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It is a pleasure and joy to be in ministry with this caring community that looks out for each other and those in need. The clergy and staff of St. Michael’s believe it is our privilege to serve God by serving the members of this church in faith, hope, charity, and love. We trust that this will inspire our members to become leaders and preachers of the Gospel – not only with their words but also with their lives – in good works here and out in the world.

Mary Claugus

Rector

I have been blessed with a great life, work I love, and am surrounded by a very loving community here at St. Michael's. As the spiritual leader of this congregation, I found a purpose in life that is fulfilling and challenging. When you get to know me, you will find that I am very straight forward. You get what you see and I say what I mean (but not meanly of course!) I love to share my house in my ministry, it is a wonderful and creative outlet for me. I enjoy working in my garden, which never fails to ground me. I love to entertain, decorate, and cook. I have had the privilege to travel all over the world. I have been on all seven continents including an amazing trip to Antarctica. Who knew that watching penguins in freezing temperatures for two hours could bring such delight and wonder! I grew up in a big family (seven siblings) in Detroit - and you guessed it - I was raised Roman Catholic.

I lived in Sydney, Australia for a year, which was a great experience in learning how nuanced cultures can be. I lived in the Bay Area most of my adult life but lived on the East coast and in Minnesota as well. I moved to Sacramento in 2013 to accept the call to be rector and I love it here.

My husband Dave and I love to hike, bike, snorkel, kayak, and ski. Anything that gets us moving and outdoors. I have three adult children, Jacqueline, my eldest daughter, with her husband Jack, lives and works in London. When they are in town, they too love to bike, hike, and kayak with us! Casey lives in New Jersey with her partner Jia. And Madeline, my youngest live with us in Sacramento. She is in school and is applying to four year universities now. I was an at-home-mom for years and loved every minute of it. I went back to school when Madeline was in first grade. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors in Psychology. Four years later, I received my Masters of Divinity from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley. I am a doctoral candidate (Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia Theological Seminary). Learning is a lifelong adventure for me.

I try my very best to live a God centered life. I am a proud Episcopalian and love that our church welcomes all people and encourages questions and struggles. I am open minded and curious about most things. I am interested in making the world a better place. Christian formation through study and outreach is my passion. If I don't know you yet, I want to get to know you, I promise!

Katie Holeman

Assistant Priest

I am thrilled to join everyone at St. Michaels. Since 2008 I have served the Lutheran tradition in congregations in the Sacramento area. It has been a fun journey learning the Episcopal way but we aren't too different than our Lutheran siblings.
My husband, Mark, and I have four children and our beloved labradoodle, Lexi. During our days off you will normally find us out hiking, in the pool, or doing family workouts in the garage.
I grew up in Northwest Washington on a large homestead but moved to California in the 2003. I have quickly learned to appreciate our beautiful winters over the grey and wet winters of the northwest but I am still a country girl at heart.
My focus at St. Michaels is creatng new opportinities for Family ministries as well as youth and young adults. I know that together we are going to do amazing things and I am continually thankful for the wonderful folks at St. Michaels.

Michael Ferrito

Priest Associate

I am delighted to be joining St. Michaels as an associate priest. After having served as Vicar and Rector in two Episcopal congregations in the Bay Area my wife and I moved to Rancho Murieta in 2020. During the first part of my life, I owned and operated a successful business. After a powerful religious experience and three years of discernment I felt called to the priesthood. I attended the Church Divinity School of the Pacific seminary in Berkely, California where I received a Masters of Divinity Degree. I was ordained in the Diocese of El Camino Real in 2000. Later on, I received a Doctorate in Christian Counseling from Newburgh Seminary. My religious life is driven by the practices of Celtic Christian Spirituality and contemplative prayer and centering prayer practices. I have studied the works of Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and William Pennington who revived the contemplative teachings of early Christianity. I am also a chaplain in the Order of St. Luke the Physician, a healing ministry. It is my hope to bring what I have learned and studied into my ministry at St. Michaels. My wife, Gwen and I have been married for 51 years and we are blessed with three wonderful children, Kimberly, Michael and David. They are married to amazing spouses and between them have produced ten remarkable grandchildren for us. Gwen and I are surrounded by an incredible family and fantastic friends. I love the outdoors and some of my hobbies include fishing, golf, walking the trails by my house, reading, and spending time with my children and grandchildren. I am excited to be participating in the life of St. Michaels and bringing the message of Jesus Christ of hope and healing. I look forward to serving at St. Michaels and getting to know the amazing people of this parish and its surrounding community.

Rod Davis

Associate for Spiritual Formation

My wife, Susan, and I have been married for more than 45 years and have lived in Carmichael for the last 40 where we raised our two sons, Kevin and Brian. We are now grateful grandparents of a grandson, Grant, granddaughter, Erin, and in-laws to our lovely daughter-in-law, Sarah. Sue and I settled in Sacramento where I worked for the State Attorney General before becoming a judge; first on the Sacramento County trial court and then for 20 years on the State Court of Appeal. After retiring from the Court, I received my masters of divinity degree from Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley and was ordained in 2009. My ministry at Saint Michael’s currently focuses on preaching and assisting with Sunday services. Traveling, sculpting, and holding positions with the National Church and the Diocese of Northern California fill my remaining time.

Roy Whitten

Priest Associate

Jeanne and I joined St. Michaels in 2016 when we moved to Sacramento to live near our children and grandchildren. We were married in 1969, just before leaving for Virginia Theological Seminary. After seminary, I served as Associate Rector in Christ Church, Los Altos, and then for six years as the Vicar of a new mission - St. Stephen's in-the-Fields in San Jose - and Headmaster of its day school. In 1981, I decided to continue my ministry outside the parish church, and I co-founded a personal transformation program called The Life Training, now known as More to Life. I retired in 2001, completed a doctoral program in Transformational Learning and Change at CIIS in San Francisco, and became a transformational consultant to business. In 2009, I joined my colleague Scott Roy to start Whitten & Roy Partnership. We offer sales consultation for socially-minded businesses, serving both commercial enterprises and social entrepreneurs in over 30 countries to bring life-saving products and opportunities for employment, especially to the rural poor. My greatest joy as a priest has been to nurture God's presence in people of all faiths and walks of life, and to work with them to create a world worth passing on to future generations. It is a special blessing to be reconnected with the richness and depth of our tradition and a church so dedicated to being the body of Christ in our world.

John Cozza

Music Director

John Cozza is in demand throughout California as teacher, coach/accompanist, chamber musician, adjudicator and clinician. He joined the St. Michael's Chancel Choir as Pianist/Organist in 2010, and became Music Director in January of 2018 upon the retirement of long-time Director Connie Weichert. He has been the Staff Accompanist at Sacramento State University since 2004. A graduate of the University of Southern California, Northwestern University and the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Cozza was named Director of Accompanying at Baylor University (Waco, TX) in 1994 to design and implement the Masters of Music degree program in Piano Accompanying. Graduates of the program he administrated from 1994-2001 hold teaching and accompanying positions regionally, nationally and internationally. He taught Accompanying and Secondary Piano in the Conservatory of Music at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California from 2004-2018. Collaborating with singers and instrumentalists throughout the United States, Dr. Cozza’s international engagements have included performances as soloist, accompanist and chamber musician in such European cities as Vienna, Bologna, Milan, Cologne, and Budapest. Dr. Cozza holds a DM degree in Piano Performance, Vocal Accompanying and Chamber Music from Northwestern University. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at USC, where he was named Valedictorian of the School of Music. His principal teachers have been Daniel Pollack in Los Angeles, Dr. David Kaiserman in Chicago, and Professors Hans Graf (solo piano performance) and Georg Ebert (chamber music) in Vienna. He originally attended Vienna’s prestigious Hochschule für Musik as a Rotary Foundation Scholar in 1986-87, then returned for further study from 1988-1991 when he received the coveted Diplom in both Piano Performance and Chamber Music. Dr. Cozza is the current President of the Sacramento Saturday Club, the oldest musical organization in Sacramento, and one of the oldest west of the Rockies. As stated in its Constitution of 1893, the aims of the organization are: "the musical improvement of its members and the stimulation of musical interests in Sacramento.”

Michelle Falcy

Parish Administrator and Communications

My husband, Kenny, and I are originally from Citrus Heights and Fair Oaks area and we are thrilled to be back in our hometown! We were both working in the Bay Area but are big on family and strong communities. So it was a natural choice to come back to the area when we were looking to buy our first home last year. I’ve always had a love for the arts, especially music. I grew up singing in choir with my father at our family church. I studied Music Management at the University of the Pacific in Stockton CA and went on to work with a booking agency after college. I am so grateful to be a part of the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church staff!

Andy Chamness

Sexton

Andy began as our Sexton in May of 2019. He comes to us with extensive electrical contracting experience, especially in Fire Alarms. He has also served our Country in the military for seven years. Andy will be on campus Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9am til Noon. He will also be here on Sundays to set up and clean as needed.

Jack Cozza

Jack Cozza

Audio Video

John Quené

Treasurer

John has been a member of St Michael’s for 4 years. He is active in outreach opportunities and helping when St Michael’s hosts community meals and serves at the homeless shelters. He is also involved in the Kairos Prison Ministry. John writes that what he likes best about St. Michael’s is that we are “open, friendly, and willing to do outreach ministries.” John has served on the vestries and a search committee in the Chicago area and in South Africa, where he attended before coming to St. Michael’s. He has a heart for social justice and outreach.

Kate Muris

Bookkeeper

I came to live in Sacramento in 1970 after growing up overseas. My formal education took place in several states. I originally attended, was confirmed and was the parish secretary for a year at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. I transferred to St. Michael’s 41 years ago and am passionate about this church and its mission. I am active in the Choir and Mission Avenue Players. I also serve as a Sunday Morning Scripture Reader and Eucharistic Minister. I am part of the Pastoral Care team. I am an organizing leader of both the Member and Stewardship committees. It has been my privilege to serve on the Vestry in the 1980’s and in January of 2018 I completed my most recent three-year commitment to the Vestry and served my last year as Senior Warden. I have 30 years Office Manager, Bookkeeping, and Consultant experience. I am grateful for the opportunity to be the Bookkeeper for St. Michael’s; I enjoy it very much.