Shirley was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Catechetics and Theology in 2009. From there, Shirley has served in various ministry positions over the past 11 years. She has worked at a shelter for women in crisis pregnancies, as a middle school religion teacher, a parish director of religious education and youth ministry and most recently before coming to our community, as Director of Evangelization and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Peoria. Shirley moved to Michigan in 2018 when she married her husband Stephen. They live in East Lansing.
As Director of Liturgy for St. Thomas and St. John, Shirley enjoys working with our clergy and staff to plan and facilitate all the liturgies on both campuses, as well as training liturgical ministers and keeping sacristies stocked with supplies. She also coordinates Outreach Ministry to our senior living centers and homebound. If you feel called to serve in any of these areas, please give her a call!