Tracy Flavell – Office Manager
Hello ~ I am Tracy and I would like to welcome you to Our Lady of Grace. I am currently the office manager. In 2004 I started working here as the first employed receptionist. I was originally a parishioner of Our Lady of Grace in 1990, and then we moved away for a few years and have been back since 2001, so this parish is very much a family to me.
I was born in Findlay, Ohio and lived there until we moved to Florida in 1989.
I was raised in the Catholic faith and have been involved in the church in many ways from the RCIA ministry to Faith Formation catechist to Liturgical ministries such as Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Sacristan, and Minister of the Sick. I married Deacon Tom and we have 3 grown children and five grandchildren. We treasure our family time whenever we can all be together.
I made a Cursillo in 1982 and have attended many parish retreats. This has always been a great way to enrich my faith. I have been blessed to go through the Diaconate process with my husband where we both grew spiritually and as a couple.
I attended Ohio University where I received an AA degree. I do enjoy being with friends, walking & exercising daily, reading, scrapbooking and card making.
Theresa LeVaugh Wood – Pastoral Associate
Theresa LeVaugh Wood has been part of the parish staff since 1991. Husband, Dave and she just celebrated 43 years of marriage, have two grown sons, and are now enjoying two grandsons.
Theresa earned a Certificate in Pastoral Ministries and a Certificate as a Master Catechist from the Diocese of Orlando, a Bachelor’s Degree in Theological Studies and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph’s College of Maine. She serves the parish as the Liturgy and Faith Formation Director and wherever else is needed. Theresa loves to travel, visit Disney World, and watch old movies and T.V. shows.
Timothy Jacques – Maintenance
Tim Jacques has been employed at Our Lady of Grace since 2010, as a maintenance and custodial worker. He is responsible for all the general maintenance that goes into keeping the church functioning.
Tim is involved in the Knight’s of Columbus and is a Fourth Degree member.
Tim was born in Norwalk, CT and graduated from the J.M. Wright Technical Vocational School and Propersi School of Art. Tim is artistic, an avid cook, owns a Harley and enjoys joking around. Tim is single and has lived in Palm Bay since 2006. He is currently taking care of his mother and father. Tim is active in the landscaping ministry and helps where it is needed in the church.
Lynda Parks – Part Time Office Assistant
I have been a member of Our Lady Of Grace for 20 years and have been employed at Our Lady of Grace since July of 2012 as an Office Assistant.
I am responsible for answering phones, greeting parishioners, and I’m the Coordinator for Baptisms of children under 6 years of age. I also volunteer as part of the Offertory Counting team, Member of the Parish Council, Catechist, Minister of Holy Communion, Sacristan and Lector. I am active as a volunteer for VBS, Heritage Festival and Bible Class. I have previously served on the Finance Committee and I was a member of the Fund Raising committee for the building of the Servite Community Center. My background is Human Relations and the Financial Industry. I am married with 4 children and 11 grandchildren, of which one is Brooklyn, a familiar face at Our Lady of Grace, and 2 great-grandchildren.
Parker Ward – Part Time Office Assistant
Parker Ward has been employed at Our Lady of Grace since July 2012 as an office assistant. He is responsible for assisting the church in greeting parishioners, answering phones, maintaining several computer databases.
Parker is actively involved in : Youth Group, Heritage Festival, and Knights of Columbus. He is married and has three daughters. Parker was born in Norwich, NY and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Biology. Parker was a pilot with US Airways has over 10,000 hours of flight time as a pilot, most of which was in jets.
James Sorrell – Music Director
James became our Music Director in May of 2018. He came to us from New Jersey with 25 years of Catholic music experience.
James started taking piano lessons and singing in the Church Choir at the of age 6 and started accompanying school choirs in fourth grade. Realizing he had a love of church / choral music he attended Westminster Choir College, in Princeton NJ, majoring in Church Music with voice as his principle instrument and he also took four semesters of organ lessons.
James continues to enjoy the varied styles of church music and gets a great feeling of accomplishment and pleasure when people come together and make a beautiful blend of sound in praise to God.
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Vanessa Jara -Assistant Music Director/Social Media Coordinator
Vanessa was born in Guayaquil Ecuador and at three years of age moved with her family to the United States. They resided in Queens Village, New York and at 5 she started taking guitar lessons. Her mom encouraged her to practice the guitar, but Vanessa wasn’t really interested in it so they switched her to the piano.
In 1984, they moved to Miami, Florida. She attended music magnet schools in elementary, junior high, and high school. It is at New World School of the Arts high school where she focused on singing.
After high school, she went to the University of Miami. During college, she worked as a cantor at St. Rose of Lima in Miami Shores. She worked there for 12 years and after college, worked in the music industry.
In 2006, she and her husband moved to Brevard County. Our Lady of Grace was very welcoming and she got involved in the music ministry. In 2007, she became the Spanish choir director. In May of 2014, she switched and now works with the 5 PM Sunday Mass music team.
She and her husband have 2 daughters. She loves to read, visit with family, make music and meet people.
Maria Sierra – Youth Minister
Maria has been working in Christian Organizations since 1999. She started her career working for the Diocese of Rockville Center, NY as a Counselor for a residential facility for teens. Since moving to Florida she has been a Director at Palm Bay Christian School and worked for the Love a Child Organization which provides relief to the people of Haiti.
Maria is thrilled to be a part of the Our Lady of Grace family and thanks all those who have helped in her transition into the Youth Ministry Program. She says, “It is so fulfilling to provide our teens with the opportunity to grow closer to God and to educate them in our Catholic Faith. I look forward to growing alongside of them, sharing in the joys and gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
Maria attended St. Joseph’s College in Patchogue, NY where she obtained two degrees: a Bachelor’s in Education and later a Bachelor’s in Organizational Communication.
Jeff Stephen – Part Time Custodian
Jeff is the part time custodian. He cleans the church, offices, and helps maintain the landscape. Born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti in 1973, at the age of 15 he moved to France where he lived for 27 years. He has lived in the United States for a number of years now. He adds, “I have two children and a wife. I am trying hard to learn the English language.”
