Clergy

Fr. Zach Griffith was born in Charleston S.C. when his dad was serving in the Navy. He grew up here in Johnson City and attended St Mary’s school until the fourth grade. He graduated David Crockett High School in 2011 and entered seminary shortly after. His nine years of seminary formation was done in St. Louis MO graduating Cardinal Glennon first and then Kenrick Theological respectively. He was ordained to the priesthood on August 29, 2020. He has served at OLPH in Chattanooga and as a chaplain for courage and encourage ministries. His family are parishioners at St. Mary’s where his father serves as a deacon.

Fr. Anselm Edu was born in Calabar, in the southern part of Nigeria. His parents are Samuel and Rosa Edu. Both are alive and living in Calabar. His earliest education began in Holy Family International Schools Calabar for both primary and secondary level. He studied at St. Joseph Major Seminary in Nigeria for the Catholic priesthood where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology respectively. Fr. Anselm was raised to the Order of Diaconate on December 30, 2018 by Archbishop Joseph and ordained to the Catholic priesthood on September 1, 2019, for the Archdiocese of Calabar in Nigeria. Fr. Anselm has been ministering as pastor in parishes in Calabar-Nigeria until his arrival in the United States recently. He is currently a CPE resident student at the BALLAD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

Deacon Mike Jacobs was born and raised in Michigan. He is a cradle Catholic. Both his parents were pilots and he grew up working in the family flight business.  After graduating from a Catholic High School he served in Vietnam for 2 years.  He spent most of his career in Aviation as a pilot, mechanic, business manager and owner of his own flight operations. He is married to Emma and they have 4 daughters and 9 grandkids spread throughout the country. He was ordained a Deacon in 2007 and has served in St. Mary’s Parish ever since. He retired from Bell Helicopter in 2015, enabling him to devote more time to ministry in our Parish.  He feels very blessed to be able to serve our Parish.

He grew up in Ohio. His mom still lives in the house he grew up in. His dad has passed and his only sibling, a younger sister, lives with his mom along with his nieces and nephews. He met his wife, Patty, while serving in the United States Navy, and now has 3 children. He entered full communion with the Holy Catholic Church at St. Mary’s at the Easter Vigil of 2006.  He was ordained to the order of the diaconate in June 2016 by Bishop Stika. He is thankful to God for allowing him to serve His holy people in this parish. 

Jim was born in Chicago and spent most of his years growing up in the near north suburb of Morton Grove. He is a cradle Catholic and attended a Catholic grade school and high school before going to college at Western Illinois University where he met his wife Cheryl. Recently retired, he spent his career working in the financial/administrative field of hospitals and lastly of a pharmacy company. Cheryl and Jim spent a few years in Texas before returning to Chicago for about a year and a half after which they began looking for a better place to work and raise their son, Adam. Cheryl and Jim now have two grandchildren, both boys. Jim was ordained June 11, 2022 and is humbled and blessed to have the opportunity to serve the parish of St. Mary’s and the Community.

Deacon George Fredericks was born and raised in Johnson City, TN.  He is an Electrical Engineer by profession and a registered professional engineer. Deacon George worked in research & development in industry for 10 years before becoming a college professor for 31 years. Raised in the Lutheran Church, he joined the Catholic Church in December, 1977. He retired early from teaching to become a deacon and was ordained to the Diaconate June 9, 2007. Deacon George has taught in R.C.I.A. for over 35 years and led groups in Bible Studies for over 20 years. He is married to Dolores Fredericks who is a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s. Dolores is a retired music educator and is now the parish Director of Music and Liturgy.