Reverend Jozef Kovacik, Pastor Email
I was born on March 28th, 1972, in a small but beautiful country in central Europe called SLOVAKIA. Even though the oppressive communist regime that ruled in my home country wanted to destroy people's faith in God, the Church, and religion, my parents Jozef and Maria brought me up in the Catholic faith and taught me to cherish and practice it.
While in my senior year in high school, the communist regime fell in the fall of 1989. Seeing that many people wanted to start or renew their relationship with the Lord or just simply revive their spiritual lives and practice their faith; the same faith many of them, for various reasons, had not practiced, I entered Saint Francis Xavier Seminary in 1990. I said to myself: “If God wants me to become a priest, he will help me to bring this journey to its completion.”
After four years in the seminary in Slovakia I responded to Bishop Joseph Adamec’s invitation he had extended to the seminarians and volunteered to come to the USA. Why? Because I realized that the Catholic Church in Slovakia would be in good shape in terms of new priestly vocations, so I left Slovakia and on July 18th, 1994, came to the USA with the intention of serving God’s people in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. I lived in State College with Father Phil Bender and became a member of the Good Shepherd parish family. After studying English at Penn State, I finished my theology studies and priestly formation at Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, PA. On May 24th, 1997, I was ordained a deacon. My diaconal ministry took place right here at Good Shepherd parish. On May 30th, 1998, I was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona.
As a priest I served at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Altoona, Saint Benedict Parish in Johnstown, Saint Agnes Parish in Lock Haven, Saint Matthew Parish in Tyrone, Most Holy Trinity Parish in Huntingdon, and Saint Joseph Parish in Bellwood. One of the most important and joyous days of my life was December 7th, 2005, when I became a citizen of the USA.
Being a priest is not an easy life, but it certainly is rewarding in many ways, and it is only possible because of God’s unconditional love, continued guidance and many people’s sacrifices and daily prayers as well as their love, friendship, and support. I intend to continue serving God’s people wherever He needs me. Right now, I am home with my Good Shepherd parish family and will try to lead it as best as can, following Jesus' example of love and service. I humbly ask you: "Please pray for me as I pray for you."
Deacon Jack Orlandi - Email
Deacon Jack Orlandi was ordained a deacon in 2009. He is a native of Jerome, PA, in Somerset County. He graduated from St Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY. He entered the Air Force in 1966 where he spent 20 years until his retirement in 1986. He joined the Penn State Community in 1986 as a computer analyst/programmer supporting the University Libraries computer systems. His daughter Renee lives in State College and his son Christopher and his wife Jennifer live in Knoxville, TN. Deacon Jack is married to Colette a native of San Antonio. Deacon Jack and Colette, along with some friends, formed a prayer group which led to his calling to the diaconate. They both have been involved with Prison Ministry at the nearby Rockview State Corrections Institution. Deacon Jack actively serves the people of our parish as well as those in our surrounding area.
Deacon Michael A. Ondik
Deacon Mike Ondik was ordained a deacon in 2000. Deacon Mike spent 30 years in the public arena of natural resource conservation. His interest in wildlife and the outdoors in general will always be there, but the little bit of help he can be to the people who need help is important in a different way. Mike and his family live here in Happy Valley. His son Mike is a Land Management Group Supervisor with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, his daughter Dolores is involved with Rittenhouse Management Corporation in Shingletown, and his son Patrick is a heating/air conditioning technician and lives in State College. He has six grandchildren and they are lots of fun. He lives on a small farm near Fillmore, PA. The pleasure of serving Good Shepherd parish has been all his! He is looking forward to many more years!
Amy Steele Timan, Director of Faith Formation - Email
My family joined Good Shepherd Church in 2012. I began volunteering when my son, Jonathan, started attending Faith Formation, as the “traveling music teacher” on Sunday mornings. Eventually I became a 1st and 2nd grade Catechist. When the position of Faith Formation Director opened up last year, I KNEW this is the place I wanted to be!
Born and raised in St. Mary’s, PA, I moved to State College in the mid ‘80’s to attend Penn State. After graduation I worked as the Director of the local Daycare Center. I transitioned to Penn State’s Child Development Lab as teacher in the early ‘90’s. During this time I met my future Dutch husband, John, and moved to Holland. I loved my job at the American International School of Rotterdam teaching Kindergarten but gladly returned to the States with John, residing and working in NJ for 4 years. During this time I worked for an early childhood music education program both as a teacher and an administrator. Alas, all good things must come to an end and BACK to Holland we went!
Jonathan (JJ) was born in Holland in 2005 and our family was son off to 3 years of adventures in Africa, taking up residence in Lagos, Nigeria! I became involved with planning programs for the British Embassy and created and ran my own music program for over 50 children of ex-pats. My favorite part of my time in Lagos was spent teaching music in a Nigerian school as the “traveling music teacher”!
After a 6-month stay in Portugal we decided to located back to State College in 2009. JJ enrolled in the Child Development Lab, in my old classroom, with some of my former colleagues!
The last 10 years have been filled with many musical and non-musical volunteering ventures. Before coming to Good Shepherd I worked for 2 years at Juniper Village teaching tai/chi and qigong and leading monthly sing-a-longs; a delightful and fulfilling job.
This last year as Director of Faith Formation has been an amazing and God-inspired time. I LOVE the many facets of my job which allows me to grow closer to Christ through our children, families, programs, and Parish community.
Barbara A. Henderson, Administrative Assistant - Email
Barb, a native of rural Armstrong County, has been a resident of St. College since 1986. She earned a B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University of PA, then worked in Accounting and Finance Departments for various corporations for nearly 30 years. Her longest tenure was 25 years with Raytheon Corporation in St. College. Cooperate downsizing made her reevaluate what she wanted to do with her life, and after spending a year caregiving for a friend’s elderly mother, she felt the “nudge” to put her administrative skills to work for the church. She has been a member of Good Shepherd since 1990, is a mass choir leader, and is a cantor. She and her husband Jeff live in Pennsylvania Furnace with their big, fluffy cats Olli and Loki. They have 2 young adult children, Anna and Adam. She is thankful for the light, life and love she finds in so many ways at Good Shepherd.
Marcella Fickes, Admin. Assistant/Facility Rental Coordinator - Email
Cella began working at Good Shepherd on Oct. 1, 2021 as an Administrative Assistant. She retired on Sept. 3o, 2021 from Penn State after 25 years of service in various departments, serving as the department’s Administrative Manager.
She joined Good Shepherd parish in 2009. Cella is a mother of a son and a daughter, and raised her children in the house in which she was raised, in the Eldorado section of Altoona, PA. She has seven grandchildren and one great grandson. She currently lives in Tyrone, PA.
Family means everything to Cella, as well as her little Yorkie, Rini and kitten, Daisy. She loves hosting dinner parties with family and friends, decorating her home, cooking, reading, biking, hiking and taking long nature walks.
She serves as a volunteer in social justice work as well as with the church as a Liturgical Minister, coordinator of Lenten fish dinners and serving at the pancake breakfasts.
Cella’s administrative duties in the Good Shepherd office include coordinating the church’s accounts payable, human resources, parishioner database, assisting with Faith Formation and assisting with Fr. Charlie’s administrative tasks.
Jim Maund, Financial Assistant - Email
Jim graduated from Penn State in 1977 with a degree in Accounting. He moved to Pittsburgh for 14 years, where he worked for the Pittsburgh Steelers & for L B Foster Company. He returned to State College in 1989, where he served as Controller, first of The Skills Group & then of McCrossin Construction Company. In 2007, Jim participated in the RCIA program & entered into full communion with the Catholic church. He retired in 2017, & became our Facility Rental Coordinator in 2018. His wife Cindy passed away in 2017. His daughter, Laura, is an architect in New York City. He is so grateful for the many, many blessings Good Shepherd Parish has brought into his life.
CJ Sichler, Facilities Manager - Email
CJ became the facilities manager for Good Shepherd in May 2023. He grew up in State College and has been a lifelong member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. He attended the OLV Catholic School in the early days of the school through the 6th grade. He was a collegiate baseball athlete for Penn State, serving as team captain and student assistant coach. He earned his Bachelor Degree from Penn State in 1987.
CJ has worked in several positions throughout his career as a facilities manager including 10 years for the former Nittany Bank. Prior to coming to Good Shepherd he worked several years for Foxdale Village caring for the campus grounds.
He married his wife, Cheryl in 1990. They have two adult children. A daughter, Morgan who lives with her husband in Philadelphia and a son, Calvin who will be getting married in July 2024 and lives in Hagerstown, MD. Both Morgan and Calvin were students at Our Lady of Victory elementary and middle schools.