Father David Gaffny, a native of Winthrop, Massachusetts, began his priestly life as a Maryknoll Missionary being ordained June 8, 1957. Upon his ordination he began his ministry in Chile after training in Spanish in Cochabamba, Boliva.

Besides being Pastor of Immaculate Conception, Father David is also Administrator of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Dover.

If blessed to hear Father David preach do not be surprised to hear him speak of his wife (now deceased) or children or grandchildren. Father received permission from Pope Paul VI to leave active ministry and get married. Always faithful to the Church, after the death of his wife. Father David received permission from Pope John Paul II to return to active priestly ministry. This background gives Father David a unique perspective in his preaching and pastoral duties.

Father is available by appointment to all parishioners and others during the week in the Parish Office.

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Fr. Theophilus Ebulueme –
Associate Pastor

Father Theophilus (Theo) Ebulueme, a priest of Nnewi diocese in Nigeria was ordained in 1995. Father Theo served under Onitsha Archdiocese before Nnewi diocese was carved out in 2002. He volunteered to go to Cameroon as a Fidei Donum priest in the diocese of Buea. After three years he returned to his home diocese and was made the pastor of St. Mary Parish, Oraifite from 2000-2003. In 2003 he came to the United States to study Theology at the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio. Upon completion and in agreement with his Bishop, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, he wrote to the diocese of Nashville under Most Rev. Kmiec for a pastoral experience. He was asked to take up an assignment as hospital Chaplain in July, 2004. Later, Bishop Kmiec and Bishop Okeke had a contract that Father Theo work in the diocese. The contract was renewed with Most Rev. David Choby. After five years as a hospital chaplain, he was given the opportunity to see another side of pastoral ministry as Bishop Choby assigned him to Immaculate Conception in Clarksville as an associate pastor on August 1, 2009.

Father Theo says he is presently enjoying his ministry as he tries to adapt to the new environment. He continues to minister to the people of God in his own capacity with the hope that he can be of service to all people here at Immaculate Conception, Clarksville and her environs. Meanwhile, he says his priestly ministry has been a wonderful journey through the help of family and friends. To them he gives praise and thanksgiving to God. All the same he his thankful to the staff of the Catholic Center for their support during his stay in Nashville and to the present staff of Immaculate Conception. Father Theo says “To all men and women of good will, may the light of Christ shine on you as I wish you the peace and love of our Lord. Peace!”

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Fr. Charles Mathew OFM 
Associate Pastor

Fr. Charles Mathew is a Franciscan friar from the province of St .Thomas the apostle, India.He was ordained a priest on 23rd March, 1974 and most of his time back in India has been spent in guiding and directing the local Franciscan communities as its guardian (superior) and also the seminarians- theologians and transitional deacons- in their religious and priestly formation. Just before he came to the diocese of Nashville four months back (on 20th May 2009) to offer his pastoral services he was the director of the theology students of his province in India.

Fr. Charles is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Varghese and Philomena. He was born on 1st November 1947. He had four brothers two on either side: Paul, Jose, Emmanuel and Victor. With his eldest Brother Paul’s death ten years back, now he has three brothers and their families back in India. He wished that he had a sister but it was not to be, however he feels that he is being blessed with so many sisters all over the world. He has his parents - aged 93 and 92- still alive His brothers’ families and he consider this as one of the great blessings God has showered upon the family. The parents live together with their youngest son’s family; according to their tradition it is the youngest son and his family that have to take care of the aged parents.

Fr. Charles says that he is happy and blessed to be here at Immaculate Conception church Clarksville as associate to Fr. David J.Gaffny to love and serve God and the people here and thus glorify God.

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Deacon Dominick Azzara –
Deacon, Pastoral Assistant and Director of Pastoral Ministries 

EMAIL

Deacon Azzara, a native of Brooklyn, came here as an Army officer in 1967.  After the military, he earned a B.S. degree at Austin Peay State University (APSU) and has worked in management and administration at social service agencies in Clarksville prior to joining the Immaculate Conception staff. 

Completing the MLF program, he was commissioned a Lay Pastoral Minister in 1988.  He has served the parish in religious education, parish council, and liturgical ministries.  After completion of the Deacon Formation Program, he was ordained in May 1999 and assigned to the parish by Bishop Kmiec. 

In 2002, Bishop Kmiec assigned additional duties as Co-Chaplain for the Catholic Committee on Scouting.  The committee fosters the Catholic faith through youth ministry to Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, and adults who participate in scouting.  He and his wife, Regina, have three sons.

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Deacon Robert (Bob) Berberich 

Deacon Berberich was raised and educated in Milwaukee, WI.   After ROTC he was assigned to Ft. Campbell and in 1970 he became a member of Immaculate Conception parish.  He served as a clinician at the Mental Health Center and earned a Masters in Psychology from APSU in 1972. 

Relocating to Nashville, he earned a Doctorate in Psychology from Vanderbilt University ’s Peabody College.   He and his wife, Pat, returned to Clarksville in 1980 and were active in Cursillo and Ecumenical Family Enrichment Programs until her death in 1986.  Deacon Bob has served as Co-Chairman of the Parish Council and in Religious Education Programs. 

He was ordained and assigned to the parish in 1999.  Deacon Bob is a clinical psychologist in private practice.  His son, daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and one granddaughter live with him here in Clarksville .

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Deacon Timothy Winters

Deacon Winters was born and raised in Arizona.   A Greek and Latin scholar, he has studied at the University of Arizona and at Ohio State University where he earned a Ph.D.  He taught high school and at universities in Utah and Pennsylvania.  

In 1994, he moved to Nashville where he taught at Vanderbilt before coming to the parish and his present work at APSU.  He was ordained in 1999.  He and his wife, Mary, have four children.

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Judy Spink –Secretary

EMAIL

Judy was born in Texas, raised in a military family, and settled in Clarksville in 1967.  She married husband Richard in 1971 and has three sons.  Judy converted to the Catholic faith in 2000.

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Venus VanWormer – Receptionist

EMAIL

Venus is a native of Gallatin, TN, where she graduated high school from Southside Christian School.   She has studied at Volunteer State Community College where she earned an A.S. degree in Music Education. 

She has also taken classes at APSU towards a B.S. degree in early childhood and music education.  She is a member of New Providence Baptist Church where she serves as both Church Pianist and Youth Director.

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Mary Hoffpauir –
Sacramental Clerk

Mary, a native of Clarksville, returned to Immaculate Conception in 1990 after 30 years in southwestern Louisiana.   She has three daughters and three grandchildren.  Mary is an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and a member of the Welcome Committee.

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   Mary Skipworth-Life Teen

Mary grew up in Dickson, TN. She moved to Clarksville in 2002 to attend Austin Peay State University. She graduated in May of 2007 with a degree in Theatre and Communications and a minor in Secondary Education. She became an official member of Immaculate Conception Church and the Lifeteen Coordinator in 2008. She married her husband Mark Skipworth in September 2009. She now lives in Elkton, KY with her husband and two dogs.

                                       

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Kathy McDonough –
Accounts Manager

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Kathy was born at Langley A.F.B. in Virginia and moved to Clarksville in 1968.   She received her A.S. Degree in Accounting from Miller-Motte Business College and joined the Immaculate Conception staff in April 2002.  Kathy has one son.

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                                         Regina Azzara –
                                         Safe Environment Coordinator

 

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Music Ministry Team

June Esquilin-Director-Liturgical Music, Director-Parish Choir, Keyboard, Organist (Top Left)

Terry Martin-IC Music Ministry Coordinator, Cantor, Keyboard (Top Right)

Danny Chartrand-Director-EXALT! AND Life Teen Music Ministry (Bottom Left)

Stella McKnight-Director-Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, Cantor (Bottom Right)

Vincent LaRocca-Organist, Cantor (Bottom Center)

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Bill Young –
Building Maintenance

I am a native of Denver Colorado. I retired from the army in 1995, having been stationed at Ft. Campbell four times during my career, I have made Clarksville my home. I'm married and have three children. I have a degree from Austin Peay State University in Construction Technology. I am a member of the Knights of Coumbus. I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially running and sking. I have worked for the Church since April of 1997.

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Denise Tucker –
Principal – St. Mary’s Catholic School

EMAIL

Denise, a native of Maryland, moved to Tennessee in 1994 with her husband.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and Elementary Education with a Minor in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Supervision and Administration.  Before becoming principal of St. Mary’s, she worked in education for 16 years.

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Pam Loos – Director - St. Mary’s Pre-school; Assistant to the Principal - St. Mary’s Catholic School

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Pam is a native of Hurricane Mills, TN.  She has lived in Clarksville for seven years.  She became a Catholic in 1998 and Pre-school Director in June 2002.

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Sally Tranberg – Administrative Assistant – St. Mary’s Pre-school

Sally has served with the pre-school for 14 years and has been a Clarksville resident for 15 years.  Her native state is Ohio.