Diocesan Planning Commission

The Diocese of Crookston has established a Diocesan Planning Commission to assist in renewing and strengthening parish life across the diocese. This commission plays an important role in supporting parishes and regions as they prepare for the future.
The work of the Planning Commission includes:

• Facilitating regional and parish meetings where planning for mission and collaboration will take place.

• Serving as a liaison between the diocese, priests, and parishioners to ensure clear communication throughout the process.

• Providing local expertise to help parishes navigate planning discussions.

• Reviewing parish life data, demographic trends, and other information in order to make informed recommendations to the Bishop of Crookston about parish structures and collaboration.

Members of the commission are also asked to:

• Approach planning with a diocesan perspective, seeking the good of the whole Church.

• Travel to parishes as needed, listening to parishioners’ concerns with patience and understanding.

• Collaborate as a team to support priests and parish leaders, including participating in parish meetings and public events where input is sought.

This commission will also contribute to the development of parish planning tools designed to assist local discernment and decision-making. Through their work, the Planning Commission helps ensure that parishes across the diocese are well-prepared to carry out their mission in the years ahead.

Diocesan Planning Commission Members

Brian Wavra
Brian is a member of Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks and a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a degree in economics. He currently works as a product data manager for Acme Tools. Brian and his wife, Kelly, have one adult child. His favorite saint is St. Michael the Archangel, while his favorite holy day is Easter Sunday.

Father Tom Niehaus
Father Tom Niehaus serves as pastor of St. Mary’s Mission, Red Lake and the Holy Spirit Newman Center at Bemidji State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies from Mankato State University and a master’s degree in geography from South Dakota State University before beginning his seminary studies. Father Tom was ordained a priest in 2008 and is a member of the Companions of Christ priestly fraternity. His favorite saint is St. John Bosco, while his favorite holy day is All Souls’ Day.

Barb Schmitz
Barb is a member of St. Joseph, Brooks. She earned her legal secretary degree from a technical school and is now self-employed as a safety consultant and is a soon-to-be published author. Barb and her husband, Arnie, have three adult children and five grandchildren. Her favorite saint is St. Padre Pio, while her favorite holy day is Christmas Eve, when she especially enjoys Mass at Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks, where her son, Father Matt, currently serves as pastor.

Deacon Jim Lukenbill
Deacon Jim is a member of Sacred Heart, Baudette, where he serves as a pastoral associate. He and his wife, Bernadette, have two adult children. His favorite saint is St. Augustine of Hippo, while his favorite holy day is Holy Saturday and celebrating the Easter Vigil.

Hope Bach
Hope serves as youth minister at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston. She graduated from the University of Mary with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice. Her favorite saints are St. Peter and St. John Bosco, while her favorite feast day is the Feast of the Transfiguration.

Deacon Tom Jirik
Deacon Tom is a member of St. Andrew, Hawley. He holds bachelor’s degrees in agricultural economics and mass communications from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and works as communications coordinator for the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute at NDSU. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 39 years and have two married adult children. Ordained a deacon in 2008, he has served at St. Andrew’s ever since. His favorite saint is St. Peter, while his favorite holy day is Holy Saturday and celebrating the Easter Vigil.

Jessica Foss
Jessica is a member of Blessed Sacrament, Greenbush and a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in human resource management. She currently works as a financial advisor at TruStone Wealth Management. Jessica and her husband, Troy, have two teenage children. Her favorite saint is St. Monica, while her favorite liturgical celebration is the Sacred Triduum.

Brant Bigger
Brant is a member of St. Francis Xavier, Lake Park. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from North Dakota State University and a master’s degree in horticulture from the University of Nebraska. Brant works as a support scientist with the federal Agricultural Research Service and is also a self-employed septic designer and inspector. He and his wife, Tami, have been married for 24 years and have three children: Hailey, Blake and Hannah. His favorite saint is St. Isidore the Farmer, while his favorite holy day is Trinity Sunday.

Joshua DeCock
Joshua is from St. Joseph, Moorhead. Joshua graduated from NDSU with a degree in electrical engineering. Joshua is currently the vice president of product management at Pedigree Technologies. Joshua has six children from ages 14 to 3 with his wife, Tracy. His favorite saint is St. Thomas More, while his favorite holy day is Divine Mercy Sunday.

LeAnn Carlson
LeAnn is a member of St. Peter the Apostle, Park Rapids and a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a degree in education. A former preschool teacher, she is now enjoying retirement. LeAnn and her husband, Dale, have four adult children and eight grandchildren. Her favorite saints are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, while her favorite liturgical celebration is the Easter Triduum.

Vickie Anderson
Vickie is a member of St. Joseph, Beaulieu and a graduate of the College of St. Scholastica, where she earned her degree in physical therapy. She recently began working at a new clinic. Vickie and her husband, Barry, share a deep love of their faith. She has several favorite saints, including St. Scholastica, St. Faustina and St. Sebastian. Her favorite holy day is Christmas Eve, because she especially enjoys watching the children carry the statues to the manger during Mass.

Laura Golden
Laura is a member of Sts. Peter and Paul, Warren. She earned her BSN in nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a stay-at-home mom who teaches the Creighton and Marquette Methods of natural family planning. Laura and her husband, Tyler, have been married for nine years and have four children, including a baby boy born this past September. Her favorite saint is St. Thérèse, while her favorite holy day is Divine Mercy Sunday.

Patrick Brickson
Patrick is a member of St. Bernard, Thief River Falls. He earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in IT leadership from the College of St. Scholastica. Patrick currently works as an IT/data consultant with CHS, Inc. He and his wife, Laura, have been married for 31 years and have three adult children. His favorite saint is St. Patrick, while his favorite holy day is Holy Saturday and celebrating the Easter Vigil.

Michael Moe
Michael is a member of Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes and a graduate of the University of North Dakota with a degree in electrical engineering. He enjoyed a career as a pilot with Delta Airlines and is now retired. Michael and his wife, Jean, have three adult children. His favorite saint is St. Michael, while his favorite holy day is Holy Saturday and celebrating the Easter Vigil.

LaVerne Moltzan
LaVerne is a member of Holy Rosary, Detroit Lakes. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Minnesota State University- Moorhead and a master’s in management with a human resources concentration from the University of Mary. LaVerne enjoyed a 40-year career in banking and human resources and is now retired. She and her husband, Robert, have two married children and three grandchildren. Her favorite saint is St. Joseph, while her favorite liturgical celebration is Christmas Eve Mass.

Shannon Smidt
Shannon is a member of Sacred Heart, East Grand Forks and works as an operations manager at the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration at the University of North Dakota. She and her husband, Greg, have two adult children and one granddaughter. Shannon’s favorite saint is St. Joan of Arc, while her favorite holy days are Christmas Eve and Good Friday.

Pam Johnson
Pam is a member of St. Joseph, Moorhead and a graduate of the University of North Dakota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accountancy. She works as a financial adviser with Alerus in Fargo. Pam and her husband, Mark, have two adult children. Her favorite saint is St. Jude, while she especially loves the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week.

Father Vincent Miller
Father Vincent serves as pastor of St. Joseph, Moorhead; St. Francis de Sales, Moorhead; and St. John, Georgetown. He is a priest of 27 years and holds a doctorate in sacred theology. His favorite saint is St. Vincent de Paul, while his favorite holy day is Holy Thursday.