Our Pastoral Staff

The pastoral staff of Saint Luke is a unique group of pastoral ministers combined together into a talented team. Brief descriptions of our staff members follow.

Fr. Stephen W. Giannini - Pastor

On Wednesday, July 3, 2002. St. Luke Parish welcomed its fourth pastor, Fr. Stephen Giannini.

Fr. Steve has both a Bachelors of Science and Masters degree in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington. From 1977 through 1987, he taught in the Richmond Community Schools, grades 4 and 6, and in the gifted and talented program in grades 3 through 6. In addition, he served as adjunct faculty at Indiana University East, teaching undergraduate courses in reading methods and grade level curriculum development classes. In 1987, Fr. Steve entered St. Meinrad Seminary and earned a Masters in Catholic Thought and Life and a Masters of Divinity degrees in 1993. Ordained June 5, 1993, Fr. Steve has served as an Associate Pastor at Christ the King and St. Jude Parishes and chaplain at Roncalli High School. In 1996, he became pastor at St. Ann's Parish in Indianapolis. One year later, he became pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and priest moderator and sacramental minister for St. Ann, both in Terre Haute. While continuing at those parishes, he was named the administrator of St. Leonard of Port Maurice, West Terre Haute, and St. Mary-of-the-Woods (Village). Fr. Steve was appointed as an archdiocesan judge in the Metropolitan Tribunal in 2000.

Fr. Justin D. Martin - Associate Pastor

St. Luke Parish welcomed its new Associate Pastor, Fr. Justin Martin, on July 3, 2002.

Fr. Justin earned a Bachelors degree in classical studies at the former Saint Meinrad College in southern Indiana. After becoming affiliated with the archdiocese in 1995, he began studying for the priesthood and completed a Bachelor's degree in sacred theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome last spring. He most recently was studying for a canon law degree at St. Thomas University - The Angelicum, in Rome. Fr. Justin was ordained on June 29, 2002, by Archbishop Daniel Buechlein at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Sr..Jane Frances Mannion, CSJ - Pastoral Associate

Sister Jane joined the Saint Luke in July, 1996. During her first year at Saint Luke, she served as the Interim Coordinator for Adult Faith Formation. Sister Jane Frances is a Sister of St. Joseph of Tipton, Indiana. She has served the church in positions as teacher, school principal, hospital chaplain, and most recently as Pastoral Associate at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish on the North Side of Indianapolis.

John Gendvilas - Director of Music Ministry

John Gendvilas was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Formal organ studies were completed in 1993 at Elmhurst College, Illinois with a BA degree in Music Education. Organ professors have included Lorraine Brugh at Elmhurst College and Mary Beth Bennett in Washington, DC. John’s professional life started in the banking field culminating over 17 years as bank auditor for a neighborhood bank in Chicago. Church music has been a focus throughout his teen and adult life. The return to college in 1990 for music began his professional career as a full-time church musician. Music has been a major part of his life including theatre organ music. Organ improvisation and orchestration skills have developed from the interest in theatre organ music.

Patrick Jendraszk - Parish Manager

Patrick Jendraszak joined the Pastoral Staff on July 1, 1995, as the Parish Manager. Patrick's credentials include: a Master's Degree in Theology from The Catholic Theological Union of Chicago; seven years experience as the Business Manager for Saint Barnabas Parish on the South Side of Chicago; seven years service with Management Systems Associates, a healthcare computer software company with regional headquarters in Indianapolis, where he served as a regional manager; and several years of ministry with parishes and religious institutions in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Saint Louis.

Elizabeth Funk - Youth Minister

Elizabeth (Buffy) Hoyt - Coordinator of Religious Education

Steve Weber - School Principal

Steve Weber has been the Principal of Saint Luke Catholic School since 1990. Prior to coming to Saint Luke, he was the principal of St. Malachy School in Brownsburg, IN, for eight years. He began his teaching and administrative career at St. Thomas Aquinas in Indianapolis, where he worked for nine years.

During his time there, Saint Luke school has grown dramatically, especially in our programs for middle and junior high school students. Saint Luke Catholic School serves approximately 530 students annually, in grades kindergarten through eight. Steve Weber received an Educational Specialist degree in administration and a Master of Science in education from Indiana University. He received his BA from San Jose State University and attended Santa Clara University.

Katie Russon - School Assistant Principal

Alex Scheidler

Most recently from Chicago, Alex worked as production staff at Big Idea Productions, makers of Veggie Tales. Alex joined St. Luke staff in October, 2001, along with Nicole Scheidler, to make the first dynamic duo in Youth Ministry. Alex also spent 15 months in the seminary studying with the Legionaries of Christ, Cheshire, CT. Alex's earned his bachelor degree in Film, Television, and Theatre from the University of Notre Dame.

Nicole Scheidler

Nicole Scheidler has joined St. Luke's staff after finishing her contract with the famed Lilly Corporation. Nicole is an early retiree of research biology, which she began as an occupation after earning her Masters in Biology from Purdue University in Indianapolis. Nicole completed undergraduate study at Hope College and has been involved with Youth and Young Adults since her early teens. Having converted to Catholicism after gradeschool, Nicole has especially learned a deep love, friendship, and devotion to Jesus through the Eucharist and sacraments.