Clergy
Fr. Paul Seaman Pastor
Fr. Paul Seaman Pastor
Father Paul Seaman was born on the South Side of Chicago in Assumption BVM Church in West Englewood, and comes from a family of six children. Raised in Saint Thomas More Church (known to insiders as “Tommy More”) he graduated from the parish’s grammar school and went on to Quigley Seminary South. Inspired by many priests at the parishes and at Quigley, he went on to Niles College Seminary. During his high school and college years, Father Paul helped found and played sax with a group that evolved into today’s City Lights Orchestra. During summers, he cut grass for the Chicago Park District at Marquette and Hayes Park, the latter being named for one of the pastors at Tommy More. He entered Saint Mary of the Lake Seminary (now Mundelein Seminary) and was ordained a deacon in 1984 and a priest in 1985.
Father Paul’s deacon year was spent in Roseland at Saint Catherine of Genoa Church, under the fine tutelage of Father Paul Burak. His first assignment as a priest was at Saint Lawrence O’Toole Church in Matteson, IL under first Father Richard Sullivan and then later Father Jay Finno. Again, both extraordinary priests who taught Father Paul well. In 1992 at age 33, Father was assigned to the pastorate at Saint Emeric in Country Club Hills. Saint Emeric was a smaller parish of about 800 families in a racial diverse community, just as Saint Lawrence O’Toole was. Both parishes had wonderful, innovative and creative people willing to try new things. Those congregations were important teachers to Father Paul.
In 2004, Father Paul went on sabbatical at the Vatican II Institute in Menlo Park, CA. After that, he was asked to serve as administrator at Saint Cajetan located on the South Side of Chicago. The original ten-week assignment turned into nine months. When that concluded, an unexpected opening occurred at Saint Pascal Church on the Northwest Side. It was at Saint Pascal where Francis Cardinal George first heard his calling to the priesthood. He was even ordained at Saint Pascal’s altar. Saint Pascal, known for its summer carnival and autumn haunted house, became an emotional center point for the Archdiocese when Cardinal George passed away.
Father Paul came to Saint Clement in July 2017. Engaging in the many parish activities and prayer opportunities are priorities. More than what Saint Clement is today, a bigger question is: What does Saint Clement want to become? The work of sharing the Gospel, walking with people on their spiritual journey, inviting people into a deeper relationship with Jesus and welcoming everyone are integral to the life of a priest.
Among Father Paul’s hobbies are listening to jazz, reading history, eating with good friends and travel.
pseaman@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 125
Fr. Rex Pillai Associate Pastor
Fr. Rex Pillai Associate Pastor
Fr. Rex Pillai is originally from Sri Lanka, an island that is located off the Southern coast of India. He was ordained as a member of a religious order known as the "Redemptorists." After his ordination he was engaged in preaching parish missions, retreats and parish ministry in Sri Lanka.
He arrived in Chicago in 2005 to attend graduate school at Loyola University to obtain a degree in Psychology and Counseling. It was during his time at Loyola University that he began to discern a calling to the diocesan priesthood in the Archdiocese of Chicago. After prayer and guidance he made a decision to transition to the Archdiocese of Chicago, a process known as "Incardination." The Incardination process consists of two phases in two different parishes. He began the first phase of his incardination process in November 2009 at St. Benedict Parish on W. Irving Park Road. The time he spent at St. Benedict Parish gave him an insight into parish ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He was able to learn much at St. Benedict Parish and feels blessed to have been part of a vibrant faith community.
While taking classes at Loyola University, Fr. Rex was a resident at St. Michael Parish in Old Town, where he first heard of Saint Clement Parish in Lincoln Park. He joined the pastoral staff of Saint Clement Parish in July 2013. This marks the beginning of the second phase of his Incardination process.
Fr. Rex is honored and humbled to be part of a parish that has served God’s people in Chicago for over a century, and share in the vision of this great parish. His job duties include preaching, celebrating the sacraments, sacramental preparation, pastoral visits to the sick and homebound, counseling and spiritual direction, marriage preparation, married couples group, working with teens/youth group (the God Squad), and Ministry of Care.
rpillai@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371
Deacon Tim Sullivan Permanent Deacon
Deacon Tim Sullivan Permanent Deacon
Deacon Tim is the permanent deacon assigned to the parish family at Saint Clement by Cardinal George. He is an Ohio native where he went to John Carroll University in the Cleveland Area. He was a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (which was then under the U.S. Treasury Department). After retiring from ATF in 1999 he was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Adam Cardinal Maida of the Archdiocese of Detroit and received his masters of theology in 2000 from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. During his studies for the diaconate, he did his internship at St. Mary’s Hospital in Livonia, Michigan in pastoral care. He taught Theology at Loyola High School in the inner city of Detroit for eight years as well as being the campus chaplain and chair of the theology department for five years. During that period he also was the chaplain (4 years) at a juvenile girl’s detention facility in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and chaplain at a nursing home in Detroit (5 years). From 2001 until 2010 he was the Detroit Field Division Chaplain for the Bureau of ATF. In 1992 he founded a public charity which ministered to (and continues to minister) to the homeless and marginalized in downtown Detroit and continued as president until 2010. He still remains on the board of directors to an organization that now has three locations and serves between 250-300 people ever week on Saturday (food, clothing and counseling). He has two daughters in Chicago.
As a deacon, his primary ministry is one of charity. He also assists at Mass, proclaims the Gospel, preaches, baptizes and witnesses marriages as well as para-liturgical duties such as Benediction during the week, house and business blessings as well as a variety of other services. He is also available for counseling and spiritual direction.
tsullivan@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371
Formation and Community
Michael Bayer Director of Evangelization and Adult Formation
Michael Bayer Director of Evangelization and Adult Formation
Michael Bayer joined the staff of Saint Clement in January of 2018 after serving as Senior Director for Youth and Young Adults in the Diocese of Raleigh, North Carolina. Originally from West Chester, Pennsylvania, he attended Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia before receiving degrees in theology and philosophy from Georgetown University and the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. He has served as Campus Minister at the University of San Francisco, the University of Michigan, and the University of Iowa, as well as working with youth ministry and faith formation at two parishes in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Michael is a huge fan of college football, craft beer, Pope Francis, and The West Wing.
mbayer@clement.org773-281-0371 x. 113
Rachel Espinoza Director of Children and Family Catechesis
Rachel Espinoza Director of Children and Family Catechesis
Rachel Espinoza joined the Saint Clement staff in June 2015. She directs the religious education program for parish children, sacramental preparation, Liturgy of the Word for Children, and family catechesis. She offers training and support for the catechists at Saint Clement and collaborates in providing adult faith formation in the parish. She also guides the Faith Formation Committee called Faith in the Next Generation.
Rachel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology and Catechetics from Franciscan University and a Master of Divinity degree from the University of Notre Dame. She has worked professionally in parish ministry for five years and is a certified Pastoral Associate of the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is also an author for Liturgy Training Publications and wrote Sunday Prayer for Catholic School Teachers (2015-2016) and Sunday Prayer for Teens (2016-2017).
“The question of how we are educating in faith is not rhetorical, it is essential. The response calls for courage, creativity and the decision to take paths which are at times yet uncharted. The catechesis, as a component of the process of evangelization, needs to go beyond the simple realm of scholastics, in order to educate believers, beginning with children, to encounter Christ, living and working in his Church. It is the encounter with [Christ] that gives rise to the desire to know him better and thus to follow Him to become his disciples.” ~ Pope Francis, May 29, 2015
respinoza@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 114
Lisa Friedlander Youth Group Director
Lisa Friedlander Youth Group Director
Lisa Friedlander joined the parish staff in April 2013 as our Youth Group Director. Her primary responsibilities include God Squad (our youth group).
Lisa joined our faith community in 1999, was married here and baptized her two children here. Her son and daughter are current students at our school. Through the years Lisa has been involved in many of our ministries as a volunteer and we are excited to now have her as a member of our staff.
lfriedlander@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 147
Maggie Hanley Director of Community Outreach
Maggie Hanley Director of Community Outreach
Maggie joined the parish staff at Saint Clement in 2007, becoming the Director of Community Outreach in 2012. Maggie directs and coordinates the parish's outreach efforts and service opportunities, and serves as liaison to organizations in the community with whom we have relationships. In addition to outreach, Maggie is the staff liaison to the Welcome and Hospitality Committee, hosting new parishioner events and plaza hospitality, and oversees the Sunday morning child care ministry. She also coordinates parish-wide special events such as Fall Fest and Service Day.
A native of Indianapolis, Maggie graduated from Purdue University in 2006. While a Boilermaker, she was active at St. Tom's, the Catholic center at the University. Maggie and her husband John were married at Saint Clement in October 2010, and are the proud parents of Lucy and Eli, both baptized in the parish.
mhanley@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 149
Liturgy and Music
Gabriel Mayhugh Director of Liturgy
Gabriel Mayhugh Director of Liturgy
Gabe serves on the Saint Clement staff as Director of Liturgy, where he works with the pastor in overseeing liturgy and music as well as the liturgy staff. He also serves as one of the parish organists and works with the Jubilate children’s choir. He studied sacred music and organ performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and graduated with a B.M. in organ performance and sacred music. Following undergraduate work at Duquesne, Gabe studied liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, and graduated with a M.A. in theology, concentrating in liturgical studies.
Gabe grew up in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, a small town located on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. He had a fascination with organ at church and had a great love of the liturgy. Gabe began playing organ for Stations of the Cross and Masses in eighth grade and has since dedicated his life to liturgy and music in the church. In 2002, Gabe began work on the Saint Clement staff as Director of Liturgy. He departed Saint Clement in 2006 to work at Loyola University Chicago. Gabe spent three years working at Loyola University Chicago before returning to Saint Clement in 2009 to serve in this current position. Gabe lives in on the Northside with his wife and their two Wire Fox Terriers, Buster and Stewie.
gmayhugh@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 142
Paul Nicholson Director of Music
Paul Nicholson Director of Music
Named Director of Music at Saint Clement in 2010, Paul is a distinguished Chicago accompanist, vocal coach, composer, conductor and singer. He has served both faculty and staff at Roosevelt University, Lake Forest College, Concordia University, Columbia College, and the School of Music at DePaul University.
He has sung with the Chicago Symphony and Grant Park Music Festival choruses. His vocal and instrumental compositions have been recorded on the Cedille, Imaginary Road and Polygram labels, and he has appeared both at the keyboard and as a singer on Live from Studio One on WFMT. Currently he serves as accompanist to the Grant Park Music Festival chorus. Paul serves Saint Clement as principal organist and director of three choral ensembles: Schola Clementis, Seraphim, and Cantate Choir. In addition, he auditions and trains all cantors and instrumentalists.
pnicholson@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 133
Patrick Sinozich Assistant Director of Music
Patrick Sinozich Assistant Director of Music
Patrick joined the staff of Saint Clement in October of 2010. He holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and from Northwestern University. Patrick directs the Chapel Choir and assists Music Director Paul Nicholson with a myriad of tasks, including music library work and additional keyboard support in the church. In addition to his work at Saint Clement, he is deeply involved in the musical life of Chicago, directing several musical organizations and accompanying others. In 2014 the City Council of Chicago declared December 5, 2014 to be Patrick Sinozich Day, in honor of his outstanding artistic contributions to the city of Chicago.
psinozich@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 150
Nicole Zenner Coordinator of Liturgy
Nicole Zenner Coordinator of Liturgy
Nicole joined the Saint Clement Parish staff in June 2016. Nicole manages the liturgical celebrations, including weekend liturgies, holy days of obligation, Holy Week, confirmations, first Communions, school Masses, funerals, and weddings. She recruits, trains, and schedules our volunteer ministers for these celebrations. In her role at Saint Clement Parish, Nicole also maintains the sacristy. She has been a parishioner since 2008 and has volunteered her time in a number of roles in the parish over the years.
Nicole’s Catholic upbringing included attending elementary school at St. Mary of Mount Carmel in Long Prairie, MN, as well as many discussions with her dad, who was a Deacon for almost 20 years before he passed away in 2017. Her previous work experience in digital advertising allowed her to hone her negotiation and management skills. She enjoys developing more efficient processes to streamline work and train people in their roles. When Nicole is not at Saint Clement, she can be found planning events for her award-winning Chicago event planning company, visiting her family, or enjoying Chicago with friends.
nzenner@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 117
Administration
Mary Ellen Blanchard Database Mgr & Financial Stewardship Assistant
Mary Ellen Blanchard Database Mgr & Financial Stewardship Assistant
Mary Ellen joined Saint Clement Parish staff in August 2008 as Database Manager and Financial Stewardship assistant. As Database Manager she is responsible for keeping parishioner information up to date. This includes adding new parishioner information and changes in parishioner status. In addition, she enters all contributions, prepares various mailing lists and reports. She also provides computer support to the staff.
She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Communications and a master’s degree from National Lewis University as a Reading Specialist. Before joining Saint Clement, Mary Ellen was a Real Estate Broker and owner/broker of a residential mortgage company. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, she is proud mother of two children and Grandmother of a delightful granddaughter.
mblanchard@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 116
Chris Bagnall Director of Finance & Administration
Chris Bagnall Director of Finance & Administration
Christopher Bagnall joined the parish staff in 2016 temporarily, guiding the Saint Clement finances as he continued consultant work with the Office of Finance for the Archdiocese. Chris now begins his full-time staff relationship with Saint Clement as Director of Finance & Administration.
Chris is responsible for finances and human resources. This includes budget preparation and management, annual and interim reports to the Archdiocese, staff liaison to the Finance Council and the monthly reports provided to them, bill paying, bank relations, and managing the work of the administrative staff. He routinely reviews contracts and purchasing processes. Chris attends the meetings of the Building and Grounds committee, guides the expense side of construction projects, major repairs, renovations and any capital projects. He is also responsible for human resources, including processing payroll and acting as the local benefits administrator, and assists the pastor in hiring of new staff. He works closely with the Coordinator of Stewardship & Development in assessing fund raising activities and acts as liaison to Archdiocesan administrative agencies.
Chris spent over 40 years in the corporate business environment and retired at the end of 2013 to pursue a new career in non-profit consulting. His career was in executive management, sales management, and marketing positions and possesses strong sales, administrative, analytic, financial, computer, and people skills. He was President/Chairman of MCG (Division of Randa Accessories,) a Retail Service Provider, providing service modules and support to department and speciality stores for the US market. Prior to that, he served in sales management positions for Randa Accessories, as well as marketing and E-commerce positions.
cbagnall@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 122
Gael Day Receptionist & Wedding Coordinator
Gael Day Receptionist & Wedding Coordinator
Gael joined Saint Clement in February 2007 as our Parish Receptionist and Wedding Coordinator. In her role as Parish Receptionist, she provides both welcome and hospitality to all who come to the Parish Office. In addition, Gael is the person on staff who assists with facility scheduling and coordination, keeps all the sacramental records, and supports the parish ministry to our homeless guests.
As Wedding Coordinator, Gael works with couples wishing to be married here, beginning with scheduling the wedding and Marriage Information Night through record keeping and recording. Before joining Saint Clement, Gael worked as an executive assistant to key executives for such companies as Pan American World Airways, Washington National Insurance Company, and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. She was born and raised in New York City, is the proud grandmother of two grandchildren, and loves to spend time with them.
gday@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371
Joanna Krynski Outreach and Adult Formation Assistant
Joanna Krynski Outreach and Adult Formation Assistant
Joanna joined the Saint Clement Parish staff in April 2005, serving as the Communications Specialist until May 2014. Joanna now serves the parish as the Outreach and Adult Formation Assistant, coordinating the Friday Sack Lunch & Hospitality Ministry, the Donate-a-Day program, and Plaza Hospitality, as well as assisting with other service, hospitality, and parish-wide events. She also provides administrative support to our Director of Community Outreach, Maggie, and our Pastoral Associate, Christina, and maintains many of their communication needs.
Joanna graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Creative Writing and Women Studies, earning the John Gerrietts Award for Excellence in Creative Writing—awarded to one graduating senior each year. During college, she held internships at the Field Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art (in their marketing and media relations departments, respectively). In June 2013, Joanna graduated (with distinction) from DePaul University, earning a Master of Arts degree in Writing and Publishing.
jkrynski@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 144
Kaitlin Lounsberry Communications Specialist
Kaitlin Lounsberry Communications Specialist
As the Communication Specialist, Kaitlin is responsible for the parish’s visual, written and online communication. This includes designing and editing the weekly bulletin and printed materials (brochures, signage, flyers, etc); serving as the managing editor of The Plaza, our weekly e-newsletter; and updating the parish website. Kaitlin manages the social media of the parish such as our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and she oversees the parish’s multimedia, which includes scheduling daily posts, ads, and using other multimeida outreach tools. Kaitlin also creates other multimedia content to help enhance the parish's online presence such as videos, graphics, and audio content.
Kaitlin graduated magna cume laude from Columbia College Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and minor in fiction writing. She has bylines in publications such as The State Journal-Register, The Columbia Chronicle, Pop' Stache and Chicago Talks. Kaitlin has also managed social media accounts for AARP Illinois. She is currently working towards a Master's degree from DePaul University.
klounsberry@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 118
Katherine White Catechesis Administrative Assistant
Katherine White Catechesis Administrative Assistant
Katherine White began working at Saint Clement in 2010 as a Babysitter and R.E. Receptionist. Now she is currently full-time as both night-time receptionist and administrative assistant. She works under the Director of Operations and Director of Children and Family Catechesis assisting with Religious Education, sacramental preparation, and other miscellaneous work throughout the Parish. Katherine White has been a part of the Saint Clement community since 1997 as a kindergartener at Saint Clement School. She works Friday and Sunday Mornings and Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday Evenings.
Katherine received her degree in Applied Mathematics from Northeastern University in May 2016 and received both Association of Women in Mathematics and Peer-Leading awards two years in a row. She has also completed an internship at the Joffrey Ballet.
kwhite@clement.org773 - 281 - 0371 ext. 112
Maintenance
David Erwin Maintenance
David Erwin Maintenance
Dave joined Saint Clement Maintenance staff in July 2005. He is responsible for the cleanliness and orderliness of the church, chapel, and parish grounds. In addition, Dave works with staff and parishioners to ensure that the various meetings and activities have the proper set-up. Strong and kind, you will often find Dave helping parishioners and staff by carrying a “heavy load” for our outreach programs. Dave was born in Oak Park and has lived in the Chicago area his entire life. He enjoys music, movies and bike riding.
Jim Kelley Director of Plant Management
Jim Kelley Director of Plant Management
Jim joined Saint Clement in January 2000 as head of Maintenance. He is responsible for the overall cleanliness and safety of the parish which includes both the church and school buildings and grounds. Jim coordinates the daily activities of the parish maintenance staff and works with outside vendors as needed to keep the mechanical systems in good repair and working order. Jim has been married for 24 years and has two children.
jkelley@stclementschool.org7732810371