Queen of Apostles

Q.What does a retired Chicago police officer do after 32 years on the force?
A. Become a Deacon and Pastoral Associate at Queen of Apostles of course!

It might seem fitting that Deacon Greg is drawn to Queen of Apostles in part because of "the faith of its people demonstrated in the generous sharing of time, talent and treasure," as he describes it. It's a departure from Chicago's south side where "everywhere you look you see Christ carrying his cross."

Deacon Greg brings a background rich in education and experience -- he holds a BA in Psychology from St. Xavier University, a Masters degree from Catholic Theological Union, and served as deacon and pastoral associate at St. Symphorosa Parish and Little Company of Mary Hospital in Chicago, as well as other parishes in Wisconsin.

My funniest parish moment was...
"During ministry, deacons wear what's called an alb - a vestment with large sleeves that have a tendency to catch & hook onto things. Once when I was a brand-new deacon and had baptisms for the first time, I accidentally "hooked" the holy oil container with my sleeve and knocked it into the waters of the baptismal font. Instinctively I reached over quickly to catch it with my other hand and knocked the towels into the water with my other sleeve. When I'm embarrassed, I often try to bail myself out with humor. So I said to the mother: "Since everything's in there already, just throw the baby in and we'll wrap this up in no time!" Not Laughing? The mom didn't find it funny either - she looked at me like I was the Anti-Christ!"

You'd be surprised to know... "that when I was 19 years old I wrestled a bear at the Sportsmen's Show at the International Amphitheater in Chicago. They used to invite men from the audience to do this. The bear's name was Victor and he was, of course, trained. Nobody ever beat him -- and I was no exception."

My favorite book is... after the Bible, Joseph Campbell's "The Hero with a Thousand Faces"

My favorite quote... after "I now pronounce you husband and wife" at my wedding is "You can get through any difficulty as long as you remember in times of darkness what you have learned in times of light" - Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Interests: My wife and I enjoy riding our horses together ("Bo-Jangles" & "Trooper"), exercising together, eating donuts and anything we do with our five children & grandkids. The order is a little skewed in the foregoing - donuts should probably come first (at least for me!).

Now we know where Bill gets that spark he brings to his role as Q of A's Christian Formation Coordinator (high school). This former electrician of 35 years has been a member of our church since Q of A was established and prior to that a parishioner of St. Mary's since 1972.

In 1982 he started volunteering as a catechist with the confirmation preparation classes and has been doing that ever since, and is now certified by the Archdioceses of Milwaukee. "I love working with the young people, the people I work with, and learning about and growing in my faith every day," says Bill. Bill and Mary Ann have been married for 46 years and have four children and six grandchildren.

You'd be surprised to know... I was a police officer. I also once owned a horse and rode in the Circus Parade in downtown Milwaukee.

My favorite movies... Mc Clintok with John Wayne and Passion of Christ

Some of my favorite books... Flag of our Fathers and the Bible

My favorite quote... "Be not afraid" and "Here I am Lord, I will hold your people in my heart."

When Lynn Famularo says Q of A is like having an extended family, she means it! Married here in 1976, Lynn has been an integral member of the family - a catechist since 1980, and working as an administrative assistant beginning in 1993 before taking on her current role as Christian Formation Coordinator K4-8 which she has been dedicated to for the past ten years.

"What I love most about working at Q of A is the families we serve; being with the youth; watching children grow in their faith from little through adulthood, and then having them come back and share their faith with the current youth in our parish," Lynn says. She is married to Dave and has one son and three grandchildren. 

My favorite books … are mystery books - my favorite author is Mary Higgins Clark. I also recently enjoyed reading The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.

My favorite quote… "You can do no great things, only small things with great love." - Mother Theresa

Before becoming Assistant to the Pastor at Q of A, Rita Firkus worked for 15 years in advertising art (she designed the original logos for the Petit National Ice Center!). She holds a degree in Illustration/Design from MIAD (formerly Milwaukee School of the Arts) and continues to express her artistic side by creating decorative wall art.

She believes the staff and potential for continued growth sets Queen of Apostles apart. Rita has a twin and is married with two daughters.

My favorite movie is… Gone With the Wind

My favorite book is… The Agony and the Ecstasy

My favorite quote… "May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be," – St. Theresa

As Director of Ministries/Activities at Q of A, Ann doesn't call what she does work. "It's really a joy. I do what I love to do… with and for wonderful, beautiful people." She's dedicated more than 25 years to the church, mostly in music ministry. 

Ann is married to Mike and between them have 10 children and 9 grandchildren. She has children in Arizona, California, Illinois, New Mexico, Atlanta, Minnesota (college), Pewaukee and Waukesha. With children all over the country, Ann has not surprisingly done her share of traveling including Yugoslavia in 1988, a pilgrimage to Rome in 2000 and an Alaskan cruise 2007.

My favorite movie is… The Sound of Music and anything with Mel Gibson, Will Smith, Antonio Banderas or Harrison Ford.

My favorite book is… "When Bad Things Happen to Good People"

My favorite quote… "Offer it up, better days are coming!"- my Dad

Queen of Apostles counts its blessings that Virginia Johnson left retired life behind and joined Q of A as our Business Manager. She brings almost 30 years experience working in Catholic parish business offices to her role.

Married to Jerry, Virginia has three children and four grandchildren. They enjoy camping and being outdoors, particularly traveling to the national parks.

My favorite quote… "Life is short…eternity isn’t!"

As Q of A's Administrative Assistant/Bulletin Editor and Doer-Of-Anything-Else-That-Needs-To-Be-Done, Donna Miller is a make-it-happen person! And she's been making it happen for our parish for more than ten years.

Donna has a BA from UW Madison and an Advanced Technology Degree in Desktop Publishing from WCTC. She worked for many years planning seminars for the International Trade Department at WCTC to help small to medium-sized businesses in their exporting efforts.

While her husband has passed on, Donna loves her huge family of in-laws "that I wouldn't trade for the world" and also thoroughly enjoys spoiling her nephew and dog.

My favorite movie is…  Must Love Dogs

My favorite book is… "Nothing But Blue Skies"

My favorite quote… An ancient Chinese proverb (and curse) "May you live in interesting times."

Little did John Unger think that when he got locked in the bell tower during his first weeks on the job would he be the chief of maintenance for Q of A years later! With more than 15 years of manufacturing maintenance experience, John enjoys being a part of the Q of A family, where "the people: a staff with hearts of gold, families and children" set our parish apart. John is married to Kimberly and has three children.

You’d be surprised to know… that I love sports and polka music.

My favorite movie is… The Sound of Music

I enjoy reading… anything about the Green Bay Packers

Favorite quote… "This church and school belongs to all of us, lets keep it clean!" – John Unger!