The St. Thomas the Apostle Racial Justice team is made up of parishioners and staff of this faith community. We have united under this important cause to guide the parish through educational offerings, action opportunities, and community outreach concerning the need for Racial Justice in our world. All of our team members have provided their contact information along with a short biography and photo of themselves in an effort to ensure transparency, experience and wholeness are demonstrated when leading such an essential conversation. Please reach out to any of us, at any time, for any reason. We are here to serve.
Jane Barnes
I am a Hoosier by birth, growing up in the small, virtually all-White town of Logansport during the 1950s and coming to adulthood during the turbulent 1960s. After marriage, I lived briefly in Michigan and then moved with my family to Naperville in 1972, raising two children here who are now grown with children of their own. Over my adult lifetime, I have been active in community service and political/civic education, and as a teacher of writing and literature at the college level. I have worked for clearer and more effective communication of common goals and understanding of differing opinions in a diverse community. I was part of the initiating group that formed Solidarity Coalition at St. Thomas the Apostle in 2017. I am now 78 years old and live at Villa St Benedict in Lisle.
Noble Charles
My family and I have been parishioners at St Thomas the Apostle since 2013 when we relocated to Naperville from Toronto, Canada. My wife Sandra and I currently live in Aurora and have three adult children: Elliott, Maurice and Malcolm. We are also grandparents to Lillian, Langston, Lucas and Ellington. I am a founding member of St Thomas the Apostle’s Knights of Columbus Council and was the inaugural Financial Secretary for a three-year term. I also served as Treasurer for a one year term. I currently serve on the PPC, member of the Racial Justice committee and also work with the host greeters ministry. I’m a good listener and have a passion for improving lives of marginalized individuals.
Donna Cheesebrough
Donna and her husband, Al, became parishioners of St. Thomas in 2021 not long after they retired to Naperville to be closer to family. She currently serves on the Inclusive Justice Initiative Committee as well as the Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission.
Prior to moving to Naperville, Donna and her husband were members of St. James Cathedral in Seattle where she served as an Extraordinary Minister holding weekly prayer services at a senior community. She also worked for Catholic Community Services of Seattle where she directed the PREPARES ministry which served pregnant and parenting mothers through volunteers from parishes across the archdiocese. Donna believes that Catholic Social Teaching is one of the great gifts of the Church and that as Catholics, we are called to work for justice for all of God’s children.
Mary Glatz
Peggy Goralski
Nancy Oetter
Chari Rosales
St. Thomas has been a part of my life since the founding “Journey” retreats 37 years ago. Joining the staff in 2004 reaffirmed my desire to be in a place where ALL are welcome and belong. I chose to join the Racial Justice Committee to ensure that that welcome continues to live in the hearts of all our parishioners and is thereby extended into our community and our country. To paraphrase my dearest prayer from St. Teresa of Avila: “Christ has no hands, feet, eyes and heart on earth now but ours.”
Mike Ryder
My name is Mike Ryder. My family and I are a St. Thomas founding family. I attended Mass, but didn’t get involved. I told myself I would get involved when I had more time. The day after I retired, at the 4:30 Mass, Sister Marlene (the former director of the Outreach and Social Justice office) asked for volunteers to go to Haiti. That was the Spirit hitting me over the head with a 2×4! I was a part of the first team to visit our Twinning parish. I have been in the OSJ Office for 15 years, where I have come face-to-face with social injustice, often racially motivated. We all are called to work for racial justice.
Anne Schultz
I have been a member of St. Thomas since the beginning (1984). After working in the corporate world for 21 years, I joined the St. Thomas Outreach and Social Justice Office in 2001. Meeting people where they are and listening to their stories is a very rewarding part of the OSJ ministry. Each one of us is created in the image of our loving God. While not easy, the work of racial justice is critical and necessary.
Patrice Sullivan
Thank you for visiting us!
If you have any interest in joining our team, the invitation is always extended! Communicate with any of our members for more information. Meetings are held virtually at this time.