St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church
Hampshire, Il
Fr. Sylvester Nnaso
Pastor
Fr. Sylvester Nnaso
Pastor
I was born and raised in Nigeria-West Africa. I came from a large, Catholic family consisting of three brothers and sisters. Every member of my family, without exception, is a strong, practicing Catholic. My family is very business-oriented, with mom and dad having owned a private business, and every one of my brothers now having a business of their own. I lost my mom and dad and my oldest brother and sister to heaven in recent years.
I attended grade school, high school and college in Nigeria before migrating to the United States in the summer of 1998. My background, before joining the seminary in Nigeria, was accounting. While in the seminary in Nigeria, I studied Latin for a year and philosophy for four years. While in the United States, I studied at Fordham University, New York and completed my graduate seminary formation at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit, Michigan in 2002.
Since my ordination in 2002, I have served two different parishes as the Associate Pastor, namely, St. Mary Church, in Woodstock, for a period of three years and The Church of Holy Apostles for a period of three and half years. I taught at Marian Central High School, Woodstock for six and half years.
I was a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Commission for three and half years, became a 4th degree Knight of Columbus in 2007, became a member of the Rock River Valley Rotary Club in 2010, a Rockford Deanery representative to the Diocesan Presbyteral Council in 2011, and above all, became a Crusillista in the fall of 2006. My academic accomplishments include double majors in Accounting and Latin; a Bachelor Degree in Philosophy; double Masters Degrees in Divinity and Systematic Theology and a Doctorate Degree in Ministry.
My hobbies include traveling, being with people and playing tennis. In essence, I am a people's person by nature.
John Nelson
Deacon
I was born and raised in New Jersey, went to college at Notre Dame where I met Kay. After graduating in 1965 (Ara Parseghian’s first year as coach). I then served in the Navy and married Kay in 1966 while in the service. After my service I went to school on the GI Bill, earning an MBA. We have 4 children and now are the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren.
I retired from Xerox in 1998 and went into formation for the diaconate, and was ordained in the diocese of Rochester NY in 2002. In formation I earned a Masters in Theology and a degree in Clinical Pastoral Education. In Rochester I served at my home parish, at the diocese and as duty chaplain at the hospital.
In 2007 we moved to Huntley to be near family especially Kay’s. Kay grew up on a farm in Maytown, near Dixon. I was assigned to St. Charles Borromeo and it has been my privilege to serve the people of St Charles parish since then. Besides serving on the altar I visit the sick, prepare couples for marriage, and with Kay started the St Vincent De Paul conference, which is 10 years old in this year of 2019. I serve the society both as an active member visiting those in need and as their spiritual advisor.
I am a life-long sports enthusiast, now playing pickleball when my body is reasonably whole. I enjoy reading and cards, playing bridge twice a week. Kay and I are travel enthusiasts, visiting family and going to places we have never been to before.
Jerry Ryndak
Deacon
Deacon Jerry has been serving the Lord at St. Charles Borromeo since 2010, the year he was ordained in the Rockford Diocese. He was tasked with starting and maintaining the Marriage Ministry at the Parish as one of his first assignments. Together, with his wife of 50 years, Linda, they promote the sacrament of Marriage by engaging more than 200 Parishioners every month with various activities.
Deacon Jerry has an extensive history of sharing his time, talents, and most importantly, his faith, with those around him from previous Parishes and communities. He offers spiritual guidance and support, started a teen club, has taught religious education for over thirty years, created a Parent and Teacher organization serving as President for many years, formed a Liturgy of the Word for Children ministry, began and taught RCIC process, developed an educational program called Embracing Your Family with Jesus, is a Knights of Columbus member, which includes being a previous Grand Knight. One of his favorite ways to interact with the people of St. Charles Borromeo is through his Homilies. He enjoys tying God’s message to today’s world in a way that is relatable, even to the young listeners.
Deacon Jerry currently works at St. Patrick’s, as the Director of Religious Education, providing services and opportunities to more than 500 children. In the past, Deacon Jerry lived on the Northwest side of Chicago and was raised in a devout Catholic family. Deacon Jerry’s parents were also married more than 50 years prior to their deaths in 2003 and 2012. Deacon Jerry is the oldest of three brothers and one sister, although his parents also raised his Cousin, so he had another “brother”.
Deacon Jerry attended St. Thecla for elementary school, Quigley High School for two years, and then graduated from Notre Dame High School. Deacon Jerry still looks forward to getting a Superdawg now and again when he returns to his old neighborhood. Deacon Jerry has been blessed with seven children of his own and seventeen grandchildren, although this number keeps growing. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree while raising a young family and working as a Computer Programmer, Analyst and Manager. He also found time to be in Polish, rock and wedding bands for many years. He is a seasoned drummer and still enjoys playing.
Deacon Jerry is also a proud Army Veteran and a sharpshooter. He served in the Vietnam War. For fun and enjoyment, Deacon Jerry loves to spend time with his family, exercise, and enjoys the sun and swimming whenever he can. Deacon Jerry appreciates getting to know new people and is honored to be a part of the St. Charles Borromeo family.
Meet the Staff
Mrs. Mary Beth Jordan
School Principal
My name is Mary Beth Jordan and I was invited to join the St. Charles Borromeo community as
Principal of the school in fall of 2022. My administrative and teaching experiences over the past
thirty years in the Dioceses of Rockford IL and Savannah GA have provided a diverse and strong
combination of skills that I am eager to, again, share in the leadership role of principal.
My leadership style is collaborative, communicative, and decisive. I place a strong value on
tradition and Catholic identity. I believe that the mission of Catholics today is the transformation of
culture. We exist to change the world for the better, and a truly blessed way to do that is by
working with families in the education of our children. Though God told us this task would not be
an easy one, each challenge is an opportunity for us to collaborate with the Holy Spirit and do our
best with His help.
I have served as principal at St. Joseph School (two years) and St. Mary School (five years as
Director of Religious Education, twelve years as Principal) - both in Elgin. After relocating to
Georgia, I served as an Assistant Principal in Augusta GA at a Catholic school of nearly 500
students. During that same time, I was privileged to serve as a curriculum trainer for all schools in
the Savannah Diocese through the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education.
Most recently, I have been privileged to serve as Assistant Principal and teacher at St. Catherine’s
in West Dundee, where my husband, Ron, and I are active parishioners. Our six grown children
are now adults, most beginning families of their own.
I am pleased to share my faith, knowledge, and experience with the SCB community as we -
together - continue to discern and implement plans for a bright future devoted to our Lord.
Deb Herrmann
Parish Office Secretary
Deb is a native Burlington resident for her entire life. She is married to Dale Herrmann and has two grown daughters, 5 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. In 1989, Deb started working as the school secretary. In the summer of 1998, she moved over to the Parish Office and has been there ever since. She most enjoys spending as much time as she can with her family. The parish depends on Deb for everything, from registering new parishioners to handling all the paperwork to being the smiling face that greets you when you come to the office.
Jan Olson
Director of Religious Education
My name is Jan Olson. I was born in Philadelphia, Pa. and raised with three sisters. My husband Christopher and I have been married for 25 years and have two very blessed teenagers and a little one in heaven. Our family enjoys spending time together, vacations, shrines, and playing ping pong. I have been a catechist for 17 years including some time spent teaching in Florida. I attended Ministry Formation, the Catechetical Leader Program and several DTI classes offered by the Diocese of Rockford and was commissioned by Bishop Doran as a Lay Ecclesial Minister in 2013. Since 2014 I have been the Director of Religious Education, Parish Administrator and Youth Minister for this parish. I can say that I enjoy our church family very much and being an active member of our parish is very rewarding. I am grateful to be a part of God’s family!
Joseph Hahn
Coordinator of RCIA
Joseph Hahn was born about a year after his family moved to Hampshire from Chicago. Joe has five brothers and three sisters. His mother, Nora, and two of his brothers still live in Hampshire. He attended St. Charles Borromeo grammar school and Hampshire High School. Joe received his Bachelor's degree from Franciscan University and later received an MA in Theology and Christian Ministry also from Franciscan. In addition to assisting the DRE he directs the RCIA Process for those wishing to become Catholic, and teaches some classes in our school. In Joe's own words, "I love our parish very much and hope, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to assist Fr. Nnaso in creating an evangelizing parish' truly in love with God and each other."
Beth Shepley is the Director of Business Operations working with Roger Paddock, the Business Manager for the Parish. Beth has a degree in Finance from Louisiana State University and an MBA. Her background includes commercial banking, finance, business operations, and marketing. Beth and her family have been parishioners for 20 years, and her three children are graduates of our parish school.
Beth Shepley
Director of Business Operations
Roger now volunteers in finances and ops with Beth Shepley
Rodger Paddock
Hi, my name is Tess Gisseler. I am the Director of Music at SCB, overseeing the various choirs, musicians, and cantors that make up the SCB Music Ministry. My husband Chris and I joined the parish in 2008, and have two children, Katie and Josh. I have been active in various music ministries in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Rockford Diocese since 1998, serving as a cantor and choir member in both traditional and contemporary style choirs until I was offered my current position in 2012.
Tess Gisseler
Director of Music