Meet the Staff
PASTOR, Fr. Stuart H. Pinette was born and raised in New Milford, CT. He received a B.A. in History from the University of Hartford, an M.A. in Politics & Philosophy from the University of Oxford, and a Master of Divinity as well as a Licentiate in Systematic Theology (Ecclesiology) from St. Mary’s Seminary & University. Since his ordination in 1995, he has served at various parishes. He was the Associate Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Church in Hamden for four years; Administrator of St. Michael’s Church in Hartford for two years; Temporary Administrator of St. Bernadette Church in New Haven for two months; Pastor of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Oakville for five years; and pastor of Saint Elizabeth Seton Church since August of 2006. In addition to parish ministry, Fr. Stu has been on the Bioethics Committee for the Franciscan Life Center in Meriden and a member of the Priest’s Enrichment Committee, the Advisory Board for the Office of Small Christian Communities, and the Diaconate Formation Faculty for the Archdiocese of Hartford.
DEACON, Mike Shelto joined Saint Elizabeth Seton in October, 2003. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate June 21, 1986 and has been serving in ministry at Saint James Church in Rocky Hill for the past 17 years. Deacon Mike, and his wife Peg, have lived in Rocky Hill for 45 years and have 3 grown sons – David, Anthony and Michael Jr.
PASTORAL MINISTER, Eileen Bransfield has been a member of Saint Elizabeth Seton for twenty three years. She has served in liturgical ministries for much of that time. Eileen has completed several graduate courses in Religious Studies. She holds certificates in Lay Ministry and in Spirituality. Eileen’s studies and prayer have led her to a deep love for the liturgical life of the Church and an appreciation for the power of the liturgy to change our hearts and our world.
MINISTER OF THE SICK AND HOMEBOUND, Maria Berman joined St. Elizabeth Seton Church in October 1997. Since April of 2003 she has coordinated the Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion visiting the sick and homebound. After completing the Lay Ministry Formation Program in May 2010 she has joined the staff as Minister to the Sick and Homebound reaching out to the sick and homebound of our parish through prayer, Eucharist and compassion.
FAITH FORMATION COORDINATOR, MaryAnn Fagan joined the community in 2009 to head up the Faith Formation Program at Saint Elizabeth Seton.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC, Elizabeth V. Husmer joined the community in 1996 after serving in a similar capacity at Saint Helena Church in West Hartford. Elizabeth resides in Newington and has two degrees from the Hartt School of Music. She ministers full-time at Saint Elizabeth Seton, and gives private voice and piano lessons.
PARISH SECRETARY, Pamela Funk started with us in March, 2011. Pam grew up in Northford, CT and has resided in Rocky Hill, with her husband Bryan, since 1998. She enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with family. Pam has two grown sons and a grand daughter.
PARISH BOOKKEEPER, Gisele Reyngoudt has been on staff at Saint Elizabeth Seton Church since 2001 responsible for development and maintenance of the church website. In June, 2009, Gisele also assumed bookkeeping duties for the parish.