Fr. Michael Donahue, OP
Youth Ministry Director
Fr. Michael hails from Moorhead, Minnesota, just across the Red River from Fargo, North Dakota. After growing up in the frozen tundra great plains, and after studying math and physics in college, he entered the Dominican Order in 2016. He was ordained a priest in May of 2023, at which point he was assigned to St. Patrick’s as a parochial vicar and as the new Director of Youth Ministry. In his spare time, he enjoys brewing a good cup of coffee, going on hikes, and playing the organ at St. Patrick’s. His favorite saints include St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Elizabeth of the Trinity.
Eddie Cotter
Assistant Director
As the Director and Co-founder of Dead Theologians Society (DTS), Eddie brings over twenty years of youth ministry experience to St. Patrick’s, where his family has roots going back 125 years. The DTS apostolate often takes him to Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the missionary work he does there is very near and dear to his heart. Prior to his career in youth ministry, Eddie was a Social Worker with Catholic Social Services, Director of the Juvenile Court of Hardin County, and (in the “Big 80s”) drummer for the popular rock band, The Bellows. An old hand at the bodhrán, he also plays internationally with the traditional Irish band, The Kells. He and his wife Katie have been married for 30 years, and they have two adult children, Rory and Maeve.
Sister Leonarda Zielinska, O.P.
Core Team Member
Sister Leonarda, originally from Poland, has served in the United States as a Dominican Sister for the last seventeen years. She currently serves as the Director of Religious Education at St. Patrick’s, overseeing a CCD program that serves hundreds of children from pre-schoolers through seniors in high school. Her favorite animal is the Grumpy Cat and one of her favorite saints is St. Michael the Archangel (Sister definitely has friends in high places!)
Sister Felicity Wolf, O.P.
Core Team Member
Sister Felicity is glad to serve on the Core Team for a third year–St. Patrick’s reminds her of her home parish in Portland, OR, but with an unparalleled youth group to boot! Serving in Columbus as a Sister of St. Dominic, Sr. Felicity also teaches high school religion at Bishop Hartley High School. She loves people, plants, and animals (not in that order) and has counted bunnies, shrimp, a lizard, and a tarantula among her pets at one time or another. Two of her top favorite saints are St. Felicity and St. Perpetua. Other than “Sister”, she does not go by any nicknames, except when Eddie’s suffering memory loss.
Sister Charbel Joseph, OP
Core Team Member
Sister Charbel Joseph is from California, but was born in the Philippines. Before arriving in Columbus this past August of 2023, she was working for her community’s private-run nursing home in Justice, Illinois for about eight years. She misses the elderly residents from her prior work, but she is excited to be involved with St. Patrick’s Youth Ministry! She is also the vocation’s promoter for her province, particularly helping young women who feel a tug towards religious life. She loves to cook (and eat). She loves Our Lady, St. Joseph, St. Charbel, St. Dominic, St. André Bessette, St. Bruno, Bl. Solanus Casey, and so many others!
Kristen Chenoweth
Core Team Member
Kristen hails from the great state of Michigan (go Blue!), where she spent most of her life before entering with the Dominican Sisters, Immaculate Conception Province this past November as an aspirant. She is a proud convert to the faith and was received into the Church on October 28, 2017 – the feast day of Ss. Simon & Jude, just three days before the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. Prior to her entrance with the Dominican Sisters, Kristen studied Family Ministry and Nonprofit Administration and has loved working with students, families, and nonprofit leaders to facilitate intentional catechesis, deeper prayer, and greater conversion in our ongoing relationship with God and the understanding of our faith. Her favorite pastimes are hiking, playing cribbage and cards with her family, reading, and exploring Catholic Churches, shrines, and holy sites. A few of her favorite saints include St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Simeon, and St. Clare of Assisi.
Philippe Nguimbous
Core Team Member
An alumn of St. Patrick’s Youth Ministry, Philippe now studies studio art and business administration at the University of Arizona. He is spending this year in Upper Arlington with his family, and spending his free time helping with Youth Ministry. His favorite saint is St. Patrick, and his double-jointed self proves to be helpful cooking in the kitchen and balling on the basketball court. His favorite darts partner is Eddie Cotter, whom he has fittingly nicknamed “Red Bull.”
Joseph Foley
Core Team Member
Joe foley is from grove city Ohio. He attended Franciscan university where he studied philosophy & theology. Joe currently works with his brother Pat on their start up home renovation business. Joe enjoys hiking, playing with his nephews, and playing boardgames. His favorite saints include St. Josemaria Escriva, St. Thomas Aquinas, andSt. José Sanchez del Rio.
Kathleen Foley
Core Team Member
Tim Foley
Core Team Member
Raised in a household of eight kids, Tim calls Grove City home. When he is not birdwatching, rock climbing, or owning the gaga ball court, he works as a plumber around the Columbus area. Tim has a few siblings in Youth Group. He is also awaiting his firstborn this coming new year.
Ciara Gerrity
Core Team Member
Ciara was born and raised in Westerville, OH. She graduated from Columbus State’s nursing program in May 2023. She is currently working in the Neuro ICU at Riverside Methodist. She loves anything outside; hiking, fishing, camping, etc. She is one of 7 children. Fun fact! All of them Irish danced for close to 15 years! Her favorite saint is St. Joseph.
Maeve Gerrity
Core Team Member
Maeve Gerrity is from Westerville Ohio, and grew up attending St. Patrick’s Church. Maeve hopes to graduate from Columbus State with a nursing degree in December. Maeve currently works at St. Patrick’s as a cleaner. When she’s not studying, Maeve likes to read books, hang out with family, and go on long walks. Her favorites are St. Joan of Arc, Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, and St. Maximillian Kolbe.
Orla Gerrity
Core Team Member
Orla is from Ohio through and through! She is currently in college finishing up her associate’s degree. She likes to crochet. She puts puzzle pieces together like a boss, and she enjoys playing the piano. As a quirk, she reads the last few pages of a book first before deciding if it is in fact worth her time. Her favorite saints are St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Alexandria.
