The candidates have asked to be elected to the Parish Pastoral Council and have been cleared by the pastor as in good standing to do so.
Vote for three and return your ballot by last Mass May 7th. Those chosen will be installed in September.
Please remember that Father Kelly, as the Pastor, has the final decision in any question that arises.
Bill and Kate Gammon
Bill and Kate Gammon are active members of St. Brendan the Navigator and regularly attend Mass with their two children, William (6) and Johanna Grace (2).
Bill has been involved in spreading the word of God since childhood and has led several Christian youth groups. A graduate of Texas Tech University (BS in Personal Finance), Bill is an avid sports fan and travel enthusiast. Bill served as a medic with the United States Marine Corps for 6 years, including combat tours in Iraq and other parts around the world. He is a financial consultant in the northeast region for Ethos Group.
Growing up in North Carolina, Kate participated in youth groups and church choirs. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina and worked in New York City for many years in public and media relations before transitioning to a career in nursing. Upon graduating with nursing degrees from Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing and the University of Texas-Arlington, she and Bill moved to New Jersey and started a family. The Gammon family purchased a home in Stone Harbor in 2019, where Kate enjoys being a homemaker and substitute school nurse.
Studying the word of God and raising our children in the Catholic faith are two central themes in the Gammon household. We are eager to become more involved with St. Brendan and act as representatives of the church community. As a family with young children, we feel we are able to contribute with a unique perspective and we look forward to working with other members of the St. Brendan family.
Bunny Parzych
Ray and I moved onto the island in 1994 and we soon registered in St. Paul Parish. I taught CCD from 1994 to year 2000, when I became a Cantor. I was one of the founding committee members who helped Deacon Bill Lauth begin our parish tradition of the Corpus Christi Procession and the Wedding of the Sea Procession. I was Chairman of the Building Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee when Msgr. Quinn built Quinn Hall in 2005-06. I was on the Merger Team from 2008 to 2011. Since the merger, I have been Secretary and now, I am the current Chairperson of the Parish Liturgy Committee. I am a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister, and a member of St. Brendan Choir. Over the years, I have spent a lot of time and energy engaged in full commitment to Parish issues because I love the Church. I continue to be fully committed to our merger and have seen over the years how Parish Council can contribute to the fullness of the ideals of the merger.
Carol MacFeat
My name is Carol MacFeat. I was raised in Avalon and I am a lifelong member of what is now St. Brendan the Navigator Parish. I attended St. Paul’s School in Stone Harbor and Wildwood Catholic High School, class of 71. While a high school student, I was recruited as a reader by a priest in residence here, who was also one of my teachers. I became the first female reader in this parish and it is a ministry which I continue today. Over the years I taught in the Religious Education Program for nine years, including both Communion and Confirmation classes and also was a substitute once I finished working in the program full time. I am certified as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, another ministry which I am blessed to continue to this day. Over the years, I have also been involved in various other projects and committees, including most recently, scheduling the weekend Readers and EME’s at Maris Stella Church and as a member of the Liturgical Committee. Since I was a child, I have tried to emulate the example my parents set of service to God and this parish community through prayer, volunteering and working with others. I would like to continue to do so as a member of the parish council.
Connie McCormick
I am interested in being on the St Brendan the Navigator Parish Pastoral Council. I have experience as a member of the Parish Council where I previously lived. My family has had a home in Avalon since 2002 and we became permanent members of the community in 2014. I would like to give back to my church community and serving on the Council is a great opportunity to achieve this. I would be interested in developing a social community within the church which I feel would enhance our spiritual experience.
Mike Matt
I am a year-round resident and full-time parishioner since moving to Avalon in 2006. I have been involved and invested in the parish since the mid-50s, when I was the altar server for the first Mass at then Maris Stella Church, now Tierney Hall. I have enjoyed the growth of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish and wish to continue to see the Parish flourish. I have my bachelors from St. Mary’s, two masters degrees and a 28-year career as Naval Aviator, Captain and Commanding Officer of a Naval Air Station, and Commander of both a Navy Air Wing and subordinate squadron. Since moving permanently to the shore, I have been involved as a volunteer with the Avalon Lions as President, the AHLOA as President twice, altar server, Eucharistic minister and other duties for our parish.
Sue Keen
I have been a summer resident of Avalon from 1947 until moving here permanently in 1966.
Originally a member of the Sacred Heart Church, I was, from its beginning, a member of the Altar and Rosary Society of the parish. I have participated in the Altar and Rosary activities throughout the years, including serving on celebration committees for Fr. Riley and Fr. Neil Lambert and chairing the annual Christmas Giving Tree project. Originally appointed to Parish Council by Msgr. Tierney, I hope to reinvest my energies in Parish activities by serving on the pastoral council.I am currently employed by the Borough of Avalon.
Tim Clay
My name is Timothy Jon Clay, and my wife Rose and I have been parishioners of St. Paul’s and then St. Brendan the Navigator for over 30 years. I became a full-time resident of Stone Harbor 2 years ago when I retired from 38 years of practicing general dentistry in Wilmington, Delaware.
I grew up in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, attending Queen of the Universe Catholic grade school, Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Cornwells Heights, Pa., La Salle College, and Temple University School of Dentistry. I have had a long history of service to the various parishes to which I have belonged:
- Altar boy as a youngster and teen
- Church organist (15 years)
- Eucharistic Minister (38 years)
- Parish Council Service (6 years). St. Ann’s, Wilmington, including 2 years as Council President
- Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist at Christiana Hospital, Delaware and Cape
- Regional Hospital, Cape May Court House, New Jersey (total 14 years)
- Lector St. Brendan the Navigator Parish
I have always believed getting involved in an organization is the best way to express one’s thoughts and opinions (and those of members less inclined to get involved). I always profess wanting to be part of the solution, rather than the problem. My faith life is a major component of my overall daily regimen, and I think St. Brendan the Navigator could benefit from my experience, strength and hope.
Gene Boyd
Knowing Msgr. Quinn from his Wildwood days, I chose to attend St. Paul parish with him the year before the merger. Shortly after starting at St. Paul’s I became an usher and greeter. I feel that it is very important that we do our best to have one-on-one contact with everyone who attends Mass at our church. Just a pleasant “hello, good morning,” or “have a nice day” can go a long way to make us all feel that we are a family, in Christ. After a few years I took diocesan training to be a Eucharistic minister in order to assist more in Church life. I have continued to serve as a lector and E.M. at all three parish churches. I have also participated in Lenten Stations of the Cross in various capacities, from candle bearer to lay leader. I have produced for the parish an online series entitled “Meet the Clergy,” 12 to15-minute interviews with all the priests who serve at St. Brendan the Navigator. Soon programs featuring our deacons will be released. I have been an active committee member for our “Wedding of the Sea” beachfront masses. Becoming a member of the Parish Pastoral Advisory Committee would be a great way to continue to love and serve the Lord.