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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.
Kim Antolini – Kim and her husband Tom first discovered OIB and St. Brendan in 2005, and after years of returning, they decided to make it their permanent home along with their two dogs and cat. Before their relocation, they were involved in their church communities, actively participating in St. Mark in Huntersville and St. Matthew in Charlotte. In addition to her career as a real estate broker, Kim finds fulfillment in serving, whether through Rotary or here at St. Brendan. In her free time, Kim enjoys running and walking Buddy and Mickey. Her favorite activity though is spending quality time with her adult children, Sydney and Romeo.
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!
Cynthia Graves – My name is Cynthia (Cindy) Graves and I am the new Columbiettes President. I have been a member since 2010 and I have served in many positions. I retired from teaching high school Chemistry, AP Chemistry and Physical Science. My husband, Thomas, is the Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus. Together we share 5 children and 11 grandchildren. I received my undergraduate degree from Montclair State University and my master’s degree from Western Connecticut State University. I enjoy playing golf and exercise. I also teach water aerobics in our community pool. I hope to be a good asset to the council.
Ronald Hickson – Retired following forty year career in Financial Services and Planning. Member since 2021 serving as Reader and Co-Chair of newly formed St Michael Ministry. K of C member for twenty years.
Matt Kelly – Originally from The Bronx, New York, Matt spent thirty-five years working for Freddie Mac in the Washington, D.C. area. Matt served in a variety of senior roles where he managed Freddie Mac’s corporate real estate portfolio, property development, project management, construction, and facilities services. Matt retired and became a member of our parish in 2020. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Audio/Visual team, and serves as the parish’s facilities coordinator. Matt , a father of three, counts his blessings having his wife, one of his two daughters, son in-law, two grandchildren, sister, and brother in-law as members of the parish as well.
Laura Kniaz – Friendly and outgoing. I care deeply about our parish and up until now, have been involved “behind the scenes”. I am very excited to serve my parish.
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.
Thomas John Kuncewitch was baptized in Our Lady Of Lourdes Church in Milltown, NJ. Thomas graduated from St Peter’s College in Jersey City with a degree in Chemistry and a NJ Teaching Certificate. Thomas joined Warner Lamber Company in their Park Davis Pharmaceutical Division; then transferred to Adams Confectionery Division as Director Of Research and Development. In 2005, he worked for the Cadbury Company as Director of R&D. Although officially retired in 2009, he spent three additional years consulting for both Cadbury and other companies. He moved to Calabash NC in 2011, and married Cynthia Graves in 2018. A member of St Brendan’s Church since 2011, he is currently the Grand Knight of K of C Council 9039, Our Lady Of the Rosary.
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.
Jeanne Miller – I have been a member of St. Brendan’s since 2019. I retired to Sunset Beach after 45 years in law enforcement and have been serving in the St. Michael Ministry since July of 2023. The opportunity to give to our parish community is a blessing.
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.
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
