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Employees mark milestones in diocese

The Diocese of Belleville recognizes its employees for their years of service. Five employees have served 20 or more years in diocesan offices.

Father Eugene Neff has only one date to remember: July 3, 1974 when he was appointed director of Ministry to the Sick and Aged. Originally Father Neff provided Catholic chaplaincy to the patients of Belleville’s Memorial Hospital and five long-term care facilities. “From day one we focused on people at the end of their lives” and being present to them, he said.

His mission, and that of the many volunteers, hasn’t changed over the years. Their ministry has focused on bringing Christ to others, and being Christ for them. His joy in the ministry of presence “is one of the neat things where people ask the important questions” about their relationship to Christ and the meaning of life. It’s not about what is important but who is important.

He currently visits nine facilities all of which are in the Belleville metropolitan area. He serves as a source of information and referral to the people of southern Illinois. He is also pastor at St. George Parish in New Baden.


In 1974, Patty Schilling graduated from Althoff Catholic High School and decided she should work for her parish, St. James in Millstadt. What she didn’t realize was that 35 years later she would still be working for the church, now at The Messenger, the diocese’s newspaper.

Brought up as a Catholic, working for the church “seemed like the thing to do,” she said. As parish secretary, she managed the books for all parish funds and helped out with the school bookkeeping as well.

Deciding she would like a change from parish work to see the broader church in action, she became then Bishop Wilton Gregory’s secretary where she served until 2004 when she made another change to The Messenger — where she again assists with bookkeeping, manages circulation and page layout for a portion of the paper — and Office of Communications.


Colette Kennett has been with the diocese 30 years, presently as director of the office of Youth Ministry.
Colette volunteered in prison ministry for 24 years, cofounding the Residents Encounter Christ programs in two prisons.

She has presented at the Mid-America Ministry Conference, National Teens Encounter Christ Convention, National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry, National Catholic Youth conference and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Religious Education Congress.

She represented the United States at the 1998 Latin American Youth Congress in Chile and was an Animator during World Youth Day in Italy, Canada, Germany and Australia. She participated in CRS’ 2002 “Called to Witness” trip to Rwanda. Colette has traveled to Haiti, Chile, Costa Rica, Africa, Belize and Guatemala as a missionary. She was vice-president of Missions International and cofounder of BRIDGES, an intercultural youth experience.
Hobbies include photography and singing.


Kathy Schrage began her career with the diocese in 1989 when she became an administrative assistant in the Youth Ministry office. Driving in from Lively Grove every day was not a problem since almost anyone living in the country gets used to it, she said. “It’s just part of your day.”

And she enjoyed her days with youth where she said, “you could see so much potential. Their energy and their hope spread to the adults working with them, making work fun.”

Later, Kathy worked at the education office, then the Chancery as assistant to the vicar general, adding duties to include the chancellor.

Presently, she works in the finance office as assistant to the chief financial officer and accounts payable clerk.
When she looks back at her 20 years, she says she finds joy in seeing some of the youth she worked with who are now serving on boards and taking their place as volunteers in the church.


From Catholic Social Services, Maria Sikora has been on the job for 20 years. During her time at CSS she has grown with the agency and has served in many different positions including; Receptionist, Counseling Secretary, Data Manager, and Clerical Supervisor. She currently serves as the Assistant to the Human Resources Director.

Maria is a representative of the heart and soul of the agency and keeps the place organized and running smoothly.
She is involved with the Belleville Optimist Club and the West End Promotional Committee. She is married with two grown children and two grandchildren. She enjoys gardening, shopping and traveling.



Others celebrating anniversaries: 5 Years: Angel Santos, Catholic Social Services (CSS)
Tiffany Short, CSS
Valda Simpson, DayStar Community Program
Randy Flachsbart, Office of Development
Sr. Ann Gregory Bischoff, OP, Family Center
Yolanda Brazier, Griffin Center
Doreen Pitcher, Hincke-Sense Home
Quinzetta Wince-Logan, Holy Angels Emergency Center
Stacey Leemon, St. John’s DayCare Center
Meredith Maynard, St. John’s Day Care Center

10 Years: Eric Brennan, Camp Ondessonk
Venessa Marion, Catholic Urban Programs
Brian Shepard, CSS
Sr. Mary Ann Buhr, OP, Family Center
Alexandra Graham, Griffin Center

15 Years: David Spotanski, Office of Chancellor for Administration and Pastoral Services
Jeanette Dempsey, Ministry to Sick & Aged
Verla Weissert, Ministry to Sick & Aged
Mike Jennings, Camp Ondessonk
Ramona McNamee, CSS
Cheryl Thompson, CSS

The diocese congratulates all employees who minister here.