Officer Bios

Chapter Director -- A recognized leader, willing to put in the time necessary to make a Chapter work. Should be a person who is effective in recruiting a few people to work with him/her. The Director need not be a musician and may be a priest or a person holding a diocesan office.

Assistant Director for Recruiting -- A person who could replace the Director. An enthusiastic person that is willing to track attendance, invite newcomers and keep in touch with inactive members.

Coordinator for Planning -- A very organized, efficient person who likes to work more in the background than out front. This person should have a good idea of the talents and meeds in the diocese.

Animator for Koinonia -- An outgoing person who likes to be a host or hostess and is a prayer leader. Community spirit is important.

Secretary/Treasurer -- A dependable person that will attend every meeting. This person should be comfortable with basic financial duties. A practical, logical person is best in this position.

Jason Lewis

Jason Lewis has been serving as Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Mentor since 2000. He is also the Director of Bereavement and Older Adult Ministry for the Diocese of Cleveland and works out of the Department for Marriage and Family Ministry. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Catholic Studies, and a Master of Arts degree in Ministry, both from Ursuline College. He is also a certified Lay Ecclesial Minister in the diocese.

Cmbined statement from Jason and Susanne:

"It is our hope that we will be able to lead the chapter in a new direction, especially in light of the changes that are going on in our diocese with parishes that are closing and merging. Making sure that everyone's voice is heard and that various issues are brought to the forefront regarding pastoral musicians is extremely important to the both of us. We also want to provide continuing education opportunities for all pastoral musicians as well as other liturgical music workshops and offerings in conjunction with the Office for Worship. We believe that our team leadership is the best approach for this task!"

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I have been the NPM Cleveland Chapter Director for six years. Though it is time for me step down as Director, I am willing to serve the chapter as secretary/treasurer and I have organizational skills which are helpful to the job. I continue for one more year as music director at St. Wendelin Church until the closing on May 23, 2010. I have worn many hats at my parish, so I am hoping that my additional skills other than music will help in looking for a new position. I am very involved with my family (up to 3 grandchildren with another on the way). My husband Frank has been unemployed for nearly three years, but keeps busy with the grandchildren and various other projects.

Bob Soeder

Bob Soeder currently resides in Wickliffe and is serving in his eleventh year as Director of Liturgy and Music at St. Monica Church in Garfield Hts. Over the last thirty four years, besides St. Monica's, he has served as Music Director of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Willowick, St. Francis of Assisi in Gates Mills, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wickliffe, and St. Philip Neri in Cleveland. A graduate of Benedictine High School, Bob holds a music degree from Cuyahoga Community College and pastoral ministry certifications from both Notre Dame College of Ohio and the Diocese of Cleveland. He has served on the boards of the North Coast Association of Lay Ministers (NOCALM), the former Diocesan Liturgy Commission and chaired the former Diocesan Music Committee. Currently, he is a member of the NPM, American Guild of Organists, and the National Association of Pastoral Ministers. Bob is also a third degree black belt and instructor at the Kang Do Won Martial Arts Institute in Willowick, and is co-founder of KDW's Garfield Heights Campus. His wife, Maureen is also a third degree black belt and instructor, and teaches English at Cleveland State University and Lakeland Community College.

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Joe Metzinger

Joe is currently Director of Music Ministries at Gesu Parish in University Heights. Before moving to Cleveland, he was music director of the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Washington, DC, liturgist at St. Helena Cathedral in Helena, Montana, and music director for Campus Ministry at the Catholic University of America. At Indiana University Joe received his bachelors degree in music; he earned Masters and Doctorate degrees in liturgical music at the Catholic University in Washington, DC. Currently he works for the Liturgica.com website, writing articles on western liturgy and reviewing recordings. Joe has publications on Gregorian Chant, pastoral music and liturgical environment. In addition to the NPM, he is a member of the American Guild of Organists, and the North American Academy of Liturgy.

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Susanne Sande

Susanne has been a member of NPM National since 1997, and served as Secretary to the NPM Cleveland Chapter from 2002-2005. She has studied voice and piano, has participated in NPM conventions and Diocesan workshops, and continues to seek avenues for further development. Susanne is currently a Cantor and choir member at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Willowick, where she has been for 12 years. She converted to Catholicism in 1994, at St. Noel Parish in Willoughby Hills, and joined the music ministry soon after. In addition to her pastoral music background, she holds a B.A. in Psychology and has a strong background in business through working for a major healthcare organization.

Cmbined statement from Jason and Susanne:

"It is our hope that we will be able to lead the chapter in a new direction, especially in light of the changes that are going on in our diocese with parishes that are closing and merging. Making sure that everyone's voice is heard and that various issues are brought to the forefront regarding pastoral musicians is extremely important to the both of us. We also want to provide continuing education opportunities for all pastoral musicians as well as other liturgical music workshops and offerings in conjunction with the Office for Worship. We believe that our team leadership is the best approach for this task!"

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