Rev. Mark Schuster, Pastor
A military-brat and graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Attended St Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology from 2013-2019. Currently serving as the Diocesan Director of Vocations and Spiritual Assistant to the Fraternity of Sts. Francis & Claire of the Order of Secular Franciscans. Loves Volunteer Orange and currently working through the translated works of Saint Bonaventure.
Rev. Bo Beaty
FR. BO BEATY serves as a Parochial Vicar at St. John Neumann. He is an only child, born and raised in Jamestown, Tennessee. His upbringing was rooted in the Baptist church, where he was baptized and actively participated in the community. It wasn’t until his college years at Carson-Newman University that I began to explore the Catholic Faith. After regularly attending Mass, engaging in self-study, having discussions with the pastor, and participating in the RCIA process, he joined the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2008 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Morristown.
The idea of priesthood first entered his mind soon after his communion with the Catholic Church. Influenced by his love for the Church and witnessing the dedication of Monsignor Garrity and Father Michael Sweeney, he began contemplating a life of priestly service. For the next ten years, he discerned the
idea of priesthood with a growing career at McDonalds, where he started as a teenager and progressed to an Area Supervisor managing three locations.
Ultimately, heeding God’s Will, he decided to pursue the priesthood and, in 2017, entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, where he completed his undergraduate seminary formation and earned a B.A. in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Dallas. In 2020, he entered Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana, for his theological priestly formation, completing a M.A. in Divinity..
In his free time, he enjoys reading. His favorite genres are theology, mystery, and science fiction. He also likes gardening, both inside with potted plants and outside in the garden. Walking outdoors is another activity he enjoys and finds refreshing.He also loves spending time with friends, family, and his cat back home. Additionally, he has a deep devotion to Saint Therese of Lisieux and loves learning more about her life and teachings.
Rev. Michael Raj Joseph
Bio coming soon…
Sr. Restituta Nyinoweitu, ESM
SISTER RESTITUTA NYINOWEITU (Sr. Resty) is a member of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary Community and has a BA in Missionary Catechesis from Urbanian University in Rome, a BA in Psychology from Alvernia University in Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Neumann University, also in Pennsylvania. She completed a Residence program in CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) in Akron, Ohio. Sr. Resty serves as our Pastoral Associate; doing individual and family counseling, working with engaged couples for marriage preparation, and facilitating seminars for marriage enrichment for the various groups. She also assists with the marriage annulment process. She facilitates groups on a variety of topics regarding spiritual and emotional development and healing which profoundly touch the lives of each one of us.
Sr. Elizabeth Wanyoike, ESM
SISTER ELIZABETH W. WANYOIKE is a member of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary Community and holds a Masters Degree in Religious Sciences from Gregorian University in Rome and a PhD in Religious Studies from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. She has had a broad experience in giving seminars and retreats to different groups of adults. Sr. Elizabeth is our Coordinator for Adult Faith Formation, responsible for organizing, coordinating, and facilitating Adult Faith Formation programs. She also coordinates the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) in the parish.
Deacon Shawn Ballard
DEACON SHAWN BALLARD has been a parishioner of St. John Neumann since June 2010, and has participated in various roles and ministries in the parish, including being a member of the Welcoming Committee, an Adult Faith Formation & RCIA facilitator, and the Spiritual Advisor of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Deacon Shawn grew up in Panama City, FL before joining the U.S. Navy after high school. Raised in the Baptist and Presbyterian churches, Deacon Shawn converted to Catholicism in 1982 while attending University of Florida, where he graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in Mathematics, specializing in Secondary Education. He later completed his M.B.A. through City University in 1992 while serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Married to his wife Ann since 1983, he has two grown sons and now enjoys the life of being an “empty nester” along with his cats and dogs. Deacon Shawn retired from the military and business world in 2017 to devote his time to serving in the Catholic Church. He was ordained to the Permanent Diaconate and assigned to SJN in June 2022.
