CLERGY & STAFF
THE RT REV. SILVESTRE ROMERO
Rector
The Rt. Rev. Silvestre Romero
I was born in Guatemala to a Guatemalan mother and a Belizean father. Growing up in a family that celebrated diversity as a beautiful gift and reality—culturally, linguistically, and ethnically—profoundly shaped my life and perspective. At the age of eighteen, my family relocated to the United States, settling in California. I am the second of four siblings, with two sisters and one brother.
I am married to Thelma, and together we are blessed with three children: Merlin, who resides in Guatemala; Jonathan, who lives in Corona, California; and Christopher, who lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. We are proud grandparents to ten grandchildren.
I was ordained Deacon in San Jose California in 1996 and then ordained Priest in the Anglican Church of Belize in 1997. I spent three years engaged in missionary work in Belize. My entire ordained ministry has been dedicated to serving in diverse contexts. In 1999, I was called to serve as the Hispanic Missioner for the Diocese of Spokane, encompassing the eastern part of Washington State and the panhandle of Idaho. My ministry during this time focused on serving migrant workers in the region.
In 2003, I was called to be the Rector of a dynamic and diverse congregation in San Jose, California, where our Sunday worship regularly incorporated at least three languages. In 2012, I accepted a call to serve as Priest-in-Charge and later as Rector at St. Peter-San Pedro Episcopal Church in Salem, Massachusetts. In 2017, I was elected Bishop of Guatemala, a role I held until October 2023. Since November 2023, I have served as Assisting Bishop and Missioner in the Diocese of Western Kansas.
My ministry has extended to various leadership roles within the wider Church. I was the first Latino priest to serve as Chaplain at General Convention, the highest governing body of the Episcopal Church. Additionally, I served as a member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, the governing body that operates between General Conventions, which meet every three years. I have contributed to numerous committees and boards throughout the Church.
I also served for five years on the Board of the Correctional Institutions Chaplaincy in Santa Clara County, California, where I supported the spiritual needs of incarcerated individuals.
I am deeply committed to being part of a community that embraces the ever-changing realities of our world with hope, dedication, and faith, striving to create a better future and to live as God’s people in love and service.
THE REV. JIM WELCH
Deacon
The Rev. Jim Welch graduated from the Iona School of Ministry in June of 2015, and was ordained a vocational deacon at St. Patrick’s in August of 2015. Jim attended Oklahoma State University, and has been in the steel manufacturing business for over 35 years. He is currently the general manager of Ozark Steel in Tulsa, OK.
Jim and his wife Cindy have attended St. Patrick’s together since 2000, and are the proud parents of their adult children, Erin and Dustin, who were both baptized at St. Patrick’s. Jim shares a passion for cycling with Cindy, and also enjoys the outdoors, including golf, hunting and fishing, and the occasional trip to a white sandy beach somewhere…
SUZANNE SHEPHERD
Parish Administrator
Suzanne began attending St. Patrick’s in 1999 and joined the staff of St. Patrick’s in August, 2001. She has a background of more than 40 years in office administration, human resources and facilities management. She graduated from the University of Tulsa with a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in English Literature and minoring in Public Speaking. Suzanne was married to Michael for 40 years until his death in October, 2024. Together they had two children, a son and daughter, Stephen and Megan. Stephen and his wife, Kyra, are the parents of Jackson Patrick Shepherd and Blake Olivia Shepherd, the most beautiful children in the world. Suzanne also has a beautiful Golden Retriever named Toffee. Suzanne is a voracious reader and loves music, needlepointing, watching way too much true crime, and giving hugs!
LISA STRICKLAND
Financial Assistant
Lisa is our Financial Assistant and has been working part-time at St. Patrick's since January 2024. Before coming to St. Patrick's, she was an Accountant and Financial Analyst at IBM for 38 years. She is married to Paul Strickland, our current Junior Warden. They have two grown sons and enjoy traveling, hiking and biking.
ABBY KIMBROUGH
Youth Leader
Abby is originally from Dallas, TX. She came to Tulsa to attend nursing school, and she will be a senior at the University of Tulsa this year. She hopes to go into the field of pediatrics. She loves being around kids, and being a part of SPY has been a blessing for her. She grew up as an Episcopalian and found out about St. Patrick's through a former mentor who once attended here. She loves being at St. Patrick's and is so grateful for the community it provides.
BETSY BROWN
Concierge/Fellowship Coordinator
Betsy wears many hats at St. Patrick's. Not only is she our Concierge, setting up each week for Sunday morning coffee and all special events, she is also a member of our Grief Ministry Team and a part of the Butterfly Garden Committee. Betsy is a caregiver for many families and also does pet/house sitting. Her hobbies include crocheting, scrapbooking, dot painting using acrylics, watercolor painting, gardening and mah jongg. Her children and grandchildren are the loves of her life.
ANN BOELZNER
Organist and Handbell Director
Ann is originally from Ardmore, OK, and a graduate of the University of North Texas School of Music. Ann worked for many years in church music and health care administration in Richmond, Virginia, prior to her relocation to Tulsa in 2019. Ann's husband David is a retired college professor and music historian. Ann and David have two adult children and two very spoiled rescue dogs.
DAVID BOELZNER
Interim Choir Director
David Boelzner is a retired lawyer and law professor. He practiced in Richmond, Virginia and has taught at the law schools of University of Richmond, William & Mary, and the University of Tulsa. But his chief avocation has always been music. He obtained a degree in composition from the University of Central Florida, did a master's in musicology from the University of North Carolina, and completed all the course work for a doctorate before going to law school and getting a paying job. He plays piano and French horn, and continues to compose for piano, organ, and choir.
