Meet the Catechists

Julie Doral – Director of Faith Formation

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: This year, the theme for our K-5 students is Rooted. My goal is to help families become rooted in Christ by building strong spiritual foundations that nurture love, prayer and faith-filled living at home. Through joyful experiences, meaningful lessons, and shared prayer, I hope each family leaves feeling more connected to one another and more deeply anchored in God’s love.

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with family!

Favorite Quote: “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” ~ St. Catherine of Siena

Kindergarten and 1st Grade – Diana Tomsha

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To show the children how to live out their faith in their daily lives and to be a good example for others.

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with family and friends!

Favorite Quote?: “This the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!” ~ Psalm 118:24

1st Grade – Jodi Mercurio

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: For the kids to walk out of class after each lesson knowing at least one new thing about God and our Catholic faith!

Favorite Pastime: Cooking and baking for people I love!

Favorite Quote: “Let go, let God.” ~ Ephesians 3:20 …so much peace in leaving difficult things up to God to handle!

2nd GRADE – Jan Warmuskerken

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To prepare the kids for their First Communion & Reconciliation Prayer!

Favorite Pastime: Reading Mystery novels, doing Sudoku and traveling!

Favorite Quote: The Eucharist is essential for us: it is Christ who wishes to enter our lives and fill us with His grace.” ~ Pope Francis

3rd GRADE Avery Maslowski

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To help kids understand Bible studies and verses about Jesus and the Catholic Church in creative and engaging ways, making learning both meaningful and fun!

Favorite Pastime: Going to the gym, spending time with friends, and making jokes!

Favorite Quote: “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” ~ Psalm 30:11

4th GRADE (Wednesdays) – Maria Osinski 

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To teach the children the power of prayer – both for recognizing the blessings they have and the things they’d like to ask the Lord for.

Favorite Pastime: Cooking, baking, and crocheting!

Favorite Quote: “There’s a great big beautiful tomorrow.” ~ Walt Disney

4th GRADE (Thursdays) Barbara Zeer

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To provoke my students’ curiosity and provide real-life, simple ways in which they can begin to practice their faith.

Favorite Pastime: Going for a walk – Very simple yet very therapeutic!

Favorite Quote: Walk by Faith not by sight.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

5th Grade – Ursula Krause 

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To show that learning about our faith can be FUN while also acknowledging its sanctity.

Favorite Pastime: Reading, baking, camping, shopping, and exercising! 

Favorite Quote: “Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10

5th Grade – Collin Schy

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To make impactful lessons that really stick with the students while having fun!

Favorite Pastime: Chatting with the St.Malachy staff – they always have some entertaining stories to tell.

Favorite Quote: “I don’t have a specific quote, but just wait until the school year starts…These kids say the greatest things!” ~ Collin Schy

8TH GRADE – HEATHER (and Steve) ZIEGENFELDER

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To let the students know how much God loves them! As they prepare to be Confirmed we hope they realize how special our Catholic faith is – to know that it descended from the Apostles of Jesus – those who physically walked with Christ. 
 
Favorite Pastime: Spending time with family especially up at our cottage in Higgins Lake, singing, reading, and attending Mass whenever I can.
 
Favorite Quote: Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

Ilene Moronczyk – Sunday Children’s Liturgy

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To inspire children to be true faithful disciples that are a light to others and talk with Jesus everyday.
 

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with family either camping or flying to see a new national park!

Favorite Quote: “Do small things with great love.” ~ Mother Teresa

Karen Colley – Sunday Children’s Liturgy

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To help our St. Malachy children learn about Jesus, grow closer to God, know stories from the Bible, and learn how to pray.

Favorite Pastime: Hiking up north with my family and collecting rocks off of Lake Huron and Lake Superior.

Favorite Quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Gandhi

Julie Garrisi – SUNDAY CHILDREN’S LITURGY

Biggest 2025/2026 Goal: To grow closer to God and to help children feel His love through every story and smile shared during the Liturgy.

Favorite Pastime: Spending time with my family and friends, especially doing things that bring laughter and adventure.

Favorite Quote: Give it to God and go to sleep!”