Candidate Profiles
During Masses on the weekend of September 23-24, 2023, we will hold elections from our nominees to the Pastoral Council. Elections will consist of an in-pew ballot. To learn more about the candidates, please read their profiles below.
Cathy Relihan
I am a retired registered nurse and spent my entire career at St Joseph's Hospital. My final position there was as a quality improvement advisor in the performance improvement department. So I have experience working on process improvement initiatives. I have been a parishioner at Holy Cross for about 15 years, since my former parish of Our Lady of Solace closed.
Holy Cross Parishioner: ~15 years
Ministries: I am a member of the choir and funeral choir. I volunteered at Totus Tuus the past two summers and assist at Faith Formation events throughout the year. I am a member of the Refugee Assistance Committee and spend several hours each week sorting donations and restocking the clothes closet for newly arriving refugees at the CYO. I have coordinated the Christmas Giving Tree project for the past two years. I recently became a Eucharistic Minister.
Why I would like to serve on Council: As a member of the Pastoral Council, I’d look forward to collaborating on programs to help the parish continue and expand the many ministries we have for our parishioners and the needy in our community.
Chris Paulus
I went to and graduated from Holy Cross Elementary School and now have two kids (2nd & 3rd graders) attending the school! After graduating high school from CBA, I attended Georgetown University in Washington DC.
I lived in the Washington, DC area for 10 years post-college before living in the Dallas-Ft Worth area for 3.5 years. I am glad to be back in my hometown and hope to contribute positively to the community. I am currently the CFO of VIP Structures, Inc, a family-owned design-build company.
Why I would like to serve on Council: As a member of the Pastoral Council, I’d look forward to helping the parish continue to expand its ministries with kids and engagement with families.
David Hines
I was born in Philadelphia and am a life-long Catholic having more than sixteen years of Catholic education, including graduating from La Salle University, a Christian Brother’s College. I am a veteran and a retired U.S. Army Colonel. In 2002 I returned to Central New York and now reside in Fayetteville. Since returning I have taught history in numerous colleges in the area. Besides other degrees, and schools I hold a Masters in theology from St Bernard’s School of Theology. Presently, my wife and I are enjoying our four grandchildren.
Holy Cross Parishioner: ~20 years. I attended Holy Cross for several years when the old church still stood under the pastorship of Father Gehl. I also put my children through Holy Cross School when Sister Joseta was the principal. I have called Holy Cross my home parish since 2002. All told I have some 20 years in our parish.
I have taught religious education to elementary school children when I was first in the parish. Over the years I taught numerous adult education courses in church history, Bible studies, and theology. I have also taught church history to the lay minister formation program and philosophy to deacon candidates in our diocese. My wife, Sue, and I are currently teaching First Penance and Eucharist in our parish.
Why I would like to serve on Council: I feel that I could serve Holy Cross with my experiences and talents in leadership, operations, staff, and teaching for the betterment of our Holy Cross community.
Maria Mintz
My husband and I moved to Jamesville during COVID-19 in the fall of 2020, to be closer to our Syracuse grandchild. I’m the oldest of eight children and have a son, daughter, and three grandchildren (7, 10, and 13) in NY and Vermont. I’m a retired Special Education teacher and school administrator, and I enjoy reading, needlework, quilting, walking our puppy, playing piano, traveling, and playing with my grandchildren. I have always been active in the parishes in which I’ve lived, and I chaired a “Mask Ministry” in my last parish in Coxsackie, NY sewing covid masks with a team for anyone who needed one in our area.’
Holy Cross Parishioner: 2.5 years
Ministry Involvement: lector at Mass, sewing Angel Blankets, Knitting Group, Refugee Assistance Committee, collecting school supplies, made red satin runners for Blessed Carlo Exhibit
Why I would like to serve on Council: I would like to assist the parish in its ministries and work on a plan to increase attendance at Masses.
Mary Haley
It is a great honor to be nominated by fellow parishioners for the position of Parish Council at Holy Cross. For those who don't know me, I have been a parishioner of Holy Cross for about 13 years. I retired as a Labor and Delivery nurse at Crouse about 10 years ago.
Holy Cross Parishioner: 13 years
Ministry Involvement: Eucharistic Minister, Faith Formation, Altar and Rosary, Greater, and making sandwiches for the men's shelter.
Why I would like to serve on Council: Since my first Mass at Holy Cross, I have felt welcome and part of the Church family. My faith has always be important in my life, I hope to be able to be more active in Holy Cross and help where every needed, share my faith, make all feel welcome, and feel the love God has blessed us with.
Paul Sansone
My wife, Amy, and I live in Syracuse. I have two adult children, my son, Joseph, and my daughter, Jordan. I work at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a physician in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. I am entering the second year of formation in the Permanent Diaconate and, by God’s grace, will be ordained in three years.
Holy Cross Parishioner: 3 years
I serve at Holy Cross as a lector, in the Pastoral Care ministry, as an usher/greeter, and as a Samaritan Center volunteer. I also volunteer as a health care provider at the Poverello Health Center. I completed the Formation For Ministry program last fall.
Why I would like to serve on Council: I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Holy Cross Pastoral Council to help in the ongoing growth and formation of our wonderful faith community. I think my participation on the Council will be especially important as I proceed towards ordination as a Permanent Deacon. My hope is to be able to contribute to the spiritual needs of our parish family and assist in our mission of evangelization to the broader community.
Peter Demlein
Graduate of Holy Cross School (’68), CBA (’72), RIT (BS-Chemistry ’77) and Loyola U School of Dentistry (D.D.S ’81). Dental practice in Chittenango until I retired in 12/21. Member of Boy Scouts of America for 45 years. Received the St. George Award given to Catholic Scouters. Member of the Chittenango Lions Club since 1984. Current Board of Directors Member and Past President.
Holy Cross Parishioner: 68 years (since birth in 10/1954)
Ministry Involvement: Lector and Eucharistic Minister
Why I would like to serve on Council: As a trainer in the BSA for 40 years teaching leadership development to adult and youth Scouts, I believe I can use that experience to help the parish grow.
Rita Chanthasensak
Holy Cross has provided me with a sense of belonging. It has also profoundly nourished and sustained my faith through daily Mass, adoration, and guidance from both clergy and laity. While participating in my chosen ministries, I have tried to return what has been given to me by welcoming people, meeting them where they are in their spiritual journeys and by actively listening.
Holy Cross Parishioner: 12 years
Ministry involvement: the daily rosary group, communion service at Menorah Park, the Blessed Carlo Acutis’ Eucharistic Miracles displays, Eucharistic Revival, Bible study, and hospitality at church events.
Why I would like to serve on Council: Nothing would be dearer to my heart than helping our pastoral council to know your wishes and needs. Thank you for considering me for this important role. May God’s purpose for me be fulfilled in every way.