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Ginny Grant – She moved here 20 years ago. She is active in a lot of church activities and is a hospice volunteer. She started the Ladies Tea which raised money for a scholarship fund for girls in the parish. She was also the past president of the Columbiettes.
Bob Houser – Bob and his bride, Sue, moved to OIB 15 years ago, following a life time of moving with the US Navy, retiring as a Captain after 30 years. He spent 22 years flying aircraft from the carriers, commanding a squadron and two airwings, followed by commanding a ship in the Pacific and then a squadron of ships along the east coast. Following retirement, he worked for an IT company in the DC area following by 8 years with the defense side of The Boeing Company. He serves St Brendan’s as an Extraordinary Minister of Eucharist, a lector, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Sue and Bob have 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Jean Briese – joined St. Brendan’s after moving from Arizona two years ago. Baptized and confirmed Catholic at 23, she has served in many ministries, including parish council, retreats, and spiritual direction. With 30 years in corporate leadership and as founder of a nonprofit for law enforcement families, she is now a speaker and author. Jean currently serves as a reader during Mass and is thankful to serve God and this parish family.
Kenneth Conn – Retired electrician from LongIsland, married to my wife Maureen for over 50 years. We have three sons and seven grandsons. Have lived here since 2017. I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 2019 and presently serving as Grand Knight.
Madeline Dubas – Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, my husband, Ron, and I moved to Sunset Beach in 2005 and became members of St. Brendan. Working as a receptionist in the Parish Office was a good indoctrination into the behind the scene activities of our parish. Being a Eucharistic Minister is both a privilege and a joy.
With the grace of Our Lord, hopefully my life experiences will help me to become a valuable asset to the Council.
Ada Flores – Also from Porto Rico. Has been here for 5 years. Lives in Cardinal Pointe. She will be coordinating the John the 23rd retreat. And she loves the Yankees!
Jerry Greco – Jerry and his wife Patti of 48 years relocated from New York in 2021. They raised 2 children and now are the proud grandparents of 3 granddaughters and 1 grand son .Jerry started his career in International Banking on Wall Street but changed profession to the Construction Industry in 1985 where he has since worn many hats in various areas. Jerry has been a Construction Project Manager for close to 25 years and has a strong background in Health & Safety . Jerry and Patti have been members of the parish since their move in 2021 but have attended Mass at St Brendan’s for many years while vacationing in this area. He retired at the end of 2023 and is now proud to serve St Brendan’s and its Parishioners
Laura Kniaz – Born in Washington, DC, 7/24/1950. Lived in Maryland for 66 years. Graduated from Northeast Senior High School in Pasadena, MD, 1968. Attended general studies classes at Anne Arundel Community College 1969-70. Graduated from Charles County Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2004.
Worked at Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Baltimore as a secretary for 10 years. Married in 1972. Moved to Bowie, MD, in 1973. Moved to La Plata, MD in 1979 and started a family.
Worked at the Charles County Department of Health in 1989 as a secretary then after receiving my nursing degree worked there as a nurse until I retired in 2012.
Moved to Ocean Isle Beach, NC, in 2016 where I currently reside.
Celeste Korpon – Celeste and her husband, Steve, retired to Brunswick County from Maryland in 2006. They have been parishioners for 18 years. Celeste is a retired high school history teacher and library media specialist. She is a former member of the Environment Committee and currently serves as a Eucharistic Minister. Since moving to NC, Celeste has been active in her community serving on the Board of Directors, as well as several committees. Celeste also volunteers as a SHIIP counselor providing non-biased Information for Medicare enrollees. SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program) is part of the NC Dept. of Insurance. Celeste enjoys bridge and golf.
John Peter LeFebvre – My family and I vacationed in Ocean Isle Beach starting in 1997 and fell in love with this area.
Upon retirement as Senior VP from Macy’s-California, we decided to build a home in OIB. We moved here in 2007. I have been a parishioner at St. Brendan’s ever since.
I served previously on the Pastoral Council, and I am on the Board of Trustees of Novant Hospital. I have been a volunteer at Novant Hospital in Bolivia since it opened. Most recently I received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the President for volunteering over 4,000 hours.
My experience being on councils and having staff who reported to me has taught me how to listen to the suggestions of others, and how to share my opinion honestly and openly.
Bob McGahran – Lives in Carolina Shores. He was ordained a Deacon 40 years ago. He is officially retired so he can serve in any parish with the Pastors permission! He does whatever he can for Father Mark. He also likes soccer and football.
Bert McGoff – My wife Paula and I have, been parishioners at St, Brendan for ten years. Having vacationed here for over thirty years it has always been our desire to retire in Sunset Beach. We have been in Sea Trail, part time, since 2003.
We have four children, two in PA, our original home state with our five grandchildren and two children in NC.
Our parish vocation has always centered around Adult Faith Formation with involvement in Marriage Encounter, Pre-Cana, Cursillo, Christ Renews His Parish Retreats in former parishes. At St. Brendan our involvement is in RCIA, Bible Study, Lectio Divina and The Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.
An active faith community has always been a valuable part of our life, we are happy we found St. Brendan the Navigator.
Pat McLaughlin – I was born and raised in Brooklyn NY until moving to NJ. Graduated from Misericordia University in Dallas Pa and taught primary grades in Northeast Pa. for many years. Went on to obtain Nursing degree and worked in the field in NJ for many years. Most time was spent in Coronary Care Unit before moving on to the Operating Room for some years. Before retiring Worked at preparing an Open MRI same day surgery facility with its five satellites for National Accreditation with Joint Commission On Accreditation (JCAHO) which passed with 98% compliance. Moved to Calabash NC in 2003 and Joined St Brendan’s Parish. Headed many committees for many years as Liturgy, Lazurus, Linen Committees. Continue to be Instructor of Eucharistic Ministers. Am a member of the Pastoral Council. Recently retired from being long term Sacristan of St. Brendan’s
Charlie McShane – Charlie is originally from Philadelphia and grew up on the Northshore of Boston where he graduated from St. John’s Prep and continued his education at Florida Tech. His career of 44 years was entirely in the Property and Casualty Insurance field working for major insurance companies. Charlie served on the Board of Homeport in Columbus, OH, an organization devoted to affordable housing. In Baltimore he served on the Board of Baltimore Ballet. Vacationers at OIB since 1995 Charlie and Sherry purchased property at Rivers Edge in 2003 and built a home in 2014. They have lived in Shallotte since 2015. He currently serves as a lector and extraordinary minister at St Brendan, a role he had at several prior parishes; in IA, OH, MA & MD.
Sandra Nelson – She is a retired high school principal. She has lived in Rivers Edge for the past 14 years. She sings in the choir and is also a Columbiette. She is also the chairperson for the Christmas Enhancement Committee which handles Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and the weekly Altar flowers. They make every effort to enhance the parishioners’ appreciation and understanding of the gospel.
Tom Ocasio – As an active member of the St. Brendan community, I am looking forward to the opportunity to be involved in the future growth of our parish community. As a member of the usher and St. Michael Ministries, any concerns brought forward by parishioners at Council meetings, could be directly relayed to other members of these Ministries by myself.
Carol Anne Rowane was born and raised in the Washington DC Area and was baptized in the Episcopal church. Carol converted to Catholicism at the age of 23. She is married to Paul Rowane and they have 3 children. Carol has served in numerous volunteer positions to include Brownie leader, Soccer Team manager, and CCD Teacher and Aid. She was a founding member of the Daughters of Erin Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians division in Virginia and served as the division’s first Secretary. Also, she served as the State Secretary of the LAOH in Virginia. She and her Husband Paul moved to Sunset Beach during the fall of 2022. The Rowane’s have been vacationing in the Sunset Beach area since 2015 and would always attended mass at St Brendan’s during their visits.
Vincent Russo – Michele, Vincent III and I have been here as part time parishioners for 20 years and full time since 2018. We moved down from Baldwin Harbor, NY, where we were active in St Christoper Catholic Church. I was on the school board and ran several parish feasts . I am a 4th degree Knight and Past Grand Knight.
I retired from the Port Authority Police of NY/NJ . While I was there, I worked as an Instructor, Aircraft Rescue Firefighter and in the Emergency Service Unit responding to numerous disasters including both WTC attacks.
Michael Schmid – Originally from South Jersey my wife, Pam, and I moved to Charlotte in 2014. We were members of St. Mark’s in Huntersville and served as Sacristan and EM. After spending several vacations at OIB, we fell in love with the area and retired here in 2021.
I currently serve as an Extrodinary Minister, newly appointed Sacristan, Adorer and member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Brendan’s.
Pam and I are blessed with three sons and four grandchildren (all boy’s).
Pastoral Center Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:30 am - 12:00 noon/
1:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Friday - 9:30-11:30
