Our Staff:

Deacon Jeff Sutterman

Jeff Sutterman is serving the parish of St. Katharine Drexel, Frederick as Deacon. Jeff was among 11 men ordained by Cardinal Keeler into the Diaconate on Sunday, May 21, 2005 at the cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

Originally from Rock Island, Illinois Jeff has lived in the Greater Washington DC area since 1990. He holds a bachelors degree in Philosophy from the University of Chicago, and a Masters of Theology from the Washington Theological Institute. Jeff and his wife, Beth, currently reside in Frederick with their three children, Samantha, 5; Anthony, 3; and Timothy, 4 months. Jeff is employed as an intelligence analyst for Northrop Drummond

Jeff credits much of his religious journey to his relationship with his wife, Beth, a native of Rockville. After they met in 1990, they discovered that, though they were both raised in the Catholic faith, they had some differences in their religious traditions, due to being raised in different parts of the country. In an effort to fill in some of the gaps in what they understood about their faith the two of them began attending religion classes, first at St. Elizabeth’s in Rockville, and then at Georgetown. At Georgetown they enrolled in the certification program in Theological and Liturgical Studies. Jeff’s desire to deepen his religious life led him to enter the diaconate through the Archdiocese of Washington.

His formation was interrupted by his move to Frederick county in 2002, however he was able to pick up where he left off with the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He interned at St. Timothy parish in Walkersville. Besides the diaconate, Jeff is active at St. Katharine Drexel in the RCIA and adult faith formation programs. He also ministers to the homebound, which he considers a privilege, as he has learned many stories of faith from the people he visits.

Through this life of service to others – his family, and those in the parish and community where he lives – Jeff has discovered that it is a process through which the Holy Spirit works, quietly bringing love and hope to all.

Michael OConnor

Laura Weber

Laura Weber has been a member of the parish staff since July 2003. Her responsiblies at Saint Katharine Drexel include: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA), preparation programs for Reconciliation and Eucharist, catechesis for grades pre K- 6th grade in the context of the parish's whole community program which occurs sunday evenings, catechist recruitment and formation, and sunday morning program for Kate's Kids and the nursery.

Laura has been working in parish and diocesan ministry since 1993, in the area of children and adult faith formation and respect life activities. She earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Trinity College in Burlington, VT and her master's degree in social work for the State University of New York at Albany. Laura's education background also includes course work in religious studies.

Laura lives in Frederick with her husband Chris and their two children, Ellen and Eric.

Leah Huber

Leah Huber joined St. Katharine Drexel's staff as Pastoral Associate in May of 2005. She oversees general faith formation and evangelization within the parish, including welcome ministry, pastoral care, Baptismal preparation and RCIC.

While new to St. Katharine, Leah is not new to church ministry, having served St. John the Evangelist parish in Frederick from 1995 to 2002 as Coordinator of Faith Formation. After leaving St. John's, Leah attended the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary and University in Baltimore where she recently completed her Masters degree in Church Ministries. Leah also holds a Bachelors degree in Religion and Religious Education from Catholic University.

Leah was born in Buffalo, New York, and lived in various locations along the East Coast as a child. Her parents were very active in church ministry and catechesis and, as a result, had children who were also very active. As a teen, Leah was an active participant in C.Y.O. (Catholic Youth Organization) and the Search Retreat movement..

Among her other interests, Leah would like to some day become active in ministry to families of persons with disabilities. She is a long-time admirer of Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche, an international network of faith-based communities creating homes and day programs with people who have developmental disabilities. [More on Jean Vanier's L'Arche]

Leah and her husband, Carl, are also raising their family of five children, Soren, 20; Leif, 16; Logan, 13; Kai, 10; Anna, 6. They are members of Holy Family, Middletown where Leah has been active as a catechist and in Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Brian McCrohan

Brian McCrohan was hired as Pastoral Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry here at Saint Katharine Drexel in August 2005, and is the newest addition to the staff.  He will be leading our catechists who will be passing on the faith to our middle school and high school students.  Brian will also be running our new Confirmation prep program for our high school students as well as the new middle school and high school youth groups.  With our young adults Brian is hoping to organize a local Theology on Tap, a group that will gather to discuss the many aspects of our faith, and to support each other as disciples.  He is also interested in getting groups together for our college students, and for our young professionals.

Daniel Owens

Nancy Whitmore