Staff
Bjorn Gustafson, Music Director, half-time
Music Director Bjorn Gustafson has served St. Mary's since August
2005, but has been active in church music for 15 years. He began
playing the organ for services at the age of 14. He has served Lutheran
and Roman Catholic parishes, and his experience includes campus
ministry, prison ministry and accompanying. He is a graduate of St.
John's University in Collegeville where he developed a passion for
liturgy. A confirmed hymn buff and collector of hymnals, he is also a
piano instructor and has a small studio of beginning to advanced
students.
Mia McFarland, Children/Youth Minister, half-time
As a native of Brooklyn, New York, MiaLisa McFarland transplanted to
the Saint Paul area in 2004 and fell in love with Minnesota summers and
decided to stay. She is very excited to be the new Youth Minister at
St. Mary's. As a former teacher she is looking forward to bringing her
enthusiasm for learning to her new job. Mia has a Master's Degree in
Peace Education from Columbia University, Teachers College and hopes to
intertwine peace studies, conflict resolution and human rights into her
new work. In her spare time, Mia loves watching movies, singing,
rollerblading and practicing yoga. Her goal for the summer is to learn
each and every church member's name so introduce yourself and help her
with this task!
We have two wonderful people - Courtney Juvland and Mitch Ryan, who contract to work with us a limited number of hours each week. Courtney does our desktop publishing, and Mitch can fix anything that needs fixing, especially our old boiler!