Father Timothy YantaHello, I am Fr. Timothy Yanta. I am excited that God has called me to be your pastor.
A little about myself: I grew up in Eagan and graduated from Burnsville High School in 1978. I received my Pharmacy Degree in 1984. I moved to California for five years, returned to Minnesota and practiced pharmacy for another 10 years; the last couple owning my own business. I entered the seminary in 1999 and was ordained a priest in 2005 at the age of 45. I have plenty of life experience, many of which I can honestly say was not always on the right track, but this is where I found God…in the power of His healing and reconciliation, His Love and Mercy which is beyond limits.
After ordination, I was assigned in Stillwater at St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s for one year and a couple of months, and then was assigned as Pastor at St. John the Baptist in Jordan where I spent 12 years. Then I was assigned at St. John the Baptist in Dayton where I spent 5 years before the Archbishop asked me to come here (yes, 17 years at St. John the Baptist, two different parishes), all of which have been a very transforming and grace-filled time.
I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters; both my parents are deceased, and I have 23 nieces and nephews. I do very well with families and kids. I really enjoy the outdoors and I am an avid fisherman. Most importantly, I am a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. I know Him at a very deep personal level, and I cannot wait to share this gift with you.
I am moved by the words of our patron, St. Patrick. I pray that I can live out His Confession, always seeking God’s guidance and direction as St. Patrick did:
I give constant thanks to God Who has kept me faithful in the day of my trial. To this day I offer my soul to Him as a living sacrifice to Christ the Lord, for He has saved me from all my anguish. I can truly ask, who am I, O Lord? And why have You called me? Why have You poured out so many divine graces upon me, so that today I can exalt and magnify Your name among the pagans in whatever place I find myself? Indeed not only when things are well, but also when they go badly, so that in evil or in good, I always raise up thanks to God Who has shown me that I must never doubt. (from “St. Patrick – His Confession and Other Works” translated by Fr. Neil Xavier O’Donoghue)
Deacon Kris RingwallDeacon Kris will assist Fr. Yanta in serving the good people of St. Patrick’s. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Bismarck, ND in 2003. Deacon Kris and his wife Marian moved into the Andover area after living and working for 2-years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (Canada) to be closer to family (6-children and 5-grandchildren). His eldest daughter Kirstin (Cory) Kanski have been members of St. Patrick’s for several years. Deacon Kris enjoys writing, teaching, and working with God’s people to strengthen their love for Jesus and His Church.
Linda Abel-Thomas
Director of Evangelization/Community Life
Linda Abel-Thomas joined the St. Patrick’s staff in August 2005. Raised in a traditional rural Catholic family, she grew up with the Mass, the Sacraments, and a deep love for Jesus at the center of daily life. While faith had always been an important part of her life, serving at St. Patrick’s transformed her relationship with Christ and ignited a passion for helping others encounter Him.
Linda earned a degree in Education from Mankato State University and taught for several years before God called her to St. Patrick’s as the part-time Confirmation Coordinator. Within a year, she transitioned into full-time youth ministry, beginning what has become more than two decades of serving the parish in a variety of leadership roles.
Committed to lifelong formation, Linda has earned her Director of Religious Education Certification through Franciscan University of Steubenville, graduated from the Catechetical Institute, completed life coach training, and is a certified Spiritual Director.
As Director of Evangelization & Community Life, Linda is passionate about forming missionary disciples and helping people discover a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. She welcomes new parishioners, leads discipleship training, develops small groups, supports men’s and women’s ministries, coordinates adult faith formation and fellowship opportunities, and continually seeks new ways to help the parish community encounter Christ, grow in faith, and live as joyful disciples.
Linda and her family joined St. Patrick’s in March of 2003.
John BauersJohn Bauers joined the St. Patrick’s team in May of 2023 as a member of our Facilities Maintenance team. His responsibilities include general maintenance, lawn and landscaping, security, heat and AC, as well as simply keeping our church beautiful and safe. John feels that his work here allows him to spend more time personally with God, and is grateful for such a reverent environment.
John and his family became members of St. Patrick’s in 2010.
Chris BernardChris Bernard joined the St. Patrick’s team in April of 2024 as our Facilities Manager. His love of Christ has led him to find ways to serve others, and this position fulfills that desire. Prior to accepting his position here, Chris went to school for and worked as an electrician for 35 years, and has background in construction and electrical work. He leads our maintenance team in a variety of tasks that keep our church beautiful, including maintaining the building and grounds, setting up for the many activities hosted by St. Patrick’s, and assisting other staff members as needed.
Chris has been a parishioner of St. Patrick’s since 2004.
Shannon DohrwardtShannon Dohrwardt joined the St. Patrick’s Team in February 2024. St. Patrick’s holds a special place in Shannon’s heart—this was her childhood parish, where she received her first sacraments. She returned in 2020 with her husband after living in Texas for many years.
As the Hospitality Coordinator, Shannon is the point of contact for weekend fellowship, the Lenten fish fry, CountryFest volunteers and food, as well as a handful of outreach ministries. Shannon is also the Cemetery Coordinator and assists families with funeral planning. She feels especially honored to serve these roles as St. Patrick’s cemetery is where her own parents, Jim and Janet Lashinski, rest eternally. Through her work, she continues to care for and honor her parents. It also allows her an opportunity to “share the reason for our hope:” Christ has conquered the grave; thus, death is not the end, but rather a new beginning.
Shannon received her Master of Arts in Theology, Sum Cum Laude, in 2025 from Catholic International University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English, Cum Laude, in 1998 from Hamline University.
Tim FinneganTim Finnegan joined the St. Patrick’s team in November of 2021. Tim has 50 years of experience in the maintenance field, working at various schools and churches in the St. Paul area. He is part of our Facilities Maintenance team, and is responsible for our lawns and landscaping, heating and AC, plumbing, electrical, and general upkeep of our church. Tim feels that God has blessed him abundantly with the opportunity to work in Christian settings, and is grateful for the opportunity to glorify Him by utilizing the skills he has been given.
Tim has been a parishioner at St. Patrick’s since 2019.
Laura GarciaLaura Garcia joined the St. Patrick’s team in September of 1998. She has served in a variety of roles since then, most notably bookkeeping, data management, and general parish operations. She currently serves as Finance Manager, overseeing all areas of finance, payroll and employee benefits, parish procedures and compliances, and works as a liaison with managed IT service; in addition, she leads the finance admin team, and event coordinators. Laura also assists St. Patrick’s book and gift.
Amee HeiglAmee Heigl joined the St. Patrick’s team in December of 2015. She developed a love for Jesus, music, and liturgy as a child/teen, which led her to earn a degree in Liturgical Music and minor in Theology from the College of Saint Benedict – St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. She is passionate about sacred music, sacramental theology, liturgical history, and scripture — but most of all, how God draws people to himself through these things. Amee’s role as Worship Director entails directing our music ministry and collaborating with Father and Deacon to plan and direct liturgies, including overseeing the liturgical ministries. She also assists with weddings and funerals, and our prayer team ministry.
Amee, her husband Brent, and their children have been parishioners since 2015.
Melissa HolmbergMelissa Holmberg joined the St. Patrick’s team in September 2025. As a Formation Coordinator, she primarily serves the K-5 families. Her innate passions for learning and serving have taken her from being a librarian to a homeschooler and now to working for the Church. She is looking forward to seeing what new fruit this chapter in her life will bear.
Melissa and her husband Quintin, and their sons Dominic and Reuben, have been parishioners at St. Patrick’s since 2011. She enjoys reading, making goat milk soap, experimenting with cooking and baking, light homesteading, family movie nights, and field trips.
Rebecca HolmquistRebecca Holmquist joined the St. Patrick’s team in December of 2023. Her experience includes working for Bachman’s Floral as a marketing intern for the summer in 2023 and working as the Marketing Coordinator at Waldoch Farm. She received her BA in Marketing with minors in both Spanish and Finance from Benedictine College in May of 2024. She is the Communications Coordinator at St. Patrick’s; her responsibilities include the weekly bulletin, the parish magazine The Nightingale, the website, social media, E-blasts, and other internal and external communication efforts.
Robert MasloskiRob Masloski joined the St. Patrick’s team as Formation Director in July 2025. Growing up, Rob attended St. Patrick’s faith formation and youth ministry where he discovered his love for teaching the faith. He attended Franciscan University of Steubenville and received his bachelors degree in catechetics and theology, as well as a certificate in catechumenal ministry. After college, Rob returned to St. Patrick’s and served as Youth Minister for eight years. Rob is excited to be back at St. Patrick’s and shape faith formation for the next generation of youth and their families.
As Formation Director, Rob oversees Middle School and High School Youth Formation, OCIA, Extreme Faith Camp, Steubenville Conference, and supports the good work being done by the rest of the Faith Formation team. Rob is happy to connect with anyone with questions about any of our formation ministries and is here to assist families in their ongoing faith journey.
Elizabeth MuellerElizabeth Mueller joined the St. Patrick’s team as Sacramental Coordinator in August 2026. Elizabeth studied Education at Benedictine College and brings experience working with children in schools, as well as served in parish ministry. Elizabeth is married to her husband, Michael, and together they have been blessed with three young children. As a wife and mother, she knows firsthand the joy and blessing of family life and is grateful for the opportunity to minister to families in the parish.
In her role as Sacramental Coordinator, Elizabeth will lead First Sacraments and Grace Abounds. She finds great joy in working with and ministering to others, especially children, and is excited to walk alongside and support families at St. Patrick’s. Elizabeth looks forward to building relationships, sharing in the faith journey of families, and helping them experience the joy of Christ through the sacraments.
Kristin TheisKristin Theis joined the St. Patrick’s team in July of 2014. She has a Business Administration Degree from St. Catherine University and a Master of Library Science from Dominican University. Kristin’s role as Finance and Administrative Assistant covers a wide range of responsibilities including, but not limited to, contributions, calendar scheduling, accounts receivable, and parishioner database maintenance.
Dawn ThoennesDawn Thoennes joined the St. Patrick’s team in August 2024. She has been a parishioner along with her husband Owen for over 20 years. She grew up in a Lutheran church and chose to go through the OCIA program to share the same faith-based values as her husband and to grow a deeper connection to the Catholic faith.
She is the Sacramental Coordinator at St. Patrick’s; her responsibilities include coordination of baptisms, weddings and funerals along with administrative support to Father Yanta. Provide support for Homebound/Hospital ministry, mass intentions and prayer chain.
Christine Weakly
Formation Coordinator & Safe Environment Coordinator
Christine Weakly joined St. Patrick’s parish and staff in July of 2021. Christine studied Child Development and attended the Catechetical Institute. She is also trained in Level I Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has experience working with children in school, parish, and home settings. Christine’s role is Formation Coordinator, and she leads First Sacraments, Grace Abounds, and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She also helps out with the administrative tasks of the Formation Department and is the Safe Environment Coordinator. Christine has a passion for fulfilling Jesus’ desire of letting the little children come to Him, and she firmly agrees with our Lord that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
Kristann Yocum