Parish Staff
Pastor
Rev. Harry J. Tasto
Fr. Harry was ordained in 1968 and has been the pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle since
August of 2005.

Pastoral Administrator
Terry Ruttger
Terry directs the daily business operations of the parish and supervises the parish center
volunteers. Along with the pastor, she works with the Parish Council and Finance Committee
and she supports our Pastoral Care Ministers. Terry has been on staff since 2008.

Pastoral Associate-Faith Formation
Bill Nolan
Bill oversees the faith formation, sacramental preparation and social outreach programs for the
parish. He is directly involved in leading adult faith formation and spiritual enrichment
programs, which includes a weekly column in the parish bulletin. Bill joined the STA staff in
2005.

Pastoral Associate-Liturgist/Music Director
Mary Werner
Mary directs the parish choirs and coordinates the music, ministers and ritual for all our
liturgical events. She collaborates with all ministry areas to provide quality worship that forms
and supports our parish mission. Mary began working at STA in 1989.

Coordinator of Faith Formation with Children
Cheryl Taylor
Cheryl coordinates all aspects of our children's faith formation programs, which comprise Seeds (ages 3-5) and Liturgy of the Word with Children (ages 6 and older) on Sunday mornings and Faith Formation for All (grades K-8) on Wednesday evenings. Cheryl has been on staff since 2006.

Coordinator of Sacramental Preparation with Children
Martina Hernandez
Martina organizes the parish sacramental preparation programs for children, including First Reconciliation and First Eucharist for 2nd grade and confirmation for grades 9 and 10. Martina began working at St. Thomas in 2010.

Liturgical Accompanist
Dottie Dolezal
Dottie leads the assembly to full and active participation in the sung prayer of the liturgy. She
also accompanies the choir and plans instrumental music for weddings and other liturgical
events. Dottie has played piano and organ at St. Thomas since 2004.

Maintenance
Andy Eich
Andy provides the necessary custodial and maintenance duties for our facilities, keeping the
buildings and grounds clean and safe. He is available afternoons and evenings to assist in the
needs and safety of staff and parishioners. Andy has served St. Thomas since 1995.

Director of Youth Ministry
Cathy Doyle Burris (cmdoyle@ctkmpls.org)
Cathy is responsible for heading up the combined youth ministry for St. Thomas the Apostle and
Christ the King parishes. Venture Youth Ministry invites youth to participate in the life mission
and work of the church through service, peer ministry, prayer and worship, small and large
group gatherings, mission trips and retreats. Cathy has been the director since 2011.

Youth Minister
Christina Ploog (612-920-5030 ext.28)
Christina leads the jr. high youth of St. Thomas the Apostle and Christ the King in Venture.
She oversees the JV Peer Ministers and is in charge of after-school and summer evening
drop-ins and a yearly all night lock-in. Christina has been with Venture since 2008.

Technical and Administrative Assistant
Julie Wickland
Julie welcomes and assists visitors and callers to the Parish Center and provides technical
support. Her duties include generating the weekly bulletin, updating the parish website and
maintaining the calendar and various parish records. Julie has been supporting the staff and
parishioners since 2008.

Nursery
Ann Sattler
Ann supervises the nursery on Sunday mornings during Mass, along with the help of parents
and youth volunteers. Ann joined the St. Thomas staff in 2011.