Email Fr. Greg

Fr. Greg Paffel hails from hometown Elk River, MN.  He is a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, attended St. John’s Seminary in Collegeville for a couple years and then graduated from St. Paul Seminary with his Master’s of Divinity degree.  He served on NET (National Evangelization Teams), a Catholic retreat ministry to youth around the country.  He also spent a couple years with SPO (St. Paul’s Outreach) discipling young adults in their Catholic Faith.  At age 33 he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of St. Cloud in June of 2001.  He has previously served at St. Anthony’s in St. Cloud and St. John’s in Foley.  Among his ongoing ministry Fr. Greg also likes to spend time with the school kids on the playground, teaching youth, riding motorcycle, fishing, and playing cards.  And his favorite verse of the bible is from Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for the shall be satisfied.”

Steve has served the parish as the Business Manager since August of 2009 and is responsible for the daily operations of the Church. Steve received his B.A. in Business Administration from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD in 2004 and has over 10 years of business management experience in the retail and human services fields. He most recently spent over two years as Business Consultant for the firm, Spader Business Management in Sioux Falls, SD before moving to Fergus Falls. Steve is married to Tina and they have four children, Brianna, Mary, Samuel and Sarah. Steve enjoys the outdoors (hunting/fishing), music, teaching the Catholic faith he loves, and staying active as a marathon runner.

Email Deacon

Sharon and I have been married for 38 years. We have three children and three grandchildren but are always looking for more of the latter!

I am retired from the Veteran’s Medical Center in St Cloud, where I worked for thirty-five years and from the Army Reserve in which I served for thirty-two years.

I studied at St John’s University School of Theology and received my Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry in 2006 and was ordained a Deacon on June 10th 2006 at St Mary’s Cathedral. I served as a deacon at St Mary’s Cathedral for three years before coming here. I moved here in June of 2009 and it has been the best move I could have asked for.

Email Mary Jo

Hello, my name is Mary Jo Baez.  I’m delighted to have the privilege of serving Our Lady of Victory Parish as your Secretary.  The first thirty years of my career were spent with the public school system, and now God calls me to share my skills in His very own house.  What an honor!  I’m originally from Perham, Minnesota, my parents were Bill and Dorothy Ryan.  I’m the proud mother of five wonderful, grown children:  Monte, Carissa, Gabriel, Adam and Angela.  I also have three beautiful grandchildren:  William, Molly and Gavin.  My heart is full, and I’m pleased to be with you.

Email Becky

Becky Pyle has been on staff at OLV since August 2007 as the Faith Formation Coordinator for Preschool – 5th Grade.  Prior to that, she was a volunteer with the grade school Religious Ed program for 5 years, where she worked with students in Second, Fifth, and Sixth grades.  In addition to coordinating Children’s Liturgy (Preschool/Kindergarten) and Foundations (1st - 5th Grades) classes, and Vacation Bible School in the summer, Becky is also responsible for coordinating the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist for our Second Graders and Confirmation for our Juniors.  She and her husband, Ernie, have two boys, Tanner and Tyler.  In her free time, Becky enjoys reading, attending her sons’ activities, and being at the lake.

Email Sr. Joyce

Sr. Joyce is a Sinsinawa Dominican and has been on staff at OLV since 1997.  Her background includes a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Seatle University.  Besides visiting shut-ins and the elderly at nursing homes, she works with the parish staff in the daily operations of the church.

Ariel has been the Life Teen Coordinator at OLV since August 2010. Ariel is a graduate of Georgia College and State University with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She has been working with youth for several years prior to moving to Minnesota at her former parish and helped usher in the Life Teen program there. She loves evangelizing the youth and spending time with them. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, community theatre, and cooking.

Mayme Hofland, a Fergus Falls native has been involved in the Faith Formation area of the Catholic Church since 1999.  Her first 2 years in Sheridan, WY found her with secretarial duties and coordinating Faith Formation for grades Pre-K thru 6th grade.  She moved to Douglas, WY and directed the Faith Formation Program for preschool thru Adult, along with youth ministry, Sacrament preparation, and pastoral assistance for the next eight years.  The fall of 2009 found Mayme, her husband, and three children moving back to their home state of Minnesota to be closer to their families.  In 2010, she worked in St. James @ Maine coordinating the Faith Formation Program of Preschool thru 5th grade; but since 2011, she resides at OLV working with the Oneight Confirmation Program.  She enjoys traveling, reading, music, and family life.

Email Sandy

It has been my pleasure to work at Our Lady of Victory School since 1983. I worked in the Kindergarten room when I began. I taught 3rd grade for six years and have been principal of the school since 1993. I am a graduate of St. Cloud State University, Moorhead State University and did my graduate work at St. Thomas University. I am so proud of the accomplishments of our school as I now meet young people who attended OLV and are doing so well as adults. The joy I receive has been a gift for me! I am married to Mike and we have three wonderful children, Eric, Jenny and Karen, and five grandchildren who are blessings for us! I attended OLV when I was a child, my children went to OLV and I now have a grandson attending the school! What an impact Our Lady of Victory School has had on the life of my family!!