Staff

Fr. David Reichling OFM, Cap.

Pastor

davidr@stbernardblgs.org

I am a member of the St. Joseph Province of Capuchin-Franciscans, headquartered in Detroit & one of 9 Capuchins assigned to ministry in Montana from Ashland to Billings. I was ordained in 1967. A great joy for me is sharing weekend Eucharist; another is sharing those special moments of joy, and sometimes pain too, in the lives of so many people, marriages, births & baptisms, first communions, anniversaries, reconciliation’s and transitions. Folks open their lives so generously in the significant moments of their lives. I enjoy Montana, especially trips to the mountains with my faithful dog Eli. Besides, St. Bernard’s, I also am pastor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Ballantine, MT about 20 miles East of Billings.

Jodi Samel

Bookkeeper / Business Manager

bookkeeper@stbernardblgs.org

Jodi joined the staff in October 2021. Jodi and her family have been members of St. Bernard since 2015. Jodi grew up in Baker, MT, joined the Air Force, where she served in Desert Storm, and then married Alan in 1992. Since then, they’ve lived in Georgia, Colorado, Iowa and finally, back to MT. Before having their 2 kids, Jodi worked as a computer support tech. She is active in St. Christopher’s Circle and the Mom’s Group and in her spare time, loves crafts and reading.

Mary Strauss

Secretary/Receptionist/Bulletin/Web

marys@stbernardblgs.org

I joined the parish staff December 1, 2006. I am the “church secretary” or ask Mary – she’ll know the answer person. I have been a member of St. Bernard’s since 1982. I chair the Worship and Liturgy Committee, help with weddings. In the past I have been involved with the music, teaching CCD, and RCIA. Outside of church I am involved with the Cum Christo, and Cum Christo Renewal. My hobbies include photography and sports. Before joining the parish staff, I worked in dentistry for 23 years as an assistant and receptionist. I was born in Missoula, MT and raised in Polson, MT, graduated from Polson High School and Montana State University – Bozeman, with a degree in teaching. I enjoy traveling back to the Flathead Valley for visits and returning to my roots and what I call “God’s Country.” My side kick is a black kitty named Pearl.

Donna Choriki-Ayers

Music Director

dayers@stbernardblgs.org

I have been a music director in the Diocese of Great Falls Billings since 1989-part time, then since 1995 full time. I was at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral and then at Holy Rosary and Little Flower Churches, and stayed through the transition into Mary Queen of Peace. I started here at St. Bernard’s in January 2012. My position here at St. Bernard’s includes planning the music for all Masses, preparing the weekly song sheets, directing the youth choir, the Sunday Choir, various music groups, working with cantors, and instrumentalists, and playing the piano and singing. I also coordinate the music for weddings and funerals and other events and services. My husband and I have 6 adult children, and 5 grandchildren. We live in the “extreme heights” about 8 miles out of town toward Shepherd, with our dogs, cats, turkeys and chickens.

Brian Shea

DRE / Youth Minister

brians@stbernardblgs.org

I was born and raised in Billings, MT. I received my undergraduate degree in religious studies from Gonzaga University and Masters in Theology from Creighton University. I found my love for youth ministry while I ran the middle school and high school youth groups at St. Aloysius Catholic Church during college and spent summers working at Legendary Lodge, a Catholic summer camp in the Helena Diocese. After college, I spent a year doing Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working at a homeless shelter and on a crisis hotline in Portland, Maine. I started working at St. Bernard’s Church in the fall of 2003. I currently lead three youth groups (4th/5th grade, middle school, and high school), coordinate the adult education program, and oversee the religious education department. I am married to Erica and we have two children, Gracie and Connor. When I am not at work, I love to spend time with family, reading, playing games, and doing anything that gets me outdoors in God’s creation.

Jackie Haider and Lauren Dubell

Children’s Faith Formation Director's

ccf@stbernardblgs.org

Jackie (on the left) joined the St. Bernard staff in July of 2023. She has been a member of the parish since 2006. During that time she has been a Sunday school teacher, member of St. Christopher’s circle, family fun committee member, VBS volunteer and a member of Mid-week Mom’s. She is a Minnesota transplant that now calls Billings home. She loves spending time with her husband, Rich, and 2 daughters, Allison and Tori. She may have gotten bit by a travel bug in her early years and is always planning her next adventure. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Lauren (on the right) joined the St. Bernard staff in July of 2023. She is a fun-loving, party-throwing member of the church since 2011 (though she spent her teen years here in the late 90s/early 2000s). You may recognize her from selling lemonade each summer for the Midweek Moms or making announcements in church for the Family Fun Committee. She is a mother of 3 wonderful kids that are in the Children’s Choir and youth programs. One of her fears is flying, so it made sense to marry Chuck, a pilot, in 2011. She loves anything creative, cries at animal rescue videos, and appreciates a label maker more than what is normal. Lauren is looking forward to working with your children in the youth program and making their experience fun!

Deacon Roy Brown

OCIA

ocia@stbernardblgs.org

Roy joined the staff in 2011 as the director of RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) - now called OCIA - Order of Christian Initiation for Adults. The Browns have been parishioners at St. Bernard since 1994. Both their children are grown so Roy and Kari spend most of their free time with their “fur-baby” Chubbs, an English bulldog. Roy has been active at St. Bernard as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Sacristan, and Lector. He enjoys sharing the Catholic faith with those just entering the Church as well as lifelong Catholics. He is also the Executive Director for Billings Catholic Radio, KJCR and spends any free time golfing, reading, and enjoying time with friends and family. His wife Kari, is a surgery tech and helps with funeral meals as well as leads our outreach to our sister parish in Haiti. She loves reading so much she installed a Little Free Library in the front yard. She loves to share and swap books and always is looking for something fun to add to it. They love the people they have come to know through St. Bernard Church and pray you find a home here too. Roy was ordained a Deacon on June 8, 2024

Priscilla Moorhouse

Parish Nurse

priscillam@stbernardblgs.org

I have been the Parish Nurse Coordinator since 2000. I retired from School District #2 that spring after 17 years as a school nurse. We moved to Billings from Worland, WY, with 3 children in 1984. My early years of nursing include floor nurse at St. Vincent’s, Public health nurse for the Division of Indian Health at Ft. Washakie, WY and substitute teacher in Worland. John and I married, traveled to several other Indian Reservations, and raised 3 children, Judd, Jennie and Mary-Margret. We have been at St. Bernard's since l984, active in parish living as past council member, pro-life, CCD teacher and lector. My favorite time is spent spoiling the 13 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild, fishing, gardening, knitting & crocheting, reading and people.

Justin Downey

Housekeeping

Bob Dantic

Janitorial/Maintenance

Lived in Laurel most of my life, graduated in 1971, married my spouse Jeanmarie of 50 plus years, have three grown children, six grand kids. Have 42 years in management of grocery stores including 30 at family owned Jan’s IGA in Laurel. Owner operator of the Beartooth Grill in Laurel for 5 years. The great outdoors is my passion with many miles traveled in the Beartooths. Oil painting and most any art is a favorite. Jeanmarie and I spend countless hours attending grand kids many school and sporting events. I really enjoy the many fine people here at St. Bernard’s Parish. Trying to be retired but love being out on the trail to speak is keeping me from getting older at home. Beware of the Bear…. BIG GRIZ FAN