Parish Council

Council members operate as representatives of our parish family and gather the thoughts and ideas of the community. The ideas are presented to the council for discussion and implementation into parish life. The council's performance is dependent upon the input of all parishioners. Meetings are typically every 3rd Thursday of the month. All meetings are open for anyone who would like to attend them.

For more information please contact the Parish Council Chair- Donna Fedewa
at 517-663-4735 or email her at parishcouncil@catholicstpeter.com

FR. GEORGE PUTHENPEEDIKA- Pastor and President

Father George is originally from India. Finding that the climate in India was not agreeing with him, he was given permission to move to a cooler climate. He chose to come to the US but was not sure where he would go and ended up in TEXAS!! Needless to say, the heat of Texas was a surprise- Texas would not be his home. A move to New York- where his sister lives, was in his near future. After various assignments he landed in Michigan and now we are blessed to have him as our shepherd.

DONNA FEDEWA- PPC Chairman

I am a native of Nebraska, living in Michigan since 1982 and a member of St. Peter PPC, Altar
Society, and Spring Festival Committee. My husband Gary and I live in Holt and have been
attending here since 2000. We both feel the presence of the Holy Spirit very strongly here at
St. Peters. I look forward to working with my fellow parish family members in the near future.

TOM SEBASTIAN - FINANCE COUNCIL - EXOFFICIO MEMBER

UPDATE COMING!

TOM CARPENTER
Hello! Julie and I have lived in Eaton Rapids for over 35 years and have attended St. Peter Parish for over 25 of them, except
for a couple of years when we left during the building of the new Church. While gone, we did attend other
area Churches. They were nice enough, I guess, but it just seemed as though we were missing something and
were we ever, the Eucharist! So one Saturday, we returned for Mass and were graciously welcomed back.
One of many goals we have as a PPC is to seek out those who have left the Parish and invite them back.
We have one son, Tom Jr., who lives near Baltimore with his lovely wife Dayna. I retired from the state of Michigan
with over 36 years of service and I have been a Knight for over 20. I look forward to serving our Parish family
in a new way as a member of the PPC. Yours in Christ, Tom

DEACON GIDEON MARSAL - DRE -Exofficio Member

Deacon Gideon and his wife, Rosemary, have attended St. Peter Parish for many years.
He has had worked in several ministries throughout the years and has accepted the position of DRE over the summer.
Deacon Gideon will also be leading a bible study group this year.

JOLINDA METZGER

Marty and I currently live in Rives Junction and have two children, Tally and Ariel. Our family has been members of St. Peters Parish for the past 13 years. We love St. Peter because of the sincere, welcoming people and their Sprit filled love for the Eucharist. I am excited to be member of the Parish Pastoral Council and look forward to serving the Parish!

CHRIS VENEKLASE- RCIA - EXOFFICIO MEMBER

Chris works at Ignatius Press as a Religious Education Sales Manager. He and his wife, Madeleine, have 5 children -
Martin, Tessa, Malaika, Regina, Veronica. They formerly lived in California before returning to their birth state
of Michigan. Chris enjoys sports, outdoors, fishing, reading, listening to his daughter play piano, and a good cup
of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night.

MARI-JO CROW- MEMBER AT LARGE

Married to Dan Crow for the happiest years of my life!
I am a cradle Catholic and I have been a parishioner here since 1973, since I was 8 years old,
with the exception of about 5 years. I am now a nurse and a photographer. 18 years ago I married
Dan Crow, who was my neighbor. Love thy neighbor God said! He is one of the best gifts God has ever given me!
Together we have 6 kids (plus 2 bonuses by marriage) and 6 grandchildren.
I love VBS, computers and photography, and most of all, being Catholic!

SCOTT OLSON- MEMBER AT LARGE
My wife IvyLynn and I are blessed to be the parents of 5 amazing children, Alexis, Matthew, Tyller, Riley & Noah. My wife and I are both very active in the Parish as Festival Committee Co-Chairs. I serve in the Knights of Columbus and very much enjoy the hands-on service and fellowship with other volunteers during the Festival weekend. I entered the Church in 2001 when I was blessed to receive the Sacrament of Baptism with my two oldest children, Alexis and Matthew. Our other 3 children were baptized in late 2008, and my wife entered the Church at the Easter Vigil in 2010. It is very important to me that we instill in our children a faith in God based on the teachings and apostolic tradition of the Catholic Church and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In that same sense, I believe that we should also be working to bring the message of Christ and the Church to others by being a living witness, even when it’s difficult. It is my intention to serve God, and St. Peter’s Parish to the best of my ability.

KATHLEEN SMITH- YOUTH GROUP LEADER - EXOFFICIO MEMBER
After growing up in Ludington, I graduated from the Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in Elementary Education. I worked at Everest Academy in Clarkston, MI as both teacher and administrator. I married a good looking Italian from New York, Chris, in 1998. I “retired” from working outside the home upon the birth of our first child. Since then, we have lived all over the NW coast of MI and now have 5 remarkable children. We joined St. Peter Parish in 2007 when we moved to Dimondale. The parish has been — by far! — the most welcoming parish I have ever belonged to! My whole family is very grateful to have a parish that offers so much spiritually & socially. I look forward to becoming more involved in this wonderful community and serving it in whatever capacity God sees fit.