Juan Crespo
Student Parishioner   Chair
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I am a junior majoring in Atmospheric Science. I am from South Bend, Indiana, but I was actually born in Reading, Pennsylvania and was the first in my Peruvian family to be born in the United States. My parents have always raised me Catholic and stressed the importance of being involved in Church outside of Sunday Mass. Because of this, I was very involved in my parish back home, participating in the youth group, going on various mission trips and even a pilgrimage! When I first came to Purdue, one of the first places I came to was St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center. I have to admit, it was hard to go from my typical home parish to St. Tom’s, but slowly I opened up my heart to the wonderful Catholic community and I have loved every single minute of it. The people that I have gotten to know through PCS, Boiler Awakening and Wednesday night Mass have become some of best friends during my time here at Purdue. Whenever I step into St. Tom’s, I truly feel like I am at home.

During my free time outside of class, I work through the SATS office as a Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leader for Calculus I, as well as working on separate research projects with Purdue and the University of Michigan. I currently serve as secretary of the Purdue University Meteorological Association (PUMA) and a College of Science Ambassador. I am also an avid Purdue and Green Bay Packers fan, and I even own a share of the Packers. I share my Boilermaker pride as one of the contributing authors on a popular Purdue blog, Hammer and Rails, as the Volleyball Correspondent. As an atmospheric science major, I love the weather! When everyone is usually running indoors for safety during storms, you can count on me standing outside just waiting for the perfect photo opportunity.

Pam Applegate
Resident Parishioner   Vice-Chair
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My husband, Bruce, and I moved to West Lafayette in 2001. He started as Assistant Professor in the Food Science Department at Purdue in January. We have two teenagers of our own at this time, Bruce and Sarah. We were a guardian to another teenager, Lucas. The two boys and I moved here in June and Sarah came up about 6 weeks later after being with Grandparents. We all moved into our new home in August. The community in the Lafayette area was very warm and welcoming. Our teenagers are now young adults and attending college.
I work as a closing agent for Stallard & Schuh, Inc., in Lafayette, where I aid in the closing of home purchases or refinances.
I have been more involved with St. Tom's over the past several years. I wanted the feeling of belonging. I wanted to make a difference. By getting involved I would begin to get to know the people I see in Church each week and start to feel connected.
I first became involved with the Women's Group; they met after the 9am mass so that was perfect. Then I saw a bulletin asking for help with the pre-school or kindergarten age children. I thought that would be so much fun since I have just finished with teenagers graduating from high school. But, when I called on Monday, it was already filled however; they did need someone to help with the 4th grade. I remember looking upward thinking ok, pretty funny. I was willing to help with the younger ones and that was a pretty sneaky way to get me to make that phone call. Will I still offer my hands to help--as I was initially saying the Lord could have? I said, yes. Since then I have taught the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade religious education classes and sometimes more than once but I especially enjoy assisting in lieu of being, the teacher.
I have helped with the second grade retreat in the spring. I spent one year in the Just Faith and one year in the Just Skills programs. I've been involved with Jubilee Christmas. Help when I can with the van driving on the weekends for Family Promise. Currently I'm assisting with 4th grade religious education with two other wonderful women, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan, and RCIA Sponsor.
I am a sponsor of a little boy in Ghana, his name is Franklin. His birthday is in April just like mine and he will be turning 5. I had asked my husband a year and a half ago if he would mind instead of me renewing my gym membership for the same amount spent each month could I sponsor this little boy. He told me, yes. I have enjoyed corresponding with him and sending him monthly High Five magazines (younger version of Highlights). I've received pictures of him. I always talk about Jesus in my notes and how much Jesus loves him. I keep his picture on my desk at work and it helps me to remember to pray for him daily and hope he has enough to eat and a safe place to lay his head down at night. I love his hand drawn pictures he sends me, there treasured.
I belong to the Lord, I tell him to use me and to show me what he wants me to do and I try to stay open to his response. Sometimes you don't know where that might take you. I love snow skiing and it's like going down a slope with mogels...you got to keep your knees bent because you never know what's coming. 

Randy Studt
Resident Parishioner   Secretary
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Randy is single, lives in Lafayette and teaches German at West Lafayette High School.  He converted to Catholicism in 1987 and was very active in his first parish, St. Joe's in Reynolds, Indiana serving as CCD teacher, DRE, Parish council member, Secretary and in the ministries of lector and Eucharistic Minister.  He started teaching at North White High School in Monon, and has been at WLHS for the past nine years.  He is active in many community and statewide organizations including Civic Theatre, the Lafayette Human Relations Commission and his professional organization, ISTA and WLEA.

He joined St. Tom's in 1998, when he moved to Lafayette.  In the past few years, he has served as altar server, lector and extraordinary minister, and has volunteered in many capacities.  As a resident parishioner who is also involved in student ministries, he has a unique perspective.   In his precious spare time, he enjoys heated political discussion, biking and hanging out with friends.  You can find him at his office away from home  - Grey House.

Guadalupe E. Acosta-Roberts
Resident Parishioner
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I was born in Lafayette and soon thereafter my family and I moved back to Mexico where my father returned to teach at his alma mater in Saltillo, Coahuila. I lived with my parents, but we visited West Lafayette several times a year while my older siblings were attending Purdue. Growing up, we lived in Mexico, Nigeria, Uganda, Thailand and Columbia. So much time living abroad instilled me with a love of learning about new cultures and to appreciate all of God’s diverse glory.

In 1993, I attended Purdue and after completing my undergraduate degree in Psychology with minors in Sociology and Women’s Studies, I moved to Chicago to pursue graduate school. I lived in Chicago from 1998 - 2003 and completed the Social Service Administration Master’s program at the University of Chicago in 2000. I enjoyed working as Social Services Director for a Legal Aid office in Evanston and then working with wards of the state within the Chicago Public Schools through Youth Guidance.

Education and Social Justice have always been a passion of mine and I continue that work at Purdue now as a staff member. I have been with the College of Liberal Arts since 2004 where I advised students until 2010 when I transitioned to Student Diversity Initiatives Director; supporting recruitment and retention efforts of underrepresented and first generation students within the College.

I joined St. Thomas when I returned to the area in 2003 and my husband Stephen and I have been parishioners since then. We have been blessed with three beautiful children. They have been enriched by the Sunday school program and look forward to it every week. Our oldest Coco started school at St. Mary’s this past fall and loves it!

I look forward to serving God and our parish as a member of the PPC. Please feel free to contact me.

"Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love."  - St. Therese of the Child Jesus

Marie Catherine Dubé
Student Parishioner
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I am a senior undergoing my second year in the Industrial Design program. Originally from Quebec, Canada, I grew up primarily in Coldwater, Michigan. Home outside of West Lafayette is now Goose Creek, South Carolina (near Charleston). I began my faith journey at St. Tom’s with Campus Renew when I was a freshman, along with a PCE retreat. I couldn’t get enough, and now four years later I am now a Campus Renew leader and have staffed every Boiler Awakening retreat. Outside of St. Tom’s activities, design and art are my absolute passion, and God is my life! I love everything about St. Tom’s and am humbled to deepen my involvement by having been chosen to be on Parish Council!

Lesley Geldart
Resident Parishioner
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My name is Lesley Geldart. Originally from Cleveland, OH,  I moved to West Lafayette to attend graduate school at Purdue and somehow never left.  I’m currently a part time chemistry professor at Ivy Tech Community College and a full time mom to my three kids, Alex, Joe and Gabrielle.  My husband Gregg and  I have been members of St. Tom’s since we moved here in 1993.  In addition to being on the Parish Pastoral Council since 2010, I’ve been involved in various ministries including RCIA team, Day of Discovery team, and sacristan.   Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have questions, problems, or concerns about St. Tom’s.

Joan Gentry
Resident Parishioner
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I lived in Naperville, Il for 30 years. While there, I was involved in many church ministries at St. Thomas the Apostle. These ministries included: 20 years as Eucharistic Minister, 4 years as Sacristan, 5 years helping the homeless shelter, 15 years youth prison ministry (ages 12-21), 1 year hospice. I moved to Lafayette 4 ½ years ago and have become active at St. Tom's as well.

Sarah Kramer
Student Parishioner
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I am a junior in Civil Engineering, emphasizing in structural engineering. I am from the small town of Lawrenceburg, Indiana, near the Greater Cincinnati area. In high school, I helped organized youth retreats because I enjoyed sharing my faith with those around me. I have been a student parishioner at St. Tom's for 3 years and loved every minute of it!  One of the things that I love most about St. Tom's is how much student involvement it allows. I volunteer in teaching religious education on Sundays through LifeGuides and help staff the Boiler Awakening retreats, which are both student led. St. Tom's has also given me the opportunity of traveling to Haiti for my first mission trip. Through St. Tom's, I have been given so many opportunities to broaden my faith that I feel it is only necessary to give back to it. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, feel free to contact me anytime.

Perry Langley
Student Parishioner
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I am a sophomore in the College of Education. My hometown is Bloomington, IN. In my spare time I am a Photographer (Photojournalism and Weddings, mostly) as well as a musician. I am also a cradle Catholic, and have a strong passion for our Faith. While living in Bloomington, I always just assumed that I would end up going to IU. What first made me even consider Purdue was some Purdue Catholic students that on a retreat at my home parish when I was just a freshman in High School. This powerful witness was just a taste of the sense of community and great faith that have helped me to make Purdue and St. Tom's a home over the last two years. At St. Tom's I have been in the Lifeguides program for the last three, going on four semesters. I have also participated in Boiler Awakening, both as a participant and on staff. God has given me this year on Parish Council as an opportunity to serve Him and this parish, and to give back as much as I can to the parish that has made such a huge impact on my life over the last few years.

Erin McNeil
Student Parishioner
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I am a junior, in the College of Education, studying Elementary Education. I am originally from Plymouth, Indiana, where I was born and raised. I transferred to Purdue my sophomore year of college, and I immediately fell in love with St. Toms. I found myself surrounded by an incredible atmosphere, wonderful people, and endless opportunities to praise our God. Through St. Toms I have grown as a person and a Christian, and I couldn’t be more thankful for the community I am blessed with!

Here at Purdue, I am a Resident Assistant in Owen Hall, and I also teach Kindergarten Religious Education through Lifeguides. At St. Toms I also enjoy participating in Boiler Awakening Retreats, daily mass, and adoration. I love spending time with people, and it is my goal to positively impact each person I meet, even if it is in a small way. I am very passionate about educating our youth, and therefore, I cannot wait to have my own classroom! I look forward to serving St. Toms on our Parish Council, so please do not hesitate to contact me with any ideas, concerns, etc!

Charlene Meyer
Resident Parishioner

I grew up in Princeton, Indiana, which is about as far as you can go in Southwestern Indiana without falling into the Ohio River (30 miles north of Evansville on Hwy 41). I graduated from Indiana State University with a double major in Mathematics and Sociology.
I am the second oldest of 14 children. My parents worked very hard taking care of and educating their large family. There are 7 boys and 7 girls. We all love a college education. 7 of my siblings graduated from Purdue. Our occupations include: a Dentist, a Lawyer, a Special Education Teacher, a Social Worker (with a Masters in Social Work), 2 Electrical Engineers, 2 Mechanical Engineers, etc. It is a highly competitive group in my opinion.
I worked in data processing for 29 years. 14 of those years were spent employed by Purdue.
I have Multiple Sclerosis. I was one month into my waiting period to go on a Long Term Disability when my mother's kidney began to fail. I drove her to dialysis in Evansville three times a week for three months. Then her kidneys began to function again. Her problem had been caused by a medication that she was on for another illness. Mom said, "God took care of us through the situation." If I wasn't in my waiting period for Long Term Disability, I couldn't have gone back home and driven her to Dialysis. I lived with her until she died in 2004.
When I returned to West Lafayette, I registered as a member of St. Thomas Aquinas. I have been a member of the parish for 6 years.

Emmanuella Ohaeri
Graduate Student Parishioner
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Hello! My name is Emmanuela Ohaeri. My family is originally from the southern region of Nigeria in Africa where I was born, but have lived in Lansing, Michigan since 1998 when my family immigrated to the United States searching for a better quality of life. I completed my undergraduate studies at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI where the Newman Center at St. Paul’s Campus Parish had a very profound impact on my life. I moved to West Lafayette in the summer of 2008 and began my graduate career in the Chemistry Department at Purdue. Since moving to the area, St. Tom’s has been my home away from home. I was immediately embraced by the Purdue Catholic Graduate Students (PCGS) group and the St. Tom’s community. Being part of the Parish family and participating in its various activities and service projects has been a very enriching and rewarding experience and I look forward to serving the St. Tom’s community and the students that have given so much to me.