Staff Biographies

Reverend John Pollard — Pastor   email me

Father John Pollard, tenth pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1974.  He holds a Masters Degree in Supervision and Administration from Loyola University of Chicago and a Masters Degree in Divinity and a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Mundelein Seminary.  He is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Theology at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

Father Pollard served as associate pastor of Saint  Albert the Great Parish, Oak Lawn, IL and St. Julian Eymard Parish, Elk Grove, IL.  His administrative appointments include, executive director of DePaul University’s Center for Church/State Studies; director, Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Catechesis, director, Archdiocese of Chicago’s Department of Evangelization and Catechesis; and executive director, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office for the Catechism.  In addition Pope John Paul II appointed Father Pollard to be one of ten permanent members of the International Council on Catechesis.

Father Pollard has also received several distinguished honors: the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Medallion for Excellence in Catechesis, the F. Sadlier Dinger Award for Leadership in Catechesis and Today’s Catholic Teacher named him one of the twenty-five most influential leaders in Catholic education over the past quarter century.  He serves as a member of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Education and as a consultant for two Bishops’ Committees: the Committee on Catechesis and the Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism.  In addition he serves on several national boards of directors.

Father Pollard wrote Exploring the Catholic Faith (Benziger, 1988), Know, Love and Live the Catholic Faith (Our Sunday Visitor, 2006) and numerous journal articles.  He has taught at several universities and has been a frequent speaker at national meetings and conferences.

Fr. Henry C. Kricek — Associate Pastor   email me

Fr. Henry C. Kricek has been Associate Pastor at St. Joseph since 2006. He was ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1980. In addition to serving at the parish, he teaches part-time at Loyola University and Mundelein Seminary.

D. J. Shinkle — Deacon 

Deacon Shinkle graduated from Arizona State University (ASU). He was ordained Permanent Deacon in the Archdiocese of Chicago on December 9, 1978 and assigned to Sacred Heart Parish from 1978 – 2000 before being assigned to St. Joseph in December 2000; he is also a member of St. Joseph’s Parish Council. Deacon Shinkle is a Knight Commander in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre Of Jerusalem.

Dana McKenna — Director of Religious Education   email me

Dana McKenna began working at St. Joseph Parish in 1988 as a Pastoral Associate and has assumed more responsibilities throughout the years. Her duties now include: Baptismal preparation; directing the Religious Education Program offering classes for 3-year olds through 8th grade which includes choosing the curriculum, hiring seminarians for enrichment, overseeing the preparation of 2nd graders for the reception of First Reconciliation and First Communion, overseeing the preparation of 8th graders for the reception of Confirmation, retaining teachers for the program; and overseeing the Youth Ministry program.

Jill Nennmann — Director of Music   email me

Jill Nennmann was raised in Dallas, and initially pursued her educational studies in Piano Performance and Pedagogy at Southern Methodist University. Late in her college studies, Jill changed majors, and after completing degrees in Mathematics (B.A.) and Business (M.B.A.) worked for nearly fifteen years doing statistical analysis, financial modeling, and both statistical and financial forecasting for a number of large corporations. Jill returned to college in 1998 in response to a calling to full-time music ministry. She completed both the Bachelor of Church Music (emphasis in Organ) and the Master of Music in Organ Performance from Texas Christian University, and the Doctor of Sacred Music degree from Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana. She has studied with H. Joseph Butler, Aaron David Miller, and Joel Martinson. Dr. Nennmann previous experience included working as a free-lance and interim organist in various church denominations, as a solo pianist, and as an accompanist at Texas Christian University, for high school choirs, instrumental solo and ensemble competitions, and musical theater productions. Dr. Nennmann is also on Summer Faculty at St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Paul Tzirides — Youth Minister

Paul Tzirides graduated from Lake Forest College with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Religion, and has been a catechist for several years. In addition to his experience teaching religious education, he is also a martial arts instructor for the Aikido Association of America, teaching several classes in various locations across the Chicagoland area. Paul Tzirides is looking forward to engaging the youth of St. Joseph and helping them grow in their faith.

Ron Berger — School Principal

Ron Berger has served the archdiocesan school system for 40 years — including 27 years as a junior high teacher — and is currently in his fifth year as principal of St. Joseph School. During his tenure enrollment has climbed more than 50 students, the lower level level of the school has been completely remodeled with a new computer lab as the centerpiece, all subject areas have been updated, the playground and west entranceway to the school have been renovated, and the number of classes has grown to two each in kindergarten through grade six. His experience and dedication to children’s education have played an important role in ensuring that St. Joseph School remains a premier provider of Catholic education in Wilmette.