Meet Our Staff
Fr. Riji George | Dcn James King | Judy Lindauer | Theodora Houchins | Jack Tuinier | Joan Lange| Dean Gogel | Susan Blume | Julie Lindauer | Sr. Christine Fendel | Sr. Teresa Gunter
Fr. Riji George
Email: rgeorge@evdio.org
Administrator
Fr. Riji (pronounced: Reegee) George is from India, where he was a missionary priest for 26 years. He was born on April 6, 1970, the youngest of 8 siblings. He has four sisters and three brothers, one of which lives in the United Kingdom. He was 16 when he left for Seminary and was ordained on April 29, 1997. He was Associate Pastor and Pastor in nine parishes in India and Associate Pastor at Annunciation Catholic Parish in Evansville, IN before coming here.
Deacon James King
Email: jking@evdio.org
Deacon
James was born in Frankfurt Germany on May 8 th 1962. He and his family settled in Lakeland Florida where he began elementary school. This is where he lived until he graduated from Santa Fe Catholic High School in 1980. In the year following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Chapel Activities Specialist. After his time in the Army, James attended St. Meinrad College, during this time he would meet his future wife Diane. After marrying, James and Diane would settle in Florida for approximately ten years prior to returning to Indiana with their children Megan and Ian. He has been a member of St. Ferdinand Parish since 1994.
James has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ashford University, and a master’s in organizational psychology from the University of the Rockies. He also completed a master’s degree in pastoral theology from St. Meinrad. After an enlistment in the Army, James’ training and work has been in the area of technology as it applies to business and accounting systems. He has worked as a computer systems analyst\network, and systems administrator, programmer, and business systems analyst most of his adult life.
He has always served at every parish he has been a member during his life, in any way he was needed. James was ordained Deacon in August of 2009 for the Evansville diocese and has served at St. Ferdinand since ordination.
Theodora Houchins
Email: thouchins@evdio.org
Faith Formation Team
Theodora was born and raised in Dubois county. She received an Associate's degree in Business Administration from Columbia College of Missouri and a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition Science from Purdue Global. She is also a trained catechist in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for level 1 and 2. Theodora is married to Ethan Houchins (Army Veteran) and they have four children together; Emily, Samuel, Autumn, and Marshall.
Jack Tunier
Faith Formation Team
jtuinier@evdio.org
Joan Lange
Email:jlange@evdio.org
Business Manager
Joan was born and raised in Ferdinand. She received an associates degree in business from Vincennes University. She is married to David and has two daughters Kelsey (Ryan) Kelly and Sydney (Logan) Witte. She has two grandsons Noah & Caleb Kelly and one granddaughter, Eden Kelly.
Dean Gogel
Email: dagogel@evdio.org
Maintenance
Dean is married to Jodi and they have three daughters Kacy, Alyssa and Megan.
Susan Blume
Administrative Coordinator
Email: rsblume@evdio.org
Susan was born and raised in Ferdinand. Her parents are the late Earl "Brewster" Klueh and Judy Klueh. Susan is married to Rodney Blume and they have three daughters, Lauren Blume (Ryan Williams), Leslie and Lanette. Susan worked as an accountant/controller/treasurer for 30 years prior to coming to work for the parish.
Julie Lindauer
Faith Formation Assistant
Email: jalindauer@evdio.org
Julie was born and raised in Ferdinand. She is married to Glenn Lindauer and they have two children, Brian and Kayla (Nick) Jochem. She has three grandchildren, Chloe, Levi & Blake Jochem. Julie was an elementary school teacher before retiring and coming to work for the parish.
Sr. Christine Fendel
Coordinator of Ministry to the Homebound & Senior Citizens
Email: cfendel@thedome.org
Sr. Christine is a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, taking her vows on June 15, 1967. She is originally from St. Meinrad, IN. Sister taught first grade in the Catholic schools for 17 years and special needs students in public schools for 29 years. She has a master's degree in special education from the University of San Diego, CA. She spent the majority of her working career in California before returning to the monastery and working in parish ministry.
Sr. Teresa Gunter
Youth Minister
Email: tgunter@thedome.org
Sr. Teresa Gunter (Sr. T) is a member of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand and has a studied advanced massage therapy. Sister has worked in youth ministry at St. Anthony Parish in Evansville and taught religious ed at Christ the King Parish in prior years. She currently takes care of hydroponics, music ministry, chauffeuring, and chickens and bees at the monastery in addition to working part-time with our youth part-time at the parish.
