Meet Our Staff

Born to Frank and Rita Stec, Father Bob is the third of six children. He always felt a calling to serve the Lord throughout his years at St. Charles Borromeo Grade School and Padua Franciscan High School. He graduated as ‘Mr. Padua’ in 1979 and followed his calling to Borromeo Seminary.

He graduated from St. Mary Seminary in 1988 and was assigned to St. Gabriel and later St. Richard Parish.  He was appointed Vocation Director of the Diocese of Cleveland, a position he held for eleven years.  During this time, The FEST, an annual Catholic Family Festival, became a reality, and is now in its l9th year.

The FEST (www.TheFEST.us) began as a follow up to World Youth Day in Rome and had about 1,500 people in attendance its first year.   It has since grown into the highlight of the summer for thousands of people from across the region, attracting 45,000+ annually for a day of faith, family, fun and music – all for free!

In December 2005, Father Bob was appointed Pastor of St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick.  In his first year at St. Ambrose, he created Mission Possible, a mission outreach program to the Dominican Republic  (www.MissionPossible.us).  Over 200 missionaries have since made the annual trip to Higuey, Dominican Republic to build homes, introduce others to Christ and change lives.  In addition to the homes, a Church, school, medical/dental clinic, community center, and job training center have all been built under the guidance of Father Bob.  In early 2019, a regulation baseball field was dedicated for the entire area.

His humanitarian efforts are also very visible in the Greater Cleveland area where a west side effort – Alpha Village – was established.  Residents, many of them refugee families, are helped with every day necessities and time is spent distributing winter clothing, food for the holidays and an annual spring clean up and home repair day.

With heroin use touching the lives of greater Clevelanders in epidemic proportion, he felt compelled to do something.   In 2016 he brought together parish leaders of all faiths, community leaders and law enforcement.  In this regard, the Greater than Heroin Campaign was launched.

In 2014 Saint Ambrose was nominated as one of the ‘top 12’ Catholic Parishes in North America at creating Disciples.  Under the leadership of Father Bob, St. Ambrose continues to grow in size and service to the Lord with over 5,500 families and 150+ parish ministry groups.

With the death of Father Thomas Dunphy, the Diocese of Cleveland appointed Father Bob Administrator of Saint Martin Parish, Valley City (2017-2018) in addition to his responsibilities at Saint Ambrose.  This concluded with the appointment of a new pastor in the fall of 2018.

At present, much of his energy is dedicated to the renovation of Saint Ambrose Church.  Construction is well underway and completion is expected in spring 2019.

As a well-known community leader, he has been the recipient of many prestigious awards…”Mr. Padua”- 1979; Knights of Columbus Catholic Man of the Year; Med-Wish International Humanitarian Award (2016); Medina County Distinguished Citizen Award (2012), Alpha Village Partner of the Year (2017), United Pastors in Mission – Pastor of the Year (2017), Catholic Charities Medina County WAM/Faithful Servant Award (2018),  National Catholic Education Leaders Award (2018)…he was also presented with the Key to the City of Brunswick.  In addition, he was selected as one of 12 priests in America for his innovation and motivating ways in delivering the message of Jesus Christ (especially to the youth of our area)…just to name a few!

With his hectic schedule, and community efforts, he still finds time, on occasion, to enjoy ATVing, snowmobiling, rock climbing, and even a great bonfire!

As I listened to Fr. Jeremy Merzweiler preach at the funeral of Fr. Bob Lorkowski, I thought about how many priests you have had here at St. Ambrose over the years. Just as I thought about how challenging that might be for you, the massive crucifix in the sanctuary came into focus. On the one hand, it matters so much who the priest is, as he makes Christ present to you in a particular way. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter who the priest is, because Christ is constantly present to you through any priest. So, as I begin my time at St. Ambrose, I’ll be who I am for you, and let Jesus do everything else.

Who am I? I am one of six children to my parents who still live in my childhood home in Grafton Township. I encountered Jesus in a profound way through the Newman group at Bowling Green State University. I taught high school science and coached Jr. High football and basketball before entering seminary (priest school). I love being a priest, celebrating the Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, prayer, playing and watching sports (especially golf), and hanging out with family and friends. People always ask, “Why did you want to become a priest?” Part of my answer is always the same, “Having come to know the reality of who God is and what he has done for me, I wanted nothing more than to spend my life helping others come to the same encounter.” Jesus really is everything for us, and I look forward to everything at St. Ambrose that helps others come to that same realization.

Our parish is blessed to have Matthew Harley as one of our Deacons. He also leads our Holy Hiking members on monthly walks that are faith-centered and in nature. Deacon Matt is also the Director of Campus Ministry at Padua Franciscan High School.

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Deacon Matt graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati. He and his wife Mary are blessed with four wonder children. His hobbies include running, woodworking, gardening, and raising chickens.

Clifton Strengths: Learner, Harmony, Connectedness, Arranger, Input

Caitlin Arbogast is the coordinator for the parish’s High School Youth Ministry, Confirmation program, Young Adult Ministry, and RCIA program. For Caitlin, it is important that her parish feels like home. Her best Saint Ambrose thought is that “everyone here is like family, and it always feels like ‘coming home’ when I pull onto our parish campus.” Caitlin also works for The Fest and serves on various Diocesan teams for youth events such as the CLE 21:6 Youth Conference.

Caitlin is from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and attended St. Vincent – St. Mary High School and Mercyhurst University. She shares the passion for ministering the Catholic faith to youth with her husband who is also a youth minister. Caitlin enjoys spending time with friends as well as with her parents and sister and brother-in-law. She is often found spending time outdoors: hiking, kayaking, reading in her hammock, playing soccer, etc. She is a fan of country music and crime-related TV shows and podcasts.

Clifton Strengths: Maximizer, Relator, Arranger, Developer, Self-Assurance

Jake Bihari manages many of the parish’s events and special projects. He is a Brunswick, Ohio native, an alum of Holy Name High School, and graduated from Ursuline College. Jake is often referred to as Father Bob’s “right hand man” and is known by many of our members as one of the vital life sources of our parish especially when it comes to the parish’s management and involvement in initiatives such as The FEST, Mission Possible, OneHope NEO, and much more. His best Saint Ambrose thought is “is simply all our members… The tremendous good and profound impact they have on our community is inspiring!”

Jake enjoys spending time outdoors. His favorite things to do include camping, hiking, white water rafting, climbing, as long as it is outdoors, he is smiling!

Clifton Strengths: Achiever, Belief, Harmony, Arranger, Input

Our parish recently welcomed Maria Grama. She is our Pastoral Minister and a member of our Evangelization team. Her responsibilities include working with our junior high students enrolled at our school and in our PSR which involved creating a variety of ministry experiences for them. Maria also works with our parish’s liturgical ministers and trains our altar servers.

She was born in Massillon, Ohio and attended Massillon Jackson High School. From there, she went on to Walsh University and attained a B.S. in Education and Biology and a B.A. in Theology. Maria holds a master’s degree from the University of Dayton in Pastoral Ministry.

Maria has one sibling, an older brother. She is looking forward to getting married in May 2022. Maria enjoys doing service around the community, hanging out with friends and family, hiking, and going to sporting events (baseball is her favorite). Along with the many other accomplishments attained, Maria taught herself to play the guitar and piano! Another fun fact about Maria is that she has a Disney obsession…as in, she’s been to Disneyworld 33 times and will no doubt be going again as soon as she’s able.

Besides possessing an impressively solid academic background, Maria was named one of the top 10 DRE/Youth Ministers in the Nation in Catechist Magazine. She is also an Associate Member of NFCYM.

Clifton Strengths: Belief​, Responsibility​, Restorative, Includer, Deliberative

Diane Heilman is an integral part to our Evangelization initiatives. She assists with liturgy commissions and ministries here at Saint Ambrose. Diane’s “best Saint Ambrose thought” is that the Spirit is alive at our parish and that sentiment nicely compliments the support she provides to our Spiritual Life and Adult Formation Ministries.

Diane and her husband David have raised their three children in Brunswick and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren, Benjamin and Evan. Her hobbies include swimming and biking. In fact, Diane has cycled back and forth to Lake Erie on more than one occasion!

Our Cares and Compassion Ministry leader is Lisa Homady. She provides the essential support needed in order for our Cares and Compassion and Outreach/Service ministries need in their intent to help others in numerous ways. Lisa’s “best Saint Ambrose thought” is that she is proud to be “a part of a beautiful community, with people that are faith-filled and caring and want to genuinely help others by doing the work of the Lord.”

Lisa is a Holy Name High School alum. She went to Kent State University and finished at Florida State University. Her husband Jim and she share four children together: Amanda, Jimmy, Alyssa, and Brandon. The family spend a lot of time together and love boating, taking vacations, attending sporting events, taking walks, reading, kayaking, skiing, and snowmobiling. It is no surprise that Lisa’s greatest achievement is “being a mom to four pretty wonderful children, all who are kind, caring, motivated, driven, faith-filled, loving, generous, sweet, and fun!” These values and the fact that she loves being a part of building forever families also are important in her other work which is in consulting for an Adoption Agency.

Clifton Strengths: Empathy, Harmony, Relator, Achiever, Developer

Travis Jürgens has been the Director of Music Ministry at Saint Ambrose Parish since July 2020. He won 2nd Prize and the President of the Jury Award at the 2019 Bucharest Music Institute International Conducting Competition. He has conducted the Rochester Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, and Denver Philharmonic, among others. He has worked with esteemed conductors, including Michael Tilson Thomas and Marin Alsop, who invited Travis to attend the Conductors Guild Composer/Conductor Workshop at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.

Jürgens has performed in the United States, Europe, and Japan. He has been praised as “a superior conductor” and “well on his way to becoming a major conductor in the world of symphony orchestras” (Opus Colorado). Musicians who have played under his baton have commented on his exceptional talent, dynamic musicianship, efficient rehearsals, and strong leadership. 

The fully professional Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra appointed Jürgens as their next Music Director and Conductor in July 2018. Previously, he was the Music Director and Conductor of the Ohio Northern Symphony for five seasons, the Lima Area Youth Orchestra for three seasons, the Philharmonia of Kansas City for six seasons, the Associate Conductor of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, and a cover conductor for the Colorado Symphony. He also held the position of Associate Conductor of the Lamont Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre in Denver, where he received the Leon Guide Outstanding Conductor Award. Additional info is available at www.travisjuergens.com.

Clifton Strengths: Achiever, Futuristic, Maximizer, Relator, Strategic

Helen Lanzarotta and her husband Mike have been members of Saint Ambrose for over 25 years. Helen started volunteering at Saint Ambrose as a PSR Catechist. She was hired in as a staff member in 2012 as a Preschool Aid. Since has since moved on to the very important roles of Music Ministry Assistant and the Parish Life Coordinator. Duties include assuring that all Masses, Prayer Services, and Liturgical celebration needs are met and covered. She also assists the Saint Ambrose School Campus Ministry team. Additionally, Helen instructs and prepares SA School and PSR children for Liturgical Ministry including Altar Servers, Lectors, Usher/Greeters and Sacristans, and she provides support to the Music Ministry Choirs. As a Wedding Coordinator here at the parish, she has the opportunity help engaged couples with planning logistics and ensuring that their wedding day is beautiful and memorable. Helen does not stop there though. She is also the Art & Environment Coordinator for the parish. Her best Saint Ambrose thought is that she gets to work with amazing people while also “helping them in some way to grown closer to Our Lord through ministry work and their receiving the Sacraments.”

Clifton Strengths: Developer, Achiever, Positivity, Maximizer, Relator

Kim Nemet is one of our Family Life Ministry leaders. She coordinates all of our Baptisms and leads our Baptismal education here at Saint Ambrose. Kim also coordinates our Natural Family Planning Education programming at our parish.

Kim is an alum of Brunswick High School and is a resident of Brunswick, Ohio. Her husband Mike and she have five children ranging in age from preschool to college. She and Mike love taking the kids on vacations, especially to Disney World where they have made wonderful and lasting family memories together. Kim loves taking pictures and then uses the happy moments that are captured to create photo books.

The Nemet Family is currently working on establishing a foundation in their son Collin’s honor.

Clifton Strengths: Achiever, Discipline, Includer, Responsibility, Arranger

Gayle Oboy’s “best Saint Ambrose thought” stems from her first impression of Saint Ambrose which occurred after watching the Matthew West concert stream live from our church during the pandemic. She loved how “alive” our parish was despite most of the country shutting down on account of the pandemic. She appreciated Father Bob’s dedication to being there for all during what was for many, a very lonely and dark time. Gayle wanted to be a part of spreading the light and love. So, she signed up to become a parishioner of Saint Ambrose Catholic Parish. Gayle is now our Future Full of Hope Coordinator. She has participated in Bible Study Fellowship for the last 20 year and brings a breadth of knowledge and capability to also supporting many of our Spiritual Life and Adult Faith Formation programs.

Gayle grew up in Urbana, Ohio and went on to receive a college degree in Family Financial Management from Ohio State University. Gayle is married to Scott and share a wonderful son named Tyler. They are very family centered and enjoy vacationing and gardening together. Gayle’s other passion is the work she does leading a women’s Catholic Bible study called Walking with Purpose and a couple marriage connect group where the focus is on keeping marriages alive in Christ.

Clifton Strengths: Connectedness, Discipline, Relator, Focus, Consistency