-St. Anthony Parish welcomes Fr. Mark Tracy as the new Parochial Vicar. He will celebrate Mass and integrate himself into the religious formation programs at both schools. Fr. Tracy was ordained a priest on May 28, 2018, after attending St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, IN. Prior to attending seminary, he graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Fr. Tracy grew up one of four children in Mt. Sterling, IL, where his parents continue to reside.
-St. Anthony Grade School welcomes Mrs. Jamie Bayler as a new Kindergarten teacher. After attending Eastern Illinois University to receive her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, she served at St. Joseph Catholic School in Olney, IL, for ten years as a preschool teacher. Mrs. Bayler is a St. Anthony Grade School and St. Anthony High School alumna. She now resides in Effingham with her husband, Scott, and their son.
-Also, new to the grade school is Mrs. Christy Hiatt. Mrs. Hiatt has worked with St. Anthony High School exclusively as the Art teacher for the past seven years. She will also now serve the students of both schools. Prior to her contributions to St. Anthony High School, she taught at Neoga High School for seven years. She earned her B.S. in Art Education from Greenville University in Greenville, IL. Mrs. Hiatt and her husband, Kevin, live in Effingham with their four children.
-Like Hiatt, Mrs. Angie Tkachuk will share her talents with students at both the grade school and high school teaching vocal music. Mrs. Tkachuk has many years experience teaching at schools throughout the States of Illinois and Wisconsin. She received her B.S. in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin in Platteville, WI. Mrs. Tkachuk and her husband reside in Altamont, IL, and have three sons.
-St. Anthony Grade School also brings on a new After School Program Director and part-time para-professional. Mrs. Jamie Sayne will be the new After School Program Director and grade school secretary. Mrs. Sayne is also an alumna of both St. Anthony Grade School and St. Anthony High School. Last year she served as a para-professional at the grade school. Mrs. Bobbie Chambers has also been hired as a new part-time para-professional to assist with the primary grades.
St. Anthony High School welcomes new Theology Instructor, Mr. Matthew Green, and Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Shae Thoele.
–Mr. Matthew Green joins St. Anthony High School as the new theology teacher and campus minister. Mr. Green was received into the Catholic Church in April 2018. Prior to joining the Church, he held roles such as student minister in various Protestant parishes in Georgia and Tennessee. He received a B.A. in Christian Ministry from Bryan College in Dayton, OH, a M.A. in Christian Thought from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC, and attended courses at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, IN. Originally from the Tennessee area, Green and his wife live in Effingham with their two sons.
-Also joining St. Anthony High School is Mrs. Shae Thoele as the new Guidance Counselor. Mr. Thoele has held previous positions as a math teach at Alton High School in Alton, IL and Effingham High School in Effingham, IL. She also served as a credit and finance analyst at Midland States Bank in Effingham. Thoele earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL. She resides in Effingham with her husband and newborn son. She is also an alumna of both St. Anthony Grade School and St. Anthony High School.