Father John Rademacher, Pastor, came to Saint Leo’s in 1996.

A native of Loup City, Father Jack was ordained in 1970. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Conception, Missouri. He also earned a master’s degree
in counseling from Creighton
University in Omaha. 

Father Jack is an avid fan of college basketball (with a special fondness for Creighton), as well as Saint Louis Cardinal Baseball.

Our parishioners are church at Saint Leo’s and they are a beautiful church. My dream is that I will continuously empower each parishioner to grow as church. I want to encourage, love, cry with and celebrate with each parishioner, and to prod each member of Saint Leo’s with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I see my charism to be providing spiritual leadership, presiding at Eucharist and preaching the Gospel…ministering to ministers so to speak. The beautiful charism for each parishioner is to be church, to be the Body of Christ, to love and care for one another, to minister wherever there is need, to be a person of hospitality, to stand united in a world torn by discord and strife.

I need each parishioner to pray for me, to empower me to preach the Gospel and to break bread with them. Together we will be church and continue to become church. In order to be church, we need each parishioner and we need their gifts; please bring them to our parish table. Share them and use them well.

Please remember to pray for me and our parish family.

Sister Mary Margaret McGowan, Liturgy/Music Director and Pastoral Minister has been full time on staff with St. Leo’s since 2001. She worked part time and volunteered her services with liturgy committees and music for several years prior to working full time in the parish. She is a member of the Sisters For Christian Community, an international religious community of women.

She coordinates and plans the music and rites for all of our Liturgies. She works closely with the parish liturgy committee, along with the church decorating committee, and with those in various liturgical ministries in the parish. She coordinates the training and scheduling of all liturgical ministers. She meets with engaged couples to help in the planning of their wedding ceremonies. As Pastoral Minister, her involvement includes teaching baptismal preparation classes, assisting families with funeral plans and wake services, leading communion services, and visiting the shut-in and sick.

Sister Mary Margaret grew up in Grand Island. She graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic. She attended Kearney State College (UNK) and Kansas State University. Prior to being on staff at St. Leo’s, she taught at and was owner/director of Pooh’s Place Preschool in Grand Island since 1984. Sister Mary Margaret also served as Liturgy Director in Parishes in Kansas and Missouri from 1971-1983.

Donna Douglass, Outreach Coordinator, has been part of the St. Leo’s staff since 2002.

Donna helps people who come to St. Leo’s seeking assistance. She assesses their situation and makes referrals. In order to insure proper referrals for those seeking help, Donna keeps in regular contact with area service providers

She also requests donations for items local service agencies need for their programs and clients, and keeps the parish and Human Concerns Committee aware of social justice and peace issues.

Donna was born in North Platte and moved to Grand Island in 1997. Donna earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1992. She and her husband, Terry, have three children, Brooks, Broc and Bo.

Carol Woodward, RN, joined the Saint Leo’s staff as Parish Nurse in 2000.

As parish nurse, Carol is responsible for the parish’s Health Ministry program, a unique blend of healthcare and ministry.  Working with other members of the parish staff and volunteers, Carol offers blood pressure screenings and education on healthcare issues, serves as a healthcare advocate, assists those coping with stressful situations or chronic conditions, refers people to community resources and services, and prays with and for individuals with health problems. 

Carol, who grew up in Ravenna, attended nursing school at Saint Francis School of Nursing and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Duchesne College in Omaha.  Carol worked as a home health care nurse at Saint Francis Medical Center from 1980 to 2000.

She and her husband, Bob, have four grown children, Michael, Steven, Kathy and David. 

Angela Benton, RN, Parish Nurse, joined the Saint Leo's staff in 2004. She attended Marymount College, in Salina, Kansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1991 from St. Mary of the Plains College in Topeka, KS.

After growing up in a small town in Ellsworth, KS, Nebraska feels very much like "home." Angela and her family have been in Grand Island for nine years. Prior to that, they lived in Sheldon, IA. Angela and her husband, Ty, have three children, Haley, Emma and Benjamin.

I am very happy to be a part of a parish like St. Leo's. We are very fortunate to have such a loving and welcoming parish family. As parish nurse, I look forward to working with and being responsible for the parish's Health Ministry program, a unique blend of healthcare and ministry. Along with other members of the staff and volunteers, I will be offering blood pressure screenings, education on healthcare issues, serve as a healthcare advocate, assisting those coping with stressful situations and/or chronic conditions, referring people to community resources and services, and praying with and for individuals with health problems.

Pam Golka, Office Manager, joined the Saint Leo’s staff in 1998. Her duties include answering the phone, making sure the office runs smoothly, preparing the weekly church bulletin and maintaining the parish census and all financial records.

Pam was born in Crookston, MN, and moved to Grand Island in 1977. She earned her associate’s degree from Spencer School of Business. She completed the RCIA program at Saint Leo’s and she and her husband, John, were married here. They have two children, Brian and Brianna.

Rita Hemmer, Youth Director, joined St. Leo’s staff in 2005.  Rita spent her early years in Lincoln and southeast Nebraska. She moved to Gresham, NE when she was in junior high school and graduated from Benedict High School in York County. After three years in the army, Rita attended UNK for two years before employment at the Grand Island Police Department where she worked until starting at St. Leo’s in July, 2005.

In 1992, Rita Married Terry at St. Leo’s, where she completed RCIA. They have two sons, Eryn and Chris. Prior to Rita’s employment with St. Leo’s, she volunteered with the religious education program fro several years, teaching kindergarten, first and second grades, before leading the Empower Youth high school group.

Rita’s goals: “I want to spread the gospel message to our youth in a positive, fun and exciting way, I want them to relate to Jesus and feel God’s love through the fellowship of the Catholic faith community, so that they trust in and use this relationship and love in their daily lives.”

Jodi Stauffer, Director of Children’s Ministry, joined St. Leo’s staff in 2003. 

She coordinates religious formation for children preschool through 5^th grade, coordinates Vacation Bible School and helps implement programs for parents & families.

Jodi has lived in the Grand Island area all her life, belonging to Resurrection and Blessed Sacrament parishes.  She graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic, attended Hastings College and was a licensed child care provider for nine years. She has also taught Religious Education at all 3 parishes she’s belonged to as well as been involved in TEC and HIGHER GROUND (or Outward Bound as it was once called)   

She and her husband, Steve, became members as they were preparing to get married at St. Leo’s in 1990. They have four children: Steven, Melinda, Alexa, & Kyla.   Jodi and Steve are also involved in the Worldwide Marriage Encounter movement