Pastor
Diocese of Grand Island Vocations Director
frhock@lopercatholic.org

Fr. Hock is in his 11th year as pastor of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center. He was born and raised on a farm in McCook, Nebraska. He studied accounting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then worked for a grain company in Illinois. There, Father heard and said “Yes” to a call to the priesthood. He studied at Conception Seminary College, then the Pontifical North American College in Rome before his ordination to the priesthood on June 10, 2011. Fr. Hock continues to also serve as the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Grand Island.

Executive Director
brent@lopercatholic.org

Brent joined the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center last September after six years at Ave Maria University. A Nebraska native, he was born in McCook, graduated from Ogallala High School, and studied Chinese at UNL before spending 25 years living and working in China. There, he balanced management roles in various enterprises with leading a pro-life charity, China Little Flower, which continues to serve abandoned and medically fragile children. Brent and his wife, Serena, now live in Kearney and have six children and one grandchild.

Director of Campus Ministry
ann@lopercatholic.org

Ann Sucha, S.T.M., joined the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center team in July. She and her husband, Paul, moved to Kearney in 1998 and now live in the home where Ann grew up. With a background in theology and a heart for ministry, Ann supports students in planning, organizing, and leading many aspects of parish life. She shares that getting to know the students has been a true blessing, and seeing them serve with such joy and commitment continues to inspire her every day.

Business Office Manager
jody@lopercatholic.org

Jody Smith and her husband, Todd, have been active in the Catholic community in Kearney for many years. A former member of the UNK Newman Center herself, Jody returned in September to serve full-time at St. Teresa’s Parish. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as Financial Secretary at St. James Church, along with a B.S. in Medical Technology from UNMC and the life experience of raising three children. Her son and daughter are currently active at the Newman Center in Lincoln, giving her a personal understanding of how important it is for college students to feel known, supported, and encouraged in their relationship with Christ.

Marketing Technology Consultant
alicia@lopercatholic.org

Alicia Bauer supports the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center through her work in marketing, communications, and brand strategy. She manages the center’s contact and donor management system, oversees the website, and ensures consistent branding across all platforms. Alicia is also the owner of Ally B Designs, a creative studio she founded in 2011, and brings years of experience helping mission-driven organizations connect and communicate with clarity.

Marketing Associate - Student Staff
joise@lopercatholic.org

Josie Sliva is from Columbus, Nebraska, and the oldest of six siblings. A sophomore at UNK majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Athletic Training and Health Sciences, she loves that her role at St. T’s lets her be creative while growing closer to Jesus. Through photography, Josie helps others encounter Christ and build community—and when she’s not behind the camera, she can even be found tiling kitchens!

Team Director
megan.krueger@focus.org

Megan grew up in Smithville, Missouri, as the oldest of two and studied Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management at Missouri S&T. She has served as a FOCUS missionary for six years—all of them right here at St. T’s in Kearney. Megan became a missionary after her own life was transformed in college and now loves walking with students as they encounter the Lord through friendship and faith. She especially admires their willingness to lean into the deepest questions of their hearts, which inspires her to keep growing closer to Christ herself. When she’s not on campus, you can often find her skiing or enjoying just about any other sport.

FOCUS Missionary
shayna.smits@focus.org

Shayna grew up outside of Chicago and studied Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University. She is in her third year as a FOCUS missionary, all of them at St. T’s. Shayna became a missionary after falling in love with the Lord and wanting to share that love with others, and she is inspired daily as she walks with students encountering Christ. She also loves the joy of student life at St. T’s—especially when she gets to beat them at spike ball. A fun fact about Shayna is that she’s a powerlifter with a 650-pound total.

FOCUS Missionary
gabriel.sehnert@focus.org

Gabe was born and raised in McCook, Nebraska, alongside his two older sisters. He graduated from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in Business Management and was a proud member of Phi Kappa Theta. Now in his third year as a FOCUS missionary, Gabe previously served at Arizona State University before returning to Nebraska to be closer to his fiancée, Hannah, and their families. He loves helping others grow in an intimate relationship with God—just as a missionary once challenged him to do—and treasures the family-like community at St. T’s. In his free time, Gabe enjoys gathering friends to write and sing goofy songs.

FOCUS Missionary
christopher.russell@focus.org

Scott Russell is from Pittsburg, Kansas, and a proud graduate of Pittsburg State University, where he earned a degree in Business Management. The youngest of four siblings and favorite uncle to four nieces and one nephew, Scott began serving as a FOCUS missionary in June and was joyfully assigned to St. T’s. After feeling God’s call to mission at SEEK 2025, he embraced the words, “Of whom much is given, much is expected.” What inspires him most is walking alongside students as they radically pursue God together. Scott loves the close-knit community life at St. T’s—and he can even walk 50 yards on his hands!

FOCUS Missionary
monica.weinkopf@focus.org

Monica grew up in Southern California with her six siblings and graduated from Thomas Aquinas College. A first-year FOCUS missionary, she asked the Lord to send her somewhere new—and He answered with Kearney, Nebraska. Her own relationship with Jesus has transformed her life, and she now helps others encounter Him in the same way. Monica loves getting to know the students at St. T’s, especially during those long Midwestern goodbyes, and finds joy in watching them recognize how God is working in their lives. Fun fact: she once worked as a freelance wedding photographer and can remember almost everyone’s outfit on every occasion.

FOCUS Missionary
sydney.fisher@focus.org

Sydney grew up in Grand Island, Nebraska, with her parents and three older brothers. She’s currently student teaching while finishing her degree at UNK and will begin serving as a full-time FOCUS missionary after graduating in December 2025. Sydney became a missionary after clearly hearing God’s call and feels inspired knowing that this mission will transform her own life as much as the lives of the students she serves. She loves that the friendships she’s built at St. T’s are rooted in virtue and shared faith. Fun fact: Sydney took taekwondo lessons when she was a wee little tyke!

FOCUS Missionary
delaney.olmer@focus.org

Delaney is from Humphrey, Nebraska, and is currently a senior at UNK serving as a part-time FOCUS missionary while completing her degree. Returning to St. T’s, the Newman Center she calls her second home, has been a special blessing. With a deep desire to invite others into a relationship with Christ, Delaney embraces FOCUS’s mission of evangelizing through St. Thérèse’s “little way.” She loves the family atmosphere at St. T’s, where students and staff pray, play, and grow together in faith. Fun fact: once upon a time, Delaney was a vegetarian!

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