Our Staff
Fr. David Misbrener
frmisbrener@ololstj.org
Pastor (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
A little about me: I was born on April 12, 1966, in Akron, Ohio. My parents are Martin and Elizabeth Misbrener, who live in Akron. I have a younger sister, Lisa, and brother-in-law Stefen, who also live in Akron, in my grandparents’ old house. I finished my college and seminary in Pittsburgh and was ordained a priest in the Byzantine Church on May 7, 1995. I’ve served as pastor of St. Peter of the Fields Church in Rootstown, Ohio for the last 14 years. I have a dog named Clyde who is coming with me. He is a German Shepherd-Mountain Cur mix. I have always had rescue dogs since my ministry in Rootstown.
Deacon Chris Evans
cevans@ololstj.org
Deacon (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
Deacon Chris Evans, who serves both St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes, was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by the Most Rev. Bishop George Murry on Sept. 14, 2013. Deacon Chris and his wife, Connie, are both upstate NY natives. Married in 1987, they have four children and two grandchildren. Currently living in New Waterford for the past 15+ years, the family has also lived in various other states throughout the country as well. Twice in Ohio. Deacon Chris’s career background is in aviation maintenance and in the ’90s was a maintenance supervisor for US Air at the Pittsburgh Int’l Airport for many years. Currently, he is an enterprise software sales consultant in aviation and, over his career, has traveled to many parts of the world. He enjoys serving the church and participates in various apostolates and ministries.
Mrs. Patty Zocolo
pzocolo@ololstj.org
Coordinator of Apostolates and Evangelization (Our Lady of Lourdes)
Ms. Mary Burkey
mburkey@ololstj.org
Parish Secretary (St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes)
Mary Burkey has been a member of St. Jude Parish since January 1972. She’s been parish secretary for St. Jude since 1975, and for Our Lady of Lourdes since 2014.. During her time at St. Jude she has participated as a member of the Parish Council, Finance Council, Women’s Guild, Choir, Parish Life Committee, Family Life Committee, Christ Renews His Parish, and the Small Christian Communities. Mary graduated from St. Xavier Academy in June 1967. She is the mother of 3 girls: Michelle (Rick), Lisa (Rob), and Denise, and has 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Mary loves living in Columbiana. She also loves her job as the secretary for St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes and attributes that to the kind and loving people she encounters in both churches. Mary holds a Bible Study in her home two evenings a month, has an active card club, and keeps busy with her home upkeep and family, and truly loves where God has brought her in life
Mrs. Janette Koewacich
jkoewacich@ololstj.org
Director of Religious Education (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
Janette completed her Master’s Degree in Religious Education in May of 2017 from Loyola University in New Orleans. Prior to this, she graduated from YSU with a degree in Elementary Education. Her teaching experience began in the Austintown Local School system and then she was called to teach at Our Lady of Peace in Canton and also Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Austintown. In 2009, she began working as the Coordinator of Ministries at St. Charles Parish and in 2014, became the Director of Religious Education. Janette and her husband Rick live in the Youngstown area and have been married for 25 years. They have three children, Ricky, and twins, Carly and Joey.
Mrs. Candy Cope
ccope@ololstj.org
Director of Music (Our Lady of Lourdes)
I am privileged to remember my baptism. Fr. Bruce baptized and confirmed me at the Easter Vigil mass in 1978 at Our Lady of Lourdes; I was 22. Even as a young adult, I could not comprehend what a blessing I had just received. I was married in the church the previous summer and had completed a series of classes with Sr. Rose. Until those classes, I had little religious education but I had experienced the Catholic Church throughout my life. I took music lessons from a wonderful catholic woman named Margaret Nastas for more than 10 years. During that time we traveled to many cities to compete; Margaret never missed daily mass and she often took her students with her. Though my mother introduced me to Jesus through songs like Jesus Loves Me and The Old Rugged Cross, Margaret taught me to be a musician. Through the years, my journey with Christ has taken me down many paths. I spent many Sundays at Grandma’s singing praise to God through hymns. I sang in my high school chorus and learned more hymns and songs. I was the featured singer and steel guitar player in my family’s square dance band for several years in my teens and we never ended the evening without a hymn to God. When my youngest child started CCD, I became involved in the program. Sally Guy and I introduced music into the classrooms so the children could participate more fully in the mass. When the choir director bought a new home and moved to a new parish, Fr. Torok asked me to take her place. That was more than 20 years ago. I always feel closest to God when I’m singing. Music is a beautiful gift descended from heaven above. I’m pleased and privileged to share it.
Mrs. Anna May Hatch
Custodial Sacristan (St. Jude)
Anna May has served our parish in many capacities. Currently, she works in Liturgical Ministry and Liturgy and is our custodial sacristan. She has been a member of St. Jude Parish for forty-five years. Anna May and her late husband Mike are the proud parents of 8 children, 21 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.
Team Member
Custodian (Our Lady of Lourdes)
Mr. Matthew Rhodes
Hall Custodian (St. Jude)
Matthew is a retired member of the United States Navy. He has 4 kids and a few fur kids! Matthew enjoys playing games with the kids, walking the dogs, playing guitar, singing, and reading.
Mr. Jacob Rhodes
jrhodes@ololstj.org
Young Adult Minister & Technology Support Specialist (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
Jacob Rhodes has been a part of the IT Support Team at OLOLSTJ since 2021. He went through RCIA 2019-2020 and became a member of the parish at the Pentecost Vigil due to Covid restrictions around Easter. Jacob sings in the choir, lead the Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible Study by Jeff Cavins with Ascension Press and is looking forward to doing more Bible Studies with OLOL & STJ. These parishes have become a second home. He is thankful for Fr. Cicero, previous priest at OLOLSTJ, and for Fr. David, current priest at OLOLSTJ. Their guidance has helped him to become better, not perfect, but better. Every new day brings a new chance for you to go to mass, pray, and be as saints!
Mrs. Teresa Masters
Youth Minister - (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
Ms. Grace Witmer
Assistant Youth Minister (St. Jude & Our Lady of Lourdes)
Fun facts about me; I was born April 7, 2003, I have 3 sisters, 3 stepsisters and one brother. I've gone to St. Jude and Our Lady of Lourdes all my life. I reside in Columbina with my mother, stepdad and my black lab Nova, where I've lived all my life, including graduating from Columbiana High School. I love these parishes and will continue to strengthen my faith here.