Father Karl P. Ganss

Pastor

Originally from Philadelphia, Fr. Karl came to the Midwest in 1956 to study at Sacred Heart Preparatory Seminary in Geneva. Ordained to the priesthood in 1968, Fr. Karl's varied responsibilities have included: Area Director of Religious Education and Superintendent of Catholc Schools for McHenry County; the diocesan executive team for Marriage Encounter; head of the Renew Program for the Rockford Diocese; and, Vicar for Spiritual Formation under bishops O'Neill and Doran.

Fr. Karl became active in full time pastoral ministry with his appointment as associate pastor of Holy Angels Parish in Aurora and has served as administrator of St. Patirck mission Parish in Hartland, pastor of St. Mary in Durand, and St. Patrick Mission in Irish Grove; his last assignment before coming to St. Gall was pastor of St. Mary Parish in Dekalb.

Mrs. Mary Kugach

Business Manager

Email: Mary@StGall.com

Mary and her family have been parishioners at St. Gall since 1995. She grew up in Indiana and Michigan. She earned her BS in Business from Valparaiso University and her Masters in Accounting from Dominican University. She has worked in the field of accounting since graduating from "Valpo" in 1984.

Mary, her husband Bob, and their two children, Kelly and Andy are very active in the church. In 2009, Mary stepped down from being the Traditional Choir Director for the previous nine years. She has taught CCD for five years, been a cantor for nine years, and enjoys the day to day business at St. Gall.

Ms. Betty Becker Bell

Coordinator of Volunteers & Outreach

Email: Betty@StGall.com

A long-time resident of North Aurora, Betty came to St. Gall to coordinate the "Why Catholic?" and to serve as Coordinator of Volunteers and Outreach. Her educatonal experience includes both teaching and administrating at the Catholic grade school and high school levels. For seventeen years she worked at messenger Libray of North Aurora in the Circulation department and as Coordinator of Adult programs. With this background in education an public service she is well prepared to serve the needs of the faith community here at St. Gall Church.

Mrs. Darlene Biggs

Director of Religious Education

Email: Darlene@StGall.com

Raised in Illinois and Kentucky, Darlene has been a member of St. Gall Parish since 1978. Through the years Darlene worked in several Parish Offices in the Diocese as Administrator as well as here at St. Gall for 3 years. After obtaining her certification in Ministry Formation followed by the Diocese of Rockford DRE certification program she joined St. Gall's Religious Education Department as the Director in 2003.

Darlene and her husband Jim of 35 years, live in Elburn along with a growing family. Darlene's favorite saying is "May Jesus' Love for you (and mine), always make you smile!"

Mrs. Ann Diehl

Secretary - Religious Education

Email: Ann@StGall.com

A long time r4esident of Elburn, Ann has been a member of St. Gall Parish for over 40 years. From 1970 to 1974 Ann worked as the Parish Secretary here at St. Gall, then worked with Conley Funeral Home. During her 20 years with Conley, Ann assisted at funerals and worked in Conley's print shop where the St. Gall weekly bulletin was printed. Ann re-joined the office staff at St. Gall in 2004 and works as the bulletin editor as well as the office assistant for the Religious Education office.

Ann has 2 daughters and 3 grandchildren and when she is not working enjoys sewing, crocheting and baking.

Mark Chaplin

Deacon

Email: chaplin@osigroup.com

Mark was born and raised in downstate Illinois, attending high school and college in Iowa, graduating with a BA in Organizational Management from UNI, Cedar Falls, IA. A lifelong Catholic and involved in multiple and varied ministries, Mark eventually felt called to the permanent diaconate. He did his diaconate studies while in Missouri and was ordained to the Jefferson City diocese in 1995 where he served until 1998. He then served in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati before being assigned as St. Gall’s first deacon in 2007. Since then he serves as deacon at frequent liturgies and works with marriage preparation of couples, baptismal preparation of parents, music ministry, Catholics Come Home, RCIA, Finance Committee, and as an ex officio member of Pastoral Council.

Mark has been married to Laura, for 35 years, and they have 3 daughters. Two are married with children – meaning Mark and Laura are blessed with five grandchildren who live nearby. In his spare time, Mark enjoys family history researching. He loves working with his hands and sports, including being a huge Cardinals baseball and Vikings football fan.

Laura Chaplin

Director of Liturgy

Email: laura@stgall.com

Laura became Catholic as an adult and always hoped to someday work for the Church. She finished a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans, LA in 1996 and then moved to Ohio, where Laura worked for her parish full-time as Music teacher, Director of Music and eventually Pastoral Associate for Worship.

Laura and her husband Mark joined St. Gall in 2007 when they moved to Sugar Grove and became active in the Music ministry. Then in 2009 she joined the parish staff as the parish’s first Director of Liturgy and is thoroughly enjoying getting to know parishioners involved in all sorts of ministries.

Laura is married to her high school sweetheart, our own Deacon Mark. They have 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, and 5 precious grandchildren. Laura is an avid genealogist and enjoys reading, crocheting, sewing, most any crafts, and antiquing.

Trudy Hanrahan

Secretary

Email: trudihanrahan@sbcglobal.net

We joined St Gall Parish in 2004. I live with my sister in Elburn. I've participated in the Parish Council for 2 years; and now as the Secretary. I am single, and do not have children.

I've worked in healthcare for 35 years, bedside nursing In Oncology and Medical Detoxification and Counseling in addictions recovery; extensively. I have a BSN from Elmhurst College and a Certification as an Addictions Counselor.

I began teaching CCD at age 18 and did so for 25 years. I enjoy teaching children and teens, creative writing, gardening and walking outside.

My most valued experience was the end of life care of our mother. We were graced to have had her in our home for many years and were further graced to see her through to a happy and holy death. Because of this experience I have a deep understanding of the many problems our aging population has and though I am a senior myself, I hope to make a difference and be a part of the answer.

I hope to let people know that CareGiving for aging is a deeply spiritually enriching experience.

St. Gall

Catholic Church