Staff Directory

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Rev. Robert Schultz

Pastor
(847) 678-0138

Fr. Rob Schultz graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL and was ordained to the priesthood in 2001. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Wilmette (2001-06) and St. Paul of the Cross Parish in Park Ridge (2006-09). He served as Pastor of St. Beatrice Parish from July 1, 2009 to Sep. 30, 2020, and as Administrator of St. Maria Goretti Parish from July 1, 2019 to Sep. 30, 2020 - both in Schiller Park.  On Oct. 1, 2020, these two parishes united into Holy Virgin Martyrs: Saints Beatrice & Maria Goretti Parish, and Fr. Rob began his new term as Pastor.

Fr, Rob has also worked with Project Rachel to provide post-abortion healing, is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and served as chaplain to the Schiller Park Fire Department.
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Fr. Rob is also an avid runner and an Ironman 70.3 triathlete.

Marlene Bacha

Business Manager
(847) 678-0138   |  h[email protected]

Zerlina Kirchen

Coordinator of Lifelong Faith Formation
(847) 671-6429  | [email protected]

Zerlina Kirchen has been Coordinator of Religious Education at St. Beatrice Parish from July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2020.  On July 1, 2020 she became the Coordinator of the new combined Religious Education program.   She has been a receptionist in the rectory since May 2002.  She has also been the Parish Wedding Coordinator since July 2002, and has coordinated the Altar Server program since July 2005.  She is also a Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Communion.

Richard Gersten

Music Director
(708) 786-8630 | [email protected]
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Richard Gersten is a graduate of Northwestern University (Certificate in Performance & MM) in Evanston, IL and The American Conservatory of Music (BM) in Chicago.  Other studies include Roosevelt University, Sherwood Conservatory of Music, Wright College, Triton College and Bel Canto Seminario.  He has served as Cantor at St. Mary of the Woods Parish in Chicago (1997), St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Chicago (1997), St. Peter’s Parish in Skokie (1997-2000).  As Organist & Cantor at St. Philomena Parish in Chicago (1997).  As Director of Music at Villa Scalabrini and Casa San Carlo in Northlake (1997-2000), St. Beatrice Parish since July, 2000, and Holy Virgin Martyrs Parish since Oct., 2020.

Mr. Gersten also serves as a faculty member of DePaul University in Chicago since 1990, Wright College in Chicago since 1993 and Millikin University in Decatur (1995-1996).  Mr. Gersten is co-founder of The Tenors 3 and a member of The Italian Opera Company of Chicago.