Parish Council

The Parish Pastoral Council of St. Thomas Aquinas is a group of 10 resident parishioners and 5 student parishioners, whom represent the whole parish community. They help in the decisions that must be made by the pastor in regards to liturgy, education, social service, evangelization, social justice, mission activity, family life, communications, ecumenism and administration in compliance with the universal church law, diocesan statues, and civil law. To learn more about the Parish Pastoral Council, look over the By-Laws or review the Strategic Plan. Also, feel free to contact the Parish Pastoral Council at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Parish Council Minutes

Parish Council Members

Alex Eros
Resident Parishioner Chair
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I have been a resident of Lafayette and a parishoner at St.Tom's for five years. My wife, Susie, and I along with our three daughters, Emilie, Margaret, and Audrey have participated in many activities or ministries at St. Tom's. I am currently the Chair of the Parish Pastoral Council and welcome any comments, questions, or suggestions.

Jacob George
Student Parishioner Vice-Chair
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"You see before you the Lord's servant" Luke 1:38
I was born in India but brought up in Dubai, U.A.E. Came here to Purdue in August 2007 as an Undergraduate in Aeronautical Engineering.
I am a member of the Community of Grace, a Catholic Community devoted to leading people to the Sacraments and strengthening them in the Catholic Faith. After my high school, I took a year off doing missionary work around the world with the Community. It was an experience that really changed my life! Here at Purdue I help conduct the Community of Grace prayer meeting that meets in Room 4 of St. Tom's every Wednesday at 7:30pm.
Besides that, I serve as a Eucharistic Minister, play in the Wednesday 9pm choir and am a member of several student groups of St. Tom's.
If you have any questions or suggestions for St. Tom's, please send me an email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pam Applegate
Resident Parishioner Secretary
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My husband, Bruce, and I moved to West Lafayette in 2001. He started as Assistant Professor in the Food Science Department at Purdue in January. We have two teenagers of our own at this time, Bruce and Sarah. We were a guardian to another teenager, Lucas. The two boys and I moved here in June and Sarah came up about 6 weeks later after being with Grandparents. We all moved into our new home in August. The community in the Lafayette area was very warm and welcoming. Our teenagers are now young adults and attending college.
I work as a closing agent for Stallard & Schuh, Inc., in Lafayette, where I aid in the closing of home purchases or refinances.
I have been more involved with St. Tom's over the past several years. I wanted the feeling of belonging. I wanted to make a difference. By getting involved I would begin to get to know the people I see in Church each week and start to feel connected.
I first became involved with the Women's Group; they met after the 9am mass so that was perfect. Then I saw a bulletin asking for help with the pre-school or kindergarten age children. I thought that would be so much fun since I have just finished with teenagers graduating from high school. But, when I called on Monday, it was already filled however; they did need someone to help with the 4th grade. I remember looking upward thinking ok, pretty funny. I was willing to help with the younger ones and that was a pretty sneaky way to get me to make that phone call. Will I still offer my hands to help--as I was initially saying the Lord could have? I said, yes. Since then I have taught the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade religious education classes and sometimes more than once but I especially enjoy assisting in lieu of being, the teacher.
I have helped with the second grade retreat in the spring. I spent one year in the Just Faith and one year in the Just Skills programs. I've been involved with Jubilee Christmas. Help when I can with the van driving on the weekends for Family Promise. Currently I'm assisting with 4th grade religious education with two other wonderful women, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and RCIA Sponsor.
I am a sponsor of a little boy in Ghana, his name is Franklin. His birthday is in April just like mine and he will be turning 5. I had asked my husband a year and a half ago if he would mind instead of me renewing my gym membership for the same amount spent each month could I sponsor this little boy. He told me, yes. I have enjoyed corresponding with him and sending him monthly High Five magazines (younger version of Highlights). I've received pictures of him. I always talk about Jesus in my notes and how much Jesus loves him. I keep his picture on my desk at work and it helps me to remember to pray for him daily and hope he has enough to eat and a safe place to lay his head down at night. I love his hand drawn pictures he sends me, there treasured.
I belong to the Lord, I tell him to use me and to show me what he wants me to do and I try to stay open to his response. Sometimes you don't know where that might take you. I love snow skiing and it's like going down a slope with mogels...you got to keep your knees bent because you never know what's coming.

Charlene Meyer
Resident Parishioner

I grew up in Princeton, Indiana, which is about as far as you can go in Southwestern Indiana without falling into the Ohio River (30 miles north of Evansville on Hwy 41). I graduated from Indiana State University with a double major in Mathematics and Sociology.
I am the second oldest of 14 children. My parents worked very hard taking care of and educating their large family. There are 7 boys and 7 girls. We all love a college education. 7 of my siblings graduated from Purdue. Our occupations include: a Dentist, a Lawyer, a Special Education Teacher, a Social Worker (with a Masters in Social Work), 2 Electrical Engineers, 2 Mechanical Engineers, etc. It is a highly competitive group in my opinion.
I worked in data processing for 29 years. 14 of those years were spent employed by Purdue.
I have Multiple Sclerosis. I was one month into my waiting period to go on a Long Term Disability when my mother's kidney began to fail. I drove her to dialysis in Evansville three times a week for three months. Then her kidneys began to function again. Her problem had been caused by a medication that she was on for another illness. Mom said, "God took care of us through the situation." If I wasn't in my waiting period for Long Term Disability, I couldn't have gone back home and driven her to Dialysis. I lived with her until she died in 2004.
When I returned to West Lafayette, I registered as a member of St. Thomas Aquinas. I have been a member of the parish for 6 years.

Eileen Arthur
Resident Parishioner
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My name is Eileen Arthur and our family came to St. Tom's in 1998 when we moved to West Lafayette from Pittsburgh, PA. We immediately experienced a faith community that we wanted to join. Our son joined the music ministry and that was the extent of our initial involvement. Bill and I started small by serving coffee and donuts. Gradually we began to participate in various ministries. Bill joined the men's group and I became involved in a small faith sharing group, Pax Christi, the Stewardship committee, and the women's group. Bill followed me into the stewardship committee and was very involved in the "Are We Cooking" campaign. Together we have participated in Day of Discovery and JustFaith. I am currently a co-facilitator of JustFaith.
The rewards of involvement are great: a growing connection to our faith community, a deepening spirituality and a greater understanding of the many facets of stewardship. I am excited to serve on the parish Council. Sometimes engagement in parish life begins simply with a personal invitation.

Jackie Sorensen
Resident Parishioner
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My bio is on it's way...

Jennifer Jacobi
Student Parishioner
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Hello! My name is Jennifer Jacobi. I am originally from St. Charles, MO which is about 25 miles northwest of St. Louis. I received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri University of Science and Technology) in May 2007. During undergrad I was very involved in the Newman Center. I held Outreach Chair, Historian, and Secretary positions on the Newman Council. I started graduate school at Purdue in August 2007. I am working on a PhD in Biochemistry. August '07 began my second time living in Lafayette/West Lafayette. Between my sophomore and junior years of college I did research at Purdue in the Agricultural and Bioengineering Department. I first encountered St. Tom's that summer. I really enjoyed and looked forward to going to mass at St. Tom's every week and was excited to come back to St. Tom's during Graduate school. In addition to Parish Council, I am involved with Purdue Catholic Grad Students, Eucharistic Ministering, Lectoring, and JustFaith. I am very happy and blessed to serve the parishioners and students on Parish Council.

Joan Gentry
Resident Parishioner
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I lived in Naperville, Il for 30 years. While there, I was involved in many church ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle. These ministries included: 20 years as Eucharistic Minister, 4 years as Sacristan, 5 years helping the homeless shelter, 15 years youth prison ministry (ages 12-21), 1 year hospice. I moved to Lafayette 4 ½ years ago and have become active at St. Tom's as well.

Keith Woeste
Resident Parishioner
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Keith Woeste has been a member of St. Toms since 1999, when he arrived in West Lafayette with his wife Vicky. They have four children, Helen, Margaret, Joseph and Phillip. Keith joined the parish pastoral council in 2009; his other parish activities include Stewardship, MoST, and Eucharistic ministry. Keith works at Purdue for the USDA Forest Service as a forest geneticist. He earned a Masters degree in theology along the way, so he enjoys reading church history. In his abundant spare time he plays banjo; thanks be to God he rarely performs in public.

Kristin Malavenda
Resident-Parishioner
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My husband, Pablo, and I came to the Lafayette area in 1998. Our son, Maximilian, was born that year. Our daughter, Zoe, followed in 2000. Pablo and I both work at Purdue. I am a News Host/Producer for WBAA. Pablo is an Associate Dean of Students. We have been active members of St. Tom's since 2004, and enjoy the mix of families and Purdue students. This is my first leadership role at St. Tom's. I look forward to serving the St. Tom's community as a member of the Parish Council.

Lesley Geldart
Resident Parishioner
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My name is Lesley Geldart. Originally from Cleveland, OH, I moved to West Lafayette to attend graduate school at Purdue and somehow never left. I’m currently a part time chemistry professor at Ivy Tech Community College and a full time mom to my three kids, Alex, Joe and Gabrielle. My husband Gregg and I have been members of St. Tom’s since we moved here in 1993. In addition to being on the Parish Pastoral Council since 2010, I’ve been involved in various ministries including RCIA team, Day of Discovery team, and sacristan. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, problems, or concerns about St. Tom’s.

Lori Muhenkamp
Student-Parishioner
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Lori Muhlenkamp is a senior at Purdue University double majoring in Communications and Religious Studies. She is a second year Resident Assistant in Earhart Hall. She is also a leader of the Campus Renew Group in Earhart. In past years at Purdue, Lori was Coordinator of the PCE Retreat, Retreat team leader for Life Guides, and involved with Purdue Catholic Truth League. She will be graduating in 2011.

Lorraine Rund
Resident-Parishioner
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My bio is on it's way...

Matt Arvin
Student Parishioner
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My bio is coming soon...

Stephen Sehr
Student Parishioner
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My bio is coming soon...