CLERGY & STAFF

Our Rector

Mother Mitzi; as we refer to her, came to us out of retirement. That's correct; she had retired two years prior to joining us. She first came as a substitute, and then as our full-time rector. She gave up retirement at the +Bishop's request and ours. She has been ordained for 29 years. Of that she served as a Deacon for 6 1/2 years.
Prior to becoming a priest, Mother Mitzi was a full-time teacher, a Deacon in Charge of Mission Congregation, and Diocesan Youth Director. She has also served multiple terms on both the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council under all four Diocesan +Bishops. She has been a Delegate to National Convention several times, has spear headed the Provincial Youth Event, and attended the National Youth Event several times. Mother Mitzi has an extensive background in missional and outreach work including a long history of working with youth and college age students, teaching and preparing them for missions around the globe, which she has also attended.
She is a dedicated member of the clergy of the diocese and Good Shepherd is fortunate to have her expertise and guidance.

Associate Priest, The Reverend Francis "Boo" Kay

Mother "Boo" Kay

Mother Boo has been at Good Shepherd since she began teaching at our school in 1970. She began as a fourth grade Science teacher; she became principal in1986; after which she was asked by the Rector of Good Shepherd to become a Permanent Deacon. She was ordained in 2000 and has served the Good Shepherd community all these many years. She was asked by the +Bishop to become a priest and began studying at the University of the South. She was ordained to the priesthood in 2014 and has served as Priest in Charge of a small congregation north of Lake Charles, as well as serving as a priest at Good Shepherd. She has been instrumental at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at Big Lake; and remains the Headmaster at EDS as well.  She and Mother Mitzi have a great working relationship and share liturgical responsibilities for most services.

Associate Priest, Petroula Ruehlen

Mother Petroula has been a member of Good Shepherd for many years. She and Jerry have served faithfully throughout our diocese and in the Diocese of Texas. Mother Petroula was a deacon in the Lake Charles Convocation for many, many years before finally becoming a priest. She was a pioneer for many of us who came after her. Our first Bishop in Western Louisiana would not ordain women to the priesthood, and therefore Petroula patiently waited to become the priest she had always been called to be.

    Mother Petroula is now officially retired. However, Good Shepherd is so fortunate to have her wisdom and service. Mother Petroula is always ready to step in and serve whenever needed, she is listening ear for the other clergy, and we love having the opportunity to hear her preach on a monthly basis.

Ann Lindsay

Parish Coordinator

Ann Lindssay

Ann has been around Good Shepherd since her birth. Her mother and father were long time members and she and all her siblings were raised here. Ann is our Parish Coordinator and as such is responsible for all the volunteers and special events that we have at Good Shepherd. We think of her as our people person. If you have an interest and would like to get involved in any of our many ministry areas, Ann will be happy to help you get connected. She will also be happy to help you schedule and/or plan events if you find yourself needing assistance. Call her Monday through Friday at 337 433-5244.

Organist/Pianist

Pam has been with us for many years. She came to us as Pam Gabriel, when she was a vocal teacher at EDS and Saint Louis. Over the years she has worked with numerous children in our community, who have grown up learning music from her. Pam served as an accompanist with Dr. Fred Sahlman here at Good Shepherd. After Dr. Sahlman retired Pam was kind enough to step in as our organist.  Pam is like family here at Good Shepherd as she has been here either through the school or church since the 80's. She has attempted to retire, but we are having none of that! She is a vital part of our fabulous music program.

Choir Director

Jordy Stanley

Jordy Stanley has been our Choir Director for three years; having served in the choir prior to becoming our director. Jordy is also a music educator by profession and is excellent at his craft. Here at Good Shepherd, we love our music program. It does not matter if there are three or thirty, the sound they produce is absolutely remarkable. Our Rector likes to tell everyone "Our choir members couldn't sing before they met Jordy and Pam. But they are so good at what they do, these choir members have become expert vocalists." All joking aside though, we are so fortunate to have Jordy, Pam, and our choir. We love and adore them!

Secretary and Finance

Christy comes to us a seasoned Church secretary and financial assistant. She has several years of experience in both the Church world and the corporate world. Christy worked for American Airlines for many years in Marketing before taking on the Church world. Christy is married and has a daughter who is a student at Barbe High School. She has taken over all the responsibilities once held by Ann. So if you need answers about your pledges, need a reimbursement, or an invoice paid please call Christy. She has already mastered Realm and ACS. We are so thrilled to have her at Good Shepherd. She even came here knowing we were under construction and things might be a little chaotic. She is a keeper!

Our Curate

The Reverend Countess "Freddie" Authement

Countess is presently a deacon and will join our staff in June of 2024. We are looking forward to having her here. She will graduate from Duke Divinity in May and be ordained to the priesthood June 14th here at Good Shepherd. She has a heart for missions and will fit in fabulously with all the Good Sheep here who love doing God's work!

No if you are wondering what a Curate is; it is a newly ordained priest who works under a more seasoned Rector to gain insights into the real job of being a parish priest. Countess will be with us two to three years as a curate; then she will move on probably procuring her own congregation somewhere in our Diocese.