Father Edward Linton, O.S.B., was born in   Louisville, Kentucky, and was raised there. He   professed vows as a Benedictine monk of Saint   Meinrad Archabbey in 1986 and was ordained to   the priesthood in 1991. Father Edward holds a   Masters of Divinity from Saint Meinrad School of   Theology, A Masters in English Literature from   Middlebury College and a Doctorate in Speech   Communication from Southern Illinois University. As   a priest Father Edward has taught English at Saint   Meinrad College and Communication at Southern Illinois University. Before coming to Saint James in 2002 he had served as associate pastor of Saint Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, Indiana.
      One of Father Edward’s happiest experiences has been his pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Northwest Spain. In July 2001 and again, in January 2002 he walked 500 miles of the ancient pilgrimage to the tomb of the apostle James. The experience of walking such a long time and seeing the world as Jesus saw it (on foot) has been an incredible spiritual lesson that continues to instruct his preaching and pastoral ministry.
      Like the many churches, monasteries, convents, and pilgrim hostels along the pilgrimage route to Santiago, Father Edward hopes that Saint James Church is a place of hospitality where people experience Christ who dwells in our midst.
In his spare time Father Edward enjoys spending time with friends, traveling (sort of an odd thing for a monk to enjoy!), and reading. Recently, has renewed an old hobby and started playing the trombone again and has become a member of the New Horizons Band.

      Christine Pao is the newest member of the parish   staff. She has been the Director of Stewardship and   Business Manager since February 2006, bringing a   diverse set of gifts including degrees in physics and   theology, experience in computer systems   administration, an eye for designing worship aids,   and a good singing voice.
      Her work includes parish finance and   administration, collections and fundraising, and   facility maintenance.
      As a parishioner, she is on the liturgy planning   committee and a member of the choir.

      Christine grew up in Virginia and studied and worked in Massachusetts before moving to the Midwest in 2002. She likes living near and biking along Lake Michigan, which is a lot like the ocean, minus the salt breeze.

      Frances Serpe (Fran) is responsible for the   ministries of Art and Environment, Children’s Liturgy   of the Word, Religious Education for Children, Infant   Baptism and Christian Initiation of Adults. She   recently received an M.A. in Catholic Studies from   Loyola University Chicago where she studied the   History of Evangelization. She has an M.A. in Library   Science from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in   English from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.
      Formerly the Director of Music, Liturgy and   R.C.I.A. at the John Paul II Newman Center at UIC   for five years, Fran is on call as a vocalist and   organist for funerals, weddings and other liturgical services in the Chicago area.
      She and her husband, Jack, a contractor and IIT graduate, live in Berwyn. They have two grown daughters and a grandson.

      Sr. Barbara Rastatter is a Sister of the   Presentation from Dubuque, Iowa. Sr. Barbara   came to minister at St. James in August, 2001.
      She was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, and   before moving to Chicago, served schools and   parishes in Iowa and South Dakota. Her years of   ministry included teaching elementary and high   school music and working as a Pastoral Associate   coordinating Liturgy and Care Ministry.

      Kathy Sherman is a Sister of St. Joseph of   LaGrange. She is a singer, composer and liturgist   with a passionate belief that music has the power   to affect justice and influence healing. One of her   greatest joys is hearing the sound of voices joined   together in song…celebrating life and God’s   presence. She feels privileged that her gift of music   allows her to be with people at the most significant   moments of their lives. This is an awesome gift. Her   passion for music finds expression in the music and   lyrics she has been writing since 1966. Kathy is inspired by the ordinary of life and marvels at its power to reveal the simple, the sacred, and the beautiful. Kathy also has a strong commitment to Earth issues. She works to help others understand that the universe is an interconnected whole that is sacred and in need of our protection.
      Kathy has published fourteen CDs of music which are being shared and sung throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world. She holds a B.S. of Ed. from Western Illinois University and a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University.
      In addition to music, Kathy is an avid gardener, a hopeless CUBS and BEARS fan, and enjoys cooking especially for large gatherings.

      Catherine Moore served seven years on and off   as a volunteer for St. James Food Pantry before   coming on staff as Pantry Coordinator in December   2005. She has a heart, love, and passion for St.   James Food Pantry and its wonderful clients,   knowing that it is a gift from God to be able to work   for both.
      Cathy lived most of her life on Chicago’s South   Side but now resides North. She loves plants and   waterfalls, math, and working with people. She is   the mother of three wonderful children.

Peter Wawire is the newest member of the St. James Parish staff. He hails from Kenya, East Africa.