Meet Our Staff

Julianne has belonged to St. Malachy all her life. Growing up, she was involved in the Bell Choir, Children’s Choir, Vacation Bible Camp, and the FROG and ROCK Youth Groups. She is now a Certified Youth Minister working with ROCK, an Administrative Assistant in our parish office, and does administrative work for our Safe Environment programs.

Julianne attends Wayne State University and plans to graduate in the Spring of 2015 with a Departmental Honors Degree in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. She plans to obtain a graduate level degree in Counseling and become a Marriage and Family Counselor.

Ken became involved with St. Malachy as a financial consultant in 2002 and was hired as the Business Manager in the Spring of 2010. He holds a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with studies in Economics and Business Management. In his career he has over 15 years of sales and management experience including time as a Regional Manager over a multi-million dollar operation in 14 states.

Ken has traveled around the world, coached football for 14 years and was Treasurer of a Men's Club for 6 years. He grew up in Lincoln Park and moved to the east side in 2003. Ken met his wife in 2004 and was married in 2006. They have 2 children, a girl and a boy. Ken has a passion for his work at St. Malachy and enjoys working for everyone here.  586 854-7149

As our most recent staff addition, Phil as been a member of our staff since February 2012. Born in Detroit, Phil now lives in St. Clair Shores with his wife Cindy and daughter Sarah. Phil is currently studying to become a Deacon in the Byzantine Catholic Rite.

Father Joe Gembala graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science and studied law at the University of Arkansas. After practicing law for two years he enrolled at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. Fr. Joe received a Master of Divinity degree from St. John’s Provincial Seminary in 1987, and the Archdiocese of Detroit ordained him on November 14, 1987.

Fr. Joe traveled to Recife, Brazil for a Detroit Archdiocesan-sponsored mission in 1986. After his ordination, he was assigned to Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Lincoln Park. In 1993, he formed the first trilingual parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit, St. Stephen/Mary Mother of the Church. He has served as our pastor, at St. Malachy, since September 9, 1996. He is a huge U of M football fan and loves a good game of euchre and to travel as much as possible.

Sara came to St. Malachy Parish in 2009 and immediately became heavily involved in ROCK, the high school youth group. Throughout high school she was on the Cousino's Girl's Varsity Swim Team and enrolled in college level courses. Today, she is working very hard towards her Degree in Radiology at Baker College of Clinton Township. Sara also enjoys spending time with her family and friends in between studying.

Katie has been a part of the St. Malachy office staff since her senior year of high school at St. Clement back in 2004. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts & Education from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2007. In addition to working at St. Malachy on the weekends, she is a Publicist for a promotional advertising agency and heads the Allied Faith and Family division in Michigan. She is always looking for fun and out of the box ways to help increase people’s faith