Leadership

Robert Baumer

Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I am a civil/structural engineer and project manager with almost 20 years of experience. Almost half my time was spent at Sheppard AFB managing multi-million-dollar projects. I feel the skills I learned while planning, designing, and constructing large multi-discipline projects for the Air Force can be used to help guide our parish project.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

A nudge (well, a push) from the Holy Spirit. Father Michael was explaining initial thoughts and ideas generated by the architect. His excitement about the project made me excited. I saw an opportunity to use my professional experience to help our parish community. I tried to ignore the calling for a while because I didn't think I could take on additional responsibilities. God opened new doors in my professional life that gave me the opportunity to serve.

Why is this project important to you?

The future of our parish and surrounding community. St. Mary's has been, and is, the center of Windthorst and the surrounding community. I want this to continue for our future generations.

Ted Neeb

Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I am a certified public accountant with 47 years of experience. My experience with finance, non-profits and taxation has provided me with the knowledge to research and address the specialized issues that arise in a capital campaign and construction project such as this one. The relationships I have built with our parish members help me to be a liaison between the St. Mary’s community members and the parish and diocese.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

I was asked by Father Michael to work with this committee after my experience working with the Knights of Columbus on the Lawrence and Helen Berend Family Center project. Even though I was hesitant to take on a project of this magnitude, the Holy Spirit led me to do this work to pay back for all the blessings my family and I have received.

Why is this project important to you?

The Windthorst community has always been centered around St. Mary’s Church. Our beautiful church is the first thing you see when you come into Windthorst. And it’s the site where all our important life events, such as Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, weddings and funerals occur. Completing this project to provide for the future generations of our parish and providing a sacred place for worship is vital to our Catholic faith.

Mark Veitenheimer

Capital Campaign Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I have spent the last 25 years of my career in the financial sector as a branch manager and a lender. This has given me a keen sense of how to originate, organize, and oversee projects to their completion, while evaluating income and expense. Having chaired the fundraising effort to construct the LA & Helen Berend Family Center, I have already been intimately involved in a project similar to our Capital Campaign.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

I said “yes” to Father before I even knew the specifics of this project. I am honored he thought of me in this capacity.

Why is this project important to you? 

I have been a part of the Windthorst/St. Mary’s community for 40 years. There is no other place I would rather be than right here. I can’t repay the blessings that I have received, so I see this as my way to pay it forward… “For Generations To Come!”

Is there anything else you want to add?

This Capital Campaign is a Holy Spirit-led project. We are going wherever He takes us, and we trust Him. The finished product might not be everything I want, or you want, but as long as it is what He wants, it will be perfect!

Florence Anderle

Prayer and Stewardship Sub-Cabinet Chair

Growing up in a large, religious Catholic family has helped shape me into what I am today as “Catholic.” The definition of religious—'of, related to, or devoted to the beliefs of our Catholic faith’. I witnessed my parents being the first religious teachers of their 9 children and many times to their many grandchildren. They led by example. Growing up, it seemed we were in church every time the doors were open—Sunday Mass, Sunday Evening Rosary and Benediction, Weekday Mass, Wednesday evening Mass and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Devotions, going to ‘Confession’ once a month before every First Friday and First Saturday, and any other faith practice occurring throughout the year.

I credit my upbringing to my choice to not only continue to be a religious Catholic but to try, with my husband, to be the role models of that faith to our children and grandchildren. And to be as active in religious organizations as I can at different times of my life. In my youth I was involved with the Catholic Youth Organization and the Sodality of Mary. As a young adult and beyond, I became involved with Catholic Daughters of the Americas and Christian Mother’s Society, taught religious education classes on school mornings, was the Adult Faith Formation Leader for a few years, and was the RCIA Director for many years.

All of this took a lot of PRAYING AND ORGANIZATION through the years! So, when asked if I would be the Prayer and Stewardship Cabinet Head, I accepted, considering it an honor and privilege. After all, I could pray! And I had, in my past volunteer roles in catechesis, organized a variety of prayer times and discernment times.

This project is important to me because I want my family, and all families associated with St. Mary’s, to continue to have the opportunities to stay faithful and grow in a closer relationship with Jesus Christ that were available to me. Change for the sake of change is not the goal. With continued PRAYER AND DISCERNMENT before each major decision, the goal is to create a Parish Complex according to God’s Will and to aid us all in developing a closer relationship with Jesus Christ now and into the future of St. Mary’s.

Members of the Prayer and Stewardship Cabinet include Samantha Baumer, Benita Essler, Cindy Frerich, Lillie Rife, Bernard Scheffe, Patricia Scheffe, Bonnie Schlumpf, Mike Schreiber, Nancy Schreiber, Megan Steinberger, Kate Syrus, and Lillie Wolf.

Stephanie Scheffe

Communication Sub-Cabinet Chair

Born and raised in Windthorst, I have been a member of St. Mary’s off and on for my entire life. I was actually struggling with my faith last year and attended one of the town halls mostly out of curiosity.

I was excited and rejuvenated by what I heard. I was most excited about having a place where I could go to worship 24/7 with the addition of the Adoration Chapel.

I knew that I had communication skills, an abundance of free time, and a mastery of modern technology that would be an asset to the campaign, so I volunteered. And as someone who struggles with health issues that make Mass difficult at times, I wanted to be a voice in the room who could speak for the disabled individuals in our parish.

I will do my best to help ensure our communication is clear, honest, and transparent and that everyone feels welcome in the parish campus we create.

Members of the Communications Cabinet include Vicki Neeb and Kristi Veitenheimer.

Whitney Schreiber

Recognition and Data Management Sub-Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I am very organized and like to get tasks done in a timely manner.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

I was asked by one of the Capital Campaign leaders if I would accept this position in early fall of 2024. My first thought was, "Do I really have time?" I love my church and care about the future of St. Mary's Parish, so I am committed to helping with this project. My job is to ensure that each donation is recognized and acknowledged by writing and sending thank-you notes.

Why is this project important to you?

Since joining the church in 2005, it has become my spiritual home. My husband and I have raised our son here and plan to stay in Windthorst the rest of our lives. I feel that volunteering my time is a way that I can give back to the church and community that have given so much to me. I am excited to put all the many hours of planning into motion and see what the future holds for St. Mary's Parish.

The member of the Data Management and Recognition Cabinet is Melinda Schneider.

Nichole Schroeder

Building Sub-Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I am currently a partner and senior architect at SLA Architects. Having 16+ years of experience in the design and construction industry, I’ve designed and observed the construction of multi-million-dollar projects all over the state of Texas.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

My passion for architecture and the built environment is what excites and drives me, and I love sharing this with others. As an architect and a member of this church community, I felt a strong sense of responsibility to contribute my professional expertise to something that has such spiritual and communal importance. The church is more than just a place of worship. It's a spiritual home for many, including my family, and a foundation for fellowship, outreach, and growth. I saw volunteering for the building committee as an opportunity to ensure that the design of our new and renovated space would not only be functional and efficient, but also reflect our values, faith, and vision for the future. It’s an honor to use my skills to help create a space that will serve generations to come.

Why is this project important to you?

This project is deeply important to me because it allows me to merge my professional calling with my faith and service to the community. Designing a space where people come together to worship, pray, celebrate, and support one another is not just another project—it’s a sacred responsibility. I want to ensure that the spaces created are welcoming, spiritually uplifting, and sustainable for future generations. It's a humbling and meaningful opportunity to give back in a way that combines both my skills and my heart.

Is there anything else you want to add?

My favorite part of the design and construction process is returning to the project after it has been completed and turned over. To see how the people are using the space is such an exciting and humbling experience. It is also a learning experience for me. I love the feedback of what works (and what doesn't) and then using that to build my knowledge base for future projects.

Members of the Building Committee include Sean Hoff, Kyle Scheffe, Taylor Scheffe, Lawrence (Butch) Schroeder, and Chuck Veitenheimer.

JD Steinberger

Development Sub-Cabinet Chair

What special skills/talents do you bring to the campaign?

I am proficient in team and project management, raising capital, public speaking, and creative thinking.

What prompted you to volunteer for this position?

I was asked by the Capital Campaign leaders if I would accept the position in early fall of 2024. It was my understanding that they believed I would be most effective in fulfilling the needs of the Development Cabinet chair role and were needing help from many in the community. I care deeply about the future of St. Mary’s Parish and was happy to accept a service position where I could be most helpful. If we don’t personally accept Jesus’s call to be his hands and feet, who will?

Why is this project important to you?

I was born here in 1984, grew up in Windthorst, and returned here after college in 2006. My family and I have lived here ever since, and I plan to live the rest of my life in this community. I feel this renovation project is intended by God to not only revamp His church in a constructive way, but also in a spiritual manner. It will take all of our parishioners, by each person’s own talents and abilities, to complete this ambitious project. I also believe it’s our personal responsibility to accept the challenges and opportunities given to us by Jesus regarding this endeavor to grow His living church here on Earth.

Members of the Development Cabinet include Jean Berend, Sydney Hoegger, Kris Ingram, Judy Koetter, Rick Schreiber, and Katy Steinberger.

If you have any questions in regard to how you can help financially support our Capital Campaign, please reach out to J.D. at jd.steinberger@gmail.com, or leave a message at his office: 940-423-6900.

Gina Wolf

Hospitality Sub-Cabinet Chair

Through my years of involvement with 4-H, the Holstein Association, college, and my various jobs, I’ve gained many organizational skills that are needed as the head of the hospitality cabinet.

I’m so proud of Windthorst, my forever home, and have always loved telling people about my community, our traditions, and my Catholic faith. My great-grandparents were the first family in Windthorst, with the first Mass of St. Mary’s being celebrated in their home. So I say that I’m a “piece or part of the hill of St. Mary’s”!

Being born to two avid volunteers, Pauline and Willie Hoff, my family was always involved in something. That background has inspired me to volunteer through the years for different projects and events that benefit my parish community.

So when I heard about the plans being considered for construction and renovations related to St. Mary’s, I wanted to be part of this exciting project! I’m passionate about keeping St. Mary’s the best that we can be and prepared for generations to come as our ancestors did for us.

Members of the Hospitality Cabinet include Diane Schroeder, Mitzi Veitenheimer, and a lot of volunteers.