Education Commission

Mission Statement: The mission of the Education Commission is to support and advance Catholic Social Teachings by promoting and strengthening all forms of Christian education within the parish and local community, in collaboration with the pastor or Parochial Administrator, school leadership, and the Pastoral Council.

Vision Statement: The Education Commission envisions a parish community where lifelong learning in faith is nurtured, supported, and accessible to all, and where educational programs respond thoughtfully to the spiritual, intellectual, and developmental needs of children, youth, and adults.

Purpose: The purpose of the Education Commission is to serve as a consultative body to the Pastoral Council and parish leadership on matters related to education. The Commission assists in ensuring that parish and school educational programs are responsive to community needs, aligned with diocesan guidance, and supportive of the Church’s mission of formation and learning.

What We Do: 

The Education Commission fulfills its role by:

• Serving as an advisory body for all forms of parish education, including the Catholic school and religious education programs

• Supporting the teaching mission of the Church within the parish and broader community

• Assisting parish and school administrators by communicating and promoting policies and guidance from the Diocese and Diocesan Board of Education

• Consulting with parish leadership on the overall educational needs of the parish, including programs for children, youth, adults, parents, and those with exceptional needs

• Fostering understanding, collaboration, and support among parishioners for parish and school educational programs

• Encouraging dialogue between parish leadership, school administration, parents, and parishioners

• Operating as an essential arm of the Pastoral Council for educational concerns, while respecting the consultative nature of the Commission

Current Members: 

Angela Pierce, Procurator (email: aprn1994@gmail.com) 

Alicia Baliff

Amy Bailie

Beth Flesch 

Mary Ann Flesch

Becky Johnson

Karla Tobin Leiser

Ruth Reuter

Shirley Straka 

Lynn Yager 

Ex officio (non‑voting), pending formal approval 

Kathy Bartels

Lori Langkamp

Shakyla Moore 

Meeting Schedule: 

Next Meeting: May 20, 2026, @ 6:00 PM (for school parents only)

Meeting Minutes: 05.19.2026 Meeting Minutes 

Minutes are posted as they become available. If you have historical records to share, please contact the initiative coordinators.

Archive Meetings Minutes

Appealing School Closure

• Father Steve Brunner, our Parochial Administrator, announced closure on March 26th, 2026. 

• The St. Joseph’s Foundation, located in Ohio, is an agency that specializes in Canon Law, which is the legal system that governs the Catholic Church. We reached out to them for education and assistance with the appeal process, and they have been guiding us in the next steps. Their services are pro-bono, and we are encouraging Parishioners to review their website for further information on their services and funding sources. 

• One of the requirements to file an appeal was designating a Procurator for our Parish. The Procurator acts as an advocate and point person for parish communications related to this appeal. As a small group of Parish Council and Education Commission members, we determined that Angela Pierce would be the most appropriate representative to act on our behalf. Angela Pierce is an alumnus of SS. Andrew-Thomas, a mother of two graduates from SS. Andrew-Thomas, and most importantly, is a devout catholic that has demonstrated her dedication to this Parish through community organization, committee participation, adult and youth faith formation, and ongoing advocacy. 

• After we had determined who our acting Procurator would be, we had a 15-day wait period before being able to formally file the appeal to the Bishop. 

• We contacted many Parishioners asking them to vocalize their support for our parish school, and requested a Procurator Mandate form be signed. The appeal and first round of Procurator Mandate forms were submitted on April 10, 2026.

• We received confirmation that the appeal was delivered on April 13, 2026. 

• The Bishop, Most Rev. Donald J. Hying, has up to 90 days to respond from the date of our appeal. We are anticipating a response on or around July 12, 2026. 

• While awaiting a response, we are continuing to reach out to Bishop Hying, requesting to resolve this matter fully and locally, with a spirit of unity, cooperation, and pastoral collaboration. 

• UPDATE MAY 19, 2026 - We have received a response from Bishop Hying, who has determined he will uphold Father Brunner's decision to close SS. Andrew-Thomas School. We have notified our Parishioners and Mandate Signees via email, newsletter, and USPS mailing. We are consulting with St. Joseph's Foundation and are aware of the options to continue our appeal to the Dicastery of Clergy. Due to the time and financial commitments with this, we are awaiting feedback from Parishioners before moving forward with this option. 

Stand With Us - Sign the Procurator Mandate Form  | Printable Procurator Mandate Form | What is a Procurator?