St. Francis Xavier (College) Church
 
Church Information Wedding Information Ministries  

Richard Buhler, SJ — Pastor

picture of Richard Buhler, SJ telephone: 977-7300
e-mail: rbuhler@slu.edu

Fr. Buhler became pastor of the parish on August 17, 2008. He had previously ministered at White House Retreat in St. Louis and Sacred Heart Retreat House near Denver as well as having spent fifteen years in Belize, Central America. He was reared in South Louisiana and most of his family still lives there. He is a devoted fan of the Cardinals and the Billikens.

Jim Costello, SJ — Associate Pastor

picture of Jim Costello, SJ telephone: 977-7301

Fr. Jim was born and raised in St. Matthew’s parish in North St. Louis. He has ministered in Belize; Sedalia and Trinidad in Colorado; and Kansas City. He enjoys walking and reading. Jim has one brother Tom, who lives with his wife Camille, in South County.

Joseph Milner — Director of Liturgy and Adult Formation

picture of Joe Milner telephone: 977-7305
e-mail: milnerjv@slu.edu

Joe is a native of St. Louis and has been on the staff of College Church since 1989. He coordinates liturgical ministries, leads the Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process, coordinates other adult formation activities, and serves as a spiritual director. Joe lives with his wife, Mary, and two sons in Ferguson.

Ruth Cochran — Facilities Coordinator

picture of Ruth Cochran telephone: 977-7303
e-mail: cochranr@slu.edu

Ruth schedules Masses, sacraments, rehearsals, concerts, meetings, and Saint Louis University events being held at College Church. In addition, she oversees the maintenance of the facilities. Ruth has been on staff since the summer of 1994 and has been a parishioner here since 1991. She feels truly blessed to be a part of this parish community. “There is none to compare.”

Mary Beth Erickson — Parish Center Administrator

picture of Mary Beth Erickson telephone: 977-7304
e-mail: ericksmb@slu.edu

Mary Beth is a native of St. Louis. She joined the College Church staff in November 2005. Formerly she worked at Saint Louis University in Campus Ministry, and for the Vice President for Mission and Ministry. During that time she served on the Women’s Commission (President 2004, Staff Woman of the Year in 2001.) Previously Mary Beth was a member of the Archdiocesan Committee on Women in the Church for the Human Rights Office which she co-chaired for 2 years. Mary Beth is a mother of two grown daughters, and a proud grandma.

Vicki Simon — Director of Social Ministry

picture of Vicki Simon telephone: 977-7309
e-mail: vsimon1@slu.edu

Vicki holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish & Latin-American Studies. She later attained a Certificate in Personnel Management and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management. Vicki began her career as a Spanish teacher in high schools and colleges. She moved into human resource management in the corporate sector, with experience in banking, pharmaceuticals and marketing. At the age of 53 Vicki realized a life-long dream joining Maryknoll Lay Missioners working in Kenya with youth programs. Following her Kenyan assignment, she was asked to serve in their human resources and as the Director of Mission Services in New York. Vicki is the mother of two grown children, Mark and Carina, and one beautiful grand-daughter, Cedella, all of whom reside in California.

Angie Doerr — Director of Religious Education and Family Life

picture of Angie Doerr telephone: 977-7302
e-mail: adoerr3@slu.edu

Angie coordinates the programs and activities associated with the religious formation of the children and youth of the parish — the nursery, Liturgy of the Word with Children, the Religious Education Program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and the Youth Group. She holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Angie and her husband, Dale and their three daughters feel blessed to be part of the vibrant College Church community.

Mary Tychonievich — Director of Parish Life

picture of Mary Tychonievich telephone: 977-7319
e-mail: tychonmc@slu.edu

Mary and her husband, Mark, came to St. Louis in 1990 where they made St. Francis Xavier their spiritual home. As their family expanded with daughters Melissa and Ellie, they became more connected with the faith community, participating in Infant Baptism Preparation classes as leaders the Parents of Small Children's Group, and Religious Education programs.

Mary’s background is in not-for-profit fundraising, in which she worked for 12 years before joining the College Church staff in 1998 as Director of Parish Life. Mary feels tremendously blessed to be a part of this community both as parishioner and staff member and strives to serve in ways that help contribute to the spiritual journey of each and every person that walks through our doors.

Ken Kehm — Business Manager

picture of Ken Kehm telephone: 977-1954
e-mail: kkehm1@slu.edu

Ken earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Mary’s University of Texas, and a Master of Business Administration/Financial Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Before coming out of retirement to be of service to the College Church Ken managed his own business, served as the Vice President for Finance for the Regional Justice Information Service, and as the Business Manager for the Vianney High School Marianist Apostolic Center. Ken and his wife, Alice, are long-time parishioners at the College Church,

Sue Martin — Director of Music

picture of Sue Martin telephone: 977-7313
e-mail: martins@slu.edu

Sue first came to College Church in 1988 as pianist for all the parish Sunday liturgies and as accompanist for the choir. Additionally, she now serves as Director of Music Ministry for the parish. Sue is also a member of the Webster University piano faculty. She and her husband, Jim, were married at College Church and they have two daughters, Anne and Tess.

Ray Sherrock — Choir Director

picture of Ray Sherrock e-mail: rsherroc@slu.edu

Ray became the director of the choir in 2008. He and his wife, Sue Owens, have sung in the choir for a number of years.

Ray was raised in New Mexico before heading to Alaska to serve as a Jesuit Volunteer. He spent several years singing professionally with the a cappella octet, Pieces of 8. He then worked as the education program manager for the Saint Louis Symphony before becoming director of choral music at DeSmet Jesuit High School.

Bridget Brennan — Marriage Ministry

picture of Bridget Brennan telephone: 977-7318
e-mail: joy@canainstitute.org

Bridget and her spouse, Jerry Shen, were married at College Church 27 years ago and believe that the faith community at College Church supports and nurtures marriage and family life.

Together, Jerry and Bridget offer 10 pre-marriage preparation mini-weekends per year and two marriage preparations for couples entering into a second marriage. They also offer afternoons and evenings of reflection both at College Church and throughout the Archdiocese.

Sean Kiely — Jesuit Volunteer

picture of Sean Kiely telephone: 977-7311
e-mail: sfxjvolt@slu.edu

Sean is a Jesuit Volunteer assigned for one year of service to social ministry at College Church. He coordinates the Social Ministry Outreach Program and its 32 volunteers. He also assists the Director of Social Ministry with other formation and advocacy efforts underway in the parish. Sean is from Boston, MA and recently graduated from the College of Holy Cross in Worcester, MA with a Bachelor of Arts dual degree in English and Philosophy. He is the oldest of four children, two in college and one in high school. He lives in community with five other JVs assigned to area schools and agencies.

Lynda Palazzolo — Liturgy Coordinator

picture of Lynda Palazzolo telephone: 977-1960
e-mail: sfxlitin@slu.edu

Lynda is a native of St. Louis and became the Liturgy Coordinator in August 2008. She still works at the Catholic Health Association after 40 years but is now down to 4 days a week in order to perform her duties at College Church. Lynda is one of 10 siblings and lives in St. Ann. She feels fortunate to be part of the College Church community.

Greg Stephen — Computer Support

picture of Greg Stephen e-mail: stepheng@slu.edu

Greg is a long-time parishioner (35+ years) who has been involved in several ministries through the years. After completing a stint as Director of Social Ministries, an enriching experience in many ways but also one in which he had to try to use the parish center computer facilities, he agreed to stay on and use his computer skills to try to put things in order.