Anne Marie Kuhlman was born and raised Catholic. She received a kindergarten through twelfth grade Catholic education filled with many retreats and a life changing trip to Medjugorje. She became a parishioner at St. Michael in 2010 while in college. She has served in the four-year-old room during Mass and in the religious education classes. After graduating college, she returned home to Florida where she taught fifth grade religion and social studies. She and her husband Kelsey moved back to Auburn in 2016. They have two children and one due this August. Matthew will be attending St. Michael Catholic School kindergarten and Caroline will be in the Pre-K three class. She currently is a teacher in Auburn City Schools. Her faith has truly been enriched going through the RCIA classes as her husband’s sponsor. She would be blessed with the opportunity to serve on St. Michael’s Parish Council.

My name is Theresa Tarnowski. Born and raised in Cleveland, my husband and I relocated to Auburn and were happily married for forty-three years, until his passing in 2020. When my three kids were in school, I was actively involved as Room Mother (for Debbie Brooks, no less) and involved in their extracurriculars. I’ve been an active member of St. Michael for years, volunteering with Welcome Baby, Mini Vinnies, Catholic Kids Camp, and the parish picnic. Recruiting, sponsoring, and supporting those in the RCIA program is incredibly important to me, and I have enjoyed the privilege and honor of bringing the Eucharist to our homebound or sick parishioners for the past 17 years. I look forward to being able to support St. Michael Catholic Church and School, our priests, and parishioners by serving on the Parish Council.

My name is Paulie Hufstedler and I’m hoping to serve on our Parish Council. I’ve been a member of this parish for many years but a practicing Catholic for only the past 2 years. I just celebrated my 3rd Easter in the Church. I received my calling to join the church during RCIA in 2020 with Father Farmer and Father Jones. My beautiful family is comprised of my wife, Mindy, to whom I’ve been married for 15 years, and our three amazing boys, Tyler 11, Braden 9, and Thomas 21 months. I moved to Auburn in 1989 and attended Auburn University. I currently work for US Foods in Food Distribution and Sales and I’ve been employed by them for 13 years. Since I’ve attended St. Michael, I’ve found many ways to serve such as being involved with the Preschool when our older boys were there, Lenten Fish Frys, and being a member of the new School Steering Committee. The reason I want to serve on our Parish Council is that I’m searching for another way to contribute to our thriving parish. I appreciate your consideration!

This is Crisanta Cruz-Espindola and I would like to nominate myself for the Parish Pastoral Council. I have been working since 2006 at Auburn University at the College of Veterinary Medicine and currently as Mgr. Research Scientist.

Here are the activities I have been involved in St Michael:

Also, in the past, I have attended the Cursillo, finished the four levels of the Cristian Family Movement, been a member of the Missionary Community Families, and have been Coordinator of Hispanic Ministry at St Mary Catholic Church in College Station, TX.

Brian Gillis, LMFT, joined St. Michael on Easter Vigil in 2023 after studying the faith and being convicted by the Holy Spirit in RCIA. An Auburn resident since 2016, Brian is a family therapist and is completing his Ph.D. in Human Development & Family Science. This fall, he will join the Auburn faculty as an assistant professor of Marriage and Family Therapy. Brian holds a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, a Master of Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn.

My name is Kathryn Ward. I have been a parishioner at St. Michael since 2005. I am married to Ben Ward and have five children. I volunteer at the church and teach religious education in the atrium for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, run the Welcome Baby ministry, and have been a Eucharistic minister. We enjoy attending many events at the church. 

Randall Plaisance and his wife Lisa have been parishioners at St. Michael for almost 20 years. They have been active in young adult ministry, St. Vincent DePaul, and have been fourth grade catechists for the last 10 years. Randall has previously served on the Parish Council and is honored to be considered again. The Plaisances are both veterinarians and have four children whose ages range from 5-15 years.  

Hello! I am Kerry Grace and would be honored to serve on the Parish Council.  My husband and I retired to Auburn 4 years ago. We have one son who is in graduate school at AU. I am a cradle Catholic who attended Catholic school from second grade through high school. Other education I have consists of a BS in Special Ed from George Peabody College and MEd and MBA from GSU. At Previous parishes in GA, I volunteered in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, 8th grade religious Ed class, and the hospitality/donut ministry. Currently at St. Michael, I am an usher, volunteer with SVDP, Bereavement Committee, Food Bank Backpack program, and am a Wisdom Circle member. Serving on the Parish Council would allow me to give back to my community and embrace Auburn as my hometown.