          
Barry and his family have been parishioners at St. Joseph the Worker since 1987.  Barry was active in many ministries before joining the the staff as Faith Formation Coordinator in 2007. Barry is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry at St. John’s University School of Theology.
                            

Alex Blechle
Director of Social Justice
763-400-7208
alex@sjtw.net
Alex is a recent graduate of St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary with a Masters of Theological Studies in Systematic Theology. While pursuing his degree at St. John’s, Alex served as Director of Social Outreach at St. John’s Campus Ministry. He completed his undergraduate degree in Theological Research and Bible & Leadership at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, Kansas and spent the last two years at MCC working as a Pastoral Ministry intern at St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, the University Parish for Kansas State University. Social Justice has been one of my passions since my high school years back home in Missouri, and has shaped and formed the way in which I do theology and ministry. I am committed to working with other faith leaders to advocate for and serve those who are on the margins, especially the young and most vulnerable. I look forward to working alongside you, and building upon the well-established, robust Social Justice program at SJTW.
Outside of the office I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and loved ones, especially my fiancé, Maria.


Natalie Lais
Admin Assistant
763-400-7200
natalie@sjtw.net
Natalie Lais is one of the administrative assistants and receptionist at St. Joe’s. She is a Minnesota native, but spent some of her years in Arizona, which included getting her Bachelors degree in Sociology and Family Studies at Northern Arizona University. Her family has been members of SJTW since 1999 and love being a part of this community!  Some interests and hobbies of hers are: family, friends, enjoying the great outdoors and wildlife, reading, baking, and traveling.  She and her daughter also enjoy being involved in some of the various ministries of the parish.


Ann Bergmann Bookkeeper
763-400-7206
ann@sjtw.net
Ann has been married to her husband Brian since 1992 and has a son and a daughter (twins) born in 1999.  They keep her hopping with sports. Her son Alex plays baseball and her daughter Lauren plays volleyball.  They attend school at St. Vincent de Paul where she also spends time volunteering.  She enjoys reading, decorating, scrapbooking and keeping her household running smoothly, some days better than others!  Most of all she is thankful for the many ways God has blessed her life.


Mark Kuhl
Communications 
763-400-7202
mark@sjtw.net


Dean Olson
Maintenance Supervisor
direct: 763-400-7219
maint@sjtw.net


Abeba Tekle
Environmental Services