Parish Staff – St. Francis Seraph Parish

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	Fr. Alan (Al) Hirt, OFM, Pastor, alhirt@sfsparish.org Fr. Al has been a Franciscan priest since being ordained in 1977. Thirty-Nine of those years have been in parish work. Born and raised in Batesville, IN, when his studies were completed, he went to his first 4 year assignment as Assistant Pastor at St. Mary of the Angels in New Orleans, LA, an African-American church. From there he was appointed pastor of St. Joseph Church in Kansas City , MO, also an African-American parish (originally St. Monica Catholic Church for Colored People founded by the Franciscans in 1910). He pastored there for 9 years. He then spent 9 years (1990-1999) in administration for the Franciscan Province in Cincinnati, OH. From 1999-2020, he pastored St. Monica-St. George Parish and Newman Center for the University of Cincinnati. In October 2020, he became pastor here at St. Francis Seraph. Currently he pastors at St. Francis Seraph AND St. Clement in St. Bernard.
	Brother Timothy (Tim) Sucher, OFM, Pastoral Associate Bro. Tim Sucher, O.F.M is a professed religious brother in the Franciscan Order. He professed his first vows in 1976 and final vows in 1985. Bro. Tim earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Duns Scotus College Seminary, Southfield, Michigan in 1977. He studied theology at St. Leonard Seminary, Centerville, OH, The University of Dayton, and Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL. From 1978-1981, he served on the faculty of Bishop Luers High School, Fort Wayne, IN. From 1985 until 1990, He was the live-in manager of St. Vincent Hotel for the Homeless in Dayton, OH. He was the Director of Franciscan students preparing for final vows and ministry from 1990-1996. During this time, he also served on the faculty of Catholic Theological Union, a graduate school of ministry, as the Director of Field Education. In 1996, He was transferred to St. Christine Church, an inner-city parish, in Detroit, MI where he served as the Pastoral Associate and Outreach Director until 2004. He came to Cincinnati, OH in 2005 where he was named the Guardian of St. Francis Seraph Friary, the Administrator of St. Francis Seraph Ministries which includes St. Francis Seraph Church, St. Francis Seraph School, a soup Kitchen, a hospitality center for homeless people (Canticle Café), a women’s empowerment program (Sarah Center), and a lunch bag program for day laborers. During his time at St. Francis Seraph Bro. Tim is responsible for establishing a 501-C3 for all the outreach ministries once sponsored by the parish. St. Francis Seraph Ministries is a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Province and is governed by a board of directors. This ensures the continuation of the Franciscan charism as well as financial stability. Tim is known as Father Christmas and annually puts together a beautiful Christmas display that includes live animals in a stable.
	Joe Pearce, Parish Secretary & Admin. Asst. Joe was born in Albuquerque, NM, and raised in Indianapolis, IN. He moved to Cincinnati in 1982. He holds a B.S. degree from Indiana University, where he studied philosophy, theology, religious ethics, and education. Throughout his life, he’s been a school principal, associate pastor, evangelist, gospel recording artist, stockbroker, and is now a writer and artist (oil painter). He works for St. Francis Seraph part-time as “the office guy.” He came to St. Francis Seraph in July of 2017. Joe is a long time resident of downtown Cincinnati, OH and enjoys spending his time in the revitalized Over-the-Rhine arts district where he has an art studio at the Pendleton Art Center. He loves to give back to his community. You can follow Joe’s art and writing at www.JoePearceArt.com.
	Judith (Judy) Cox, Parish School Accountant Judy has been with St. Francis Seraph since 2014 and handles the finances for the Parish and School. With a degree in Business Admin from Miami University in Oxford, OH, and a Master’s degree from UC, she has over 40 years of non-profit accounting experience. Steve Cox her husband of 46 years is an Electrical Engineer and together they have three children, Robin, Stephanie, and Dan. Judy enjoys working with the Franciscan Friars and hearing the stories of their studies in Oldenburg, IN, where the nuns from her grade school also studied.

	Jeanette Tepe, Parish Office Assistant Jeanette works one day a week completing accounts payable transactions. In other words, she pays the bills! Jeanette grew up in Westwood and now resides in Silverton. She is blessed with 14 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews, and eight great-great nieces and nephews. She loves her friends and her neighbors! After working in the for-profit world at Formica and Federated, she devoted her professional skills to a variety of non-profit organizations with missions to improve the community life in Greater Cincinnati. She gratefully supported organizations that bring arts to the world or that work to better the environment or human needs, and the rights of less fortunate members of society. Her 10 years of volunteer service at Hospice of Cincinnati was a favorite experience and allowed her to be with people at the second most significant and vulnerable time of their life. She’s also regularly read for the blind at CABVI and has worked assisting Meals on Wheels. Jeanette began playing the piano at age 7 and has studied at the College Conservatory of Music in Mt. Auburn. Her love of music takes her to symphonic and jazz concerts and theatre programs regularly. She feels nurtured at St. Francis Seraph!

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