25th Ordination
Deacon John Flanigan
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Louis Priory School, Georgetown University
Family: Wife, Sue; five children
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: 40 years in the insurance business, including owning Flanigan Insurance Agency
Service in the archdiocese: Holy Redeemer, Webster Groves, 2001-17
Immaculate Conception, Maplewood, 2017-23
About Deacon Flanigan: He served as parish life coordinator at Immaculate Conception in Maplewood until the parish was closed as part of the All Things New restructuring. He is now retired but continues to help out at Holy Redeemer Parish. He has also been active in
anti-death penalty advocacy, ecumenical initiatives, the seven-parish Immigrant and Refugee Ministry and Grassroots Redeeming Love tornado recovery efforts. He and his family also hosted exchange students from other countries for several years.
Deacon Thomas Gottlieb
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Washington University in St. Louis, Olin School of Business
Family: Wife, Irene Hannon
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: Domestic and international sales/marketing at Anheuser-Busch InBev
Service in the archdiocese: St. Justin Martyr, Sunset Hills, 2001-06
Annunziata, Ladue, 2006-present
About Deacon Gottlieb: In addition to parish duties, Deacon Gottlieb is chaplain for the Olivette Police Department. He previously served on the Board of Trustees for Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, the Board of Directors for Covenant Catholic Radio Network and as a deacon representative on the archbishop’s pastoral council. He has also been a Marriage Tribunal advocate and has served
on/chaired the St. Louis Deacon Council.
Deacon Robert (Bob) Mayo
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business with emphasis in accounting; certified public account
Family: Wife, Jean; son, Father John Mayo
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: Certified public account, now retired
Service in the archdiocese: Our Lady of Fatima, Florissant, 2001-05
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, Florissant, 2005-15
St. Theodore, Flint Hill, 2015-18
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Charles, 2019-24
St. Joseph, Josephville, and St. Paul, St. Paul, 2024-present
About Deacon Mayo: Deacon Mayo serves as a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, a eucharistic minister at St. Joseph Hospital-West and to the homebound, assists the Marriage Tribunal as an advocate, serves with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and assists with the Deacons on Call ministry. He previously served with the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, Christ Renews His Parish retreats, diaconate retreats, men’s prayer group and on several parish committees.
Deacon Richard Schellhase
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Riverview Gardens High School, Washington University in St. Louis
Family: Wife, Judy; three children
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: BJC Healthcare
Service in the archdiocese: Queen of All Saints, Oakville, 2001-present
About Deacon Schellhase: He has taught Parish School of Religion courses and served with Feed My People.
Deacon Steve Schisler
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: St. Pius X High School, IBEW electrical apprenticeship, CRE and DRE certifications from the Paul VI Institute
Family: Wife, Debbie; four daughters
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: Journeyman electrician
Parish assignments: Assumption, Herculaneum, 2001-05
Immaculate Conception, Arnold, 2005-23
Holy Family, Arnold, 2023 until retirement in 2025
About Deacon Schisler: He continues to serve in ministries at Holy Family Parish in his retirement. He has also been a chaplain at St. Anthony’s Hospital (now Mercy South) and was involved in Teens Encounter Christ and Marriage Encounter retreats. He is a Secular Franciscan in the St. Francis of Assisi fraternity and part of the regional Secular Franciscan Council.
Deacon Dennis Stovall
Birthplace: Lynwood, California
Education: Downy High School (California), Whittier College, Washington University in St. Louis Dental School
Family: Wife, Debbie; two children
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: Dentist
Parish assignments: St. Clare of Assisi, Ellisville, 2001-16
Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Louis, 2017 until retirement in 2022
About Deacon Stovall: While serving at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, his primary ministry was ministry to people experiencing homelessness in the city of St. Louis.
Deacon Rich Vehige
Birthplace: Old Monroe
Education: St. Dominic High School (first graduating class in 1963), University of Missouri-Rolla
Family: Wife, Carolyn; eight children
Ordination: June 9, 2001, by Archbishop Justin F. Rigali at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Secular career: U.S. Army, Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, cattle rancher
Service in the archdiocese: St. Clement of Rome, 2001 until retirement in 2021
About Deacon Vehige: He served on the board of St. Patrick Center, the Annual Catholic Appeal board and was president of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1998-2003. He was also part of the Knights of Malta, Knights of Columbus and a founder of the Threading the Needle Apostolate.
40th ordination
Deacon Frank Chauvin
Birthplace: New Orleans
Education: Louisiana State University
Family: Wife, Louise; three children
Ordination: Feb. 1, 1986, by Auxiliary Bishop George J. Gottwald at the Saint Louis Cathedral
Secular career: Public accountant; two years of service in the U.S. Army; chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of St. Louis from 1998-2015 and 2019-20
Service in the archdiocese: Ascension, Chesterfield, 1986-present
About Deacon Chauvin: In addition to parish duties, Deacon Chauvin has also served on the boards or committees of several civic organizations.
Deacon Kenneth Henning
Birthplace:Hardinsburg, Kentucky
Education: Mehlville High School, South County Technical School
Family: Wife, Marlene; three children
Ordination: Feb. 1, 1986, by Auxiliary Bishop George J. Gottwald at the Saint Louis Cathedral
Secular career: 35 years at Emerson Electric
Service in the archdiocese: St. Joseph, Imperial, 1986-2001
Good Shepherd, Hillsboro, 2001 until retirement in 2018
About Deacon Henning: After retirement, he has also volunteered at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in High Ridge and St. Joseph Parish in Imperial. He also served in retreat ministry with Teens Encounter Christ, Koinonia and Christ Renews His Parish.
45th ordination
Deacon Leroy Martin
Birthplace: St. Louis
Education: Christian Brothers College High School, Saint Louis University
Family: Wife, Paula; six children
Ordination: Jan. 31, 1981, by Archbishop John L. May at the Saint Louis Cathedral
Secular career: Administration at IBM
Service in the archdiocese: St. Mary Magdalen, Brentwood, 1981 until retirement in 2017
About Deacon Martin: He served in pastoral care at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital and was a member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
