About Us

Staff Directory

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.

Teri Cunningham

Stewardship | Director of Stewardship
x738     teri.cunningham@good-shepherd.org

Teri is the director for the Stewardship Department and is responsible for the overall direction, planning, budgeting, and management of the department. She leads the parish budgeting process, parish accounting and finance, stewardship education efforts, fundraising activities for the parish, new members welcoming efforts and social events. Teri is the liaison between the parish and Archdiocese in the area of temporal affairs. She works closely with the Finance Commission, stewardship ministries and groups, and ensures that proper internal controls are in place. Teri also manages parish consultative groups.

Donna Krabbe

Education/Formation | Director of Education and Formation
x737     donna.krabbe@good-shepherd.org

Donna is the Director of the Education and Formation Department. She manages the ministry of the department and provides the overall direction, planning, budgeting, and management of all education and formation ministries. Donna is also responsible for coordinating adult religious formation and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). She supports staff and parishioners in their roles as formational leaders, coordinates Bible Study, the Parish Mission and a range of adult programs including guest speakers, retreats, prayer groups and workshops. She also oversees the operation of the library and book rack.

Steve Lindner

Worship | Director of Liturgical Ministries
x702     steve.lindner@good-shepherd.org

Steve is department director for Liturgical Ministries. He is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and managing the department. He manages the following areas related to the liturgy: Masses, Liturgical Prayer, Sacramental Preparation/Celebrations, and Reconciliation Services, and is responsible for the recruitment, training and support of Liturgical Ministers. Steve manages the goals, objectives and budget for the department.

Steve acts as a liaison between the parish, the Archdiocese, and the Universal Church. He schedules deacons, sacristans, head distributors, weekday Communion Service Presiders, is responsible for communicating to the parish assembly regarding liturgical matters, and ministers to engaged couples. Steve orders the supplies for all of the masses and maintains the equipment used at the liturgies. Steve also schedules weddings and baptisms.

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.

Amy Rossbach

Stewardship | Part-time Evening/Weekend Staff
     

The weekend/evening staff performs receptionist duties in addition to providing administrative support for the staff, ministries, and groups of the parish.