Candidates for St. Michael`s Parish Pastoral Council 2013-2014

Candidates for St. Michael’s Parish Pastoral Council
2013-2014
Elections will be held at all Masses April 27 & 28
It would be an honor for me to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council for St. Michael's
Catholic Church. I have been a member of the Catholic Church in Auburn since birth.
I was baptized at Sacred Heart, before there was a St. Michael's. After graduating
from Auburn University in 1974, I taught high school math in Ramer, AL, and then
Lawrenceville, GA. My husband, William, daughters, Samantha and Kate, and I
moved back to Auburn in 1992. Upon returning to Auburn we started our own
business and have owned and operated Travel Travel since 1992. After attending
RCIA with my husband when he became a Catholic, I have worked with the RCIA
program for the past 4 years. It is such a pleasure to learn more about the Catholic
Church through this wonderful program. I have been amazed and pleased at the
Leigh Cannon Allbrook
growth of St. Michael's. I would be happy to have the opportunity to serve the
parish as a member for the Parish Pastoral Council.
I have been a member of St. Michael’s Church for 18 years since I moved to Auburn
from Canada to pursue my artistic endeavors. My wife Beth and I make our living
through my Portrait, Landscape, and Live Event Painting business. We have five
children and through them, I have been actively involved with Boy Scout Troops 11
and 354 as well as Venture Scouts Troop 15. I had the privilege of serving on the
committee for constructing the Church (from the former Magnolia Ave. site) and
have helped with CYO in the past. I am an active member of the Men of St. Joseph
and I am honored to be considered to serve on the Pastoral Council.
Prior to moving to Auburn I lived in Montgomery and belonged to Saint Peter’s Parish
where I served as chairman of the Pastoral Council during the complete renovation of
the historic church building. I also chaired the committee for youth activities there.
The warmth of Saint Michael’s was an integral part of our decision to move to Auburn.
I practice law in Montgomery and living in Auburn is well worth the commute. Since
coming to Saint Michael’s I have become involved with the Men of Saint Joseph and
Cursillo and in the community I have become involved in the ministry of Women’s
Hope Medical Clinic, where my wife, Pollyanna, serves as Executive Director. I have
four children and two grandchildren and wish for the future of Saint Michael’s to be as
bright as possible. I would be truly humbled if you allowed me to serve this parish as a
member of the Pastoral Council.
We have been members of St. Michael’s since 2001, when my family relocated from
Tampa, FL. I have been blessed with my wife of almost 24 years, Amparo, and with
three beautiful daughters: Cristina, Mirtha & Amalia. After moving to Auburn we
became part of the Hispanic ministry at St. Michael’s & the Saint Vincent De Paul
Society. In 2004 I was given the opportunity to serve on the Parish Pastoral Council,
and today my wife and I serve as Extraordinary Ministers. It would be a great honor,
if elected, to represent and serve our community to the best of my abilities.
Ron Bayens
Bernie Brannon
Hector Donastorg
My family (wife Rhonda and two daughters Sofia, age 9 and Eliana, age 6) has been
members of St. Michaels for almost three years. Like many people here in Auburn, our
family has had to move several times due to family and career obligations. I have had
the pleasure of living in seven states and being a member of seven great parishes.
Although we have loved each of the places and communities, Auburn has become a
special place for us. St. Michaels and the Auburn community have opened their hearts
to my family. If elected, I would be happy to serve St. Michaels to foster the same
welcoming environment we received and give back a small portion of the kindness this
community has shown my family.
Chad Foradori
My husband Diego and I have been members of St. Michael’s Catholic Church since
August of 1990. Since that time, I served as head of the Small Group Committee of the
RENEW project for the three years the parish took part; as part of the RCIA team for
eight years; as an Eucharistic Minister for the past five years; as a member of the Altar
Care Committee for the past three years. I am also active in the St. Michael’s Ultreya/
Cursillo. I am mother to my two sons, Diego III and Henry and am grandmother to
their four children (two each). Before retiring from Auburn High School in 2010, I
taught Spanish for 21 years. I welcome the opportunity to serve my faith community
on the Pastoral Council, and, if elected, will be proud to represent its parishioners.
Alicia Giménez
I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Catholic grade school and
Jesuit High School. After attending the University of Nebraska I received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. I graduated in 1975
with a BS Degree in Engineering. I also have an MS Degree from Troy State. My wife
Cathi, a retired elementary educator, and I moved to the Auburn-Opelika area last year
to enjoy all things Auburn including the sunny weather and the gorgeous orange and
blue sunsets. I have served in various capacities in support of my Catholic beliefs to
include playing guitar at Masses, teaching CCD, and being elected to membership in
two Pastoral Councils at St. Columba, Dothan, AL. and St. Mary on the Hill, Augusta,
GA. I am currently involved in St. Michael’s Men of St. Joseph group and I am on St.
Michael’s Stewardship committee.
In January 2010, I retired from Verizon Wireless after 31 years where I performed
various business management functions including accounting, budgeting and contract
negotiations. In August 2010 my wife Sue and I moved to Auburn. The St. Michaels’
family immediately made Sue and I feel at home. At St. Michaels, I have been a
member of the RCIA team, a member of St. Vincent DePaul and a Eucharistic
Minister. I look forward to serving Father Bill and the parishioners of St. Michael’s
as a member of the Pastoral Council.
My wife Lisa and I have two children and we have been parishioners of St.
Michael's for the past nine years. We are both veterinarians in private practice in the
Auburn area. I have served in various church ministries, including The Society of
St. Vincent de Paul, Haiti Committee, Soles4Souls, Four Corners Ministries, and
Anawim Uganda. Lisa and I have more recently reduced our commitments to
international missions in an effort to participate more directly in our St. Michael's
community and in the faith formation of our young children. I would be honored to
serve St. Michael's as a member of the Parish Council.
Mike Hamilton
Ed Harrop
Randy Plaisance