Parish Staff

Get to Know the Staff at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

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    Fr. Ken originally comes from Ronan, Montana but first moved to Oregon after college graduation in 1990. His degree was in business and he originally worked in sales and marketing but eventually shifted to international business and lived and worked in Japan. After a decade of work in this field, Fr. Ken underwent a time of spiritual conversion and eventually entered seminary at Mt. Angel in Oregon where he both studied and taught as a Discalced Carmelite Brother or OCD for the Western Province. He remained in religious life for five years, completing assignments in Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona. Eventually, he graduated from Mt. Angel Seminary with a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Theology and transferred from religious life to the Archdiocese of Portland as a diocesan priest. In this archdiocese, Fr. Ken has previously served as a transitional deacon and parochial vicar at St. Cecilia Parish in Beaverton and as pastor at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Parish in Astoria and St. Frances De Sales Mission in Hammond. He arrived at Sacred Heart Parish in Medford and St. Joseph Mission in Jacksonville in 2013 and is presently serving here as pastor. Fr. Ken especially enjoys retreat work and giving spiritual direction (both charisms of the Carmelite Order) and teaching the faith, especially through Sacred Scripture.

Fr. Ken Sampson

Pastor

541-779-4661 Ext. 103

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    Fr. James Ladd's journey to priesthood began with a rediscovery of his Catholic faith in his mid-forties, after living a successful corporate life,specializing in insurance sales and risk management, for over two decades. Feeling unfulfilled and unhappy, he remembered his grandmothers' deep faith and decided to return to practicing Catholicism. This led him to seek reconciliation and eventually discern a call to priesthood, despite initial doubts due to his age and years away from active faith. Encouraged by his parish priest, he entered seminary in 2017 and was ordained in June 2024. 


    Serving the people of God is the heart of Father James' ministry, where he finds great joy and fulfillment. Originally from Niwot, Colorado, Father James hails from a close-knit family. His father passed away in 2011, while his mother, now 81 years old, still resides in their family home in Colorado.


    As a Catholic priest, Father James treasures the privilege of being a Priest of Jesus Christ, guiding and nurturing the faith of our parish community.


    In his spare time, Father James enjoys the simple pleasures of walking and the companionship of dogs. He finds solace in nature and the bond shared with his furry friends.


    When it comes to food, Father James loves grilled salmon, and his musical tastes lean towards the timeless tunes of Bob Dylan.


    Father James' dream for Sacred Heart Parish is a simple yet profound one: that together, as a community, we continue to support and encourage one another on our journey to holiness.

Fr. James Ladd

Vicar

541-779-4661 Ext. 104

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    My name is Ron Filardi and I am a Deacon at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. I have been ordained since 1991, so, over 28 years. I have been a member and on the staff of Sacred Heart for 24 of those years.


    I am deeply involved in many areas and ministries of the church as well as the many programs and services we offer. I provide Infant Baptism Classes, Infant Baptisms, Committals at Eagle Point Military Cemetery, Conduct Memorial Services and Gravesite Services.


    I also work in the Ministry of Care providing visits to hospitals, nursing care centers and homebound visitations. I provide Blessing of Homes, Anniversary Blessings, Quinceaneras, Convalidations and Weddings.

Deacon Ron Filardi

Deacon

541-779-4661

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    Deacon Dennis Macey and his wife Mary Ann have been members of Sacred Heart Parish since 1979.  Dennis was ordained at Sacred Heart in 2017.  He serves the parish through Outreach Ministry to seniors who are home bound and he is a Volunteer Chaplain at Asante Hospital in Medford.  Deacon Dennis is also a member of Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains and provides spiritual care for firefighters and civilians in times of need.

Deacon Dennis Macey

Deacon

541-779-4661

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    Pertenece a la Congregación de Hermanas Misioneras del Rosario de Fátima,

    (De Nacionalidad Mexicana).



Sister Margarita Escudero

Hispanic Ministry

541-779-4661  •  Ext. 109

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    Sharon Dady has been our music coordinator for a few years now. She does a wonderful job of bringing the parish together through music!


    Are you a singer who’s had a desire to join the choir? Have you considered singing at mass?


    We would really love to hear from you! Take this opportunity to begin making a joyful noise unto the Lord!

Sharon Dady

Music Coordinator
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    Hi! My name is Ann Brophy, and I have been the Pastoral Associate at Sacred Heart for over twenty years. As the Pastoral Associate, I direct many of the pastoral ministries of the parish, including:


    • RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Children of Catechetical Age)

    • Marriage Preparation for engaged couples and civilly married couples

    • Liturgy coordination and oversight of the Liturgical Ministers

    • Funeral ministries

    • Annulment inquiries and cases (I am an Advocate with the Portland Tribunal)


    Although I grew up all over the country, my husband Tim, a lawyer, grew up here in Medford and attended Sacred Heart Church and St. Mary’s School. We met as students at Stanford University, and later moved to Medford from Portland to raise our family. Several years after we married, I became Catholic and have been a Sacred Heart parishioner for thirty years. I just love this parish and the Catholic faith.


    Before becoming the Pastoral Associate, I received an Advanced Certification in Pastoral Care Ministry from the Archdiocese of Portland after four years of study. I also served for many years with Providence Hospital as a hospice volunteer and with the parish as an Outreach Minister. Serving as Sacred Heart’s Pastoral Associate these many years has been such a privilege and joy, and I couldn’t do it without the many wonderful parishioners and volunteers you’ll meet here!

Ann Brophy

Pastoral Associate

541-779-4661  •  Ext. 105

Abrophy@archdpdx.org

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    A devoted parishioner, Marissa has been actively participating in liturgical ministries serving as a reader and sacristan prior to joining the parish staff.


    Marissa brings decades of executive & financial healthcare leadership experience to the parish  and holds a Master's Degree in Business Adminstration.


    She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the parish in this new ministry and feels truly blessed to join the Sacred Heart staff.

Marissa

Rivera

Director of Administration
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      Bernice Gutierrez brings a heart full of warmth and a passion for ministry to her role at Sacred Heart Parish. Originally from Puebla, Mexico,  Bernice finds deep fulfillment in making others feel valued and heard. She believes in creating a space where everyone can experience spiritual growth and a personal encounter with God.


      Outside of her professional life, Bernice cherishes her role as a mother to two wonderful children, Mia and Shawn.


      Bernice finds great solace and inspiration in her Catholic faith, particularly through the Eucharist and her devotion to Mary. 


      In her leisure time, Bernice enjoys the simple pleasures of bowling and watching TV with her family. She also delights in cooking—a passion that not only serves as a stress-reliever but also allows her to share her love for others through the meals she prepares.


      Bernice dreams of seeing Sacred Heart Parish flourish across generations. Her vision is for the church to continue growing as a nurturing space where individuals and families alike can deepen their faith and strengthen their personal relationship with Jesus.

    Bernice Gutierrez

    Office Manager

    541-779-4661 • Ext. 100

    Bgutierrez@archdpdx.org

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      I feel so blessed to be working as the Religious Education Coordinator for Sacred Heart! My roots run deep in this parish. I was a student at Sacred Heart School for over 7 years and received my Confirmation through this parish. My husband, Travis, and I met and were married almost 30 years ago in this beautiful church, and we have seen our eight children (ages 27 to 6 years old) go through many Sacraments here!


      I have been involved as a Little Flowers group leader, homeschool co-op teacher, and recently as an RCIA catechist for teens for the past 4 years. I love teaching our Catholic faith to children and guiding them through the Sacraments! Our future lies in our youth, and I hope to educate families about our faith and lead them into a closer relationship with Jesus. "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live." - St. Pope John Paul II


      I love spending time with my family and enjoy going to the coast or to the mountains. Of course, our valley has so many wineries and coffee shops to explore with good friends! Our church is rich in the many aspects of our faith! Recently, I have found Lectio Divina to be a delightful practice for growing closer to our Lord. My prayers are for our parish and the youth in our church

    Carrie Jantzer

    Religious Education Coordinator - English

    541-779-4661  •  Ext. 107

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      Coming soon.

    Veronica Bañuelos

    Religious Education Coordinator - Spanish

    541-779-4661  •  Ext. 107

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      Coming soon.

    Adrian Sala

    Parish Maintenance

    541-779-4661 • Ext. 116

    Get To Know The Parish Leadership Team (PLT)

    Earl Parrish

    541-779-4661 

    Bernice Gutierrez

    Lorie Harmon

    541-779-4661 

    Mary Jo Baich

    541-779-4661