Pastoral Council and Commissions

We have a vibrant community of parishioners who take active roles in every aspect of our mission. Here are some who are active in our Pastoral Council and our Commissions. (Commissions focus on particular aspects of our mission, and Pastoral Council focuses on the parish as a whole.)

To reach the Pastoral Council email: sfxpc@sfxstl.org

Pastoral Council Members, 2024

Jen Hahn-Petruso, Co-Chair

Jen Hahn-Petruso has been a member of the Pastoral Council since 2016. She grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and fell in love with St. Louis when she moved here to attend Saint Louis University. After college, she was drawn to the community at College Church because of our commitment to racial justice and forming lay leadership in the Church. In addition to her ministry on the Pastoral Council, Jen has supported the Young Adult Ministry, our Anti-Racism Team, and our Parish Leadership Transition Team. She and her spouse Kevin enjoy living near Tower Grove Park and can be found wandering the farmers market and eating their way around the South Grand restaurants.

Aimee Wittman, Co-Chair

Martha Daly

Martha joined the Council in 2021, and is honored to serve in this capacity. She graduated from Dominican University in River Forest, IL, and has been a member of College Church for about 17 years. She is also on the Pastoral Care Commission, volunteers for the Social Outreach ID and birth certificate program, and is a Eucharistic minister both at SFX and at St. Louis University hospital. She has a daughter, three grandchildren and most recently a great-granddaughter. Martha is also an avid golfer.  What is most intrinsically life-giving she believes are the challenges, perspectives and comforts that Ignatian spirituality brings. “It is the heart and soul of our parish…who we are and who we always strive to be.”

Dick Fleming

New member of Pastoral Council in 2021. In nearly two decades as SFX parishioners, my wife Sarah Smith and I have found College Church to be a unique combination of a welcoming Jesuit institution, which is both rigorous in its spiritual and theological roles, and is also increasingly connected to the community in which it is located. Looking to the future of the parish and its new leadership model, I believe that College Church is in a unique position to advance both the Parish Vision, Priorities, and Goals which the Pastoral Council has articulated ---combining Ignatian Spirituality & Collaboration with the broader community. Since 2012, I’ve been CEO of Community Development Ventures, Inc., based at CORTEX. Previously CEO of St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) from 1994 to 2012 & of Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce from 1985 to 1994.

Carl Greiner

Carl Greiner and his wife Laura have been members of College Church for about 10 years.  They have three adult children and a granddaughter. When their sons were attending SLUH they became inspired by Jesuit faith formation.  They enjoyed the Social Ministry and Adult Faith Formation offered through College Church. 

Amy Sanders, Secretary

Winnie Sullivan

Winnie Sullivan has attended St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, on and off, for years, since having been a graduate student at St. Louis University. Three years ago, she decided it was time to become a parishioner, as she was being undeniably drawn by the relevance and power of the homilies and by the beauty of the liturgies. She began, in January of 2020, to serve as a member of the Pastoral Council. In addition to that commitment, she also co-chairs the Antiracism Team, is a member of the Racism and Reconciliation Committee, and a member of our wonderful choir. She looks forward to realizing the Beloved Community as a member of the College Church parish family.

Grace Teofilo

Grace Teofilo has been a member of College Church since August 2022 and became a member of the Parish Council in January 2023. Born and raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Grace originally moved to St. Louis for a 6-month seasonal job but then met her fiancé, Ben, and has happily settled in St. Louis. Grace's first encounter with the Jesuits was when she started working and attending grad school at Saint Louis University, and was drawn to College Church shortly after experiencing the parish's inclusive community. Grace is the Parish Council Liaison for the College Church Young Professionals ministry and is part of the 2023-24 Contemplative Leaders in Action cohort. Grace loves to hike, travel, and watch Disney movies with her family. 

David Nischwitz

Marty Lenihan

Deepen Rajaratnam

Commission Heads, 2024

Chris Tkach, Finance Commission

Faith Enrichment Commission

Dick Fleming, Development Commission

See bio above.

Laura Greiner, Adult Faith

Laura Greiner and her husband Carl, have been members of College Church for about 10 years.  They have three adult children and a granddaughter. When their sons were attending SLUH they became inspired by Jesuit faith formation.  They enjoyed the Social Ministry and Adult Faith Formation offered through College Church.  Laura joined the Adult Faith Formation Commission when it began in 2015.  She became chair in 2017. She has participated in Lightworks and the Bridges Retreat and has become passionate about the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises.

Maureen Hoock, Social Connections Commission

Maureen joined College Church in 2007 with her husband, Dave. She has two children: Grace and Jonah. Maureen helped to create the Religious Education Ephesians Program for 7th-grade students. Maureen was formerly involved with the Marriage Preparation Program and the Anti-racism Team. Maureen has been a speech pathologist for 22 years. However, she also enjoys watercolor painting, reading, and hiking.

Bridget Brennan

Jenny Crowe, Co-chair of Youth Faith Formation Commission

Erin Tkach, Co-chair of Youth Faith Formation Commission

The Pastoral Council has four openings beginning in August of 2024. Please fill out the interest form if you might like to serve in this way.