Ordained Priests & Deacons

Rev. Robert E. Schmitz

Ordained | Pastor
x723     fr.schmitz@good-shepherd.org

Father Schmitz has been pastor since November 2003. He is canonically responsible for presiding at the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, preaching the Word, empowering others to seek the perfection of holiness, and be present to the community members, especially in their spiritual needs. Fr. Schmitz leads consultations through which the community finds direction, and he serves as a bridge between the larger Church and the local community.

Rev. Terry Smith

Ordained | Parochial Vicar
x748     fr.smith@good-shepherd.org

Father Smith has been the Parochial Vicar since July 2009. He is canonically responsible for presiding at the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, preaching the Word, empowering others to seek the perfection of holiness, be present to the community members, especially in their spiritual needs. Leading consultations through which the community finds direction, and serving as a bridge between the larger Church and the local community.

Rev. John E. Wessling

Ordained | Assisting Priest
     gs.info@good-shepherd.org

Fr. Wessling teaches at Ursuline Academy. Born and raised in nearby Kentucky, Fr. Wessling attended local Catholic schools in Bellevue and Norwood before graduating in 1959 from Mount St. Mary Seminary where he was ordained in 1958. Stationed at Holy Angels Church, he began his teaching ministry at Purcell High School prior to earning his Doctorate in Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He has taught philosophy at the Athenaeum of Ohio, co-pastored at St. Michael's in Sharonville, and was Pastor at Our Lady of Visitation from 1988 to 2002. When not teaching or assisting at Good Shepherd, Fr. Wessling enjoys his eight nieces and nephews and fifteen great nieces and nephews.

Rev. William Reichel, O.F.M.

Ordained | Assisting Priest
     gs.info@good-shepherd.org

After teaching for 9 years, Franciscan Father Reichel ministered to Native Americans in the Southwest for 13 years, and was a pastor or associate pastor in several parishes in the mid- and southwest United States. He is the past director of Friarhurst Retreat Center of Cincinnati. His career includes the formation of future Franciscans, giving retreats for priests, men and women religious, and conducting Parish Missions throughout the U.S. He also participated in the International Franciscan program of work and prayer among the poor of Central America . When not on the road, Fr. Reichel witnesses from his personal life experiences and journey with the Lord from pre-Vatican II days until the present. Fr. Reichel is a Cincinnati native, and was ordained to the Franciscan priesthood in 1961.

Rev. Michael J. Graham, S.J.

Ordained | Assisting Priest
     gs.info@good-shepherd.org

Fr. Michael Graham, S.J. has served as President of Xavier University since January 1, 2001. Prior to his position as President, Jesuit Father Graham was Executive Assistant to the President of Xavier and Vice President for University Relations. Fr. Graham first joined Xavier as an Assistant Professor of History for the 1984-85 academic year, and returned to stay in 1989. In addition to his degrees in divinity, philosophy and psychology, Fr. Graham holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1983. Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Fr. Graham entered the Society of Jesus in 1978 and was ordained a priest in 1988.

Deacon Mark Westendorf

Pastoral Care/Outreach,Ordained | Coordinator of Outreach Ministries and 
Director of Pastoral Care 
and Outreach Department
x718     m.westendorf@good-shepherd.org

Mark is the Director of the Pastoral Care and Outreach Department.He is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and managing the department which includes pastoral care, wellness, and outreach. He coordinates the many outreach ministries of the parish engaged in charity and justice such as St. Vincent de Paul, Shepherd’s Care, Sanctity of Life, Scholarship, Green Team-Care for God’s Creation, Tender Mercies, the Drop Inn Center, St. Francis Seraph Ministries, Whitley City, GS-SOS (support for our servicemen and women), Christmas Gift Giving, as well as others. He also helps coordinate the parish’s global outreach efforts through work with the Psalm 23 ministry, Pastoral Care and Outreach Commission, and others.

Deacon Jim Jones

Education/Formation,Ordained | Coordinator of Family Life Ministries
x714     jim.jones@good-shepherd.org

Deacon Jim is the Coordinator of Family Life Ministries. We all belong to families: as parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. This ministry focuses on helping families to recognize their homes as the domestic church – the primary place for learning about and loving God and each other – and empowering them to live out their Catholic lives more fully every day. Offerings include workshops, marriage enrichment opportunities, and literature and materials.

Deacon Max Schellman

Ordained | Human Resources Minister
x719     

Deacon Max serves as Human Resources Minister, assists the pastor and other priests at the Liturgy of the Mass, and performs the Sacraments of Marriage and Baptism, and the funeral rite without mass.

Deacon Rick Gallenstein

Pastoral Care/Outreach,Ordained | Pastoral Minister
x708     r.gallenstein@good-shepherd.org

Deacon Rick works with the sick and homebound members of our parish community. In addition, he organizes volunteer ministries to care for the bereaved, the hospitalized, and those in nursing homes. Deacon Rick supports the bereavement ministry and grief support ministry, coordinates the weekly Anointing Mass, supports the Caring Hands ministry, the Prayer Blanket Ministry, schedules funerals, and is a member of the Pastoral Care and Outreach Commission.