Fr. Mark Madden, Director
Fr. Mark was born in the St. Mary Magdalen Parish in St. Louis, but lived and grew up in the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parish since age two. After graduating from IHM, Fr. Mark went to CBC High School (class of 1999) and then earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri–Rolla. After an almost ten year career with Boeing, Fr. Mark heard the call and was ordained into the sacred priesthood in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on May 25th, 2019 by Archbishop Robert J. Carlson. He was then the Associate Pastor at both St. Gabriel and St. Rachael parishes until October 1, 2023. Fr. Mark currently serves as Pastor at St. Ann Parish in addition to his duties at the Newman Center. Fr. Mark can be reached at markmadden@archstl.org.
Joe LaScala, Campus Minister
Joe is from Kansas City, MO but currently lives in Mascoutah, IL with his wife, Michelle, and son, Gabriel. Joe holds a Certificate in Youth Ministry from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, a Bachelor’s degree in Ministry and Theology from Loyola University, New Orleans, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University, Chicago. He has been in ministry for over 15 years as a Youth Minister, High School Campus Minister, Director of Religious Education, and Director of Faith Formation. He has led trips to NCYC, Steubenville Youth Conferences, March for Life in Washington D.C, mission trips, and over 150 retreats. Retreat ministry is a passion of Joe’s, and it has driven him to create his own ministry called Fire Within Ministries. When he’s not spending time in ministry, you could find him with his family, attempting to play disc golf, playing Mario Kart on the Wii, playing board and card games, or watching the Marvel and Star Wars movies and series. He is, as he puts it, a self-confessed Catholic dork who loves to wear beard balm that smells like Sacred Chrism and socks with saints on them. He is looking forward to meeting you this semester! Joe may be reached at joe@cncumsl.org.
Angie Brown, Associate Campus Minister
Angie just moved from Denver Colorado, where she has spent the last five years, to St. Louis with her husband, Michael. She graduated with a degree in English literature and Linguistics with minors in theatre and writing from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently completing her masters degree in Theology at the Augustine Institute. She has taught religious education at her parish for ages ranging from Kindergarten to adults for 4 years and served on leadership for her undergraduate campus ministry as well as UNC’s Students for Life group. She loves organizing events and retreats, giving talks on various aspects of Faith, having meaningful conversations and sharing the Gospel through laughter and everyday encounters. Outside of ministry, Angie has spent many years working in marketing/ graphic design. For fun, she loves to play soccer, dance, sing, explore new recipes in the kitchen, especially to celebrate feast days, nerd out about Lord of the Rings and drink coffee. Angie can be reached at angie@cncumsl.org.
Kay Dieckmann, Development Director and Staff Assistant
Kay was born and raised in St. Louis. She and her husband, Steve, call St. Ann Parish (just down the street from UMSL) their “home away from home” along with their 4 children: Ellen, Claire, John, and Lydia. Kay is a graduate from UMSL with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Communications. Kay has been with the CNC for 14 years and looking forward to another great year. She will continue directing annual giving, special fundraising events, major gifts, and of course her favorite part, hanging out the with students. Before coming to the CNC, Kay worked in hotel sales and marketing. When she is not working, you will find her coaching her children’s soccer teams, jogging, hanging out with family and friends. Kay can be reached at Kay@cncumsl.org.