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.
Fr. Philip Danaher
I am Father Philip Danaher, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church since June, 2017. Born and raised in St. Louis, I was ordained a priest with the Society of the Divine Word (Divine Word Missionaries) in 1983, joining the Joliet diocese in 1996.
I was inspired to join the Racial Justice Team by Pope Francis in his inaugural homily, “We need to be men and women who bring hope to others. To protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope.”
May we open a horizon of hope for all our sisters and brothers.
Samantha Delke
I found St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church while searching for a parish in which to serve after my graduate studies in liturgy and music. I was looking for a parish in which my desire to serve the Universal Church was appreciated and encouraged – and have been happily here for almost 2 years! Being raised in the diverse city of Minneapolis, living in Ecuador (where I met my husband), and studying multi-cultural sacred music are experiences that have instilled in me a drive to ensure that all children of God are represented in our faith – whether in the liturgy, through discipleship or within catechesis. As a new mom, this passion has become more personal as I want my little boy to grow up in a world in which all are treated justly and valued for their differences.
Larry Hjorth
I have been a St. Thomas parishioner for 25 years. During this time, I have volunteered for different social justice and outreach ministries. Through these experiences it has become apparent that there is a need to increase a sensitivity to the “others” of our society. My hope is that working with the racial justice ministry will help with my journey.
Deacon Larry Kearney
After a 32 year career with AT&T and Lucent Technologies, Larry retired as Regional Manager of Public Relations. Upon retirement he began formation for the Diaconate and was ordained September 10, 2005. Among others, he has been active in ministry to the homeless, prison ministry, hospital, nursing home and mental health ministry. The Gospel message of Jesus’ demand that we care for the poor and disenfranchised has drawn Larry to a great concern for those who have no voice or whose voices are ignored.
Marie-Ange Ogoudou
I’m Marie-Ange Ogoudou. I was born in Benin (west Africa). After living 15 years in France, my family and I relocated to the United States in 2013. We have been parishioners of St Thomas since 2017. To quote Audre Lorde, “It’s not our differences that divide us. It’s our inability to recognize, accept and celebrate those differences.” It’s a great privilege for me to be part of a community where all are welcome.
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.
Carrie Wujek
I am Carrie Wujek. My family (husband Tom, and sons Luke and Peter) have been parishioners since 2013. I taught RE as my sons progressed through the program. I also helped start In.Sight, an adult faith formation group that discusses literature through the lens of faith. As part of the Faith and Spiritual Formation Commission, I helped Peggy Goralski bring the St. Thomas Reads: Just Mercy initiative to the parish. Reading this moving memoir and discussing it with fellow parishioners made me want to be better and do better. Being part of the Racial Justice Commission is a means to this end.
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.
