Clergy & Vestry
Clergy & Vestry
Meet Our Interim Priest-in-Charge,
The Rev. Canon Nancy Suellau
Nancy is a native Floridian, hailing from Tallahassee. She has three degrees from Florida State University and, after a long career in nursing, answered God’s call to the ministry. In 2007, she received her MDiv and was ordained to the priesthood. She served in the Diocese of Florida in various capacities until 2022, when she retired to the Pittsburgh area to be closer to family and to get out of the Florida heat. Nancy loves people, interesting conversations, new adventures, good coffee and a great book. She is grateful for Jesus’ saving grace in her life and yours.
Clergy Schedule
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Meet Our Priest-in-Charge, (starting June 1)
The Rev. Laura Di Panfilo
Laura comes to us from Pittsburgh’s South Hills, where she has served as Associate Rector at St. Paul’s, Mt. Lebanon for nearly seven years. Originally from Massachusetts, she is a graduate of Emory University, where she studied Women’s Studies and Religious Studies. She holds a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts in Ministry from General Theological Seminary in New York City. Laura was ordained to the priesthood in December 2019 at St. Paul’s, after her ordination as a deacon in New Jersey earlier that year.
Before her time in Pittsburgh, Laura served as a hospital chaplain at a trauma center in Trenton, New Jersey. She is also a certified Kripalu yoga instructor and has taught in both studio and church settings, finding meaningful connections between spiritual and physical practices of care and restoration.
Laura's husband, the Rev. Dr. Luke Zerra, serves at St. Peter’s, Brentwood and as interim Dean of the Stevenson School for Ministry, an online formation program for leaders in the Episcopal Church. Laura and Luke share their home with two young daughters, ages four and two months old, along with their pug, who keeps life lively.
Laura will begin her ministry with us on June 1, but will celebrate and preach at St. Brendan's for the first time on June 14.
St. Brendan's Staff
Parish Administrator: Katie Cervone
Katie manages the church office and assists the priest-in-charge and the vestry members with administrative and other duties related to keeping our organization running smoothly. Her office hours are currently Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Music Director: Daniel May
Daniel coordinates the liturgical music at St. Brendan's and ensures that our services are blessed with beautiful music.
Nursery Coordinator: Liz MacDonald
Our Nursery Manager oversees the nursery during our 10:00 a.m. service, keeping our tiniest and youngest Brendanites occupied so that parents are free to worship more fully.
St. Brendan's Vestry
St. Brendan’s vestry is comprised of nine members, elected by the congregation, who serve staggered three-year terms. The vestry provides administrative and financial oversight and hires the necessary parish staff, including the priest. Each year the vestry selects a senior warden from its ranks who is the primary elected lay leader of the parish and presides at vestry meetings. The vestry also elects a junior warden, who sees to the maintenance of the church’s grounds and building. Each vestry member has one or more specific areas of oversight.
Senior Warden:
Ken Parsons (vestry member until Jan. 2028)
Junior Warden:
Mike Wick (vestry member until Jan. 2028)
Vestry Members:
Donna Aiello (until Jan. 2028) — Hospitality/Worship
Frances Harpst (until Jan. 2027) — New Members/Outreach
Mark McKarnin (until Jan. 2029) — Adult Formation, Technology
Melanie Popovich (until Jan. 2027) — Pastoral Care, Clerk/Secretary
Paul Quinn (until Jan. 2029) — Finance/Fundraising
Sue Wimmer (until Jan. 2027) — Communications
Zach Hebert (until Jan. 2029) — Inreach, Children & Youth
Treasurer: Kevin Boyd