STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Father Jim McNulty, Pastor
Being the Pastor of St. Edith Parish has brought me great joy and I am very happy to be here! I would like to let you know a little bit about myself. I grew up on the East Side in Harper Woods. I went to Our Lady Queen of Peace Grade School and Bishop Gallagher High School. After high school, I went to Wayne State University, where I completed three degrees. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Psychology, a Master of Arts Degree in Guidance and Counseling, and a Juris Doctorate.

I always worked full time while I was going to school. I worked for the State of Michigan Disability Determination Service for Social Security for 17 years. During my time there I was a Disability Examiner, Office Trainer, Quality Assurance Supervisor and District Manager. After completing law school, I practed law for several years before entering the seminary. My last job was the UAW-GM Legal Services in Flint.

I went to seminary at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a Masters in Divinity. I did my internship at St. Gemma and St. Christine parishes in Detroit. My deacon assignment was at S. Daniel Parish in Clakston.

I was ordained a Catholic priest in June of 2003. My first assignment as a priest was at Our Lady of Good Counsel, where I served as pastor for about 1-1/2 years. I was the temporary administrartor at St. Agatha Parish until we closed in August of 2005. I was assigned as Pastor of St. Priscilla Parish from July 2005 until I was assigned to St. Edith in November of 2010.

My parents have both gone home to the Lord. My father died when I was just a kid. My mother died in 2001 and I still miss her very much. My sister Carol Hoffman lives in Novi with my brother-in-law John and they have one child, my nephew Drew. My brother Rick McNulty lives in Connecticut with my sister-in-law Susan and my nieces Sarah and Haley and my nephew Zachary. My sister Lynn Roose lives in St. Clair Shores with my brother-in-law Bill and my niece Delaney and nephew Carson.

My priesthood has brought great joy into my life. I am very privileged to be doing what I am doing! I know I am exactly where God wants me to be at this time in my life, which brings me great peace. The congregation and the staff at St. Edith are awesome! Please pray for me as I pray for you.

Love and Peace,
Fr. Jim, Pastor

Ric Misiak, Deacon/Youth Minister
When I left Stevenson High School in the spring of 1969 for college I figured I would not be seeing much more of Livonia. But, sometimes, our plans take unique turns. They may be of our own making, but they may be the Holy Spirit’s. Two years later I was introduced to a girl, born and raised in Livonia, and three years later Colleen and I were married. Our first Livonia house was at Merriman and Five Mile and then we moved to Coventry Gardens (Farmington & Five Mile) where we’ve been ever since.

Initially, we were part of the St. Genevieve community where Colleen grew up and where we were married. While at St. Genevieve we assisted in various ministries, primarily Religious Education and Youth Ministry. Eventually we ventured out on our own and on Easter Sunday, 1980 went to our first Mass at St. Edith. We’ve been here ever since! Our three children all grew up in the parish attending Religious Formation classes, being a part of our CYO program and participating in our Youth Ministry Program. When the kids are that busy in church, parents can’t be far behind and Colleen, and I were alongside offering whatever we could to the parish community.

We embarked on Religious studies ultimately each receiving a Master’s of Arts in Pastoral Ministry. With the help of family and clergy friends we discerned the diaconate and in the Fall of 1990 I was ordained. As most know, deacons are really “volunteers,” and my career (alongside the diaconate) was in newspapers. In 2006 I left my secular career and took on the position of Pastoral Associate here at St. Edith.

St. Edith is a great community made up of wonderful people. It has been a blessing raising our family here, worshiping and enhancing our faith life here, and ministering within it. If you’re looking for a faith community to become a part of, “I’d highly recommend it!”

Colleen Misiak, Religious Formation Director/Youth Minister
I am very happy and excited to have the opportunity to be ministering at St Edith! I was raised in Livonia in the house my parents are still living in. My husband, Ric, and I were married at St. Genevieve in Livonia. When we moved into Coventry Gardens 33 years ago we joined St Edith. At that time we were looking for a parish and felt the warmth of the community right away! Our love for the parish has only grown as we raised our 3 children here. As a family we have been involved in many aspects of parish life for all of these years. Our children are grown and we have 3 beautiful granddaughters and a grandson on the way! I went to Madonna University for a Bachelors of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and continued on for a Masters degree from Assumption University. I went through the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

I have been the Director of Faith Formation since July 2011. I was a section head at St. Edith and coordinated levels 7 and 8 and the Confirmation Program for many years. In addition, I served as the Parish Youth Minister. For the past five years I was the Director of Youth Ministry at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Plymouth. As a Youth Minister I have been blessed with many opportunities to see the greater Catholic Church in action! I can testify that with the energy of the young people our Church is alive and well with the Holy Spirit in control!

Elaine Johnston, Secretary/Bulletin Editor
Elaine Johnston has been employed at the St. Edith Parish Office since July 1999 and a member of the St. Edith community since September 1984. Since she began attending St. Edith as a parishioner and serving the community as an employee, she has found the St. Edith community to be a welcoming environment to worship and through worship, has developed many friendships with the community members.

In her current role as the bulletin editor/secretary, Elaine prepares the weekly bulletin and performs a variety of duties both for the parish and parish office using her communication, interpersonal and organization skills. For example, you most likely have met and/or talked with her if you have come to the office to make a Mass intention, volunteered for a parish-wide mailing or called to schedule a Baptism.

Prior to her employment at St. Edith, Elaine served in a variety of volunteer positions while her children (Elisabeth, class of 1995 and Katharine, class of 2001) attended St. Edith School. She was a member of the Parent Teacher Guild (precursor to SEPA) and CYO boards and also volunteered as a school librarian and “lunch mom.” Additionally, she served in a leadership role through membership on the Pastoral Council.

In her spare time, Elaine enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and cheering on the Wolverines.

She is in the office Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. If you have any questions or need assistance, please stop by the office, call (734-464-1222, ext. 326) or e-mail ejohnston@stedith.org. Elaine looks forward to meeting you!

Angela Baumer, Parish Secretary
I was born in Garden City and attended St. Dustan School and Parish through the fourth grade. My parents later transferred us to St. Mel Parish in Dearborn Heights and I continued grade school through eighth grade. Because of hard times for my parents I ended up attending Cambridge Jr. High for ninth grade and Garden City East for tenth through twelfth. In 1986 my parents chose to move to Troy, MI because of my dad’s work. It was very devastating to me and my brothers and sisters. Working through the three years I lived in Troy, I was married to my husband, Kevin in 1989. We first settled in South Redford, MI for about five years and moved to Livonia in 1994 where we have been ever since. Kevin has spent most of his years living in Livonia and we are proud to be Livonia residents. The summer of 2003, I started working as a part time Receptionist/Secretary for St. Edith. I enjoy my job, working side by side with my cohorts and our parish family here at St. Edith. I have come to know many parishioners and I plan to continue my mission to serve our St. Edith Parishioners and Community.

Toni Sheffield, Christian Services Coordinator
I grew up in the metro Detroit area, and with the exception of a few years spent living in North Carolina in the early 1990’s, have been here all my life.  Most of my immediate family are still in the area with the exception of one brother who lives in Colorado, and my one and only son who currently lives in Minneapolis, MN.

I began working in Christian Service in May, 2000 as a part time Secretary and through a series of events, became full time Coordinator in the summer of 2005.  The job is never boring, and can be challenging as well as heartwarming.  I am often asked “how can you do this? Isn’t it depressing?”  I’d be lying if I said there aren’t days that I take the job home with me, or that I just want to cry when I hear or see some of the things I hear and see.  But when someone walks in and I’m able to give them some food from the Pantry, and some gift cards for perishables (thanks to the generosity of the wonderful St. Edith parishioners!)  and they hug me and say “thank you,” it makes all the difference in the world.  I know that this is where God wants me at this time in my life, and even though there are days when it can be sad, even heartbreaking, in the end, it’s all worth it!

Heather Nofar, Music Ministry Director
Growing up in a musical family, Heather Nofar is the second of five sisters who sing and play the piano and organ. .  She has served as the Director of Music Ministries at St. Edith Church since 2004. Heather has performed in numerous choruses with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the International Chorus in Graz, Austria, where she studied choral conducting with Dr. Rodney Eichenberger.  She has also played in master classes with Olivier Latry and David Higgs, and has performed as guest organist throughout Michigan.  She has taught general music and piano classes at Cornerstone Academy in Detroit, served as a teacher’s assistant at Wayne State University, and professor of music at St. Clair County Community College.  Many of Heather’s pupils have won regional and national awards in music. 

Heather’s previous organ instructors include Dr. Norah Duncan IV and Dr. Ronald Prowse.  After completing her Bachelor of Music degree at Wayne State University, Heather was awarded a scholarship to study at the University of Michigan where she completed the Master of Music program as an organ student of Dr. James Kibbie. 

Barbara Kemp, Secretary/Housekeeper
I was raised in the Warrendale area of Detroit and attended SS. Peter and Paul grade school and church, where I was later married.  I have three daughters and eight grandchildren. Since 1972, St. John Neumann has been my parish.

I have been at St. Edith for twelve years, working in both the rectory and the parish office and had also been employed at St. Robert Bellarmine for six years.

Since 2001, I have been a volunteer at Angela Hospice.

Working in the rectory as well as the parish office has been a rewarding experience.  It has afforded me the opportunity to know many wonderful priests, visiting priests and missionaries and to be able to interact with the people of St. Edith.

John Kenny
John was born and raised in Westland Michigan. He graduated from John Glenn High School and Eastern Michigan University. He has been working at St. Edith since 1997. John’s interests are golf, computers, reading, and the Detroit Tigers.

Bill Kelley, Maintenance Director
My name is Bill Kelley. I have been the Director of Maintenance for the past 30 years. I am responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the buildings and grounds, which includes all repairs and improvements. I handle all electrical, plumbing, heating/cooling, and maintenance needs. I see to all inspections, assuring that all codes and regulations are being followed, including my role as Asbestos Coordinator. I supervise a crew responsible for the daily cleaning and upkeep of the facilities, as well as a seasonal grounds crew that attends to the landscaping needs of our property. I enjoy looking at recycling options and pride myself of the many energy management plans I have implemented that has resulted in a great deal of savings over the years. On a personal note, I am the father of four beautiful daughters and eight grandchildren that bring much joy to my life.

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