Copyright 2011 Cathedral of St. Raphael.
All Rights Reserved

Reverand Daniel Knepper
Rector / Pastor

Father Knepper was appointed the twenty-fourth rector/pastor of the Cathedral-St. Patrick on July 13, 2010.

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Barbara Gatch
Pastoral Associate

Barbara has been Pastoral Associate at the Cathedral since 1994. Prior to that, she taught first grade for fifteen years in a nearby parish. She works in several areas at the Cathedral including the RCIA program, Social Justice committees, and editor of the bulletin and newsletters. Barbara and a committee also work with our partner parish in Tenancingo, El Salvador. Barbara lives on a farm south of Dubuque with her husband, Calvin. They have two grown children and one grandchild.

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Jim Mendralla
Director of Music and Liturgy

Jim Mendralla is the Director of Music and Liturgy, and Principal Organist at the Cathedral of St. Raphael in Dubuque Iowa. He has served the Cathedral in this position since January 2008.

Jim comes to Dubuque from the suburbs of Chicago where he was active as a church musician in three unique parishes for the past 22 years.

Jim received his undergraduate degree in church music and organ from Illinois Benedictine College in Lisle, Illinois, and his masters in organ, choral conducting and liturgical studies from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer Indiana.

Jim began the study of the harp in 1994 at the age of 26. He has been active as a freelance solo harpist and as a member of the flute, harp, and cello chamber ensemble “Seraphim Trio” providing elegant music for corporate, religious and private functions throughout the city of Chicago prior to his arrival in Dubuque. Jim now offers his services as a harpist for the Cathedral and the Dubuque area. He looks forward to meeting many new faces through his parish ministry and his freelance work.

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Jean Leute
Director of Religious Education

Jean Leute and her husband Rick have three children.  They have been members of the Cathedral since 1996. Jean is a music major and taught music in elementary school before beginning her work in parish ministry. Jean is director of the youth choir at the Cathedral. She is particularly dedicated to increasing family involvement in Religious Education through weekly family prayer and special family evenings throughout the Religious Education year.

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Deacon Paul Peckosh
Deacon

Paul Peckosh and his wife, Pam, have been members of the Cathedral parish since 1991. Paul was ordained to the order of Deacon on April 21, 2001 - the first deacon for our parish community.  He preaches at the weekend Masses once a month, visits the sick, serves on the Liturgy Committee and is an integral part of the Cathedral ministry. Paul works at Dubuque Bank and Trust. Paul and Pam have three adult children.

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We welcome Louise McAllister as our new parish secretary. Louise was raised on a farm in the St. Donatus area and attended Kirkwood Community College. She was employed at Flexsteel, (1973-1998) and Marsh Inc. (1999-2004) in Des Moines before returning home to Dubuque this past year. Louise and her husband Tom, (deceased, 2002) have two sons, Matthew and Mark, who attend the University of Iowa. Louise has spent a few weeks learning all about the parish and already loves her job and new surroundings. She has a great deal of energy, is eager to learn, loves to play golf and is busy with her new home and family.  Stop in and meet Louise. She will continue the great tradition of hospitality of our parish staff. Welcome Louise!

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Ann O'Brien and her husband, Pat, raised five children on their farm in Peosta, Iowa. She worked for 15 years at Stonehill Nursing Home in Dubuque before beginning her work in parish nursing in 1998. Ann keeps in touch with the elderly, those confined to their homes or care facilities, and the sick of the parish. Ann coordinates the parish visiting ministry through the Social Concerns Committee.

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Tracy Connolly
Confirmation Coordinator

Tracy Connolly joined the staff of the Cathedral in 1997.  She coordinates the Confirmation Program for freshmen and sophomores in high school.  Confirmation is celebrated every two years in the fall. Tracy and her husband, Patrick, have three small children.