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The first question I am usually asked is, “What is a deaconess anyway?” The quick answer is that a Lutheran deaconess is a woman who is called, trained and set apart for service. For me, this service is lived out in a congregation setting, currently here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as the Director of Christian Education. I did my education/formation at Valparaiso University, a year of internship in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was consecrated as a deaconess in 1999.

My ministry at Good Shepherd focuses on faith education and spiritual growth for all ages. I lead our Sunday School, Confirmation ministry and youth program, coordinate our summer Vacation Bible School, and offer support and resources to our many member-led programs. I am passionate about encouraging others in what God has called them to do and to create opportunities for mentoring between age groups.

What makes my work so great is that I get to do crafts with kids, go bowling with middle schoolers, ride horses with high schoolers and camp with college students. At the same time, I am able to talk with parents about the challenges of parenting today, explore the gift of being a woman of faith with other women, and volunteer at a food bank side by side with people of every generation. I truly love what I do!

Catie is a retired healthcare professional with extensive administrative and organizational skills and abilities. She is strong communicator, a versatile problem-solver, an ace customer service professional, and an independent self-starter. She has experience in for-profit and non-profit organizations and customer service standards.

Catie spent most of her career managing large telecommunications call centers for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago and for the Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. She also served as a United Way Loaned Executive and she chaired Today’s Girls/Tomorrow’s Women on behalf of the Junior League of Milwaukee, and served on the boards of the non-profits WAHAM (healthcare) and WHTA (healthcare technology). She has a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where her extended family resides, and where she was a Luther League member in her youth.

She currently works part-time at the Economy Shop on behalf of Thrive Counseling Center

During the 10:30 Sunday worship service, small children may be taken to our nursery where they are watched over by one of our caring professional attendants. Elois Gardner and Ruth Collins alternate Sunday childcare so you may worship and nourish your spirit knowing your small children are playing games, napping, doing crossword puzzles, snacking, and being entertained in a kind, caring and responsible environment.