Implementation Team
Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.
“… The Love of Christ urges us on.” —2 Cor. 5:14 (episcopal motto)
Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr., was born October 16, 1959, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the oldest of the four children of Vann and Patricia (Huber) Johnston. After earning a degree and pursuing a career in Electrical Engineering, Johnston attended St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and obtained his Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Knoxville on June 9, 1990.
Johnston obtained a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in 1996. He served as Chancellor and Moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Knoxville, as well as in parish ministry. On March 31, 2008, he was ordained the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.
Pope Francis appointed Johnston to lead the Kansas City – St. Joseph diocese on September 15, 2015.
In November 2015, he was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for Catholic Relief Services. He has served on the USCCB Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People, and as the Bishops’ liaison to the National Council of Catholic Women; as of November 2018, he is a member of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
Fr. Joe Cisetti
Pastor of St. Therese North Parish
B.A. University of Missouri-Kansas City, M. Div. Mundelein Seminary, S.T.L. University of St. Mary of the Lake, M.A. Creighton University
A priest of the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese since 1991 and pastor of St. Therese North since 2011. Enjoys reading, swimming and playing the piano.
“I am honored to be asked to serve on this committee and hope this process will unite the people of our diocese and draw us closer together in Christ.”
Jenifer Doolittle
St. Peter Catholic Church (Stanberry)
Director of Children’s Ministries
B.S. in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood, AA degree in Childcare Administration, currently working on Catechesis of the Good Shepherd certification
Married to Jon (20 years), they have six children; as a family they strive to reveal the Lord’s love to others through our service, relationships and interactions. Enjoys reading, silence, nature and running.
“I believe every moment is a gift and I strive to use each moment and relationship to grow God’s kingdom.”
Dino Durando
St. Ann Parish (Plattsburg)
Director of the Office of the Domestic Church and Discipleship, Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph
B.A. in Theology and Philosophy (Franciscan University), M.A. in Theology and Christian Ministry (Franciscan University)
Active in RCIA, marriage ministry and Living Waters. Married to Cathy (20 years); they have 9 children; enjoys baseball, farming, playing strategy board games with his kids and making charcuterie.
“I am excited about my role of facilitating the listening sessions because it will involve meeting new people from around the diocese and hearing about their hopes and ideas for the future of our local Church.”
Dain Finney
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
Campus Minister at UMKC, Diocese of Kansas City- St. Joseph
B.A. in Secondary Education and Spanish (Benedictine College)
Worked for FOCUS (KU and UT Tyler in Texas) and then served as a Residence Director at Benedictine College. Single; enjoys all sports, working in the yard, eating good food and being with family & friends.
“I am excited about my role of facilitating the listening sessions because since graduation I have lived and worked on college campuses almost exclusively, but this will get me integrated into the parish. I also look forward to meeting as a committee and getting to know each of the members.”
Arturo Gonzalez
Holy Family Parish
Zonal Secretary (whole USA and Canada area)—Prayer and Life Workshops of Father Ignacio Larrañaga (PLW)
Retired US Navy Corpsman with specialty as Radiology Technologist
Originally from Mexico. Active Prayer and Life Workshop facilitator for the past 25 years. Has experienced the Charismatic Movement and Cursillo, and is a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus. Married to Essy (23 years) and they have 2 children; enjoys time with family, soccer, basketball, football, drawing, outdoors, live music, and spending time alone with the Lord.
“I am confident the listening sessions will help our Community better express their needs and ideas, as well as help our Diocese show its vision, compassion, and willingness to constantly walk next to each of the members of our Catholic Family.”
Fr. Tom Holder
Pastor of Our Lady of the Presentation in Lee’s Summit (since 2011)
B.S. B.A.-Marketing from MU, M.Div. University of St. Mary of the Lake – Mundelein Seminary
Has served in the diocese as a priest for 22 years. Has also been the associate at St. John LaLande and Christ the King parishes, and the pastor at Holy Cross and St. Regis parishes. Currently serves on the Boards of the Endowment Trust Fund for Catholic Education and St. Michael the Archangel High School. Enjoys golf, live music, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Visioning Team and be part of this exciting time in our diocese as we come together to listen, plan, and vision for the future.”
Karen Miller
Our Lady of the Visitation Parish
Retired- Director of Morning Glory Ministries
B.A. in Public Administration
Active in Christ Renews His Parish. Married to John for 27 years; they have 3 children and are expecting their first grandchild in October. Enjoys spending time with family, cooking, traveling and volunteering.
“I feel so blessed to be part of the Visioning Team because I love our Church and our Diocese. I look forward to the prayerful process of discerning, together, our new shared vision.”
Deacon Jim Olshefski
St. Charles Borromeo Parish and Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Assistant Director of the Diaconate Program, Master of Ceremonies for Bishop Johnston
B.S. B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Missouri; CPA; worked for Arthur Young & Company and DST Systems, Inc.
Serves at St. Charles Borromeo and Bishop Sullivan Center Food Pantries, as Chairman for Gladstone Parks & Recreation Advisory Board, and at Northland Meals On Wheels, Gladstone Emergency Management Agency, and with Boy Scouts of America. Active in Marriage Preparation, Annulment Advocate, Hospital Ministry, Catholic Cemeteries Associated in Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph. Married to Mary (41 years); 3 adult children; 1 grandchild; Enjoys baseball, soccer, reading, hiking, traveling, time with family.
“Looking forward to participating in the Diocesan Visioning process and meeting with and listening to individuals from throughout the diocese. I am excited about the possibilities for our diocese.”
Frank D. Uryasz
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Redemptorist
Profession President, Uryasz Family Foundation
BS and MBA from the University of Nebraska
Married to Ann Jeffrey Uryasz (34 years); three children, Justine, Tim, and Claire.
“I am pleased to serve the Diocese in any way that can add value. I look forward to hearing from and listening to as many people as I can in our wonderful Diocese.”
Annette Weeks
St. Rose of Lima Parish (Savannah)
Missouri Western State University, Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship
B.S. Elementary Education, Certified Entrepreneur Facilitator
Married to Ben, they have five children and five grandchildren: enjoys Sunday Family dinners, time at the lake and traveling.
“I am pleased to be able to be part of the Visioning Process. A plan that offers a vision for our future and establishes clear goals for achieving that vision allows us to sustain and grow our diocese. “
