Living the Gospel in the spirit of St. Francis
We are a vibrant parish community rooted in the Franciscan tradition, serving the faithful of Jonesboro and the surrounding areas. United by our shared Catholic faith, we are committed to proclaiming the Gospel through Bible-centered preaching and teaching grounded in Sacred Scripture and Catholic Tradition. Prayer is the foundation of our parish life, and through the Eucharist, Reconciliation, the Rosary, and Adoration, we encounter God’s grace and presence. With a full sacramental life, including daily and weekend Masses in English and Spanish, we strive to nurture a deep and active faith in all who worship with us.
As a diverse and growing parish family, we cherish each person as a vital member of the Body of Christ, from children to elders, individuals to large families, and seek to support one another in faith. Through a wide range of ministries, faith formation programs, and outreach efforts, we are called to serve both within our parish and beyond, living out Christ’s command to make disciples. St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church invites every person, at every stage of their journey, to grow in faith, participate in parish life and experience the love of Christ in action.
Who is St. Philip Benizi
Philip Benizi was born of a noble family in Florence, Italy on August 15, 1233. He studied medicine in Paris and Padua, where he received a doctorate in medicine and philosophy at the age of nineteen. After a year of practicing medicine in Florence, he joined the Servites at Monte Senario near Florence in 1254, was sent to the Servite House in Siena in 1258, and was ordained there. He became known for his preaching, served as a master of novices in Siena in 1262, was superior of several friaries, and in 1267, despite his protests, was elected prior general.
He codified the rules of the Order and began to have miracles attributed to him. In 1268, when Cardinal Ottobuoni proposed his name as a papal candidate on the death of Pope Clement IV, Philip fled and hid in a cave until a new Pope was elected. He attended the General Council of Lyons in 1274 and helped to reconcile the Guelphs and the Ghibellines in 1279, becoming famous for his ability to mediate between opposing factions and act as a peacemaker.
Philip possessed a deep love of Mary and the crucified Christ and was known for his kindness and concern for the poor, his unique humility and strong zeal for the work of the Kingdom of God.
He attracted many converts to the Church, and reconciled many others. He helped St. Juliana establish a Servite Third Order in 1284 and sent the first Servite missionaries to the Far East. In declining health, he resigned the generalship at a general chapter in 1285, naming his close confidant a longtime friend, Lottaringo Stufa, his successor, and retired to an impoverished Servite House at Todi, where he died on August 22, 1285. He was canonized on August 23, 1671.
Our History
St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, began in the early 1960s through the vision and determination of the Hutcheson brothers, Lee and Ware Hutcheson (1903–1975), who recognized the need for a Catholic presence in Clayton County despite knowing only a handful of Catholics in the area. Encouraged rather than discouraged by initial resistance, from both the local community and concerns within the broader Church, they set out to locate and unite Catholic families across the county. Often quite literally searching parking lots for familiar license plates and building connections one household at a time. With guidance from the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers and growing support from newly discovered parishioners, the community took shape.
The Hutcheson family owned a vacant storefront on Main Street . It was cleaned and prepared by volunteers to serve as a chapel, furnished with borrowed chairs and donated altar items. On September 12, 1965, the first public Mass in Clayton County was celebrated there by Fr. Daniel J. O’Connor, a newly ordained priest whose deep personal commitment and close collaboration with the eight founding families proved essential to the mission’s success. Even as the young community faced suspicion and isolated acts of intimidation during a time of social tension, its members worked to educate their neighbors and foster understanding.
Attendance at that first Mass far exceeded expectations, drawing more than 200 people and confirming the need for a permanent parish. Strengthened by the generosity of benefactors, specifically Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Lewis, whose donation through the Catholic Church Extension Society helped secure the parish’s name; the mission quickly grew, and within three years became the foundation of St. Philip Benizi Parish. Built through faith, sacrifice, and shared effort, the parish remains a lasting testament to the perseverance and unity of its founders.
Meet Our Friars
Meet the pastors and leaders of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, called to shepherd our parish in the Franciscan tradition of faith, service, and devotion to the Gospel.
Fr. Russell Governale OFM Conv.
Pastor
Fr. Russell Governale, OFM Conv., is the third of five children, born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in a Catholic family, and a member of the Conventual Franciscan Friars since entering after high school in 1978. He professed Solemn Vows in 1984, studied philosophy and theology in the U.S. and Rome, and was ordained a priest on May 28, 1988, after serving as a deacon in Brooklyn. His ministry has included parish pastorship, formation and vocation leadership, pilgrimage work, and service as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Brooklyn, and since 2024 he has been serving as Head Pastor of St. Philip Benizi Church, trusting in God’s continued guidance on this journey.
Email: [email protected]
Fr. Paul Pantiru OFM Conv.
Parochial vicar
Fr. Paul Pantiru was born on July 5, 1980, in a small city on the Danube River in Romania, is the oldest of three siblings, and entered the minor seminary at age 14 before completing his Franciscan formation and earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Franciscan Institute in Romania, affiliated with the Pontifical University of St. Bonaventure in Rome. He served for about eleven years as a missionary in Ghana, West Africa, working in parish ministry, education, social outreach, and healthcare, and later ministered in Bucharest in outreach to the homeless, parish support, reconciliation, and youth ministries. After arriving in the United States in 2019, he served at St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, GA, and since August 2022 has been serving as Parochial Vicar at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, where he brings his love for sports, music, reading, and joyful service to the parish community.
Email: [email protected]
Fr. Calixto Salvatierra OFM Conv.
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Calixto was born on October 14, 1974, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, and grew up with three sisters and two brothers. He entered postulancy in 1994, professed vows in 1997, was ordained to the priesthood on October 7, 2004, and earned a civil and ecclesiastical Master of Arts in Missiology from the Bolivian Catholic University, in addition to studies in philosophy and theology. His ministry has included formation leadership, university teaching, and parish service, and since September 15, 2022, he has served as parochial vicar at St. Philip Benizi Parish, where he continues his pastoral work while enjoying reading, music, soccer, walking, and nature.
Email: [email protected]
Meet Our Deacons
Meet the deacons of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church. Through preaching, service, and outreach, they assist the clergy and leading and walking alongside our community, living out the Franciscan spirit.
Henry Ohaya
Deacon
Deacon Henry Obilo Ohaya was born February 7, 1969, in Amaigbo, Nigeria, to +Chief Hyacinth and Lolo Paulina Ohaya. He is married to his wife, Ihuoma, and they have three children: Amarachi, Akunna, and Arinze. Deacon Henry is a pharmacist and has been a member of SPB Parish since 2005. Ordained to the Permanent Diaconate on February 6, 2021, he has served in many parish ministries and councils, including as Acolyte, Lector, Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Baptismal Preparation Instructor, and member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Pastoral Council, and the Nigerian Catholic Community, where he served as its first president (2009–2011).
Email: [email protected]
Jim Windon
Deacon
Deacon Jim Windon was born in 1963 in Virginia, but he was raised in South Georgia. He is a Marine Corps Veteran and met his wife, Beth (also a Marine), while they were both stationed in California. They were married in 1991, after which Jim went through RCIA at St. Philip Benizi. He entered into the Catholic faith in 1996 with Fr. John Koziol officiating. Jim and Beth have three sons, two daughters, and three granddaughters. Deacon Jim was ordained on February 1, 2020, and loves being a servant to God and to his SPB family. He has served in the following ministries at SPB: RCIA, Religious Education Catechist, Lector, EM Coordinator, Family Program, and Confirmation Program.
Email: [email protected]
Tom Nemchik
Deacon
Born April 7, 1957, Deacon Tom grew up in Uledi, Pennsylvania, in a Slovak immigrant family. He earned Eagle Scout in 1974, graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 1979 with a BS in Education, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, serving 22 years. He met his wife, Susie, at an SPB Bible study. They have four children, John, Katie, Melissa, and Andrew, and two granddaughters, Hattie and Penny. Deacon Tom is an active member of the Knights of Columbus, and involved in many Parish Ministries as well as Archdiocesan Ministries.
Email: [email protected]
Meet Our Staff
Meet the staff who serve the St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church community. Each member of our team is dedicated to supporting our parish family through faith, service, and ministry as we live out the Gospel together.
Patricia Turmel
PARISH OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Born in Bordeaux, France, Patricia speaks French, Spanish, and English. She lived in Latin America as a teenager and attended college in Rhode Island. She moved to NYC after college and worked at a West African diplomatic mission at the United Nations. Patricia got married and moved to South Carolina for 10 years; she has lived in Georgia for the last 22 years. She has 3 children and 3 grandchildren. Her hobbies include beading and crochet. She has worked in parish offices for 8 years and has been a member of St. Philip Benizi staff since 2018. She continues to feel blessed every day.
Email: [email protected]
Kimberly Estrada
Business Manager
Kimberly grew up in Oklahoma, in a Mexican immigrant family. She brings a professional background in project management, research, and quality assurance to her work and service. She is passionate about fostering community, promoting unity, and engaging in purposeful work. Since July 2025, she and her husband have been active members of the SPB parish community. At home, they enjoy life with their dog, Canela. In her free time, Kimberly loves reading, singing, and baking.
Email: [email protected]
John Bush
FACILITIES DIRECTOR
John Bush has worked at St Philip Benizi for 20 years as the Director of Plant Operations. He has helped the parish as it has grown and maintains a beautiful space both inside our eight buildings and outside on our beautiful campus.
Email: [email protected]
Darrell Mayo
FACILITIES TEAM MEMBER
Darrell is happy to be back home at St. Philip Benizi! He was baptized here in 1970 and received his 1st Holy Communion and First Reconciliation from Fr. Kiernan. He was also Confirmed here in the 80s. Darrell lives in McDonough, Ga.
Althea Fletcher
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Althea began her journey with SPB in March 2007. She is married with 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
Email: [email protected]
Dulcie Armstrong
PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR
Dulcie was born in an Air Force family and moved around a lot until moving to Georgia in 1991. She has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. In August of 1998 she joined the preschool staff with a commitment to serve the preschool families. Every day is a gift to get to learn and grow with the preschool children.
Email: [email protected]
Zulema Hernandez Galvan
DIRECTOR OF FAITH FORMATION
Zulema serves as Director of Faith Formation, walking with families and parish teams through their journey of faith toward the sacraments. She collaborates closely with her community and also participates in Archdiocesan forums, supporting catechetical efforts beyond the parish. She’s committed to accompanying others with care and dedication.
Email: [email protected]
Ramiro Flores
FACILITIES TEAM MEMBER
Come back soon for Ramiro’s bio!
Megan Reed
Engagement Coordinator
A proud Colorado native, Megan is new to St. Philip Benizi as well as the Atlanta area. She first headed south for school where she earned her BA in Religious Studies from The University of Alabama-where she met her now husband, Nathan. She has a working background in marketing, design, and social media. Megan loves traveling, and new adventures; she is passionate about loving and serving others and is eager to do so at St. Philip Benizi.
Email: [email protected]
Parish life gallery
Location
- St. Philip Benizi
- 591 Flint River Rd,
- Jonesboro, GA 30238
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