Meet the Staff of Sheil Catholic Center

Father Tom Franzman
Interim Administrator

Fr Tom comes to the Sheil Center from the Archdiocesan Office of Evangelization where he was director. He has served in many capacities throughout the entire Archdiocese of Chicago. Here's what he has to say for himself:

About two years ago I was asked to write an article in Upturn, the publication of the Association of Chicago Priests. It was to be a reflection on the work of the Spirit in my life as I understood or perceived it. I wrote about the various assignments that I had received in my years as a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago. I focused on the fact that I had never sought out any particular assignment, but rather had been asked to take each one on by the Archbishop, and had been able to say yes in each case. Two of them were so unexpected that, in both cases, I asked the Bishop if he had me confused with someone else. Each assignment I received has, I believe, helped to challenge me to grow in faith and love in ways I had not imagined. I thank God's Spirit for that, knowing that I might have chosen some easier paths if left on my own.

This current assignment as Administrator of Sheil Catholic Center for a time has once again brought me to a place I do not know well, never sought out, nor expected to be. But here I am, praying again for the gifts of the Spirit as I learn more about this wonderful ministry to the Northwestern Community and the Associates who call Sheil home. I will try to meet as many of you as possible in the next few weeks, although school schedules will make that a challenge. I want to thank the Staff of Sheil for their kind welcome, as well as the students and Associates whom I have already met. May God continue to bless each of us on our journey of faith."

When he is not at Sheil, Fr. Tom enjoys repairing almost anything, but especially antique fire engines. He is a ham radio operator and an electrical genius.

Fr Tom can be reached at 847.328.4648

Teresa Corcoran has been a member of the Sheil community since high school. Before coming to work at Sheil she was General Manager of a restaurant and Head Staffing Coordinator at a Home Health Care Service Agency. She then took time off to raise her six children. In 1988 she started working at Sheil as a volunteer, and then joined the staff on a part time basis in 1989. Teresa became a full time staff member in 1997.

When not at Sheil, Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband, Dan (the Sheil maintenance wizard), their six children and two grandsons. She also enjoys cooking, dancing, gardening, reading, football, and hanging out with her sisters.

Teresa can be reached at 847.328.4648 or at t-corcoran@northwestern.edu.

  Mary Deeley
Pastoral Associate

Mary Deeley earned a music degree from Dominican University, Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School and Ph.D. in Hebrew Scripture and Early Christian Literature from Northwestern University in the Joint Program for Religious and Theological Studies. Mary began her association with Sheil as a graduate student and joined the staff as Pastoral Associate in 1997. Prior to working at Sheil, Mary put her degrees in music, ministry, and scripture to good use as a campus minister and college and seminary professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. Mary's experience in liturgy, music, counseling, and spiritual direction provides an excellent background for her work at Sheil. In addition, Mary brings her expertise in scripture to Sheil's Bible Study programs and to the many conversations about faith within the Sheil community.

When Mary isn't at Sheil, you might find her teaching a course or two at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary or for the Archdiocese of Chicago Lay Formation Program. Mary welcomes conversation with students and associates in a variety of contexts such as firesides, retreats, classes, discussions, and one on one counseling and spiritual direction. She has particular interest in bible issues, Celtic spirituality, and discernment.

Mary can be reached at 847.328.4648, or at m-deeley@northwestern.edu.

John DiMucci
Chicago Campus Minister

John came to Sheil in October 2006 after five years as director of the Claretian Volunteer Program. Prior to coming to Chicago, John was the Campus Minister at Cabrini College in Radnor PA, and a resident hall minister at the University of Dayton, where he earned a Masters degree in Theological Studies. He holds a BA in Liberal Studies from Neumann College in Aston, PA. In his ancient past John was a church musician, worked in the money department of a large Philadelphia bank, sold real estate and owned and operated an ice cream parlor.

When not on the Chicago Campus, John enjoys biking, cooking Italian food, musicals and serving on the Board of the Su Casa Catholic Worker House.

John can be reached at 312.391.0507, or at john.dimucci@northwestern.edu.

  Christine Grinslade
Office Manager

Christine Grinslade has been a member of the Sheil Community since 1996. She has been actively involved as a member of the Mardi Gras Fundraising Committee, the Sheil School of Religion, and particularly enjoys her role as a Eucharistic Minister.

Christine has a B.S. in Marketing from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana and has held various management and marketing positions throughout her business career. In her most recent positions as the resident property manager of a local apartment complex and as assistant to the provost of National Louis University, Christine has had the pleasure of working with and housing students from both Northwestern and National Louis Universities.

Outside of Sheil, Christine enjoys spending time with her teenage son Sean. Her other interests include, gardening, theater, attending storytelling festivals and spending time enjoying nature.

Christine can be reached at 847-328-4648 or at c-grinslade@northwestern.edu.

  Tim Higgins
Campus Minister

Mr. Tim Higgins earned a Master of Divinity degree from Washington Theological Union. Prior to working at Sheil, Tim worked for the Religious Order, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, developing and implementing parish initiatives for teens and young adults that focused on community building, prayer, socialization and outreach to the local community. Peace and Justice issues and Community Outreach have been an important component of Tim's work with youth and young adults.

When Tim isn't at Sheil, he enjoys going to sporting events, being outdoors and playing hockey.

Tim can be reached at 847.328.4648, or at t-higgins3@northwestern.edu.

Beth Knobbe
Campus Minister

Beth Knobbe comes to Sheil with a passion for ministry and service. In her role at Sheil, she works with Catholic Undergrads, retreat planning, small faith groups, and the mentoring program. She brings with her extensive ministry experience that also includes being an RCIA sponsor and catechist, doing missionary work in Nicaragua, and she is a regular presenter for young adult ministry programs throughout the area. Beth earned her Master of Divinity degree at Catholic Theological Union; she also has degrees in Math and Education. Prior to graduate school, Beth spent 9 years working for Hewitt Associates as a project manager and quality assurance analyst.

In her spare time she enjoys reading, music, travel, and outdoor adventures.

Beth can be reached at Sheil at 847.328.4648, or at b-knobbe@northwestern.edu.

Katie Kustusch
Development & Communications Assistant

Katie comes to Sheil with a passion for seeing the Catholic community grow in their generosity towards one another, so that Sheil can continue to thrive. She works directly with Linda Roberston in the Advancement office, attending to the many details of helping that happen . Prior to working at Sheil, Katie was at Misericordia Heart of Mercy. Katie holds a BA in German from North Central College, where she also completed a thesis on lay women in leadership in the Catholic Church, entitled Unveiled Grace. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Although she is a fourth generation native Chicagoan, she only recently discovered Sheil. Feel free to come up and introduce yourself, as she welcomes getting to know everyone here.

When not at Sheil, Katie enjoys reading, traveling, flowers, and good movies. She also hand-crafts all-natural soy candles, and volunteers as the project manager for a nonprofit called Ad Sodalitatem.

Katie can be reached at 847.328.4648, or at k-kustusch@northwestern.edu.

  Angela Stramaglia
Director of Liturgical Music & Ministries

Angela Stramaglia received her Bachelor and Master of Music, Vocal Performance, degrees at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She has been active in music ministry and liturgy for 25 years and is certified by the Archdiocese of Chicago through the Parish Liturgy Program offered by the Office for Divine Worship.

Angela officially became Director of Liturgical Music at the Sheil Center in 1995 and expanded that role to include oversight of all liturgical ministries in 2002. She also serves on the standing committee for the Campus Ministry Division of the National Pastoral Musicians Association (NPM).

In her past life, Angela shared her professional life as a music minister and liturgist with her career as classical artist. She has performed such roles as Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, Rosalinda in Die Fledermaus, Hansel, as well as the Witch, in Hansel and Gretel, and the title role in Puccini's Tosca. Angela has appeared with the Northshore Choral Society, the Wheaton Symphony as featured soloist in Britten's War Requiem, and the Dupage Symphony, in a concert format of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. In 1998 she was selected as one of Chicago Opera Theater's "Debut Artists."

Angela is married to Northwestern University Chemical Engineering Chairman, Wesley Burghardt, who can be found any given Sunday playing guitar and singing with the11:00 choir. They are the proud parents of Conrad James, born July 19, 1999.

Angela can be reached at 847.328.4648 or at a-stramaglia@northwestern.edu.

Linda Robertson is the newest member of the Sheil Catholic Center staff.

Linda and her husband Leonard recently relocated to Chicago from Dallas, Texas. She is a member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals and maintains the designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive.

Linda has over fifteen years of development and nonprofit management experience including higher education, health and human services and Public Broadcasting. When not at work, Linda enjoys her family, golf, biking, attending the theater and symphony, cooking and reading.

We are delighted to welcome both Linda and her husband, Leonard as new members to our community.

Linda can be reached at (847) 328-4648 or l-robertson@northwestern.edu.

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