Mass Times:

Saturday 5 p.m.

Sunday 7:30, 9:30 11:30 a.m.

Daily Mass  Tues-Fri 11:30 a.m.


705 Main St., Cedar Falls, Iowa

(319)  266-3523     

facebook.com/saintpatrickcf

2024 candidates

St. Patrick Pastoral Council Candidate Information - MAY 2024


These are the parishioners who have agreed to serve on the St. Patrick Pastoral Council. You are being asked to confirm these two candidates.  Thank you for your assistance. 



 Dan Koenigsfeld

Length of time in Parish: 10 years

 

Education: Mechanical Engineering (Purdue, 2009), M.B.A. (Indiana, 2017)

 

Reason for running: I have been looking for additional ways to leverage the skills God has given me to contribute to our parish. I believe that my background and experience has given me the ability to serve on the Pastoral Council to help make decisions that enable our parish community to continue to grow closer to each other and to Christ over many years.

 

Involvement in Parish Life: Liz and I are currently engaged in Teams of Our Lady and enjoy hosting Coffee and Donuts on occasion. Liz has been very involved in the CGS program as a catechist, and as that program has grown, I’ve enjoyed making materials for the new Atrium spaces.

 

Personal Information: We have lived in the Cedar Falls area since 2009, when I started working at John Deere after college. We have two kids, Jack (9) and Paige (7), both of whom have benefitted from the CGS program here at St. Pat’s. I am originally from central Missouri, where my parents still live on a small farm. I coach Paige’s soccer team and lead the United Way fundraising efforts at John Deere’s Product Engineering Center. I enjoy woodworking, welding, and tinkering in my spare time, and try to get our old truck to a few car shows every year.

 

Cody Vanasse

Length of time in Parish: 4 years

 

Education: Master’s Degree in Architecture (University of Minnesota)

 

Reason for running: It was a privilege to assist Brad Best when the property was first acquired and use my talents and expertise as an architect to help the parish. I would like to continue to share my skill set in this field with the parish. My experience with RCIA and the groups that helped facilitate my confirmation into the Church has given me an interest and passion for faith formation also.

 

Involvement in Parish Life: Every month, my wife Susan and I participate in a Teams of Our Lady (Team #7) meeting with other couples from parishes around the community. My wife is a level 1 instructor for Catechesis of the Good Shepard which our oldest, Rosemary (3), attends weekly. We attend church every Sunday, although not always at St. Pat’s.  I also have a regular adoration hour at Columbus on Friday afternoons.

 

Personal Information: I have two young girls, Rosemary (3), Helen (18 months), and another child that will be born in September of 2024. Our faith is integral to our family. I have an interest in the arts, politics, and technical things that require creative problem solving. All my spare time is spent doing home improvement projects and spending quality time with my family.



 


St. Patrick Faith Formation Commission Candidate Information

 

This parishioner has agreed to serve on the St. Patrick Faith Formation Commission. You are being asked to confirm her. Thank you for your assistance in this process.



Judy Johnson

Length of time in Parish: 6 years

 

Education: Registered Nurse

 

Reason for running: The parish needs so many people to step forward and serve. I need to be willing to help.

 

Involvement in Parish Life: I have helped with middle and high school ministry for four years and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for two years. I am currently midway through completing Level 2 catechist training for CGS.

 


St. Patrick Catholic School Board Candidate Information



These are the parishioners who have agreed to serve on the St. Patrick Catholic School Board.  You are being asked to confirm these candidates. Thank you for your assistance.

 

Lisa Ahern


Length of time in parish: 7 years

 

Education: Masters of Public Administration (Ball State University), Bachelors Sociology (Eastern Illinois University)

 

Reasons for running: I enjoy being a part of our school and parish community.  Working with others to create a school environment that promotes educational, personal, and spiritual growth in a safe and loving setting is rewarding. Promoting school safety, upholding our Catholic identity, and ensuring our students have the best resources available to meet their needs are high priorities.

 

Involvement in parish life: I have served on the school board the past three years and currently in the role of school board president. In the Parish, I serve on the Capital Campaign and Property Development Parish committees. I have formerly served on the Faith Formation and Fall Festival committees and served as a catechist for middle school.

 

Personal information: My husband Dennis and I have 5 children and moved from the Quad Cities to the Cedar Valley in 2016. Since this time, we have been with St. Patrick Parish which has been an awesome place to raise our family. I currently work for UNI in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Like many families, all our free time is spent keeping up with kids' activities - but when I have quiet moments I really love digging into scripture and better understanding God’s word.

                                                                                                           

Natalie Deery


Length of time in the parish: 9 years

 

Education: Bachelor’s Degree (University of Northern Iowa), BSN/RN (Allen College)

 

Reasons for running: As a mother of five, my children’s education is very important to me. I would love to be more involved at the school and make a positive impact on the students and staff at St Patrick School. 

 

Involvement in parish life: My husband, DJ, and I are small group RE leaders. I also am a money counter.


Personal information: I’ve been married to my husband, DJ, for 8 years. We have 5 children, Skylar (7), Daniel (6), Eli (5), Brooks (3), and Andi (2). I currently stay home with the kids, previously working as a nurse at Allen Hospital. I enjoy spending time with our family and friends, working out, reading, and playing volleyball and pickleball.

 

 

Emily Paxton


Length of time in parish: 7 years

 

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Advertising (University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana)

 

Reasons for running: This will be my second term serving on the St. Patrick School Board. I am committed to preserving and strengthening the spiritual foundation of our school, ensuring that our students grow not only intellectually but also in their understanding and practice of their faith. Over the last 3 years I have learned so much about the inner workings of our school and I would like to continue to serve and make a positive impact for not only my own children but all students and St. Patrick School.

 

Involvement in parish life: My husband Nathan and I were born and raised Catholic. We both come from families of strong faith, and we wanted no different for our children Calvin and Caroline. From the very beginning we had our children in the church. It is so important for us to foster an all-loving relationship with the Lord. Our children both participated in CGS which was an invaluable experience for both at a young age. We continue to be in awe of all the spiritual enrichment they receive from their religion classes, Monday morning prayer and Wednesday masses. We are continually working to make sure we are giving them all the tools and opportunities they need to be strong, faith filled Catholics as they grow up.

 

Personal information: My husband Nathan and I have two children; Calvin (9) and Caroline (7). We have lived here for 7 years, and both of our kids started their beginnings at Clover Patch and are now both at St. Patrick School. Nathan works in agriculture, and I am a substitute teacher. In our free time, we love to boat in the summer and ski in the winter.

 

Ryan Occeña


Length of time in the parish: 5 years

 

Education: MM in Choral Conducting and BME in Vocal Music Education

 

Reasons for running: I have enjoyed my time serving on the school board and I believe I have more to contribute there.

 

Involvement in parish life: Beyond my school board involvement, I am a parent of four children, two of whom will be at St. Pat’s School next year (one is currently at Clover Patch). I am also a cantor and organist occasionally.

 

Personal information: As a former Catholic School teacher and current teacher in in Waterloo public schools, I have some idea of the work our teachers do at St. Pats and a deep appreciation for it. I am also very grateful for the K – 8 Catholic education I had as a child. My wife and I, both musicians and teachers by profession, are currently training as CGS Catechists.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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