St Jude Parish Staff


Father Ayub Francis, Pastor (ext 1162)

Fr Ayub was born in Pakistan and ordained to the priesthood in 1985. He has a heart for pastoral care and was a hospital chaplain for 19 years. He looks forward to getting to know and serving the St Jude community.
Email: franasar@grpriests.org



Deacon Larry Hoogeboom, Permanent Deacon (ext 1124)

Deacon Larry was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on February 11, 2006. His first assignment was at St. Jude. He has been married to his wife, Donna, for over 50 years. They have three daughters and three grandchildren. His home parish is Holy Family in Sparta. Deacon Larry works with Father Tom in sacramental preparation and does hospital, nursing home, and home-bound visits.
Email: LHoogeboom@StJudes.net



Deacon Dan Esch, Permanent Deacon (ext 1159

Deacon Dano was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Grand Rapids on January 8, 2022. His first assignment was St. Jude; the parish where he was baptized. He has been a part of the St. Jude parish community for nearly his entire life. He has been married to Patricia for 34 wonderful years and they have three adult children. He is still learning the ropes of being a deacon at St. Jude and will assist Father Tom and Deacon Larry. When he is not serving through his ministry as a deacon, he works part time as a structural engineer for a local consulting engineering firm.
Email: DEsch@stjudes.net



Linda Parks, Administrative Assistant

Linda is a lifelong member of St. Jude Parish and joined the staff in October of 1999. Her responsibilities include administrative assistance to the Pastor and Deacon, as well as, director of maintenance, and facilities manager. When away from work she enjoys spending time with her family.
Email: LParks@StJudes.net



Jill Host, Business Manager (ext 1161)

Jill joined the parish staff in 1995 and currently holds the position of Business Manager. She is a lifelong member of St. Jude receiving her sacraments, including marriage to her husband Harry in 1976. They have two married sons and six grandchildren. Jill’s hobbies include spending time with family, touring with her husband in their vintage Corvette, and boating.
Email: JHost@StJudes.net



Sue Wuorinen, Evangelization and Youth Coordinator (ext 1166)

Sue has been a lifelong parishioner of St Jude. After years of volunteering for St Jude youth ministry, she joined the staff full time in 2007. When not wrangling teenagers, she spends her time with her husband, Jordan, and daughters, Evelyn, Elise, Lena, and Sadie.
Email: SWuorinen@StJudes.net



MaryAlice Clor-Miller, Director of Choirs (ext 1153)

MaryAlice serves as our Director of Choirs and has been apart of the St. Jude music ministry since 1998. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree and a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Aquinas College.



Janet DeBoe, Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator (ext 1109)

Janet has been involved with the St. Jude Family Faith Formation for 27 years. She is a graduate of Aquinas College and a St Jude parishioner since 1987. Before joining the staff in 2011, Janet was an active volunteer Catechist. Janet is also responsible for Children’s Liturgy of the Word, The Lord’s Lambs, and Vacation Bible School.
Email: JDeBoe@StJudes.net



Martin Smith, Director of Religious Education (ext 1164)


Martin was born and raised here in Grand Rapids. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and The London School of Economics and was a professor at Grand Rapids Community College for 15 years. He and his wife have been parishioners of St. Jude since about 2009. After Martin’s conversion to the Catholic faith in 2014, they joined the RCIA team, eventually becoming the coordinators. He and his wife have two children: a daughter in ASA and a son in West Catholic. In his spare time, he enjoys treasure hunting and traveling to Mexico to visit his wife’s family.
Email: MSmith@stjudes.net


Mary Ellen Boruta, Administrative Assistant (ext 1551)

Mary Ellen was born and raised at neighboring Blessed Sacrament Parish. She remains a parishioner and is a long-time member of the contemporary guitar group. Mary Ellen was hired as the Administrative Assistant at St. Jude Parish in 2002.  She is the Religious Education Secretary, as well as, the editor of the parish bulletin.
Email: MBoruta@StJudes.net



Jenifer Nelson, Secretary and Office Assistant

Jenifer, along with her husband Carl, has been a St. Jude parishioner for more than 30 years. She has worked as the Office assistant since 2001 and Music Secretary since 2004.
Email: JNelson@StJudes.net



Most Reverand David John Walkowiak J.C.D., Bishop of the Grand Rapids Diocese


Twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids
360 Division Avenue S., Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4501
Phone: 616-475-1250; Fax: 616-243-4910
Ordination Dates:
Priesthood: June 9, 1979
Episcopacy: June 18, 2013
Appointed Bishop of Grand Rapids: April 18, 2013
Installation: June 18, 2013

A bishop offers pastoral care to all those entrusted to his care. By virtue of his consecration and ordination, the bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids is the “moderator of the ministry of the word.” His governance insures that this ministry is based upon sacred Scripture, tradition, liturgy, the official teaching authority and the life of the Church.