Our Leaders

Jessica joined St. Luke’s as an intern in 2018, while pursuing ordination to the priesthood; she joined the staff in her current role in 2019. Her primary responsibilities involve coordinating faith formation opportunities and pastoral care for children and youth, as well as their families. Programs include: Sunday school, Family Chapel (a worship opportunity for young children and families),  and SLY (St. Luke's Youth Group)

Speak to Jessica when:

• you have questions about children and youth programming.
• you are looking for ideas to practice faith at home with your family.
• your family or child is in need of pastoral care.

Cathy is a native to Jamestown and grew up in the community of St. Luke’s. She is a retired Postmaster and a retired Hospice Chaplain. Cathy was ordained a vocational deacon on June 19, 2005 and has had the privilege of serving at her home parish since then. She serves on the Commission on Ministry in our diocesan partnership. Cathy also oversees the Caring Community and is a Sunday School leader at St. Luke’s. She enjoys finding various ways to be present to and serve God’s people both inside and outside the church walls. Currently, Cathy volunteers at a local food bank -The Bread of Life Ministry at the Healing Word Ministries Church and the Jamestown Mobile Public Market.

Speak to Cathy when:

• you have questions about the role of a deacon.
• you wish to have a conversation about serving in the community.
• you would like to talk or pray with someone.

A native of Frewsburg, Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in educational ministry from Houghton University and a master’s degree in social and public policy from SUNY Empire Stage College. Nicole has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, including positions in marketing and communications, housing advocacy, and legal aid. She is a proud AmeriCorps alumna, having completed two terms of service; one at Snell Farm Children’s Center and one at Legal Assistance of Western New York, Inc. Nicole and her husband Alan live in Falconer with their two children, two cats and one dog. When Nicole isn’t at St. Luke’s, she’s usually watching Marvel movies, catching up on various Crooked Media podcasts while cleaning the house, or taking walks with the dog and her family.

Before joining the staff at St. Luke’s in 2023, Nicole volunteered on the Altar Guild, as a Sunday School teacher, and served a term on the vestry. She loves the people of St. Luke’s and the church’s intent to serve not only one another, but the whole community.  As Parish Administrator, Nicole's primary areas of responsibility include administrative support to clergy and staff, service to parishioners and visitors, and facilities management.

Speak to Nicole for:

• General information about the church.
• Scheduling and information about using the building.
• Direction for community needs.

Karen Hewes Suber, MTBC, joined St. Luke's staff as Director of Music and Community Arts Integration in August of 2024— orchestrating the church’s engagement of music and the arts in both worship and community life.

A lifelong musician, Karen has a passion for connecting people and building community with music. Born and raised in Mayville and a pianist from childhood, Karen participated locally as a vocalist and instrumentalist at Hurlburt Church (Chautauqua, NY) and the WNY United Methodist Church Conference (Buffalo, NY), and also as a vocalist in the Chautauqua Chamber Singers (Jamestown, NY) before moving out of the area. While living abroad, she was a member of the pop choir SWITCH (Nijmegen, The Netherlands), and then she returned to the States and joined the Concord Chamber Singers (Lehigh Valley, PA).

In 2004, she returned to the area to raise her family and pursue her B.S. in Music Therapy at SUNY Fredonia with a concentration in piano. As a music instructor and nationally board-certified music therapist, she has been working in the Jamestown community since 2008 in early childhood music and movement (Yellow House Music), private instrument and vocal instruction (Infinity Performing Arts), and music therapy with children and adults both individually and in group settings (Firesong Music Therapy). Therapeutically, her focus is using music and other creative arts modalities to promote health and wellness for people experiencing challenges including substance use disorder, grief/bereavement, and developmental disabilities.

Karen also loves improvisation and play and facilitates community wellness events such as the LGBTQ+ Drum Circle (hosted at St. Luke’s!) as well as in-services and play-based music trainings. It is her firm belief that music is not just for musicians, but for everyone. When not engaged in music making, Karen is an active Jamestown Pride committee member, a board member of PFLAG Chautauqua, and a mother of four who enjoys long walks with her dogs, swimming laps, creative writing, and quilting.

Speak to Karen when:

• you are interested in getting involved musically at St. Luke's.
  

Janet has been a parishioner of St. Luke’s since 2009. She is currently the Sacristan and the coordinator of Lay Volunteers. She also serves as St. Luke's Treasurer.

Speak to Janet when:

• you would like to discuss involvement in lay ministries to fit your
  passion.
• you have questions about Altar Guild duties.
• you would like to make a change in your pledge.
• to check on the status of your pledge.
• to request giving envelopes.

Frank Fodor, a painting contractor by trade, has been keeping the buildings and grounds in top notch condition since joining the staff part-time in January 2020. He moved here from Akron, OH, but he’s actually hails from North of the Border, eh? He is passionate about a job well done and always researching the best methods of care and preservation.

Speak to Frank when:

• you have a question about the building
• you have an event at Church and need assistance setting up
• you’re looking to assist in maintaining the property

Originally from Arlington, Texas, Nick received degrees in Business and Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in Denver, CO in 2015. In 2016, he embarked on a transformative chapter by joining Teach for America in Buffalo. He immersed himself in the world of education, teaching in Buffalo City Schools, and later earned a degree in Special Education from Canisius College in 2018.

In 2019 he delved into Farm to School programing for Forestville Schools. Here, he worked to integrate locally grown foods into school meals and initiated the transition to fresh, scratch-cooked foods. Amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nick embraced a new challenge, channeling his passion for historic preservation into a profession. Working in Columbus, Ohio and across the state restoring buildings with slate, tile, and copper roofs.

Now, as he returns to Western New York, he brings a wealth of experience and a renewed dedication to fostering equitable food access in Jamestown and across the county. In his free time, you’ll find Nick, alongside his partner Damian, restoring their 1875 Victorian home in Gowanda. 

Speak to Nick when:

• you are interested in supporting Grow Jamestown
• you are interested in purchasing a CSA share
• you are interested in reserving a spot at the Jamestown Public Market during the season, and/or volunteering with Grow Jamestown.

Sei started her horticultural career 16 years ago, watering annuals at Baker's Acres greenhouse in Ithaca, New York. Since then she has studied classical literature in Japan, taught American culture in China, and worked as the head gardener at a historic herb garden in Maine. She has also been a co-op produce manager, farmer's market manager, and a vineyard research assistant for Penn State. Her hobbies include translating Norwegian poetry, Telugu action movies, and world cuisine. She lives in French Creek with her wife Jill and elderly chihuahua Digby, where she runs a garden seed business specializing in rare vegetables.

Speak Sei when:

• You have questions about the Jamestown Public and Mobile Markets.
• You are interested in volunteering during the market season.

Momina is the manager for our immigrant support ministry, connected with both Journey's End and the New Neighbor Coalition.

Raised in Northern Virginia, Momina has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from George Mason University and a Master of Public Administration from State University of New York Brockport. Currently, she serves on the Education Solution Team of the Chautauqua County Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access Coalition, and sits on the local Audubon Community Nature Center’s IDEA Committee. Previously, Momina was a mayor-appointed member of the City of Jamestown Commission on Human Rights from November 2020 to November 2023.

Momina feels a strong commitment to advocating for and supporting marginalized individuals, across all spaces, in a way that is rooted in intersectionality and inclusivity. As an immigrant with firsthand experience regarding the challenges non-American born individuals may face, her passion lies with promoting language-accessibility, pushing for immigrant equity, and advocating for cultural humility in her professional and personal life.

Momina and her spouse moved to the northside of Jamestown over four years ago. She is so grateful to have found her way to this tight-knit community and looks forward to their future in Western New York, with their three dogs, forever the objects of her undying adoration.

Speak to Momina when:

• you are interested in supporting the immigrant ministry work
• you are interested in joining the New Neighbor Coalition

It all started on one Christmas Eve candlelight service over 12 years ago. On that fateful night, Patrick Monaghan never imagined he would find himself so immersed in the life of St. Luke’s! Since joining the church, Patrick has served on several ministries and committees including ushering, property, rector search committee, vestry, and now as warden.

For over 18 years, Patrick and his family have called Jamestown home. Patrick enjoys running, bicycling, skiing, and beer/wine making.

Speak to Patrick when:

• you have questions or concerns regarding church property, buildings, and grounds.
• you would like to learn more about the bell tower restoration project.
• you have additional questions regarding current or upcoming building projects.

Duane Richetti was born and raised in Jamestown. He and his family have been attending St. Luke’s since 2017. He currently co-leads Fictional Friends with his wife, Beth. He regularly attends Adult Forum, has served on a variety of committees, and is involved in many St. Luke’s activities. Before retiring, Duane taught English at Falconer High School and served as liaison to College Connections at Jamestown Community College. During the summer season, you can find Duane and Beth in residence at Chautauqua Institution where they host one of the denominational houses.

Paul has been a member of St. Luke’s since 2010. He was installed as St. Luke’s first verger in 2019, prior to which he served on the Vestry and completed three consecutive terms as Warden for Administration. Paul presently serves as Verger, Vestryman, Leadership Team member, Stewardship Committee Chair, and on various ministry teams. Paul is blessed to serve St. Luke’s, a church where the love of Christ abounds in so many ways.

Speak to Paul when:

• You have questions about the liturgy.
• You are discerning your role in lay ministry.
• You need prayer.