Our Staff

Fr Lou Meiman, Pastor. A native of Louisville, Fr Lou came to St Francis from the West End where he was pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary and Christ the King Parishes. He is long time chaplain to the Catholic Newman community at the University of Louisville, as well as St Xavier High School. He did theology studies at the Catholic University of Louvain, in Belgium, but if you ask him where he went to school (like any other Louisvillian) he'll name his high school, Trinity.

Larry Biven, Deacon. Ordained in 1984, Deacon Larry has served a number of parishes, beginning with St.Francis, and now returning here after serving most recently at St. Joe’s in Butchertown. He is retired from the Kroger Company and has a wife, Cheryl, and two daughters. Deacon Larry oversees the parish’s ministry to the sick and the homebound, and works closely with our Service Committtee.

Eugene Carner, Director of Community Involvement. Born in Atlanta, he grew up in Scottsville, KY and graduated from Western Kentucky University. Eugene, his wife Colleen and their four daughters (Jessica, Meghan, Lorraine and Natalie) are longtime parishioners of St. Francis. All four girls are SFA graduates. Eugene has served on the Parish Council, Service Committee, Long-Range Planning Committee, Membership Committee, went through RCIA at SFA, sponsored RCIA candidates, served as VP and President of the SFA Booster Club as well as having served on other ad hoc committees. Eugene’s passions are his family, his church, all kids and his cooking. He is very excited to be a part of the SFA staff and looks forward to seeing you all around the Parish and School.

Laura Lea Duckworth, Worship Team. Laura Lee is a native of the Pacific Northwest where she graduated from the University of Oregon, concentrating in organ and oboe. She also is an accomplished vocalist, having sung with the Oregon Bach Festival and soloed with the London Bach Choir among others. Since moving to Louisville in 1986, she has been very involved with the arts. She is a composer, a founding member of the a capella group evenSong and soloist with the Louisville Bach Society and Louisville Choral Arts Society. She has been involved with liturgical music at many churches over the years, most recently serving for seven years as assistant to Dr. James Rightmyer at another St. Francis, St. Francis in the Fields Episcopal. Laura also has two grown children, and in her spare time enjoys long walks with her dog Lulu.

JoAnn Jones, DRE. Jo Ann Jones became a member of the staff of St. Francis of Assisi in July of 1997. She came aboard as Youth Minister and Sacramental Coordinator. Currently, she is serving as the Director of Religious Education. Jo Ann was married to Bruce Jones, who is now deceased. They were blessed with seven children. Her greatest pleasures in life are her eleven grandchildren. Jo Ann returned to college when her youngest entered school. In 1991, she completed both the Ministry Formation Program and the Russell Institute of Pastoral Ministry. In 1996, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from Spalding University. Jo Ann has found the community of St. Francis of Assisi to be a very spirit-filled people who share freely of their gifts, talents and treasures. She says it is a honor to serve in this community.

Chuck Marohnic, Worship Team. A native of Louisville, Chuck studied for the priesthood before embarking on a career as a jazz musician, composer, author and educator. Now retired from his post as Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University, Chuck has recorded 30 albums and is the author of four books, including Sanctuary Jazz, which is about the incorporation of jazz into liturgical music. Over the past 13 years he has also served as music minister at a number of churches, Protestant as well as Catholic, and conducted workshops in liturgical music at churches around the country. He continues to perform regularly and can often be heard locally. You can learn more about him at: www.chuckmarohnic.com (external link)

Suzann McGarvey, Parish Secretary and Calendaring Coordinator. Suzann’s welcoming voice is the first thing you hear when you call the rectory. Suzann grew up in the Parish, attended grade school here, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy and attended the University of Louisville. She and her husband Lance have been married for over 15 years. They have 3 children that attend SFA School (Ellie, Tate, Corey). Prior to joining the rectory staff in 2008 Suzann worked as a Middle School assistant for 2 years.

Christine Sivori, Parish Bookkeeper. Christine has served in this capacity since 1994. She has been a member of St. Francis of Assisi since 1970. She has three daughters and just recently became a grandmother for the first time. Christine’s motto is to live life with a “positive attitude” and to be healthy and happy.

Paula Watkins, School Principal. Paula Watkins has been Principal at SFA for 5 years. She is originally from Louisville and a graduate of St. Bernard Elementary School and Assumption High School. She has a BA in Exceptional Child Education and a MA in Educational Administration from Western Kentucky University. Paula has been married to her husband, Neil, for 13 years. They have two children, Olivia is 8 and Luke is 3. Paula and her family are members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

Kevin Wilson, Pastoral Minister for Youth, Young Adult, & Social Justice Concerns.

Kevin holds degrees in history, psychology, & theology and has worked throughout the region as a journalist, teacher, and concert promoter.

Since coming to us from the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington (where he functioned as director of religious education), Kevin has worked hard to maintain our reputation as a center for spirituality, education, and fellowship in the Highlands.

His contributions to our programming have included Grammy Award-winning musicians, esteemed filmmakers, visual artists, and theologians. Kevin also looks after our Thomas Merton Lecture Series and creates opportunities to participate in a wide variety of service projects. He is the staff liaison to the parish Outreach Committee and serves on the board of Highland Community Ministries.

But most importantly, Kevin can be reached at extension 142, and is always open to suggestions.

Ed Wirth, Parish Manager. Ed has been parish manager at St. Francis since 1994. He is a native Louisvillian and has an accounting degree from Bellarmine Universtity. He retired from American Standard, and he and his wife have been married 50 years. They have five children, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Ed is a member of St. Athanasius parish and also a longtime member of the Thoroughbred Chorus.