Our Pastors

Deacon:  John R. Hempen

Deacon Hempen has been a lifetime member of St. Teresa Parish, and a Catechist since 1990. He was ordained as a deacon on April 19, 1997.  He also serves as the Director of the Parish School of Religion and is presently a member of the Pastoral Council.

Canonical Pastor:  Father Steven Pautler

Ordained a Permanent Deacon in 2008 and to the Holy Priesthood on May 19, 2018, Father Steven Pautler serves as Pastor of St. Mary (Centralia), St. Lawrence (Sandoval), St. Mary (Carlyle), and St. Teresa (Marydale). A lifelong Catholic, he was raised in St. Boniface Parish in Evansville, IL, where he served in many ministries before entering Sacred Heart Seminary in 2015.

He previously served as Parochial Vicar at the Cathedral of St. Peter and as Sacramental Minister for several Belleville parishes. His ministry includes volunteer chaplaincy at SSM Health hospitals and the Centralia Correctional Center.

Fr. Steve is committed to being available for the Sacraments—especially the Anointing of the Sick—and believes every Mass should leave the faithful renewed. At the heart of his vocation is a simple promise: no one who seeks the Sacraments in good faith will be turned away.

Sacramental Minister: Father Tom Killeen, OMI

Fr. Tom Killeen is a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate who has dedicated his life to serving God's people through parish ministry, spiritual direction, and chaplaincy. With a warm, pastoral heart and deep commitment to the Sacraments, Fr. Tom brings the charism of the Oblates—serving the poor and abandoned—with compassion and humility. He continues to assist in parish life and is especially devoted to celebrating the Eucharist and offering the Sacrament of Reconciliation.