Meet the Staff
Fr. Michael McGovern
Pastor, Fr. Michael McGovern assumed his role as Pastor on December 15, 2004. Father McGovern served as our Associate Pastor from 1998 to 2000. He was ordained a priest by Cardinal Bernardin on May 21, 1994. Since his ordination he has served as Deacon at Immaculate Conception Parish in Highland Park and Associate Pastor at Queen of the Universe Parish in Chicago. Fr. McGovern also served as Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese; later Archbishop's Delegate for Extern and International Priests. Most recently Fr. McGovern has served as Associate Pastor of St. Juliana Parish in Chicago and as Co-Chair of the Chicago Priests' Convocation in June 2005.
Fr McGovern can be reached at the rectory or via his e-mail,
mmcgovern@churchofstmary.org.
James L. Kenney
Like hundreds of other parish members, Jim is a part-time volunteer at St. Mary's. He headed the finance committee and parish council; served as a lector, minister of Holy Communion and was one of the first ministers to the sick. He was ordained a permanent deacon in 1978 for St. Mary's Church. Currently, Jim leads the Baptism preparation class, moderates the single parents' support group, serves as a field advocate for the Marriage Tribunal and conducts Holy Communion services at the Lake County jail and the Great Lakes Recruit Training Center. He recently retired after a long career as a school business official and when not jogging, he markets an investment fund to Illinois school districts and community colleges.
Joseph G. Krakora
Permanent Deacon Mr. Joseph G. Krakora has been a parishioner at St. Mary's since 1965. He was a member of the first group to be ordained deacons in 1978 and has served St. Mary's ever since. Joe has faculties to baptize, witness marriages, preach, assist at Mass and bring Holy Eucharist to those who cannot attend Mass and sacramentals. In addition to these ministries, Joe assists in the preparation for Baptism and Marriage and also works for the Marriage Tribunal, Archdiocese of Chicago, as a Field advocate for those seeking annulments.
Samuel Suter
Samuel Suter, Director of Music for St. Mary's Parish began his role as music minister in 1977. He has been involved in many aspects of music ministry over the years: he designed St. Mary's pipe organ and conducted organist seminars in both the Hartford and Chicago archdioceses and he was one of the organists for WGN's liturgical programming. Currently Samuel conducts our Adult Choir as well as the Lazarus Choir, and oversees the music for all of St. Mary's parish and school liturgies. He is the organist for the majority of the weddings, funerals and special liturgical celebrations in the parish.
Rosemarie Zawacki
Rosemarie Zawacki, Business Manager, joined the rectory staff in September of 1986 as parish secretary. In September of 1995 she moved into the position of Business Manager and is currently responsible for the maintenance of both campuses, personnel and financial management. She is an active member of the parish's Finance Committee, Lectors and the Vicariate I Business Managers Group. Rosemarie can be reached at the rectory or via her e-mail:rzawacki@churchofstmary.org.
Janet Peters
Janet joined the St. Mary’s staff in March, 2007 as a Pastoral Minister. Janet and her husband, Randy and children, Justin and Molly life in Lake Bluff and have been parishioners of St. Mary’s since 1986. Janet coordinates Ministry of Care, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and the Bereavement Ministry. Janet is also a liaison to the Guild of St. Mary and assists Fr. Mike McGovern with special projects. Janet is an active Homebound Minister of Care, an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, and a member of the Respect Life Committee. Throughout the years she has been actively involved in the following: Soup Kitchen, Religious Education, RCIA, COR, Upper Grade School Committee, Guild Circles and Deanery 1 Pro-Life Holy Hours. Janet is available at the rectory Tuesday through Friday from 8:30am. – 4:30pm. Please feel free to contact her at the rectory or via her e-mail: jpeters@churchofstmary.org.
Kelly Whitman began her role as youth minister in July of 2007. She coordinates the COR Youth Ministry program for high schoolers which encompasses: COR meetings, Kairos Retreats, Summer Service Trips, Soup Kitchens, and CYO. Preceding her employment at St. Mary’s, she resided in West Michigan where she was actively involved in her childhood parish and others volunteering to work with youth ranging in age from Sunday school through High School. She earned a B.A. in Theology from Aquinas College. Kelly can be reached in the Parish Center (847.234.7337) or via her e-mail, coryouthminister@yahoo.com.
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