Meet the Candidates for Pastoral Council, Board of Education & Faith Formation

PASTORAL COUNCIL: 2 seats open

Chris Bills
My name is Chris Bills.  Steve and I have been together for 32 years; we have two adult children, Ashley, and Haley. I currently work from home for Principal. I joined Epiphany Parish through the RCIA program in 1990. A few years back I made the decision I wanted to be more active in our parish; I signed up to be a liturgical ministry volunteer acting in roles of Sacristan, Lector, Usher, Eucharistic Minister and Depositor.
 
I am an active member and leader of an ARISE Group; our group continues to meet in the off seasons of ARISE to continue growing in our Catholic Faith.  I love being an  active member of our Parish and getting to know our parishioners. I feel running for  Pastoral Council would be another way for me to continue to get to know more of you personally and to be an active voice for you in our Parish.

Pat Goedken
Hello.  My name is Pat Goedken.  I work at Clear Lake Bank & Trust and I am an Iowa State Cyclone fan!  Cinda and I met in Mason City and were married at Epiphany     Parish 20+ years ago.  Our son, Marco, is a Senior and our daughter, Isabelle, is a Sophomore.  I have been involved with our parish in various ways over the years…  Eucharistic minister, RCIA sponsor, Pastoral Council member, Pastoral Planning Team, Finance Council Chair, and salad luncheon & fall festival volunteer. I am interested in using my past experiences to contribute to our parish in furthering our mission of “Forming disciples to joyfully love and serve God and others.”
 
 Libby Hennessy
My name is Libby Hennessy and I am a newer member to Epiphany Parish. My       husband Kevin and I moved to Mason City in 2019 after I finished graduate school at Des Moines University. I am employed with Athletico Physical Therapy as a physical therapist. I was raised protestant but joined the Catholic faith in 2017 to be able to   worship with my husband and to raise our future family with strong, faith-filled roots.
 
I have enjoyed being involved with Arise at Epiphany and am hoping to get more      involved through the Pastoral Council. I believe my background will make me a well rounded member of the council; I will bring new ideas from a unique lens, share a youthful passion, and hopefully inspire action in the parish. Thank you for your         consideration!
 
 Faith Formation Committee Representative - 1 candidate to be elected
 
Carol Boyle
My name is Carol Boyle.  I attended Holy Family and graduated from Newman High School.  I have four grown children; one son and three daughters.  We were members of St Patrick’s Parish in Dougherty where I taught 2^nd grade CCD preparing children for First Reconciliation and First Communion.  I was involved as a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Catholic Ladies Auxiliary and Parish Council.  St. Patrick’s closed in 2012 and we joined St. Joseph Parish.  I have been involved in the Parish Festival, Catholic Daughters and ARISE.  I retired last June.  I am looking for a way to serve my Parish.  I am currently a Confirmation sponsor for my granddaughter and it is through this experience I decided I would like to be a part of the Faith Formation Committee and serve my Parish by helping to share and spread the Faith to our Youth and the parish family.  
 
Pastoral Council Youth Representative - 1 candidate to be elected
 
Elisabeth Carlsson
Hi, my name is Elisabeth Carlsson; I am a student at Newman Catholic High School.  I am passionate about empowering young teenagers like myself to become the best   version of themselves and to grow in their faith. I love music and singing, learning about science, and putting myself out there! As Laurel Thatcher Ulrich said, “Well behaved women seldom make history.” 
 
Olivia Schissel
Hello my name is Olivia Schissel, I am a sophomore at Mason City High School. I’m 16 years old; I have one brother named Will, he is 13. My mom is Laura Schissel and my dad is Toby Schissel. I am in cross country and track at the high school and on the Spin Devo Junior Cycling club. I am running for the youth position for the Pastoral Council Youth Representative because I enjoy all of the youth events with Epiphany Parish. I enjoy going to youth group and helping be a leader at the middle school lock-in. I’m running for this position because I am coming close to being confirmed and I want to be more involved with the church and help continue growing my faith.
 
Newman Board of Education Candidate - 1 candidate to be elected
 
Anne Boyer
My name is Anne Boyer and I am seeking a position on the Newman Board of         Education.  My family and I have lived in Mason City for the past 12 years. I work at NIACC in the Admissions Office, my husband, Chad works at the Mason City Clinic in the Orthopedic Clinic and he and I have enjoyed sending our 3 children to Newman Catholic Schools (Caden (Senior), Benjamin (4^th Grade), and Abigail (Kindergarten). We have truly enjoyed the community of Mason City and the community within our   employers but above all, have appreciated the opportunities and growth Newman Catholic has offered our family.
 
Previously, I have had the pleasure of serving on various volunteer organizations    supporting my kids’ activities including, Parent Association, Post-prom planning      committee, and coaching various Park and Rec athletic teams.  I would be honored to continue to support my community and our families parish and school through service on the Newman Board of Education.
 
Nancy Gibbons
My name is Nancy Gibbons and I am running for Newman Board of Education.  My husband Tim and I have 7 children.  Our youngest children, Caden and Kallie have gone to Newman since kindergarten and are currently in 8^th grade.  I have been an   active member of Epiphany Parish for nearly 19 years (2002).  I have enjoyed helping our parish in the following capacities: Newman Elementary kitchen volunteer, Bible Study, Choir, Lector, and Group leader for ARISE. Prior to moving to Mason City I was a member of St. Vincent DePaul in Omaha, NE .
 
I have a BA in Business and advanced certification in Human Resources and Steven Covey Executive Coaching.  Prior to moving to Mason City I was the AVP and Human Resources Manager for Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society. I worked for Principal Financial in Mason City while my husband was in Iraq. I served on the Mason City School District evaluation team for student assessments for 2 years.  For the last 16 years I have owned and managed a Property Management Company.  I love being involved with our children and farming activities south of Mason City.  Newman has been a bright spot for us and I would like to serve as a Board of Education member.