

Our Clergy

Fr. Brian grew up in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After attending the University of Wisconsin, he remained in Madison and worked for a member of the State Assembly for three years. Fr. Brian then returned to graduate school and earned a
Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration. Prior to entering the seminary in 1999, Fr. Brian worked for 13 years for the UW at both the Wisconsin Alumni Association and in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He studied at St. Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts.
He was ordained May 23, 2003 (along with Fr. Jay) by Bishop William Bullock at St. Raphael Cathedral. Since ordination, Fr. Brian has served as and associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Peace, St. Joseph and St. Dennis parishes. As a pastor, he has served at St. Henry and St. Bernard parishes in Watertown, St. Joseph in Fort Atkinson, St. Mary in Palmyra and St. Bernard in Middleton.

Fr. Jay grew up on the East Side of Madison. He attended St. Raphael Grade School, Edgewood High School, the University of Wisconsin (Journalism) and MATC (auto mechanics). Answering the call to priesthood, he received a MDiv. from Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary. He was ordained May 23, 2003 by Bishop William Bullock. He served as an associate pastor at St. Maria Goretti parish from 2003-2008, and as pastor at St. Joseph, Fort Atkinson, and St. Mary, Palmyra, from 2008-2011 and St. Joseph, Baraboo, from 2011-2023.

Msgr. Jim Gunn grew up on a Dairy farm in Janesville, Wisconsin, with his parents, Kevin and Rosemary (Beggs) Gunn and his siblings, Michael (deceased), Joan Pruefer, Joseph, Kathleen, and Kevin. He attended Saint William
and Saint Patrick Grade Schools in Janesville and then attended High School at Holy Name Seminary in Madison. He also attended Holy Name Seminary, Edgewood College, Saint Francis de Sales College, and studied at Saint Francis de Sales, School of Pastoral Ministry and received a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained on June 3, 1977 by Bishop
Cletus O’Donnell at Saint Raphael Cathedral, Madison. His assignments have included Saint Stanislaus, Berlin, Saint Joseph, Fort Atkinson, Holy Name Seminary, Madison, Vocation Director, Holy Ghost, Dickeyville, Saint Joseph, Edgerton, and Saint John the Baptist & Saint Mary of the Lake, Waunakee.

Deacon Mark was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in April 1989 - having been called to ministry by the people and staff of St. Mary of Vernon Parish, near Vernon Hills, Illinois. He was based at SMV until he and his wife recently moved to Wisconsin. He has been involved in a wide range of ministries before and after ordination. His focus in recent years - in addition to sacramental duties - has been facilitating an RCIA program and running an unemployment ministry. Mark and his wife Carol live in Fitchburg and have three adult children.
Our Parish Staff (listed alphabetically by first name)
Caleb Mitchell
Director of Liturgy & Pastoral Music
P: (608) 231-4618
Email
Crystal Nemeth
Parish Nurse
P: (608) 231-4614
Email
Jeanneen Eagon
Assistant Principal
P: (608) 231-4580
Email
Kay Schachte
Director of Religious Education & RCIA
P: (608) 231-4610
Email
Marcelo Davila
Maintenance & Buildings and Grounds
P: (608) 231-4600
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Mary Jo Vitale
Principal
P: (608) 231-4580
Email
Steve Maurice
Director of the Catholic Multicultural Center
P: (608) 441-3248
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Cheryl Horne
Pastoral Associate
P: (608) 231-4616
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Dan Miller
Maintenance & Buildings and Grounds
P: (608) 231-4600
Email
Joe Vitale
Maintenance & Buildings and Grounds
P: (608) 231-4600
Email
Lisa Haas
Administrative Assistant
P: (608) 231-4608
Email
Mary Sams
Administrative Assistant
P: (608) 231-4601
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Melissa Cary
Director of School Advancement & Communications
P: (608) 231-4615
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Noah Gonring
Associate Director of Youth Ministry
P: (608) 231-4609
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Teresa Spevacek
Business Office Assistant
P: (608) 231-4617
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