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Father Ralph became pastor of Saint John the Baptist in June 2025.
He previously served in Saint Bernard, Levittown; Saint Brigid, Westbury; Diocesan Director of RENEW 2000; Saint Thomas More, Hauppauge; Our Holy Redeemer, Freeport. He brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a desire to be present not only to parishioners but also the wider community. For example he is a chaplain of the Wading River Fire Department and member of the Wading River Chamber of Commerce. But his first love is preaching at Mass, celebrating the Sacraments and helping to develop the faith of adults and young people.
shepherd @sjbwr.org
(631)929-4339 ext 113
Father Innocent came to Saint John the Baptist in July 2025. He is one of the Catholic Chaplains at Stony Brook Medical Center. As a priest, he finds deep fulfillment in being present for people at important moments of their lives, through celebrating of the sacraments, offering encouragement, listening with compassion, and sharing God's love in all practical ways. His priesthood provides the opportunity to serve others.
Father Innocent considers working in Wading River a unique blessing. He appreciates the peaceful atmosphere, the warmth of the community, and the opportunity to minister closely to individuals and families, whose love is encouraging. Serving here allows him the opportunity to accompany people spiritually while building meaningful relationships and bringing Christ’s presence to everyday life.
onyeduru @yahoo.com
(631) 929-4339 ext 123
Ordained in 1971, Msgr. Bennett served as Bishop John McGann's Secretary from 1978 to 1985. He had previously served as Associate Pastor at Holy Name of Mary, Valley Stream [1971-1977] and St. Agnes Cathedral [1977-1978]. He served as Director of the Office of Catechesis and Worship [1985-1989].
In 1989, he became Pastor of St. Christopher, Baldwin until 2005, when he became Pastor at St. Patrick, Huntington, until retirement in 2017.
Anticipating retirement, and living in Aquebogue, he welcomed Father Frank Schneider's invitation to assist him with Masses / Confessions each weekend, since 2017. He so enjoys being at St. John the Baptist Parish.
For all of his years in Nassau County [1971-2005], he happily served as volunteer fire-fighter and Chaplain of Fire Departments in Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, North Merrick, and Baldwin.
jbennett @drvc.org
Deacon Terry retired from the Police Department in 2011 and later reentered the workforce full time as Director of Safety and Security for the Riverhead School district in 2018, and retired again in 2026.
He was ordained in September of 2020, and served as a Deacon at St John Nepomucene church in Bohemia. In June of 2024, he transferred to St John the Baptist parish here in Wading River to continue in his diaconal ministry of celebrating baptisms & wedding and leading wake services, as well as assisting at weekend Masses and preaching once a month. He also coordinates the altar servers.
terrence.culhane @gmail.com
Sue has been assistant to the pastor since 2019, first with Father Frank Schneider and now with Father Ralph.
She is a life-long resident of Wading River, having celebrated all her sacraments at Saint John the Baptist. People can encounter Sue in the office by phone, email or in person Monday through Thursdays from 9am to 4pm; (Wednesdays from 1pm to 4pm). What she enjoys most is speaking with fellow parishioners on a daily basis and helping them navigate whatever it is they may need.
office @sjbwr.org
(631)929-4339 ext 110
Dominick started working for St. John the Baptist Church in August 2023 as the 7th- and 8th-levels (Confirmation) Faith Formation Coordinator. He currently also coordinates level six.
He is the Safe Environment Coordinator for the parish and VIRTUS Trainer for the Diocese of Rockville Centre. He also serves as Lector, Cantor and member of the Adult Choir at St. John the Baptist.
Dominick has a BS in Biology (St. Joseph's College, Patchogue) and MA in Theology (Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington).
davento @sjbwr.org
(631)929-4339 ext 118
Jane has had the joy of serving as the Faith Formation Coordinator for Grades 1–8 and recently Grades 1-6 for the past 11 years, after spending eight years as a catechist. As a parishioner for nearly 20 years, this parish has become an important part of her life and her faith journey. She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our families, helping children grow in their faith, build meaningful connections to our parish community, and discover the joy of living out their faith. She especially loves getting to know and engaging with our families and being part of such a vibrant, welcoming, and faith-filled community.
reled @sjbwr.org
Debbie went from volunteering in 2006 to becoming the director of Outreach since 2010.
She manages the volunteers who help with the food pantry. She coordinates the various Outreach projects including back to school program, thanksgiving baskets, Christmas giving gifts, St. Patrick’s day fundraiser, Easter meals, helping clients with fuel assistance, rental assistance, financial support.
Debbie loves being part of the St. John’s family and community. Our parish is very caring and supportive of those in need.
Debbie is available in the Parish Outreach Office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm.
stjohnsparishoutreach @gmail.com
(631)929-4339 ext 122
Cheryl has been director of liturgy at Saint John the Baptist since 2024, after a distinguished career in music ministry, catechesis, theology teacher, and faith formation.
As the Director of Liturgy, Cheryl coordinates the planning for all the Masses including regular weekend liturgies, holy days, liturgical seasons, and special occasions. She works with those who schedule Eucharistic Ministers, lectors, and other ministries. She also collaborates with others in music ministry and leads the parish Worship Committee. Cheryl also offers courses and workshops to foster our faith for adults.
liturgy @sjbwr.org
Gayle has been director of the Preschool since 2001. She also teaches in the program five mornings a week. She is grateful to have the opportunity to work with a wonderful staff and feels privileged to serve the families of St John's Preschool. Most of all she loves being with the children, as she notes, "They are a constant reminder of what is truly important in life."
preschool @sjbwr.org
Servio has been serving our parish for more than 12 years. He is responsible for taking care of the buildings and grounds including cleaning, maintenance, repairs. He makes sure we have all the supplies that go with running a parish facility. Each time we have an event in the parish hall, Servio arranges the room for the group's use. He loves the friendly people of our parish and making people happy through his service.
Servio can be contacted through the main office extenstion: (631)929-4339 ext 110
Chrissy has been working at St. John the Baptist since 2021. She loves interacting with the staff, students, and preschool parents. She also enjoys meeting the many parishioners that come into the office. Chrissy loves to read and spend time with her family and friends.
preschool @sjbwr.org
Barbara grew up here in Wading River and has served the St. John's community since she was a child. She has volunteered as a eucharistic minister, lector, Liturgy of the Word with Children lector and presider, trainer of new altar servers, and food pantry assistant. Barbara also makes holiday crafts with the 2 year-old classes at St. John's Preschool. She taught religious education classes for each of her 3 children until they received their sacraments.
An elementary school teacher by trade, Barbara retired in 2009 and accepted a position in the parish. She sets up for daily and weekly masses, places floral arrangements and seasonal decorations in the sanctuary and around the church, orders supplies for Mass, and performs the quarterly census for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, among other duties. She help couples rehearse for their weddings and assists with funerals, as needed.
Lindsay started at Saint John the Baptist in 2012 as a receptionist and bookkeeper.
Since then she added payroll, financial and HR functions to assist the pastor to her bookkeeping responsibilities. She loves seeing members of the community that she grew up with come to the church for weddings, baptisms etc. Lindsay is in the office most Tuesdays.
lfinter @sjbwr.org
(631) 929-4339 ext 117