Pastoral Council

Next Parish Council Election: June 7 and 8 after all Masses

Below is a list of candidates for your consideration to fill three open positions on the Parish Council. Voting will take place during Mass the weekend of June 7th and 8th. Elected council members serve as advisors to the Pastor, support ministry leaders, promote the Parish’s spiritual growth, plan activities that support the mission of the Church, and communicate regularly with parish community members. This council also helps develop and renew a pastoral plan for the ministries and the life of the parish.

Lina Blease

I was born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, and moved to Georgia 20 years ago. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and my professional career has been in the insurance industry for the past two decades. I’ve been happily married for 15 years and am a proud dog parent to three wonderful dogs. I see Parish Council as a great opportunity to actively engage in the life of the parish, support its mission, and build stronger bonds within the community. I currently serve as a volunteer for the St Joseph Food Pantry.

Brandon Blease

I was born and raised in Cumming and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from GA State University. I’ve been married for 15 years and a Parishioner of St Brendan for 4.5 years. I’m also a Board Member at Non-Profit Mentor Me of North Georgia and am actively involved in a number of St. Brendan ministries, including Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Food Pantry, Emaus, and the Finance Council. I am familiar with the needs of the Anglo and Hispanic communities of Forsyth County and can help bring us together as one. I believe strongly in what St Brendan’s is offering to the community and I want to see this continue for years to come.

Hilma Bond

I have been living in the United States for more than 35 years. I was born in Panama but my father was an American and my mother is from Costa Rica, so I am fluent in both English and Spanish languages and am multicultural. I have been a parishioner since 2015 when I returned to the church to be confirmed as an adult. I am a lector, a Catechist for young adults, an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion, and an adoration guardian. I also helped with CRHP in Spanish and am one of the coordinators for the Emaus Ministry. My latest involvement is with the Shroud of Turin ministry where I am serving as a bilingual tour guide. My mother Marielos served in the Pastoral Council several years ago and through her experience, I now believe that sharing my time, talents and experiences as part of the Pastoral Council could be the best way for me to help the Parish and the community.

Isiah Gregoric

I was confirmed Easter of 2023. I attend RCIA as a support and a sponsor. I have played guitar and bass for various worship events at the church. I am a new convert with an evangelical, non denominational, charismatic background. I came to America to help start a church when I was 19, and worked on staff for 10 years. I was production director, youth pastor and associate pastor during my time. I’ve been married for 5 years and we have 2 kids (3 and 1). I am Australian that just became an American citizen! I work for Taylor Morrison currently as a builder. I’d like to be more involved in the life of the church and I believe I could help bring fresh perspective and new ideas as a new convert. My wife and I feel passionate about people gathering, getting people connected, and helping people find community.

Lupita Knittel

I have been a Parishioner since 2023 an married to Steve for 35 years. We have 2 wonderful daughters, 2 amazing sons-in-law, a 1 1/2-year-old granddaughter and two more grandbabies on the way. I was raised Catholic in Mexico and have lived in Michigan, Kansas and Georgia. I’ve worked in Education Technology for 20+ years and enjoy baking! When I learned about this opportunity at Mass, something stirred within me—a desire to learn more and consider serving. After further reflection and conversations with my husband, I believe I can offer fresh perspectives as someone relatively new to the parish. I also bring experiences from other parishes and communities, as well as professional skills in leadership, vision, collaboration, and problem-solving. I am interested in learning more about the various ministries, supporting and promoting their efforts, and, overall, becoming more active in the church community. I hope to grow in faith and action—and to help others do the same. I truly appreciate all that St. Brendan Church has offered me and my family. I have enjoyed being part of the parish, and I am now looking for an opportunity to give back. I am eager to serve and contribute at a deeper level.

Curt Misko

I’ve been a member of St. Brendan for two years. The ministries I’m actively involved in include Lector, Eucharistic Minister serving at Mass and to the Homebound, Deputy Grand Knight, Knights of Columbus, Dig board member, CRHP team, RCIA catechist, Adoration Guardian, and the Prison Ministry. I am a retired Lt Col, having served 30 years in the Marine Corps and the US Army. I recently retired from private practice as a Female Pelvic Reconstructive Surgeon. My wife, Martha, and I have three grown sons and 10 grandchildren. We enjoy going to Daily Mass and serving St. Brendan’s through our various ministries. I would like to represent the people of the family of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, and provide clarity and purpose for the upcoming three year cycle as a member of the Parish Council. Through my discernment with the Holy Spirit and counsel from my wife of almost 40 years, I find myself moved to help represent parishioners through the unprecedented growth of this fabulous parish. I believe I am uniquely qualified for this role as I am already involved in many aspects of the life of this parish, as well as much experience as a Private in the USMC cleaning thousands of toilets, and hundreds of pots and pans. I have worked with many hundreds of people in a common goal of excellence with compassion in a hospital setting as well. Also, chasing around a herd of grandchildren gives me a perspective that is more challenging at times than being a Marine in boot camp.

Gabriela Najera

Being raised Catholic was a true blessing in my life, though I didn't always appreciate it. Like many teenagers, I went through a period of exploration, searching for something I already possessed. I am incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with wonderful parents whose faith and guidance have ultimately led me back to my roots. Like any other online search, I l scrolled and scrolled. One day, when I was ready to give up, there He was. INSIDE of me. Making me feel things I can't explain. Asking me not to be scared to serve him so here I am. A year ago I moved from Atlanta to Cumming . I've been an adoration guardian at St Brendan since I moved to the area. I was part of Christ the King in Atlanta before moving to Cumming.

St. Brendan’s Current Parish Council

Sherry Brouilette
Manny Enriquez
Dan Jozwiak
Pat Marcouillier
Debbie Rigby
Julio Roncal
Nick Satriano

The ParishCouncil promotes the spiritual growth of the parish community and works to plan ways for the parish to carry out the mission of the Church. The council serves as an advisory council to the Pastor. The Parish Council studies pastoral matters, considers them thoroughly, and proposes practical recommendations about them. In this way the Council fosters pastoral activity. The Parish Council is willing to listen to and be open-minded towards the ideas of others and the good of the whole parish and is dedicated to the mission and spiritual welfare of the parish. All council representatives are elected by the parish. Questions and comments may be directed to the council via an email to Debbie Rigby at debbierigby@yahoo.com.

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