Meet our staff!
The ministry model employed at SPH centers around a Parish Core Staff consisting of the Pastor, Associate Pastor, Pastoral Associate, Director of Liturgy & Music, School Principal, Director of Outreach Ministries, Director of Religious Education, Director of Development & Marketing and a Director of Youth Ministry. Each member of the Core Staff can be reached through the parish office at 419-381-1540. Direct numbers and email links are listed in each staff bio, if available.
SPH Deacons
Our parish is fortunate to currently have three deacons serving our parish community. Click the link to email them!:
Deacon Joel F. Junga
Deacon David J. Karpanty
Deacon Joseph H. Kest
Rev. Dennis G. Walsh, Pastor
A native of Lima, Fr. Walsh was ordained a priest in 1992. He received his bachelor's degree from St. Alphonsus College in Suffield, Conneticut and his divinity degree from Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. He is the sixth pastor of SPH and was assigned to our parish on July 1, 2007. Want to contact Fr. Dennis? Email him at dennis.walsh@toledostpats.org.
Rev. Tony Vera, Associate Pastor
Fr. Tony has been a priest in the United States for 12 years. His most recent assignment was at St. Joe's Sylvania. He recently earned his certification to become a Diocesan Parish Priest. You can reach Fr. Tony at tony.vera@toledostpats.org.
Sharon Christy, Pastoral Associate
Sharon graduated from Lourdes College with a B.A. in Theology. She has been working in the field of ministry for the past 17 years. She has taught K-8th grade in the Family Faith Formation program and has served as a Director of Religious Education. She has been involved with the RCIA and RCIC process, serves as a lector at Mass and has conducted retreats for both children and adults. She has been fortunate to teach and minister in five different diocese throughout the U.S. and in one foreign conuntry.
Her approach to pastoral ministry is simple and family-oriented. She is the mother of four and has been married to Eric for almost 20 years! Contact her at 419-381-1540 ext. 125 or you can email her at sharon.christy@toledostpats.org.
SPH Principal
Mrs. Debora O'Shea is the principal of St. Patrick of Heatherdowns School. Mrs. O'Shea recently accepted the position after being principal for six years at St. Pius X School inToledo.
Mrs. O'Shea can be reached via email at debora.oshea@toledostpatsorg or by calling 419-381-1775.
Ron Prebe, Director of Music and Liturgy
Ron directs the Adult and Children’s Choirs, the Hand Bell Choir and is responsible for liturgical planning. Passionate about Liturgy and Music, he has played in churches in Toledo for more than 40 years. Additionally, he has played with The Toledo Symphony, The Toledo Jazz Orchestra and remains actively engaged in music throughout the area. Ron is a graduate of The University of Toledo, is married and has 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren.Michelle Kravetsky, Director of Development & Marketing
After six years as Assistant Principal of St. Pat's, Michelle has moved to the Development Office. Prior to her 10 years in teaching and administration Michelle worked in market research for 10 years and in development for 2 years.
Michelle is married to Steve Kravetsky and they have two children; Ashley will begin her first year at Spring Arbor College in September and Christopher will be a sophmore at St. Francis deSales High School. Both Ashley and Christopher have received a Catholic education since kindergarten.
Rita Hoff, Director of Outreach Ministries
Rita has been a parishioner at SPH since 1984. She is married to Doug and is the mother of four boys. Her office provides a multitude of services and she is the perfect person to contact if you are interested in volunteering or need to know where to go for many types of assistance. Rita's direct line is 419-724-4675 and you can email her at rita.hoff@toledostpats.org.
Edmund Mitchell, Director of Youth Ministry
Edmund Mitchell has been named the new Director of Youth Ministry and joined our staff full-time in June 2011. Edmund graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville and is married to his college sweetheart. Edmund loves spreading the Gospel and helping people come to a life-changing and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He also enjoys training parents and other parishioners to be evangelizers of the youth - training youth ministers. He meets frequently with students and parishioners and can be reached at edmund.mitchell@toledostpats.org.
Sarah Hofkes, Director of Religious Education
Sarah Hofkes is the Director of Religious Education and the 7th and 8th grade Religion teacher in the school. She received her bachelor’s degree from Ave Maria University in Florida and her Masters of Arts in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. Sarah has a few years of experience in parish and retreat ministry. She was born and raised in Wisconsin, but is excited to be here at St. Patrick of Heatherdowns.